Wildabeest
Well-known member
Q: Is it OK to shoot the lead cow if you burned 10 pts on the tag? Asking for a friend.
10 Point Cow Hunt
- Thread starter Kiwi
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belshawelk
Well-known member
If she has B&C ears.
belshawelk
Well-known member
I dunno. It’s your hunt and all that matters is if you’d be happy. Many states have over the counter cow hunts. Some on private but high access and pretty cheap if they are damaged tags. Heck for under a $50,000 you can come kill a cow in my property. lol.
SaskHunter
Well-known member
Hunting elk, any elk > not hunting elk
I've shot a spike on a good type-1 elk tag in Wyoming and hands down my best elk hunt. I was with my daughter at the time on her first big hunting trip. So much fun all around and I would've gladly taken a cow with that tag had my daughter asked me to. She kept that skull in her room (and the pronghorn we shot on the same trip) for a long time! Mom took the elk away (because spike elk are creepy, which they are) but that pronghorn is still up on her desk and I don't think it's going anywhere until it's replaced with her own!
I've shot a spike on a good type-1 elk tag in Wyoming and hands down my best elk hunt. I was with my daughter at the time on her first big hunting trip. So much fun all around and I would've gladly taken a cow with that tag had my daughter asked me to. She kept that skull in her room (and the pronghorn we shot on the same trip) for a long time! Mom took the elk away (because spike elk are creepy, which they are) but that pronghorn is still up on her desk and I don't think it's going anywhere until it's replaced with her own!
duckhunt
Well-known member
After I get a bull that will probably be my strategy also. I don't even care if it's a rag horn.
SaskHunter
Well-known member
Big bulls (elk and moose) are neat until you start running out of place in the house and shop...
Kiwi
Well-known member
Yes, exactly. I have 6 shoulder mounts (3 from NZ and 3 from US) and that's all the space I have really.
Hawk Tuah
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I don't think it's crazy if it's what you want to do.
I shoot the hell out of does, cows, hens and ewes so I am biased.
Also, hunting high end elk units for cows is pretty awesome.
I shoot the hell out of does, cows, hens and ewes so I am biased.
Also, hunting high end elk units for cows is pretty awesome.
Six by five
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I'm generally in favor of using points. Any elk is a trophy! I'm not sure of your time constraints but realize Colorado seasons are either 5, 7, or 9 days with a rifle. Much longer if you are archery hunting (30 days) and 7 days if you go with the muzzle.
It is a state with a lot of elf and a lot of educated elk! They know where to go when the hunting pressure starts. But Colorado also has so much habitat and so many beautiful mountains it is totally worth it to get your feet on the ground for a cow or bull.
Personally I like the EE tags, where you can get a cow or a bull. Lots of those tags you can get with 10 points.
Look at the New moon and Full moon phases when picking a season also. Seems like it makes a big difference to me anyway. When it's a New moon they'll move more in the daylight
It is a state with a lot of elf and a lot of educated elk! They know where to go when the hunting pressure starts. But Colorado also has so much habitat and so many beautiful mountains it is totally worth it to get your feet on the ground for a cow or bull.
Personally I like the EE tags, where you can get a cow or a bull. Lots of those tags you can get with 10 points.
Look at the New moon and Full moon phases when picking a season also. Seems like it makes a big difference to me anyway. When it's a New moon they'll move more in the daylight
2006 I spent $800 for a Tule cow LO tag after a NO again with 16 points in the draw. CA. Tules everywhere at work and on the drive home, drove me to it.
By 2008 I had more than enough when they offered me early retirement...I had drawn NM for a 11th time and was looking more at properties than hunting.
2009 I had another Pecos tag in my pocket when I moved to SW NM and had found this little slice of heaven. With a 19th NO from CA.
I moved and was waiting for a domestic well to be drilled and power brought in, went up to the Pecos and filled my 6th bull tag. 8 for 12 in the NM NR draw. A 300 inch Pecos trophy.
I dropped the bull at butcher and came to the ranch after checking my mail. I had a well in and power came in the next day too. In the mail was a envelope from NMG&F with 2 MB and 6 A LO tags. I settled in and watched tons of elk hit my stock tank w/windmill and could not give a RO LO tag away.
I went back to clean out the cabin one last time in CA and filled my last CA Mulie tag.
A busy year for me.
This year I am in for 3 choices for cows here at home...I might get 1 LO tag. 17th year in NM. No more points or out of state hunts.
The Tule hide and the last buck will hang on my friends new WI cabin wall with a bear hide. No room here in this little place.
Coyotes & Dotti ate the 300 Pecos bull...hanging in a tree. Have a 280ish still hanging. I took it here.
