Colorado Pronghorn OTC

[Kiwi]

Hi All, next month I am heading to CO to try for high country mule deer. It will be my second year trying after a 'failed' attempt in WY two years ago.

Anyway, I am thinking that as a second hunt i might try for an archery OTC pronghorn. I am looking around Leadville (or Salida) as i will be passing through and it looks like a cool town to based near. But if anyone has recommendations for OTC units or areas to look at i would appreciate any help. I'm looking at 45, 48,481,56,561,86.

If anyone has NZ questions happy to help.

Thanks!

 

[LCH]

I'm of no help on Colorado pronghorn hunting, but have you looked at the leftover list? There are a few pronghorn tags available there, on sale next week. I don't know if they're any better than the OTC tags or not.

 

[nhn2a]

I have never hunted Pronghorn so I cant help much. However I hunted Mule Deer in unit 3/301 last season and we saw literally thousands of Pronghorn on a daily basis. They were everywhere and sometimes literally standing in the road so we had to honk to get them to move.

I just looked at the leftover list and there are 5 archery tags in that unit for public and a lot of private only tags. Im sure someone could easily fill a tag there.

 

[Kiwi]

Thanks the advice about leftovers. I did start looking but there weren’t any available around Leadville for the dates I’m there, but if the OTC units are so difficult to hunt then I will look at the leftovers again. And look at travelling away from Leadville. Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

Thanks the advice about leftovers. I did start looking but there weren’t any available around Leadville for the dates I’m there, but if the OTC units are so difficult to hunt then I will look at the leftovers again. And look at travelling away from Leadville. Thanks.

Kiwi I've lived in CO my whole life and when you said Pronghorn and Leadville my first thought was... there aren't Pronghorn in Leadville how is there even a season. Well apparently I was mistaken, CPAW estimated that in 2017 between 48,56, and 481 the total population was 170. I'm sure people do kill them up there but 3000 meters wouldn't be the first place I would chase Pronghorn with a bow. Honestly, I've never had a CO pronghorn tag I would look at WY or at the very least take a look at tags in the NW portion of the state.

 

[Kiwi]

Sound info, thanks wllm1313. I had an idea that I could hunt pronghorn near mountains but I guess that’s not a good OTC option! I will look further afield and maybe try and pick up a leftover tag. In hindsight I should have got points and applied for an archery tag in the draw. Either way I’ll getting super excited to hunt at least deer in CO next month. I will hunt pronghorn again in WY and have 3 points there.

 

[Colorado kid]

If you want to hunt speed goats in the mountains, a leftover will be your best option. South park is loaded with them as is middle park but neither are OTC. If you go the OTC route....look in units east of I25. Have fun while you're here!! Colorado is amazing!

 

[Kiwi]

Thanks Colorado kid. I can’t wait to get to CO. Just hope my training is enough for your high mountains!

 

[Colorado kid]

I think you will be just fine. Though it's probably easy for me to say as I work, eat and sleep at 8,000+ ft. For the vast majority of my low land visitors, the biggest problem they face is altitude sickness. I would highly suggest you give yourself 36 to 48 hours of being at altitude before you exert yourself. Give yourself a chance to acclimate. As soon as you get here, find a grocery store that sells canned O2 and buy 2 cans. 1 for the first 36 to 48 then one to bring with you into the back country. Altitude sickness can really out a damper on your visit to the Rockies. Your best bet is to avoid it at all costs. What part of the state are you heading to?

 

[justdada]

FYI... acclimating to altitude happens when your body produces more red blood cells as a result of lower availability of oxygen in the atmosphere, so using O2 while acclimating will defeat your purpose.

That said, we have observed antelope in valley between buena vista and Leadville but most of that country is private. It may serve you better to plan some fishing time instead, either way you'll be in a amazing country. Good luck!

 

[Colorado kid]

Good point.....seems to work for every person that has ever visited me over the last 15 years but......he may be correct. Though you risk altitude sickness by trying it without.

 

[Kiwi]

I arrive in Denver on a Wednesday and wont be doing much until Friday PM. One night in Denver and the second in Leadville and then hunting a week up high from there.

I have hunted high in WY before and after 48 hrs i was fine. I live at sea level and here in NZ don't usually hunt over 5000 feet so its definitely an adjustment. I have been hard out training so will be fit.

 

[Elkhunter24]

kiwi here is the list. Good luck!

http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Le...edium=Feature-1&utm_campaign=LeftoverList2018

 

[LCH]

If I remember right your Wyoming hunt was incredibly successful. I'm sure you'll get similar results in Colorado.

 

[Kiwi]

Thanks guys. appreciated. I’ve picked a leftover tag and will try for that.

 

[jeremyA1987]

Little late to the game on this thread, but figured I'd contribute what I know!
I grew up in Buena Vista and spend a majority of my summer poking around the Arkansas Valley.. I haven't seen a whole pile of antelope in those units, but they are there. To the north, toward Leadville just north out of Granite, there are some plains/meadows that seem like they always have some in there... And the fishing on the Arkansas is FANTASTIC up there.
Farther south, the most antelope I've seen are west out of Nathrop.. And the views, camping, and fishing are amazing.

 

[WildWill]

If I didn't already have a pile of antelope tags for Wyoming this year I know I'd be all over a couple of those leftover antelope tags. Some really good leftover antelope tags this year the question is how quick they will go don't make sure you get it as soon as they come out. I believe it's the 6th.

 

[Bigjay73]

7th.

 

[BrokenArrow]

Good Luck Kiwi.
I lived in Leadville for a few years and, believe it or not, attended Lincoln University outside of Christchurch. I did spend a lot of time in the Hokitika drainage and got my ass kicked up there. That's some amazing country. I haven't lived in Leadville for a few years but visit the Arkansas river valley multiple times a year. I really liked Jeremy's description of the area. He's spot on.
My big question is: Where are you going to hunt for Mule Deer? What unit do you have a tag for? Lots of good deer up that way

 

[Kiwi]

Hi BrokenArrow. I also went to Lincoln Uni too and also have hunted the west coast a few times, but never the Hokitika. Some serious country up there.
Sorry I cant mention the unit I'm hunting as i've been sworn to secrecy But i am definitely very excited to take a look around CO, sounds like an awesome place.