CO Huntin pressure

[Alvey]

Which week of archery gets the most hunting pressure?

[old_goat2]

All of them,i don't really notice much difference, first week and last week if I was going to venture a guess

[Orion]

The third week, you're also competing with muzzleloaders.  The last week has the least pressure.  First two weeks the most from bowhunters.  Third week has bowhunters and muzzleloader hunters so probably the most then.  My experience is there are too many hunter most of the time.  I now hunt other states.

[Matty]

Originally posted by Orion:
The third week, you're also competing with muzzleloaders.  The last week has the least pressure.  First two weeks the most from bowhunters.  Third week has bowhunters and muzzleloader hunters so probably the most then.  My experience is there are too many hunter most of the time.  I now hunt other states.

From a locals perspective couldn't agree more. The best week for hunting is the week the smoke poles are in effect. (Which makes it bad)It's a disaster. From a pressure standpoint the last week seems to be the best.

[Keith Zimmerman]

It seems to me the ATV pressure is terrible all 4 weeks in CO.  Dont see many hunters on foot any of the weeks Ive hunted.

[Alvey]

Starting to get the craps of Colorado! maybe I'll apply for points only and go to another state,seems like everybody runs to Co.

[monterey]

Keith, if you are hunting where ATVs have legal access then you are in the wrong place. If they are accessing illegally, I encourage you to take the time and effort to sic the authorities on them.

[Michael Arnette]

It seems all the same to me although Labor Day weekend seems to definitely be the busiest time of all.

[Michael Arnette]

Originally posted by monterey:
Keith, if you are hunting where ATVs have legal access then you are in the wrong place. If they are accessing illegally, I encourage you to take the time and effort to sic the authorities on them.

Yes stay away far far away for any ATV areas

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

If you go to a foot traffic only area and go in about 5mi you should be fine. I have hunted and killed a bull two years in a row in Colorado OTC tags DIY. Unless I'm just lucky once you get several miles in you don't see many other hunters. Have seen plenty of elk both years and only a few hunters...

,,,Sam,,,

[monterey]

Sam, I'd say you ran 50/50 on luck and planning.  Two back to back is serious bragging rights.

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

I have been on a total of 5 DIY , OCT tag elk hunts and have killed 3 bulls with a recurve. On the two when I did not bring an elk home was because I missed , on each hunt I saw elk almost every day. The days I did not see elk I was learning  and seeing new ground. I think a guy just needs to get far enough in to get away from other hunters. I like to think we make our own luck and walk our own path....

,,,,Sam,,,,

[bucknut]

I had the same issues that Keith experienced.  I had hunted unit 79-80 since the early 90's with good results. It was awesome, but recently something has changed.  A lot more fire roads/trails and ATV's everywhere all day. I honestly think it pushed the elk out of the area too. That is what sent me to New Mexico. In 2 seasons there I never heard an ATV and only saw one dirt bike parked along a trail. If I do go back to CO it will definitely be a wilderness area that is foot or horse travel only. As far as time frame goes I like weeks 2&3. The 3rd week you have the smoke poles but the bulls are generally more fired up.

[Alvey]

I think a guy just needs to get far enough in to get away from other hunters. I like to think we make our own luck and walk our own path....

,,,,Sam,,,, [/QB][/QUOTE]

I like the way you Think!! I never like the phrase rather be lucky then good or aim hi and let er fly and hope for the best.

[BWallace10327]

I remember knowing someone who won $150.00 for 3 consecutive fridays on scratch cards. He believed he made his own luck too.  I hunt in Colorado because I live here.  I have grown up watching places that my Dad hunted for the last 40 years be land locked by private land. BLM land is plentiful, but there is plenty locked behind small tracks of private land. The population here is booming, and unfortunately hunting pressure is not the only thing stirring up game.  The "Colorado Lifestyle" entails countless hikers, backpackers, dog walkers and mountain bikers descending on the mountains every nice weekend in September; they seem to easily outnumber the hunters in the woods.  This state is my home and I have lived and hunter here long enough to see things change for the worse, unless you're into getting high or biking/climbing/running/rafting.  Out of state tag prices are pretty high and if I were coming from afar I'd certainly look else ware, but that's just me.    

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

I guess elk hunting is like the lottery if you don't play you won't win.... I will continue to play and if hard work and planning , and getting out there finding elk and killing one is just luck than so be it.

,,,Sam,,,

[LongbowArchitect]

Every week of the archery season is over-crowded in Colorado, especially the 3rd week with the muzzle loaders and it's getting worse. It used to be that I would draw tags in my favorite area every year but the last couple of years that's not the case.

[FoCoBlackWidow]

Muzzleloader season is the worst I've seen. It's almost impossible to get away from them so you're better off skipping that week.

[Keith Zimmerman]

Most ATVs Ive seen are driven illegally off trails.  And we do hike back in.  Just cant get away from them anymore.  And Ive hunted around the state.  This year will be a new OTC area with my brother and a couple friends.

And we have taken it up with the authorities.  Doesnt do any good.  They have to catch them.

[monterey]

Yes, enforcement is spread pretty thin especially during hunting season.  Both national Forest personnel and Colorado wildlife officers are authorized to enforce.

I have made reports several times and in one case I'm pretty sure they were caught.

There​ are plenty of places where ATVs just can't go and that's where your focus needs to be.