Hunting with my brother-in-law. We each have 5 points.

For someone with no points, that wants to start collecting, is Wyoming still a good state to enter the draw?
Solely based on cost vs opportunity..?
Thanks

OwlAg13 said:

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For someone with no points, that wants to start collecting, is Wyoming still a good state to enter the draw?
Solely based on cost vs opportunity..?
Thanks

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Opportunity is huge but requires your patience or a lot of luck!

Honestly WY is not that great anymore. Point creep for just a general tag has been at least 1/2 a point per year and now takes 5 points to guarantee a general tag. If you start now by the time you have 5 points it will likely take nearly 8 points to draw. There is a random chance every year that is not terrible. Pretty crazy a resident can go grab the same tag at a gas station for $30.

If you want to hunt soon my suggestion is to take up archery and look at 0-2 point units in CO. Everything else is just a crap shoot.

Do yall have a good outfitter in NM for a horse pack hunt? I had found an outfit a few years ago that had great application strategies for a guided hunt that he said typically would get a tag every other year. He was late 70s and I think he either retired or died because I can't find his site anymore. I want to find one I can talk to about app strategy before I apply for elk

Apache said:

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Talk to Wes at Bull Valley. He does pack hunts in the Pecos wilderness, I got a muzzleloader bull with them in 2019

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Second Wes. He's got a nice honey hole back there. Got a nice 7x7 archery in 2022 with em. Wanted to go back ever since but logistically just hasn't worked out with the group since.

Are these private land tags or draw that requires pref points?

NM is a lottery every season. Your odds go up dramatically if putting in with an outfitter and for "primitive hunts" ie muzzle loader and archery

Sadly it looks like he has closed

I don't think so, maybe just moved his base of operations.
Try his website

He just posted a Muley hunt Jan 15 so doubt he's closed up

Apache said:

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I don't think so, maybe just moved his base of operations.
Try his website

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ok. I found him - should have kept scrolling past the initial hit

Ag_09 said:

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Advice needed please. I've always rifle hunted but I'm taking my brother in law up on an invite to start archery elk hunting with him.

I've never even looked into archery set ups. I'm looking for any tips the OB has on where to start when finding a bow/setup that's going to work for me.

I'm in kingwood and am also looking for recs on a good archery shop to go visit.

Thanks in advance!

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I use west Houston archery (I10/Kirkwood) They're good and the only people I really let mess with my bow. Also believe they are one of the largest Mathews retailers in the us

Thanks OB for the tips on Archery setups and shops.

I ended up checking out Texas Archery in Spring. Really great folks. My first visit about a month ago was just to do some research, ask questions, etc., and they took the time to listen and answer all of my questions.

As a bonus, their instructor had a lesson open up while I was there. Since I had not shot a bow since I was probably 10 in boy scouts I took the lesson. That turned out to be the best decision I could have made. The lesson was with a recurve, and it allowed me to get the basics of proper form and technique. It would also give me an idea of what to look for when trying out bows I might purchase.

Following the lesson, I went home and researched all the big brands current offerings. I ultimately decided that I wanted to try out the new Hoyts and Mathews bows. Danny at Texas Archery set up all of the bows in my draw length at 70 lb and we went to testing. I started with a total of 6 different Hoyt and Matthews bows and by the end of shooting them narrowed it down to the LiftX and the RX9. After shooting the last two a few more times, I landed on the Matthews LiftX 29.5. It's really a great feeling and shooting bow. Also happens to be the lightest out of everything I tried. For 70 lb, I think the draw cycle is great as well.

Since my purchase 9 days ago I've made time to shoot every day. I'm taking time to break in the bow and really focus on my form and consistent anchor. I'll give that another week then start getting my sight really dialed in.

TLDR
Texas Archery in Spring is Great!
Take a lesson before buying a bow if new to the sport.
Tried out hoyt and mathews bows
Bought Matthews LiftX 29.5 It's Great!
Now on to practicing every day

Gig 'Em!

I really like that shop. Don't forget to take another lesson with your current bow setup. I thought I was a decent shooter and then I took a couple lessons there and they pointed out stuff I would have never even thought of !

To add to my last post, she can draw a buck tag here for private land 3rd season with 1 or 2 points. I know a landowner that is a sucker to let kids hunt. A public land tag is 6 points.

I'm going to get her setup this year and get points for everything. Next year I'll work on trying to draw an actual tag and maybe you'll have some insight on where to apply that you wouldn't mind sharing.

Guess nobody drew in Arizona? No dice for me and my brother.

Western hunting prices and tags are getting straight up depressing. Utah is doubling Their fees, I'm 9 points deep ready to throw in towel.
Arizona struck out
Montana and NM elk apps in
Colorado undecided with 11 points

We put in for deer in Unit 11 CO. I gained access to some private land this year that gets me into land locked BLM that holds really good deer and elk in 3rd season.

My focus this year is finding a new job and fly fishing.

Hoyt Ag said:

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We put in for deer in Unit 11 CO. I gained access to some private land this year that gets me into land locked BLM that holds really good deer and elk in 3rd season.

My focus this year is finding a new job and fly fishing.

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How many points to draw a deer third season in that unit?

Residents are usually 0-1. Non-res I think 2-4. 2nd or 3rd season is good for deer, but for elk, 3rd or 4th. Elk is OTC and even outside my little pocket of land I mentioned, elk can be found even though its the start of more desert country. Just gotta put in the miles and not be a road hunter.

Need to get serious about a deer hunt. Have 4 pts currently. Thinking 2026.

If you want to come out this way, Im happy to help you find one or guide you.

Helped this OB'er out https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3341282

Always appreciative of any help! I'll let you know if we make it happen !

Utah application (points only) submitted

2025 is a copy/paste of 2024 for me. Drew a Deer B tag last year and filled it.

Montana resident:

(1st choice/2nd/3rd)
Antelope: 480-20/420-20/481-20
Deer B: 121-00/104-00
Elk: 410-20/621-20/622-20
Moose: 334-50
Bighorn Sheep: 123-20
Mountain Goat: 100-20
Bison: 395-20
Elk B: 121-00/121-01/104-00

5 days until the Colorado draw deadline.

I've got a reminder in my calendar but need to go ahead and knock this out. Planning to get my oldest daughter on the board this year too. Thanks for the heads up!

23 points in Utah for elk and deer….getting closer….

Howdy-

If you were a Colorado resident with 19 PP's for deer and elk, what units would you apply for as bowhunter?

Just realized the draw deadline is tomorrow….

Thanks gang!

Edit- good friend who is up to speed said no brainer for Unit 61 elk.