I?m a bit torn...

[DTP]

Being stationed in Florida is really cutting down on some of western goals, I cannot wait to move back out west or Midwest. 


Anyways...
I?ve been dying to try something new as far as elk hunting goes.
My thoughts were cash in some Wyoming points, Idaho OTC, or a different unit in New Mexico.  I?ve hunted the same unit in NM the last 5 years in a row and it?s been very good to me. 


So here is my dilemma.  I want to try something new, but I want to do it right.  To me that includes a few scouting trips for area familiarization.  With the new job and logistics, that?s not reasonable. 


So if you were in my shoes, would you try something new, burning some decent Wyoming points (I have 4) or stick to what I know until I can get stationed closer to the other areas?


FYI I do have Montana points that I will be cashing in 2020 to draw a breaks unit.  So that is also a factor.  I am going with someone who has hunted it before and I?ve been researching it since I started collecting points there 2 years ago.


I appreciate any thoughts or recommendations 

 

[ILbowhntr]

First thing that comes to mind, how the heck did you draw a NM elk tag 5 years in a row.
Stick to what you know and bank points until you have the time to devote to the new area.

 

[DTP]

First thing that comes to mind, how the heck did you draw a NM elk tag 5 years in a row.
Stick to what you know and bank points until you have the time to devote to the new area.

I?ve been extremely fortunate to the point where I?m overly lucky. 
When I was stationed in New Mexico I changed my residency to NM.


So I still maintain that residency status for the duration of my enlistment as long as I don?t claim resident status in any other state, to include Florida. 


The unit I draw is a lower to mid tier spot.  So with residence status I generally have 26-28% draw odds. That?s where the luck came in....

 

[cohunter14]

I think the question would be if you had six or seven Wyoming points, would it change where you hunt? Or would you hunt the same area that you would with four points? If it?s the same unit, hunt it and start collecting points again. If it would be different, save them and test your skills on an OTC hunt. I mean Ray Charles could fill a tag in that NM unit of yours...I?m anxious to see if you are really that talented or if it?s the unit you hunt...


:haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:

 

[DTP]

I think the question would be if you had six or seven Wyoming points, would it change where you hunt? Or would you hunt the same area that you would with four points? If it?s the same unit, hunt it and start collecting points again. If it would be different, save them and test your skills on an OTC hunt. I mean Ray Charles could fill a tag in that NM unit of yours...I?m anxious to see if you are really that talented or if it?s the unit you hunt...


:haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:

[/size]Thanks Derek :-( [/size] Hahahaha
[font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif][/size]The one thing is I have scouted so much of my unit and each year. So I know a lot of nooks and crannies and can usually get jnto the elk pretty quick.  [/font]

[font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]My goal when I started collecting WY points was to find a general unit I could draw every year or two and get into elk. The issue is I moved and it put a damper on that.  So now I?d be stuck burning good points on a general spot, burn my points and take a friend out there (I should have enough for two people to draw), or just save a few more year until I start getting into better hunts.  Then start my original plan when I move back out that way![size=78%][/font]

 

[ILbowhntr]

I?m going to burn my points in Wyoming this year to double my chances over the areas I?m hunting in Colorado and idaho. It?s a General Tag, so not great but better.
If I had a know hot spot in New Mexico, that?s where I?d be and bank points for a Limited Tag.
I?m going to do a bear hunt in my General area this year just to get the lay of the land.

 

[cnelk]

4 PPs in the WY Special Draw will get you into some great areas.... just saying

 

[Bowhunter1]

If I had 4 PPs for Wyoming I would head Back to Grizzly country. :wave:

 

[DTP]

I?m going to burn my points in Wyoming this year to double my chances over the areas I?m hunting in Colorado and idaho. It?s a General Tag, so not great but better.
If I had a know hot spot in New Mexico, that?s where I?d be and bank points for a Limited Tag.
I?m going to do a bear hunt in my General area this year just to get the lay of the land.

That?s a great plan to do the bear hunt so you can get the layout! I like your thinking.


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[DTP]

4 PPs in the WY Special Draw will get you into some great areas.... just saying

I completely forgot about a special.... I need to read into that and see what kind of opportunities that opens up!

Thanks!


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[DTP]

If I had 4 PPs for Wyoming I would head Back to Grizzly country. :wave:

One of these days I?m going to do a neat horse pack in hunt.  That sounds like a great place to do it.


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[cohunter14]

If I had 4 PPs for Wyoming I would head Back to Grizzly country. :wave:

One of these days I?m going to do a neat horse pack in hunt.  That sounds like a great place to do it.


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I can see that one going well...you shoot an elk, get ready to pack it out, and a grizzly is there eating your horse  :lol:

 

[Ol Arky]

Derek, stop picking on Dan the jake killer.... :grin: :grin:

 

[sn.outdoors]

...save them and test your skills on an OTC hunt. I mean Ray Charles could fill a tag in that NM unit of yours...I?m anxious to see if you are really that talented or if it?s the unit you hunt...


:haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:

You and I have talked about this at length, and I'm with Derek on this one. The biggest thing for you, Dan, is to get out of your comfortable spots and learn to hunt new areas. You might not kill everywhere you go, but you'll learn and improve as a hunter and person.

Plan to hunt OTC every year (because it's a guarantee that you can), keep your "non-trophy" NM unit on your application, pick one state to bank points in and save up for the glory unit, save 5-7 points in the other states and rotate around every couple years.

"Never follow your passion, but always bring it with you." ~Mike Rowe