Help with Colorado

[rowdycwby1]

Well I wasn't luck enough to draw in NM this year so me and my cousin want to go to CO. I've picked 6 different units I'm interested in but will try any where. The units are 128,861,691,86,82, and 85 can any one tell me if those units are any good or worth trying. We will be hunting with archery equipment so another thing first part of season or last better and on eather sex tags are spikes legal? Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Matt

[Triplebhunters]

You may get other folks jumping on here with info, but in the mean time call CPAW in your region and ask them same question, and ask them for any info that the can send you. I shot my bull right where they told me to go. I'm southwest Co.
Dave

[Trophyhill]

Ha well I wouldn't sound so disappointed about "having to hunt CO" if you hunt the Sangre's be prepared for steep steep country. These mountains aren't for the faint of heart. Chances are you won't see many if any other hunters for this reason.

[Elkduds]

Antler restriction in all units U listed, so antlerless or 4pt/browtine only. I was in 85 during archery season for a few days in '12. Hiked into the headwaters of Purgatoire river. Big, beautiful country, very high elevation: saw a few elk and a few hunters. I'd hunt there again.

[rowdycwby1]

Ok thanks guys for the input. I'm not scared of to steep of terrain it'll take a day or two to get adjusted to it. Time to spend hours on GE and phone to figure it out at least I have till August.

[rowdycwby1]

Is there anywhere I can look at good tapo maps I can look at before I buy?

[Triplebhunters]

I have hundreds of dollars invested in maps, just use the ones already on your gps and get the national forest service maps. Save your money and make notes on your maps and gps. If you spend to much time with your maps your not going to get any hunting done. Download google maps into your base camp and mess with that. If you have never been out west it's not as bad as you may think. Just don't forget your compass!!!
Spend your time on cardio.

[WapitiTalk1]

Is there anywhere I can look at good tapo maps I can look at before I buy?

Rowdy, here's a thread we ran a while back. From this site, you can pull/print full USGS Quad 7.5 M maps. Pretty cool


viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3524

[rowdycwby1]

Thanks that will help.

[elkaddict83]

I have hunted 82 a few times as it is close to were I live. The country is very steep and rugged and it will humble you every time, but, if you are willing to work, there is elk. If you decide to hunt this unit do your homework. I have been seeing more people starting to hunt this steep, high unit. Another thing worth noting is that there is several big tracts of private ground scattered along the base of the Sangre's and for some odd reason the elk from miles around like to come to these sanctuaries and lounge in plain sight of the frustrated hunters lurking close to the NF boundary.

[rowdycwby1]

Ok can anyone tell me about 80 or 81 near Monta Vista?

[TxTechChuck4]

I'm in the same boat as the original poster, hunting with a bow with OTC tags in Colorado. Anyone have any experience with Units 37, 45, 47, or 471? My in laws have a cabin in Fairplay which I plan on using as basecamp as it is 1-1.5 hours away from all of those units.

[elkaddict83]

Rowdy cowboy, I have hunted 80 very little and never hunted 81. The terrain is a lot more moderate than 82 and there will be more people to deal with. I will not discourage you from hunting any of these units and was not trying to scare you away from 82, just want you to know that you should do your homework ( as with any area you hunt ). 82 is all a designated wilderness area starting about 1/2 a mile from the trail heads, so no atv's allowed there.

[rowdycwby1]

Thanks elkaddict for all the help the reason I'm going with 80 and 81 a guy I shoot 3D with has hunted there for the past 6 years and is giving the places he's killed all of his bulls.. At least know I won't be going in completely blind but anyone else's knowledge would help too. Know to start making plans and pouring over maps .