Can antelope hunting trips be coordinated with friends?

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Coordinating with Friends: Public Land Availability When coordinating an antelope hunting trip with friends, it’s essential to consider the availability of public lands in the desired area. In Colorado’s eastern plains, public lands are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service. The BLM’s Colorado Plateau region offers over 11 million acres of public land, but only a portion of this land is suitable for antelope hunting. Friends can work together to secure access to these lands by scouting public land maps, identifying suitable habitats, and coordinating draw permit applications. In the Colorado draw system, hunters can apply for up to three permits per year, but success rates vary depending on the unit and draw category.
Draw Permit System: Strategies for Success To increase chances of drawing an antelope permit, hunters and their friends should understand the draw system and apply strategically. In the Colorado draw system, hunters can apply for a general season permit or a limited license permit. General season permits are drawn randomly, while limited license permits are allocated based on a point system. To maximize chances of drawing a permit, friends can pool their points and apply for a limited license permit in a unit with a high success rate. For example, Unit 151 in the Colorado draw system has a high success rate for antelope hunting, with an average draw rate of 70% for limited license permits.
Hunting Strategies: Group Size and Terrain When hunting antelope with friends, group size and terrain can impact success rates. While larger groups can provide more eyes on the landscape and increase chances of spotting antelope, they can also be more visible to the animals and other hunters. In the eastern plains of Colorado, it’s often best to hunt in small groups of two to three hunters, as this allows for more stealth and flexibility. Additionally, friends can work together to navigate the terrain, using features like creek beds and draws to sneak up on antelope. By coordinating their efforts and applying the right strategies, friends can increase their chances of success on an antelope hunting trip.