Could I get some help from out CO Members?

[Jakeemt]

Hey guys I have finally settled on my first out of state hunt. I am am saving for a bleak bear hunt. However, the regs in Colorado are quite confusing compared to here in MO. For example I can buy a tag and hunt with it anywhere in the state. Is the same true in CO or do I have to buy a tag for a specific area? Or is a tag good only in a  select number of area's. Also what is this habitat stamp? Do you have to apply for a tag as an out of state guy or can you just show an out of state hunter safety card and get one? Lol so confusing. Anyway if anybody here could help me understand the process I would sure appreciate it.

Jake

[Arctic Hunter]

Ugh...I went through this last year on my first trip to Colorado. I studied the regs, then called the local parks an wildlife office. They helped a lot. I'd call them now, when there aren't many seasons open.

[old_goat2]

Tags are unit specific, I know some tags are good for more than one unit on other species but don't know if there are any multi unit bear tags. Your hunters safety from your state will work fine. If you do the online app it will pretty much keep you from screwing up. I don't think though that Colorado is where I would come to from out of state to go bear hunting. I live here and can count on no fingers how many bears I have seen while actually hunting, seen a few in the summer and driving down the road. I spend two to three weeks elk hunting every year and I hunt hard, we just don't have huge bear densities! You should look at Idaho, used to be you could buy a deer tag and shoot a black bear and tag it with an unused deer tag, somebody please correct me if I'm wrong on that! I know Idaho has better bear numbers.

[Pryor]

Feels like there are lots more bear than there used to be on the western slope.  There are quite a few in units 21 and 30, but they can be very hard to find.  I could have shot a couple in the last few years during archery elk on water holes.  Last year I bought my first bear tag and didn't see any in archery range.  That seems to be the way it goes, see lots of game until you have a tag in your pocket!  In my experience good elk habitat is good bear habitat.  Do some hiking and get away from 4 wheeler roads.  Good luck

[BWallace10327]

Most (if not all) archery bear tags are over the counter with caps on how many are available in each unit.  Some units are vastly better than others when it comes to bear population.  With that being said, you'd better not dally too long once they go up for sale if you would like to hunt them.  The Colorado Parks and Wildlife website should be able to provide all the necessary information.  Good luck.

[Jakeemt]

Hmm Idaho was on my list too maybe I will reconsider. I liked CO beccause neither dogs nor baiting is allowed. Hmmmm if there are no bears maybe I can smoke enough dope to see bears anyway

   

[Bill Kissner]

I hunt CO every year and usually see a few bears but I don't think I would go to CO for bear alone as seeing one in range is mostly being lucky. Over the years I have killed 3 there. All were killed while elk or deer hunting. I did not have a tag for 2014 and had the first blond I have ever seen walk under my stand at 6 yards while sitting on an elk trail. The tags usually go on sale in July and in the unit I hunt  they sell out in about 15 minutes.

[monterey]

There are actually two ways to get a bear tag in Colorado.  There is a specific draw for a bear tags that are for pretty much all of September.  Not archery only, but any legal method.  Most of The hunt areas include multiple units and are pretty large.  

Or, you can purchase one of the over the counter with caps tags that coincide with archery or muzzle loader or rifle seasons.

The best bear hunting is where the berries and acorns are.  If those crops fail look in downtown Aspen.  

[BWallace10327]

The only problem with hunting with a rifle bear tag is the hunter having to wear blaze orange (hat and vest) no matter if they are using a rife or bow to hunt-the type of tag dictates orange or no orange, not the preference of weapon to hunt with.

[monterey]

I was not aware of that!  I've never applied for the regular bear season but have several times bought the OTC tags.  Always have bear encounters with no tag but never with.