Seen 2 400+ bulls since my bro left empty handed. Neighbor told me he got $15K for his UW LO tag. LOL
Dotti & I watched 40 cows leave yesterday @0900. I hope I draw a cow tag.
A cow is a trophy in my book.
Good Luck & Good Hunting whatever you decide.
By 2008 I had more than enough when they offered me early retirement...I had drawn NM for a 11th time and was looking more at properties than hunting.
2009 I had another Pecos tag in my pocket when I moved to SW NM and had found this little slice of heaven. With a 19th NO from CA.
I moved and was waiting for a domestic well to be drilled and power brought in, went up to the Pecos and filled my 6th bull tag. 8 for 12 in the NM NR draw. A 300 inch Pecos trophy.
I dropped the bull at butcher and came to the ranch after checking my mail. I had a well in and power came in the next day too. In the mail was a envelope from NMG&F with 2 MB and 6 A LO tags. I settled in and watched tons of elk hit my stock tank w/windmill and could not give a RO LO tag away.
I went back to clean out the cabin one last time in CA and filled my last CA Mulie tag.
A busy year for me.
This year I am in for 3 choices for cows here at home...I might get 1 LO tag. 17th year in NM. No more points or out of state hunts.
The Tule hide and the last buck will hang on my friends new WI cabin wall with a bear hide. No room here in this little place.
Coyotes & Dotti ate the 300 Pecos bull...hanging in a tree. Have a 280ish still hanging. I took it here.
Seen 2 400+ bulls since my bro left empty handed. Neighbor told me he got $15K for his UW LO tag. LOL
Dotti & I watched 40 cows leave yesterday @0900. I hope I draw a cow tag.
A cow is a trophy in my book.
Good Luck & Good Hunting whatever you decide.
CMF
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Seems like so many cheaper and easier ways to get a cow tag. To burn 10 points, I'd want to chase bugling bulls, even if you don't keep the antlers or just saw em off with the skull plate.
Not sure what you're considering "best units in the state," but we don't have trouble finding elk in zero-point units.
Not sure what you're considering "best units in the state," but we don't have trouble finding elk in zero-point units.
Burning 10 elk points on a cow tag in a top tier unit is not crazy at all plenty of hunters do it and say it's one of the best decisions they made.
Cow tags in premium units like 2, 10, 22, 76, etc. are often overlooked because people hoard points for bulls, so leftover cow tags in great areas go to point burners like you.
You get the full Colorado experience stunning country in the SW corner San Juan mountains, Uncompahgre, etc., low pressure cows are less spooky, good meat, and a chance to hunt during prime fall colors migration.
Timing location flexibility is huge many say the cow hunt was more enjoyable than their bull hunts because it felt relaxed, scenic, and productive.
Success rates are often 50–80% in those units, so you're likely filling the freezer and making memories.
Cow tags in premium units like 2, 10, 22, 76, etc. are often overlooked because people hoard points for bulls, so leftover cow tags in great areas go to point burners like you.
You get the full Colorado experience stunning country in the SW corner San Juan mountains, Uncompahgre, etc., low pressure cows are less spooky, good meat, and a chance to hunt during prime fall colors migration.
Timing location flexibility is huge many say the cow hunt was more enjoyable than their bull hunts because it felt relaxed, scenic, and productive.
Success rates are often 50–80% in those units, so you're likely filling the freezer and making memories.
Kiwi
Well-known member
Nicely stated, thanks for your input.
Clearly there are some people who value a cow hunt, I see last year a NR drew EF002O3R with 25 points! Could have been a mistake I guess.
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2rocky
Well-known member
How far out are you from drawing the unit you want? Do you have a group you are hunting with that demand you burn your points this season? One of the things I enjoy about my Nevada friends is that the whole group goes, when one has a tag and then they all have boots on the ground experience in the unit while being the cook, horse wrangler, glasser, meat packer, etc. before they draw their tag.
I think you could apply for the hunt you dream of as your first choice and have a cow tag as your second choice , be guaranteed a tag of some sort, and still keep your points intact. You still have a random chance...
Kiwi
Well-known member
I can draw the bull elk tag that I have been looking at in an area I have hunted previously, but a cow hunt would allow me to explore new areas, which is being more important to me every year.
I don’t have a group lined up for this hunt, but here in New Zealand I also do a lot of hunting with friends and agree it’s a great time.
Now I am thinking I’ll apply for CO deer this year (I have 7 points) and keep my elk points for an elk hunt in a few years. Even with the CO draw changes I should be able to still draw a cow hunt in a great area.
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