Colorado - Units 2, 10, 11, 6, 161 Antelope

[LIK2HNT]

Hello everyone, looking for some help from others hunting any species in any of these units. Planning on using my 25 NR points in one of these units next year. I would appreciate any info on antelope herd numbers people are seeing in any of these areas. I know antelope were hit pretty hard from the '22/'23 winter. Biologist said 161 & 6 were not hit hard like the NW corner. Units 2, 10, & 11 still seem to talk a bunch of points so I am wondering how hard those units were really hit, or are applicants applying understanding there are lower numbers, yet still good trophy potential?
Thanks
Bill

 

[just_a_hunter]

I have no experience in 161 & 6.. As for the NW corner, I don't think there is an 80" antelope in any of them. It is hard pressed to find a mid 70's buck.

Good luck,

Todd

 

[PonoHunt]

I will be in 161 in 10 days for antelope. Will let you know how I do.

 

[3Sons]

I hunted unit 6 many years ago before it took so many points to draw. While I haven’t had eyes on the area since the 22/23 winter, I can say I had a fun hunt when I was there. There was plenty of BLM so hunters were fairly spread out which was nice. I never saw anything really big though. CPW’s population estimates (if you trust them) for the North Park herd did drop from 1900 to 1300 after winter of 22/23.
Hopefully someone can chime in for you on the NW corner.

 

[tailchasers]

We have several years of needed recovery here in the NW corner. Have you checked out the SE units?

 

[LIK2HNT]

We have several years of needed recovery here in the NW corner. Have you checked out the SE units?

Not yet

 

[yotebuster17]

The high point antelope units in CO take a lot of points because they take a lot of points. People build them, then want to use them, so they pick units that take a lot of points, which causes them to take more points. It’s a snowball rolling down the hill. I’d take a 5 point WY tag over a 25-30 point CO tag any day of the year.

 

[MountainSqwabler]

Had a couple friends whom didn't take my advice and hunted 3 and that area for goats within the last 2 years. All of those friends saw maybe 3 bucks. None were successful, all cried about how terrible the hunting was in the NW corner. Don't waste your time.

 

[just_a_hunter]

I agree with Yotebuster17 100%... I've lived in NW Colorado since 2006. I've seen a few nice bucks in that time. I have NEVER seen one that I thought was anywhere near worth the points it takes to draw a tag here, and that is back when a unit 11 tag only took 10 points or less. They do not get big here. I've hunted 11 a lot, have spent a lot of time in 10, have spent a lot of time in 2 and 201. I spent several days in Unit 201 last week. Saw hundreds of antelope right square in the antelope rut... the numbers were definitely getting better but the biggest one might have hit low 70's.... You would be so much better off heading to the other side of the state and paying a trespass fee if the trophy size matters to you for your points.

Todd

 

[tailchasers]

That SE corner is over looked IMO simply because the lack of access. Couple of those units down there have better than average access though.

 

[jims]

My son and I both have a boat-load of Colo res antelope pts. We've been waiting for some of the NW units to recover.....which doesn't seem like it's ever going to happen.

SE Colo is where Eastmans has gotten at least one whopper on film! If you can find a good private ranch with decent antelope numbers it could be a great spot to burn pts. I would do a pile of research on outfitters or ranches in the SE corner and you may find something worthy of your pts.

 

[LIK2HNT]

To bad I can not split my points with my daughter. Antelope hunts are fun and we enjoy them DIY. Might just keep researching unit 6 and 161. Would also then get a Wyoming tags (both my daughter and I) so I can do 2 hunts in the same trip.
Thanks everyone.
Keep ideas coming.
Bill