Where to hunt Elk?

[MidLifeKtm]

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has so much information! You can get a history of harvest data by year going back several years. It has annual migration routes and loads of other data. You can use Google Earth and topo (many free on the web) if you have base camp or similar application.

You don't need a drop camp company to do this if you have good packs and a decent tent. I haven't paid for a guide or outfitter yet (may someday ) as I love that feeling that comes from doing it myself. If you don't know anything about Colorado you are welcome to PM me and I will help where I can.

[jefandaward]

Drop camps are simply convenient.

If you hunt anywhere near unit 86 in Colorado, pm me and I'll connect with you.

[jefandaward]

BTW Archery season in Colorado coincides with archery black bear and general fall turkey. If you put a cow down, hang around and hunt the gut pile for a bear and then slam the first turkey you see. Lots of work but a full freezer.

[Limbwalker]

Awesome ideas guys. Thanks so much. My buddy from PA and I (both elk rookies) are starting to get serious about planning. He wants to take his compound, but I'm undecided. If I go, I want to come back with some meat, so I may go muzzleloader just to increase my odds.

[parkchief100]

Just don't go with high expectations on a kill! Enjoy the hunt and the time with your buddy. We work our rear ends off every year and come home empty handed on Otc archery elk in Colorado. We go back every year and will be back this year. We absolutely Love it. I killed a 5x5 years ago and know we are after one for my best friend. Once, he gets his I will start hunting them again. Remember this- a 30% success rate for archery elk is on the high end for Colorado. It's realistically about 15-20%. The experience and the memories- Priceless!!!!! Enjoy and Good Luck!!!

[DarnYuppie]

This is perfect timing. I was just getting myself ramped up for drying my first rifle elk hunt. I was looking at going the back packing in route. My only concern is getting the animal out, anyone have experience solo packing out an elk?

I am not a trophy hunter so a cow is fine by me.

[Rakkasan2187]

Guinison area in CO. We did good there.

[Limbwalker]

Thanks Rakk.

Can someone help me understand which tags in CO are over the counter (OTC)? I was actually looking forward to taking my muzzleloader, but can't see that as an OTC option. Which states have OTC tags besides CO?

[jason.dickens]

Thanks Rakk.

Can someone help me understand which tags in CO are over the counter (OTC)? I was actually looking forward to taking my muzzleloader, but can't see that as an OTC option. Which states have OTC tags besides CO?

I wouldnt think that a OTC allows the week long muzzle loader season, someone please correct me if I am wrong. I bet you could use the muzzle loader during 2nd and 3rd but am not 100% sure. Colorado has some strict rules on muzzle loaders though like no scopes allowed, only iron sights. Call a colorado parks and wildlife office up there to get the full scoop.

The Colorado wildlife website will have a map with the units that shows which on is OTC and which one is a draw unit

[JustinJ]

Thanks Rakk.

Can someone help me understand which tags in CO are over the counter (OTC)? I was actually looking forward to taking my muzzleloader, but can't see that as an OTC option. Which states have OTC tags besides CO?

Yes muzzleloader is a draw, but some units you can draw with 0 preference points. Look at the Statistics they publish and you can see how many points it took to draw for a ML tag in individual units. You could theoretically use a ML during the 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons, which are OTC, but you'd be limiting yourself and most areas are highly pressured. There are other states with OTC tags (with ML i'm not sure though), but nowhere will you find the vast amounts of public land and tags as easy to get as Colorado.

Anyways, the OTC tags in Colorado are;

Archery either sex for most of the state, though some of the highly sought after units like 76 are still draw. Archery season lasts a full month, but ML season is going on during part of Archery.

2nd and 3rd Rifle seasons in most of the state, though again, some units are draw only. In the CPW big game booklet they have maps that show which units have OTC tags and for what season.

[Limbwalker]

I would have no issues with any restrictions on ML. Its one of the reasons I've kept my Ruger 77/50 - it's an in-line that's legal in all 50 states. The only one that is I think.

Thanks for the help guys. I really appreciate it.

[DarnYuppie]

This maybe a very stupid question but can you but the CO OTC license online or do you have to be there in person?

[Limbwalker]

Website says OTC tags are available online, starting in July. That's how I planned to get mine if I go that route.

[JustinJ]

This maybe a very stupid question but can you but the CO OTC license online or do you have to be there in person?

Yeah you can get it online before the season starts. You can also go into any sporting goods store before the season opens and get a tag. Once the season opens you must go to a CPW office.

[DarnYuppie]

Thanks for clarifying that for me!