2014 What's Your Plan?

[Indian Summer]

It's never too soon to at least choose your area and start some research. I see some newbies on here who are wise enough to be on top of it already. In 6 weeks it will be application time in Wyoming followed by other states. Time will fly after that.

Many of the seasoned hunters who will be hunting the same spot as in years past may or may not have some thinking to do or decisions to make. You folks in Colorado are just hoping for less rain suppose.

So... who's making changes? Who isn't?

At this stage of the game what are your goals & what does the big picture look like for you next season?

[Swede]

Our party will stay where we have been, but will scout to get a fix on exact locations. Probably we will use many of our established stand locations, but will do some scouting to change things up a little too. In addition we are looking at another area so we do not have all of our eggs in one basket. I am planning to do some scouting with Stringunner. Between the two of we have a lot of information about our hunting area. I am thinking, that by getting together we can build on each others insight.

[MTLongdraw]

I'm making some changes for both elk and mule deer. As far as elk goes I'll probably just add to some more areas that were decent this year. Joe I think you know where I'm talking about Also hoping to be able to hunt with Dave (Backcountry) a lot more. We had some really good luck on the days we went out together this year. Would like to get some gear so I have the ability to go back a lot farther and stay a few nights instead of day hunts. It's going to be a little money up front but what else do I spend my money on As far as mule deer goes I'm disgusted right now. The sun sets in about 15 minutes and when it does my mule deer season is over. I hunted 7 days in my mule deer unit walking about 50 miles and never saw a single mule deer buck. I saw 7 does and that was it. I really pushed in a lot of those days too. Today we did a 13 mile round trip. No idea what the hell I did wrong but I'm upset about it. So I probably need to find a new mule deer area. And just spend as much time as I can scouting, reading, practicing shooting, and talking about elk to anybody who will listen. Continue just being a student of the game.

[WapitiTalk1]

Not sure. I'm 'not done' with the Idaho area just yet. I may hit it again next fall during the last two weeks in SEP. Thick, steep, and thick and steep but there are more than a few singers lurking there that have eluded my broad head. The big picture is a bit muddled at this point. I'll probably still hunt long weekends in WA during the early and late seasons. I believe the biggest change for me will be the deployment of a portable hang on tree stand for some hunts. It's time to add this tool to my gear bag.

[JohnFitzgerald]

ChuckarNUT and I will be chasing elk in the same spot again. Oregon boys will get'r done!

[Indian Summer]

I like the tree stand twist Phantom. Only good things can come of that move.

MTLongdraw... I feel your pain man. I watched the sun set on my whitetail archery season last night. Always a time to reflect huh. Your mind runs through it all wondering, and sometimes knowing, where we went wrong on the last drive home. I'll PM you an idea on the mulies.

Swede he he, I can't believe and old fart like you is still making changes.

[bnsafe]

lol swede, everybody is taken shots at ya.
I plan on focusing on mulies this year. I have never killed one an it is on my personal 5 trophies I wanna take. hopefully I can kill one early then it will be back to the same area I killed my elk in.

[NebrCatMan]

I am excited about our elk hunting for 2014. My son was in the army reserves for 8 years but seemed like he was almost full time army. He did two tours of duty in Iraq. First one he escorted convoys, saw lots of things. Lost a good buddy he grew up with to an IED. But now he is out of the Army and finally has enough time built up for a week or so of bow hunting elk with the ole man Don't know for sure where......probably an OTC unit in Colo. Anywhere we get to go will be good no matter what. I am really excited just to get the chance to crawl them Rockies with him while I still can. We both just took nice whitetails here in Nebraska with our bows. He just got a new bow, so that was cool. Anybody want to chip in any comments. We have no points anywhere..... but that's ok. A week in camp and around the campfire with y son will be priceless elk or no elk!!!!

[easeup]

still up in the air here also.
this year I went way back in the wilderness in a new area and saw plenty of elk but got taken out by mother nature.
As I posted in the "what did you learn this year thread", it would be cool to go back there with my new knowledge of the area.
But that entire area will be fallen of beetle kill and impassable on foot and horseback unless a bigtime fire comes through.

so its back on the search again for that perfect elk hunters spot.
I will throw some money in at the NM lottery too just in case I get that fat chance come true.

[JohnFitzgerald]

lol swede, everybody is taken shots at ya.
I plan on focusing on mulies this year. I have never killed one an it is on my personal 5 trophies I wanna take. hopefully I can kill one early then it will be back to the same area I killed my elk in.

He goes by Hootie now.

[bnsafe]

sweet,
HOOTIE 2014. I like it

[Swede]

In reality I do not try to reinvent my hunting style or area, but I am always trying to expand it. To be up front on this matter, I admit I am still learning. Let's hope we are all in that mode.
I think the sad thing, in ways, is that I will never be able to fully capitalize on all my learning, because I will not quit learning until it is all over. Some day I will walk back to my truck from my last hunt and hang up my bow. Someday I will be through my elk education. I may return as either a camp cook, or stay home as a rocking chair duffer unable to go again except in my memories. I just hope it is not soon.

