Where in Colorado?

[Soonerlongbow]

Ok,I know this has been done before but couldn't find it. Several family members are looking into a possible elk hunt next fall in CO. Several problems arise though. One is we're all flat landers and only one with any elk experience is me with 2 days. Second problem is I'm the only trad hunter and while I will take my one stringer it will need to be during a rifle season.

Not looking for monster racks or anything, mostly meat hunting and looking for the experience. Don't want crowds but can't do private land.

Any ideas of where and which zone would be greatly appreciated.

[Bill Kissner]

I have hunted elk many years in CO but never in gun season. I do have a friend that has been several times. He has went before and spent a full week without even seeing an elk. It is really tough in rifle season, especially with a bow. I assume you would be going to an over the counter unit which is where he goes and it will probably be very slow as far as sightings. Sorry, this isn't a more positive report.

[sheephunter]

The OTC units in CO are going to have crowds during 3rd rifle, just how it is. Same as the orange army back east, more people hunt with rifle. If it is dead set OTC, you could literally throw a dart on the map and have about the same success. To hunt the OTC effectively, you just have to spend time in the area and discover the hidey holes but those are not sure bets year to year. My suggestion would be to go on the DOW website and look at the stats about the draw areas. There are a certain amount of tags alotted to non-residents. They have a page that shows approximately how many points it would take to draw, some of them 0 or 1 point. Find a few and then look at some topo maps of those areas for water, it is key. Then apply for a few as a group (follow instructions on website) and then you either all draw the same area or strike out together. The draw areas have less crowds. Check area 50. And you can select OTC as a last resort and still go hunting, but look to the southwest for a little better OTC areas in my opinion. Hope this helps and contact me and I can try and help out with other questions. Good luck, Charley

[BrianfromTulsa]

I hunted an Otc unit during muzzle loader season this year and was completely disgusted with the numbers of hunters I encountered. Get ready for a crowd wherever you go and prepare to work a lot harder.

[Soonerlongbow]

Grr...

This is not sounding promising. Will likely put in for a draw area. Either way I envision lots of walking so as to rid ourselves of people.

[eagleone]

Convince the gun hunters to muzzleload hunt would be my first step- the season runs during the rut.  September in the Rockies is awesome

[chaddarnell]

the muzzy season advise is good advise ,takes nr a few years to draw a bull tag is the only downer . look at the grand mesa n.f unit 521, had good luck there in the past and not killer country. get in shape and hunt hard and you should find elk .good luck

[eagleone]

Check Colorado DOW website- if you spend time there, you will find your spot.  That website has a ton of information to get you on elk.  Wise man once say.... The more you put in, the more you get out......

[Geezer]

Call the Hunt Planning Office at DOW.  Start calling now, get your unit drilled down to 1-3 of them, do some more research and keep asking questions.  You have a lot of time between now and then to find a unit you can feel good about.  It's really going to be tough for you because of the competition (bow during rifle season).  Like someone already said, think about converting the rifle hunters into muzzleloaders and you'll find less crowding early.

[Kingsnake]

I saw something listed on the Cabela's website that showed a fully-guided public land hunt in CO for about half of what the average private land hunts were going for.  It was pack-in on horseback and stay in wall tents.  Sounded fun and somewhat affordable.  I am still considering it.  

I know there are those on this site who would not do the guided hunts because one aspect of trad is doin' it on your own.  That said, for a first timer in elk country, I thought the guided hunt on public land might be a way to improve odds while keeping costs down.

I guess I hadn't considered the "crowd factor," but the earlier post about the "orange army" gives this DC area hunter the shudders!  I have gun hunted National Forest land about 2 hours from DC and it is ridiculous!  If that's anything what CO (or any other state) elk hunting is like, I'll stay home and chase little whitetails on private land.

Kingsnake

[bobman]

WHy limit yourself find a bow hunter buddy  and go when your odds are best.....too much money and time involved to let the way others want to hunt decide your hunt


or go with them and use a gun

[Soonerlongbow]

Same reason most everybody limits activities...$$$

Probably put in for draw area then do OTC if needed.

[LarryP243]

I have been several times and have a 80% success rate with a bow. if you can not talk your friends into the muzzle loader way or can not afford a outfitters drop camp into one of the wilderness areas then do not go this year, save your money till you can afford the drop-camp.

[LarryP243]

OH i forgot to say we went during rifle season into the same area as we bow hunted one time NEVER AGAIN
more people than i have ever seen crammed into our favorite place , orange vest every where you looked