hunt question...colorado archery mule deer

I have an opportunity to hunt with a great friend of mine. He will guide me and he works for an outfitter. The outfitter has discounted his hunt down by $2K. It is an archery only hunt during the rut in the plains. We will be hunting drainage ditches, hilltops, driving around glassing and its all spot and stalk. The deer will be 180" or larger, so here is my chance to shoot a Booner with a bow....

I am a very good shot with a bow, so shooting 60 yards is not alarming to me. My biggest dilemma is the archery thing and paying pretty good money for a deer hunt.

What is your take on the deal? Would paying good money for a hunt and only hunting archery scare you? I know you can get skunked with a rifle as well but the chances are much better. They tell me its a 95% success rate with the 5% being misses or the hunter passing on opportunities. I would love some input on this deal if you can help me out, i need to make a decision quickly this week.

thanks
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MuleyMadness
I say do it, but what's the actual price tag?
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sorry, original price tag is $6,500 plus trophy fee if over 190"

I wont pay that kind of money for a hunt. got it worked down to $4,500
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It sounds way to high to me, there is a lot of public ground in CO. where you can kill a 160" buck or better for the cost of the tag. i would never spend 4,500 to hunt a deer when i can do it DIY for next to nothing. jmo

Kevin
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Its a time factor for me more or less and convienience. I have a hunt the week before in montana, was gonna try and make this hunt work because its on the way home. Next year I have a wyoming region G guided hunt and thats all I have planned next year. I am trying to build up points in colorado so this is a guaranteed voucher deal as well.
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killerbee
everyone would be different. basically if $4,500 iseasy to let go of , financially, heck go for it.
look at all aspects, it sounds like you get to go hunting with a good buddy and you have a good chance at killing a good buck. memories are worth it.

as far as with a bow, i see where your coming from. all my outta state hunts have been with a rifle except 1. but the situation has changed. i had no confidence in the penetration of my old bow. since buying a new bow 3 yrs ago, everything that an arrow has been released at has die very fast (exept this years bull, died but took a while). so now at this point i would bet an outta state hunt with no worries on a bowhunt.

BUT for me personally, in this economy, 4,500 is alot of money, i dont believe it sounds like a super great bargain, a little less than some but still spendy.

depends on how well you know your buddy, if he says he believe you will see alot of big bucks go for it. all you can ask for is a chance, then it all up to you.

but TAKE PICTURES:) cause we want to see it to :thumb 10sign:
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my buddy is the guide, not the outfitter but he has worked for the outfitter for a long time. He says you will see a ton of bucks per day and get on some stalks as well. I told him I want a for sure chance at a 180+
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ARCHER11
I think killerbee is right on the money! There are pros and cons to the situation, just like just about everything in life. If you can afford to drop probably around 5000 on a hunt. Go for it! Just get real comfortable with your bow and have fun with a good friend!
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If you're confident in your ability to make the shot and your buddies ability to get you on a few bucks, why not?
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all good points guys. The money as always is in issue but I feel this is my year to do it all. I am confident on shooting as well its just the thought of getting skunked for that kind of money but then again, it happens all the time to everyone
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