I have a dilema on my hands. I recently got permission to hunt on some private property in Southwestern Colorado. I just found out that it takes 2-3 preference points to draw a muzzleloader tag and 1 point to draw a 4th season tag in this unit. I' m trying to figure out if I should go for the quicker 4th season tag or if I should try for the muzzleloader tag since this season typically offers better odds at harvesting a larger bull? But I could probably go on two 4th season hunts in the same time that it would take me to draw a muzzleloader tag???????
What would you guys do?

I would go on the two hunts probably. But, I am a meat hunter for the most part, and I live in CO. So, if these are the only times you are gonna get to CO, maybe go for something larger. If you are looking for a 7x7, go on the one. If for meat, go on two! So many tough choices...BTW welcome to the forum! Don' t be a stranger.

Bobby, I would save my pref points and go with the muzzleloader for the chances at a better bull. Make sure that in the unit you are talking about that there aren' t private land only tags. IF there are, you shouldn' t have to wait for 2-3 pref points for hunting. If you do need that many pref point, get a cow tag and learn the land (just don' t apply for 1st choice, then you won' t use your points)

What unit is it in? If all the elk tags for all seasons are limited, which it sounds like they are, the landowner can apply for up to 6 vouchers that he can give to anyone. They can use them for a tag for any season and can be used on private land or public. Therefore, if the landowner was willing to do it, you might be able to hunt with a muzzleloader next fall. He/she would need to " register" the land the first part of January. This is a new program, only a couple of years old, so he may not know about it. It is talked about on page 3 of the big game brochure.

If that is not an option, then I guess it depends on what elevation the ranch is at. If it is mainly high country, I would wait for the muzzleloader season. If it is lower country, and snow will drive the elk down onto the property, then go to the 4th season.

txhunter that is excellent advice, and its certenly something that I have thought about, I just mainly wanted to know what the majority of the elk fanatics would do! I have just been told by the DOW about the vouchers landowners can register for, but I just found out and from what the landowner has told me about drawing he must not know. So I will have to fill him in. This is in unit 85, one of the best units for producing VERY large bulls. The ranch luckily has high and low elevations. GOOD HUNTING!

If the ranch has both elevations and the vouchers don' t work out, I would probably choose hunting every other year in the 4th season even though I love muzzleloading. Pray for lots of snow and you could get a really good bull.

Wait a minute!!!! Are you sure it is unit 85?? First of all, that unit is not in southwestern Colorado, and it is not a draw unit for all elk seasons. Muzzleloader would be a statewide tag taking only 1 preference point and the 4th rifle season would be over the counter. What' s up doc?

My bad its actually unit 69, and your right, I guess it would be considered southcentral CO. I' m still undecided because I would almost rather go for the 4th season deal but the landowner has taken his biggest bulls with a muzzleloader.

Thanks for filling me in, but I need some more opions on this.