Eventually moving to Colorado. Any suggestions in regards to hunting?

[Ryan Sanpei]

In about six years, my family and I are hoping to relocate to Colorado.

As a current non-resident, does anyone have any information or suggestions on public land hunting? I would like to begin my research now. Applying for points, diy hunts, scouting trips, etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Ryan

I'm no help, other than to say to stay out of Denver!

Good luck to y'all!

Bisch

[Ragin Bull]

Yes, don't wait that long!

[M60gunner]

Where in Colorado you relocate to would depend on work? I always liked the area around Eastes Park. Went through Denver once, big city, to much traffic, to crowded. Also liked Colorado Springs, not real big of a town but nice folks. I'm f course there are some tourists trap towns along I-70 that attract skiers and such. Very pricey. Look along I-25, there are many smaller cities that because of the Interstate may well have work available.

[The Night Stalker]

I have my favorite places, as mentioned above, it depends on work. I will send you a message Ryan

[Jayrod]

guess this means i need to come visit and do some hunting ry soon and chase some goats!!?

[Ryan Sanpei]

LOL Bisch! Yes we're trying to stay away from the crowds. Our island is about to sink with the amount of people that reside here. A 30 minute drive to work takes me two hours...

I wish Bill, but we want the kids to graduate from high school first.

Thomas, we're not too worried about jobs at this point and won't reside permanently until we travel and explore a bit. I'm more concerned about hunting opportunities within the State.

Sounds good Tim.

Better hurry Jarrod!

Thanks Guys!

[centaur]

If it was me, which of course it isn't, I would look at Craig/Meeker and that area. A lot like Wyoming, lots of critters, not too many people. The western part of the state still is like Colorado used to be, at least in some places. A big town that isn't too bad is Grand Junction. The front range is pretty much ruined, in my completely unbiased opinion.

[Ryan Sanpei]

Thank you Pat!

[old_goat2]

Yeah I hate Denver but it pays the bills and I'm lucky now to live close to work and only have to drive side streets. The good places to live don't have much work is the problem. I'd personally love to live in Kremmling or Yampa area. Western slope is nice too. There are some good points to living in Denver Metro but I'd rather live else where and come to the city once in a while to enjoy those good points! Get in the CPW web site and start accumulating points for draw, they will transfer to resident status when you move here

[kbetts]

I just got back from there and hunting opportunity should be the least of your worriers.  I hunted public land with an OTC tag and saw more sign than I could hunt.  The amount of land seems endless.  I learned a lot and can't wait till next time.  You won't be disappointed.  I looked over jobs/housing in the area I was in and it definitely runs to the extremes on both ends.  Beautiful country....I'd go in a heart beat if I didn't have such a good job here in DE.  My wife has agreed to let me be a mountain man every year or two from here on out though, so I can't complain.

[Matty]

I think it depends on the economy at the time. work opportunity and availability as well.  If you are used to city life you might want to be (somewhat) near a city but slightly detached so that life isn't bumper to bumper.  Don't know that I'd worry about residing near hunt able areas as we have tons of hunt able area. And no point in living all year in a particular place just for the 1 month of hunting that we have.  Like most people don't get to hunt the whole month 15-20 days max. Come visit I'd love to show you around...

[DarkTimber]

If I were moving to CO and work wasn't the deciding factor Durango and Glenwood Springs would be on my short list.

[cacciatore]

For sure the Western  slope, Grand Junction is a Bice place colse to Utah, great elk hunting spot, some if the best trad guys around.

[4dogs]

Ryan. You asked about hunting. If I were in your shoes i would start learning all I could about the game you want to go after...probably elk and mule deer. Spend alot of time on the colorado game and fish sites to study everything from wintering and summer grounds, migrating routs, habitat etc. I would also become friends with Tom Clum at RMSG (easy to do) He would be an excellent scource to guide you to alot of good reading material, maps etc. And of couple of visits to check things out wouldnt hurt either. While you are here a side trip up a few miles into Wyoming would also be a great idea, maybe a game changer.

[oldgoat]

Ryan, start applying for sheep and goat to build up points. I waited to long to get up that high. Bob

[kadbow]

I would pick Wyoming, too many people moved here already (mostly non-hunters).

[pdk25]

Personally, I couldn't consider moving to a state with such a short hunting season, but that is an individual decision.  There aren't many places that I have seen that are more beautiful than along the Conejos River.

[Nantahala Nut]

Originally posted by S2 Bowstrings:

Thomas, we're not too worried about jobs at this point and won't reside permanently until we travel and explore a bit. I'm more concerned about hunting opportunities within the State.
 

This man has his priorities straight!

[BWallace10327]

Originally posted by kadbow:
I would pick Wyoming, too many people moved here already (mostly non-hunters).

I'd have to add that the number on non hunters dwindles as the notion of anti-hunting becomes more and more fashionable.  There is good hunting to be found in Colorado though but the persistent paradigm of the state in general is becoming more "boulderish"