[ElkNut1]

I believe my Plan for this upcoming elk season will be to use a Recurve, I've not hunted elk with one yet & I'd look forward to the challenge. The compound & longbow has treated me good so a Recurve thrown into the mix will present new challenges & a whole lot more shooting practice, besides trad gear is just fun to shoot! (grin) Now to locate a Recurve????

ElkNut1

[AmericanBwana]

Planning on a spike camp hunt into a wilderness area I've been looking at for a few years. The kids and I scouted this area a few years ago, saw tons of elk. They've been telling me to hunt there since then. They may have more common sense than I do.

Plan B area is about 30 miles to the west.

This will be my first time with a bow for a few years (Dr. Said no the last two years).

The area is OTC ES Archery Elk, with a history of left over first season cow tags. I figure this will give me the better part of 5 weeks to fill some type of tag.

[stringunner]

Continue to scout the area, identify new areas and hone in on previous areas hunted for hopefully better success. Continue training my new pack mule so as too help with pack outs similar to the grueling pack out I had this year...and hopefully this mule will even pack Swede's bull this next year as well.

[JGH]

Working on several new "projects" this coming year:

1. Some new waterholes, hard to get to, but not far from home, will have some trail cameras on them in July and August, and some treestands for day-trips if there is activity.

2. Working on new access points to my spot. 5 tough miles, or 7-9 easy miles ... what's better? I'll find out this summer.

3. Thinking about a new base camp. Thinking about an Alaknak for base camp. Good sleep = good hunter.

4. No more solo ... hunting with a partner will be a big change this coming year, but it should result in a much better chance at dead elk.

[pointysticks]

i will gently encourage my brother to maintain his regimen for shoulder rehab. he goes in for the surgery this week. finally.
he cant shoot a bow in his current situation.

spring turkey always feels like the annual kickoff for me. it makes me start planning everything else. my brother wants to try oregon elk this year,. whatever. out is out. wierd how my Jan couse deer hunt still feels like "this year".

we will continue to put money up for our usual NM dream hunts. sucks to draw unit 36 on our rookie year. like flying in 1st class seats..riding coach sucks that much more, forever. they changed the rules for CV..i plan on putting in the max number of hail mary's!! someone's kids in NM are gonna get new braces this year.

i have a good Montana elk contact. but Montana is costly. maybe.

lots of options. crazy how i love the planning stages. (i hate the packing stage)

[Swamp Buck]

I plan to be at home, maybe in the whitetail woods. My wife won't let me go again.... 2016 can't get here soon enough...

[ishy]

Still up in the air, the group I hunt with usually goes to the other end of Idaho. I stayed local this year to try an appease the wife (didn't make much difference). I lean towards going with the group, but I'm one of those that doesn't like getting my tail kicked which is what feels like happened this year. So it gives me a little drive to stay local again next year to prove something to myself.

[Wapiti]

I found some really nasty holes this year where all the elk seamed to hang out around. It is way down in a canyon and hard to get in and harder to get out..................but that is where I'll be found or not !! I hope I come out !!

I am a sucker to see what is down there. Just like fly fishing a stream I always need to go to the next bend !! I am sure once I get down there I'll be pulled in another direction....... it never fails !!!

[Still Hunter]

I'll be hunting elk in muzzleloader season.

Bear for the whole month of Sept with the muzzleloader, but taking the ML elk season off from the bear hunt .


Mule deer in 2nd rifle with the muzzleloader.


All hunts are alone while still hunting the timber with iron sights.

No camping. I live where I hunt. Well, sort of. I live at 8000ft, but hunt at 11,000ft, but it's just 30 min to get there.

[Mojostylee24]

My plan is to scout, scout and then scout a little more! This will be my third season and hopefull my first succesfull one ( fingers crossed ). I have put my finger on a unit to focus on due to talking to some old-timers there during 2nd rifle season. I have spent the last two seasons wandering around "looking" for elk...no more. I hope to spend my hunting time this year getting close to the elk I KNOW are there! Also, I have a lot of studying to do call-wise as well

[Still Hunter]

My plan is to scout, scout and then scout a little more! This will be my third season and hopefull my first succesfull one ( fingers crossed ). I have put my finger on a unit to focus on due to talking to some old-timers there during 2nd rifle season. I have spent the last two seasons wandering around "looking" for elk...no more. I hope to spend my hunting time this year getting close to the elk I KNOW are there! Also, I have a lot of studying to do call-wise as well

That would be nice, but don't be disappointed when the elk aren't where you know they are.

[Mojostylee24]

That would be nice, but don't be disappointed when the elk aren't where you know they are.

Hah, I will actaully be expecting that after the last couple seasons...

[Elkduds]

New year, new territory. I will start learning the lay of the land in CO units 49, 500, 57 and surrounding areas. Recently got a camping property in there, so later seasons are doable while still getting to sleep indoors. See if shoulder recovers enough to resume archery. Pay full attention to every day scouting and hunting as the best days of my life, and be grateful for them all. Learn more from the generous and pleasant voices on this awesome forum. Enjoy elkburgers with blue cheese chunks, grilled medium rare, on my patio at the base of Buffalo Peaks Wildernss, long about sunset. It's gonna be a GREAT YEAR

And finally use up 21 preference points for a CO buck hunt.

