Hunting & Fishing New to Co hunting - input needed

[Napsters]

Hi all,

I am new to hunting in Colorado. On average how difficult is it to draw big game tags. I was just reading on here one guy from Nevada took 15 years to draw Elk tags. What would be the average for elk, antelope, and deer? Also are there hogs? Or do I have to drive to Tx for hogs?

Also would a 20 inch 308 be good to go on elk out there. What is the average distance. I have access to a 7mm mag if the 308 won't cut it because of the distance.

My grandpa has a place out near yoder on highway 94. I always see antelope along the way. Be fun to shoot them off his deck.

 

[High Binder]

Re: New to Co hunting - input needed

I get tags for big game every year except this one (bum knee is keeping me sidelined) but I also live here so...

There are no hogs here (yet).

Speed goats are far easier to get up in WY, I don't even put in for them here.

 

[Napsters]

Re: New to Co hunting - input needed

Really. I own a house in Co already I just need to move out. Speed goats are hard? I must drive past a minimum of 6 every time I go down 94. I guess it may be a problem getting the property owners to let you shoot them.

What are the laws on baiting them? My uncle plants hey out on the corners of the property. They are normally around maybe 2 times a week in the mornings until their dogs chase them off. Would it be legal to shoot one or is that baiting the?

 

[High Binder]

Re: New to Co hunting - input needed

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Napsters</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Really. I own a house in Co already I just need to move out. Speed goats are hard? I must drive past a minimum of 6 every time I go down 94. I guess it may be a problem getting the property owners to let you shoot them.

What are the laws on baiting them? My uncle plants hey out on the corners of the property. They are normally around maybe 2 times a week in the mornings until their dogs chase them off. Would it be legal to shoot one or is that baiting the? </div></div>

No, there are tons of speed goats, the hard part is getting the tags for spots where they are.

You can't bait them but if they're feeding off of crops not intended for them then those crops aren't bait so you should be good to go now the hard part will be getting tags.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: New to Co hunting - input needed

Being from Wyoming, I can't tell you about tags in Colorado.

But hunting itself isn't that much different in Wyoming.

I've never seen the need to shoot elk, deer, antelope past 300 yards. Keeping that in mind, you're 20" 308 will work just fine.

Elk requires a bit of phyical effort, when you get my age (2 months shy of 65) weight becomes a problem. I like Featherweight style rifles, I do more humping then shooting. That's one reason I don't like magnums, Any thing that can be killed with a 7 Rem Mag can be killed with a Featherweight in 270 Win.

 

[Napsters]

Re: New to Co hunting - input needed

Thanks for the advice. I keep reading on antelope that people say if you want to fill your tags it may require 500 yard shots. I would Luke to keep it closer, not that I could not hit it. Just I would like to be sure they are not going to go to light speed while I am pulling the trigger. I know the bullet goes faster than sound but anything else can spook them.

As for my rifle, I can not say either of my 308s are feather weights.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: New to Co hunting - input needed

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I keep reading on antelope that people say if you want to fill your tags it may require 500 yard shots.</div></div>

That's because most people over estimate the distance. Antelope are small, often standing in tall grass or sage making them look smaller.

Also they are out in the open and there is nothing to reference them as to size.

 

[High Binder]

Re: New to Co hunting - input needed

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Napsters</div><div class="ubbcode-body">antelope that people say if you want to fill your tags it may require 500 yard shots. </div></div>

If you can't get a speed goat in less than 300 you're doing it wrong. Sure you can do it as far out as you want and they do like to spook but when they do spook they only go 50 or so yards and then start mulling around again, unless you shoot and miss or something. In WY there is more than enough terrain changes and ample bush/weed covering to crawl in on them too if need be. You're only real problem would be all of the property lines.

 

[roggom]

Re: New to Co hunting - input needed

If you are patient they will move over into public land, also there is the big game walk in program "big game access" for southeast CO. Ranchers open their land for speed goat hunting, so there are literally hundreds of miles to cover. Just an additional $40 for the pass.

You can get leftover doe tags with no problem for regular season and more in the late season (December). Cow Elk tags are available over the counter for areas like Northpark and Walden, (not the best locations), as Elk tend to hang out on the outfitters land, but you never know.

As for the rifles, 20" 308, is that a SPS compact? If it is the sps tac, not sure you will want to hump a 11-13lb rifle up at 10K feet. That will get old very fast.

The 7mm and a 160 Accubond or partition will be enough for the Elk. Dont get too wrapped around the axle about caliber, just dont take risky shots.

The 308 will be perfect for speed goats though. As a matter of fact, that is what my daughter and I will be using this year.

Mine sps-v cut to 22" pushing 178 Amax will be good out to 600Y
Hers sps-t RWS Brake 125 Nosler BT youth load good out to 250Y.

Altitude is your friend!!

Welcome to the Mile High!

 

[Napsters]

Re: New to Co hunting - input needed

No It's not an sps. It's an AE mk3 with a night force f1. I am shocked it is under 15 pounds. I know it's not the best choice, my other choice is my 30-30 model 94 I got when I was a kid. Again not the best choice.

My uncle has a BLD 7mm and a 243. Probably better for hiking around up at altitude. If the AI pisses me off, I will drop my NF on his rifle and borrow that. He will probably go out with me the first few times cause he has hunted out there most of his life.

My AI hates the 178s at least the Superpreformance loads. Well it will shoot it better than most rifles and probably acceptable for most hunting.

 

[Napsters]

Re: New to Co hunting - input needed

Darn just found out I have to live in CO for 6 monts to get resident tags. Also antelope tags over the counter are for archery only. I am a decent shot, but I need a new bow. My 15 year old bear compound I got used on eBay has seen better days and I would need to find out how to get that close to them.