Backpacking Hunt in Colorado/Wyoming

[hawk22]

I'm looking to do a hunt out west and wondered if anyone had some suggestions as far as which state to go for?  I'm wanting to go after mule deer on a DIY hunt.  I'm looking to apply for licenses if I need to so I'm just trying to plan early.  Feel free to share any pictures from your hunts too! Thanks for the input!

[Gehrke145]

Colorado is loaded up with big bucks.  Down by me in the south west its pretty easy to get on a nice one.  How are you looking to hunt, spot and stalk, blinds, stands?

[centaur]

If you hunt wilderness areas in Wyoming, you will need a guide as per Game and Fish regulations. I'm thinking Colorado has bigger mulies on the whole than we do, unless you want to pay a big fee.

[YORNOC]

I hunted Durango Co. area for elk, and was astounded by quite a few mulies. Back in 1992 though. Are you used to elevation?

[youngarcher1]

I can speak for Durango county as my dad and brother just got back from a hunt out there and theres plenty of big mulies there with easy access too

[hawk22]

I'm looking to do a backpack/bivouac spot and stalk hunt as far back as I can get.  I don't want to use a guide or an outfitter.  Just want to get into the wilderness and hunt.

[Shedrock]

Go to CO, our mule deer in WY are going downhill at an alarming rate.

Yes, you do need a guide in WY if your hunting in the wilderness. Dumb law, you don't need a guide to fish, backpack, or watch birds in the wilderness of WY.

[awbowman]

If I'm right, you have to be selected in CO, no OTC hunts.  And the points required for the good areas are getting higher and higher.

BUT they do have mulies!

[hawk22]

I figured I would I have to apply for a tag.  It's my understanding that you can buy an archery elk tag over the counter but not mule deer?  That seems goofy but I'm sure there's a reason for it.

[Bivyhunter]

Some of the units down there you'll have about a 30% chance at drawing with no points and will draw with 1 point. You can put in for a tougher to draw unit first choice and an easier for the second choice. If you don't draw on the first choice and do draw your second, you'll still gain a point off of your unsuccessful first choice.

[Geezer]

Its really not too goofy...we just have a lot more elk than Indiana.      

A large portion of our elk units are OTC but quite a number of them are draw only.  Application deadline will probably be in early April.  Pick a spot in Colorado, call the DOW biologist for that area and stay in touch with him/her through the winter.  The high country in the Durango-Mancos-Ridgeway triangle has some super bucks but you'd better be in good shape for the San Juans!

[Gehrke145]

Shoot me a pm if you want some more info on the durango  area