Hunting & Fishing Colorado Elk Hunting

[robozebra]

I'm trying to put together a trip to CO for Elk hunting during the second season. I've never been elk hunting. Any public land areas that we should try to hunt, or more importantly, any areas to avoid? I'd like to stay in the southern and middle/eastern part of the state if possible. I'll be driving up from Texas and I'd rather stay as close to home as possible.

Thanks for any help.
Coty

 

[HOOFER]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

i would first see where you can get a tag for. you probably wont have much luck with elk east of I-25. not sure how out of state works but the list of tags available vs the public land you probably wont have many choices

 

[isofahunter]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

Start here:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/ElkHuntingUniversity/

Good luck. I am heading to CO myself on the 17th for a week of chasing elk with a bow.

 

[banks74]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

I went up by Red Feather last year with a leftover tag. It completely sucked. The public ground was broken up by tons of private ground and it was marked poorly. It was a mess. Avoid the units around there. YMMV

 

[Pierce33]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

Theres ton of public land in Colroado. I know the nothern part of the state better than the southern end. I have hunted northwest of durango in the past and always had good luck. There is some really good country around there. Up north there is tons and tons of public lands and plenty of elk.

 

[gadbmw]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

The southern part of the state does have some great elk hunting. You can check out the Division of wildlife like above, there are some maps they have(buy) that show elk migration, summer and winter populations. Also the BLM and Forest service have good maps showing private property lines, get both as they show differing levels of detail. Between DOW maps and the others you can pick a place and have a great hunt....also here is another website for hunting info http://www.monstermuleys.com/
There are also lots of left over tags, check the DOW site. Also if you know the area you want to hunt, call the local DOW office and ask questions.

 

[42769vette]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

i went near rifle colarado a few years ago with winterhawk outfitters. i really dont recomend them. everyone was great, food and game were great, they will not allow you to check your rifle priror to the hunt wich i was not happy about and it cost my father a elk

 

[cavscout1983]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

I am pretty sure that CO had OTC Rifle tags for a lot of viable places if you are willing to put in the footwork.

If you are planning on drawing a tag- you need to nail down an area.

If you want a more sure shot at success, there are a few guided horseback hunts in the area at a reasonable price (assuming you have a budget typical of an Elk hunt).

Just getting out there and hunting some area you have never hunted before in 2nd rifle is not impossible...but it's not exactly a preferred method.

There are always outfitters with private land owner tags, again, $.

A little more information would help.

 

[robozebra]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

Thanks for the responses. A friend who lives in Colorado hunts Unit 581. Anyone hunt this unit? I know there aren't any leftover tags for this unit. Are over-the-counter tags tough to get?

CWJ

 

[long range dogr]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

OTC tags are easy to come by.Just make sure that the unit you want to hunt is an OTC unit.

 

[CAJUN22]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

I've hunted units 77,78,&771 near Pagosa Springs in the San Juan National Forest for the past ten years. Always came home with game. Mostly mule deer but the occasional cow when we could draw a tag. Just north of Sante Fe.

 

[cavscout1983]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Robozebra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the responses. A friend who lives in Colorado hunts Unit 581. Anyone hunt this unit? I know there aren't any leftover tags for this unit. Are over-the-counter tags tough to get?

CWJ</div></div>

581's northern border is Highway 24. The problem you run into in that GMU is it is broken up by private land, some public areas are locked in private land, there are off limits areas in the State park portion and other portions. Etc.

The elk are in there. They are also smart enough to leave high pressure areas for private land early in the season. Depending on how far north in 581 you hunt, you could end up in a great areas for deer. There are a metric shit ton that hang out all along Highway 24 in that area. I'm not saying literally road hunt them but that area is good for deer, especially near dusk and dawn.

Last year 581 was OTC tag for Archery, no clue what the deal is for other seasons as far as drawing one in that area.

 

[robozebra]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

I found a hunt on private land for a 5x5 for $2500 and 6x6 or greater for $5000. Think I'll take it instead of trying to mess with OTC tags, etc... I may be able to take a cow for free as well on that hunt.

Thanks for everyone's help.

CWJ

 

[cavscout1983]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

What outfitter are you going to go with?

 

[robozebra]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

No outfitter. Just another physician in town that I know has elk on his land.

 

[cavscout1983]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

Cool. Good luck with your hunt.

 

[jeffersonv]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

I'm saving for a hunt in the Meeker area. Not sure I'll make it. It's still 50/50 with a month to go.
$60 a night for the cabin with a couple good guys one of which I work with over the phone.
Cow tag is $2 hundred something.
Butcher is $?
They say don't worry about the food but I will chip in anyways.
Need to get some 400 gram boots $100+.
A couple nights in a hotel to and from and meals and gas...
It adds up!

On the other hand are good memories and a freezer full of elk which keeps me going for it. Not to mention you have the jerks in power now who would love to put an end to this kind of activity so you want to go while you can.

Need to be in shape and these guys get 5x5 bulls with a bit of a hike.
Oh yeah, you can pay a guy to pack out your meat for something like $250 but I hear it's worth it.
I'd just as soon take a cow for the meat (maybe sooner) as a 5x5 bull as Colorado as a rule manages for success rather than trophies. I've always been more of a meat hunter anyways.

Just to give you some ideas...

 

[CAJUN22]

Re: Colorado Elk Hunting

jeffersonv

I'm heading to Meeker on the 6th on Nov. I drew a cow tag and will be buying and OTC bull tag.

Good Luck