Strategy stumped

[Lostinthewoods]

I was able to build up a good pot of points while I was a NM resident.

Now that I’ve retired and changed my residency it’s time to start a plan.

The one thing I’m stuck on is mule deer points.

In your experience which would you get rid of first so you can just start the cycle over and hunt lower point units more often.
For this scenario you had 12 points in Wyoming or 10 points in Colorado.

At this time I have two options.

Cash in my CO points and try my first ever “high altitude” archery hunt. Then start attacking low point units.

Cash in my WY points and average in some buddies to just go try our luck.
Then continue to hit low point units.


Additional factors that play in:
Archery
I’ve only killed one small buck
I’m not chasing a trophy buck (don’t worry, not shooting a forky)
2 weeks to put towards the trip
Will scout
Might be dumb, but if I choose Wyoming I’ll probably burn my antelope points too so I can restart those.
I have Montana too, but will save those for later. I’d really like to start with CO or WY.
When I started saving points for CO I was targeting two units and I have enough to draw either. Wyoming was just buying points to buy points.
If I burn Wyoming then I can scout some of the elk units I want to cash in on.



My gut says burn CO so I can start that over. I’ve met the amount I need for the two units I’ve wanted so why not try it out.

Then next year I could try Wyoming. That frees up the opportunity to draw a tag and buy the archery stamp to give me plenty of season to plan around.


Bottom line -
In your experience, which one are you starting over on first.


Poll added so you don’t have to call me dumb for probably overthinking and over complicating this.

 

[Nick87]

Go with your gut.

 

[cgasner1]

Apply for a tag you’d be happy with in Colorado and see if you draw if you don’t then do the same for Wyoming I’d probably apply with a higher probability for Colorado

 

[D_Walt]

In your situation I would go to Colorado this year and Wyoming next. That will start you pretty fresh for the new Colorado draw system in ‘28 and avoid the potential point dumping coming to Colorado in ‘27.

 

[Nick87]

Apply for a tag you’d be happy with in Colorado and see if you draw if you don’t then do the same for Wyoming I’d probably apply with a higher probability for Colorado

I'd go along with that.

 

[rogerthat]

Yeah your a few points past where you should burn them in both states. Flip a coin and do one than the other next year. The Wyoming draw is later so go aggressive with your point total in Colorado and if you don’t draw than you can get a Wyoming tag

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Yeah your a few points past where you should burn them in both states. Flip a coin and do one than the other next year. The Wyoming draw is later so go aggressive with your point total in Colorado and if you don’t draw than you can get a Wyoming tag

I can most certainly do that.
I’m probably going to choose the latter of the two units I’ve picked.
One I was always a point behind, but there was a weird anomaly last year and I could have drawn and “possibly” could this year.
I’d rather guarantee and get right into the new cycle.

 

[rogerthat]

I can most certainly do that.
I’m probably going to choose the latter of the two units I’ve picked.
One I was always a point behind, but there was a weird anomaly last year and I could have drawn and “possibly” could this year.
I’d rather guarantee and get right into the new cycle.

Sounds like a great plan! Those are both great deer hunting states. With those points your guaranteed two great deer hunts

 

[cgasner1]

Should have titled this deer drawing opportunity

 

[Treeshark]

Depends on what part of Wyoming you’re looking at- if western (or southern), I’d go Colorado first.

Also, Colorado draw is set to change a fair bit in 2028.

 

[Kiwi]

Apply for a tag you’d be happy with in Colorado and see if you draw if you don’t then do the same for Wyoming I’d probably apply with a higher probability for Colorado

That’s exactly what I am doing for 2026. With the addition of super long shots in AZ and NV.