Hi All,
Talked to an outfitter by the name of Dave Guilliams at the Allegheny Sport Show. He was telling us about a muzzleloader only hunt in Colorado for elk/mule deer. Had a couple of questions and thought someone might be able to help.
#1=He said we might be able to get "preference points" and in year 2006 be able to get the unit he hunts, I am not familiar with this at all. Is this hard to do or basically just paperwork?
#2-I've hunted deer in Ohio with muzzleloaders but it seems like elk/mule deer are going to be a bit farther than a 50 to 75 yard shot at a deer. Also he said we could not use scopes, what would be a fair range for a muzzleloader with iron sights for elk/mule deer?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Joe

Hope this helps. Getting preference points is basically a matter of paperwork. What happens is that most of the better elk hunting areas have a limited number of tags availabe. All blackpowder elk tags in Colorado are issued through a drawing. A preference point is awarded for an unsuccessful applicant each time they fail to draw. The computer immediately searches for those with the most points when the drawing is being conducted. So the outfitter is telling you that it will take 2 points to draw in his area.

In order to get points, you need to fill out the license application and submit the entire license amount plus $3 for the application fee. If you fail to draw the license, you will be refunded the money you fronted less the $3 fee, and be awarded to point. It's rather painless, but kind of a hassle to front money when you know the tag will not be drawn, but that is the way they have set it up.

Here is some advise though, put in for a bull tag on your application for your first choice and a cow tag as your second choice. If you draw the second choice, you will still get the preference point and you will have a valid tag for elk during blackpowder season. Most the time, a cow tag isn't hard to pull.

Now, go elk hunting! A cow will provide a couple hundred pounds of some of the best eating meat on the planet. I wouldn't hire a guide for a cow hunt. Most of the western half of Colorado is public ground. The White River National Forest has the largest elk herd in the country. Get some topo maps and a good set on bino's and have at it. You will have the satisfaction of doing it on your own and will have some elk unting experience under your belt for when the bull tag comes through.

Mac

Mac gave you the right skinny. I currently have 12 preference points that I have been saving for an area that I just can't seem to get enough points to draw. A bull tag in CO is $495.00 this year but if you just want to get a point for a future hunt you only have to remitt $250.00 plus $3.00 pressing fee. That is what I have been doing. The regs and application give you the directions on how to do it. I am also planning a ML hunt. In a good area you should have no problem getting into ML range. Remember bow hunters kill plenty of elk and need to get a lot closer. The nice thing about the ML hunt in CO is that you will be in the rut period which gives you the opportunity to take a nice animal. Good luck go for it. As MAC said a do it your self hunt is fun but it is not as easily done as was let no to be. I am orginally from the Pittsburgh area and have done several hunts. I started going with others that new the ropes and moved on from there. Unlike in PA where deer are in all the woods the same does not go for elk. You could go for days without ever seeing a animal. Elevation, weather, hunting pressure make a big difference out west.

Thanks guys!
That makes sense about the preference points, I think it will work pretty well for us because we can't go for a couple years anyhow.
I don't suppose you know whether we're allowed to use an in-line muzzleloader or not? I know he said no sabots and no scope but he didn't mention whether it could be inline.
Thanks again! Joe

Inlines are legal.

Here is the Colorado DOW website

http://wildlife.state.co.us/
You can get all the info there and request this year's application.
See you in Steamboat!

Blacktailer,
Thanks for the link. We're kind of winging it. We have a couple guys that are going to try and make this happen but none of us have ever hunted in the west. So we've never had to mess with preference points or bonus points. it's turning into a real learning experience.
I think the biggest thing we've learned is that you have to be pretty good at planning, especially a couple years in advance. I'm planning a trip to Africa next year and then this in 2006. I can't decide which I'm more excited about! Thanks again for your help. Joe

Goosejoe,

Most muzzleloaders will tell you 100yrds max with one muzzleloading round and iron sights. I would agree since you don't have a quick followup and/or scope sights. If you wanted to stretch this distance a bit (maybe..... 150yrds), you might be able to do it with aperture sights and a fair amount of practice. A friend of mine shoots an M1, and even though it is a centerfire, it has aperture sights, and I have seen him knock 4 turkey silhouettes (about the size of deer vitals) down successfully from a standing position @ 385meters.

Deke.

Goose Joe:

Not being from Colorado and these guy's having filled you in,my question is bullet choice and caliber for Elk.What's your's in a muzzleloader.

My thought's on distance are the same as my 45-70 Guide Gun.100 yards max for my eyes.I personally shoot the 300 grain Speer Unicore out of my .50 Cal only because it's the same bullet I use in my .454.A very tough bullet.

Best of luck on the hunt.Jayco.

Hi Guys, Thanks for the input. Since I've been borrowing my neighbor's T/C Hawken 54 cal for deer (we only have a 3 day season) I guess I'm going to have to look into getting my own. I can't remember what the outfitter recommended, I think it was 54 cal, but I don't see any reason to go above 50 cal. It sure seems like guys get a ton of deer here in Ohio with a 50 cal.
Being able to use an inline is going to help, I e-mailed the DOW for the regulations and applications so now we just have to finish getting a deposit down. I appreciate all the positive feedback, I've always dreamed of doing this and now it looks like it might just happen! Thanks Joe

Practice with the smokepole should enable you to place three rounds into a 3" group at 200 yards with open sights. Bullet selection should be on the heavy side for Elk. I have some 460 grain solid lead bullets for my 50 caliber smokepole that woudl be ideal for Elk. Elk require a well constructed bullet to do the job properly. Black powder rifles can be effective at extreme ranges with the proper set up. Since your limited to open sights then practice will improve results dramatically. The advantage is in the weight of the projectile being used, as it will retain down range energy much better than the lighter weight bullets. Don't under estimate the power of the black powder rifle at any practical hunting range. The key is bullet palcement, just as it is with the centerfire rifle. Limit your shots to the range you know you can place the bullet properly in the kill zone. Think about it, would you like someone to drop a 460 grain solid lead bullet off a high rise and have it strike you in the head, I don't think so thank you.

Practice, practice, practice, know the exact range to the animal, place the shot in the kill zone, the heavy well constucted bullet should do the job.

My group all shoot 54cal on elk, not to say a 50 wouldn't work but my philosophy is "Bigger is better". As far as bullets go, I've been using Hornady great plains but will switch to Powerbelt this for this year's season as they offer controlled expansion and excellent accuracy and ease of loading according to a couple of guys I hunt with. Remember- No sabots in Colorado.