[Z Barebow]

It depends upon what the tag God's have in store for me.

I will apply for only LE tags in 2014. If the God's smile, I will make plans. (NM, AZ and WYO) If not, I will spend more time chasing deer (MD and WT).

My primary target is CO in 2015. I have 11 PP's after the draw this year and the unit I am chasing should have me as a lock by 2015. For all practical purposes, this will be a once in a lifetime hunt so I will set aside at least 2 weeks to hunt. On my wish list would be a week to scout that unit in summer 2014. Might be a tough sell to the bride.

On another note, I am hoping to run my 1st 50 mile race in 2014. I am getting older and speed is falling by the way side, so I need to shoot for endurance. My goal- Get to race day healthy, finish in a respectable time and live. We will see.

[Still Hunter]

New year, new territory. I will start learning the lay of the land in CO units 49, 500, 57 and surrounding areas. Recently got a camping property in there, so later seasons are doable while still getting to sleep indoors. See if shoulder recovers enough to resume archery. Pay full attention to every day scouting and hunting as the best days of my life, and be grateful for them all. Learn more from the generous and pleasant voices on this awesome forum. Enjoy elkburgers with blue cheese chunks, grilled medium rare, on my patio at the base of Buffalo Peaks Wildernss, long about sunset. It's gonna be a GREAT YEAR

And finally use up 21 preference points for a CO buck hunt.

That's my backyard. In 49 try up by Fairplay.

[elkaholic]

Hunt the same area that I did this year and get a better feel for it. Try and find the hideouts of the very few elk that are there.

[nuevo_eph]

I think I'm going to put in for one of the same NM units (rifle) and add two muzzleloader hunts close to my home in Socorro. Hopefully I'll get drawn for my first elk hunt.

It was so nice being able to drive out from my house each day for the mule deer hunts in my unit. It makes scouting MUCH easier but I would plan to camp during the hunt.

[Lefty]

Im dumping the area Ive hunted the past 4 years.
Just tonight looking at a far in location,.. 4 elk on the map program and trails leading into it
Its a bit tougher drive, even more remote.
While there is road access Ill need to walk in to avoid alerting .
Im excited on the prospects. Found some pinch points, and some places Im sure others are tootaly unaware of
And no matter my work load Im taking a couple days off to hunt

[Vanish]

I haven't a clue what we're going to do. If it was just me, I'd be packing into where we hunted this past year. However, I also have to balance out the desires of my wife and father, and somehow get them to agree to a plan.

[Still Hunter]

I haven't a clue what we're going to do. If it was just me, I'd be packing into where we hunted this past year. However, I also have to balance out the desires of my wife and father, and somehow get them to agree to a plan.

That sounds harder than finding elk.

[Willie makit]

I'm holding one of my vacation weeks usually taken on the local Whitetail rut for next September, throwing my money at the same LE states and saying a few incantations to trip up the tag guardian gods and Lady (un)Luck. Ordering more of Elknuts audio stuff and a couple more calls to replace the ones I wore out last spring. Pick up gear here and there and start warming up to the thought of joining 5 million others in CO.

[Indian Summer]

the thought of joining 5 million others in CO.

For the life of me I can't figure that out.

Unless you REALLY have a plan down there the research phase to avoid that seems like THE most important part of the hunt. In Montana during archery season we can park just about anywhere, even at major trailheads, and have it all to ourselves. It's not uncommon to hear a bugle from the truck although those elk are never easy to kill. Just sayin'

[Still Hunter]

start warming up to the thought of joining 5 million others in CO.

A bit of an exaggeration.

[Indian Summer]

Maybe the number is a little off but the results don't seem to be. Even those who live there tell me they have problems. Seems they have a spot and then others who have problems and make a move end up on top of them and they don't know from year to year what to expect. How do you plan around that? CO has a great elk population but even Dr Doolittle can't call and kill elk where that stuff is going on.

Over the years I've attended hundreds of outdoor shows booking hunts and I cannot tell you how many people walked up with the same story. Tons! 4 wheelers off designated trails etc and just couldn't get away from it all.

I've seen plenty of hunters give up and move on to hunt Montana, Wyoming, Idaho etc but never leave those places to try CO. Not bashing it but those are the facts. Like I said... if you knew what you were doing like Cnelk and others it would be an awesome place to hunt. But it's true... I talk to residents who haven't even been able to find a place to call home. Life's too short for me to gamble. I need to know right now what the competition will be like.

That said if I was a first timer deciding where to start it wouldn't be at the top of my list. Unless Cnelk or someone else like that was going to hook me up. I'd never hire an outfitter there. DIY or nothing.

It sounds like Wille Makit is speaking from experience even if 5 mil was off by a thousand or two. lol

[Still Hunter]

Maybe the number is a little off but the results don't seem to be. Even those who live there tell me they have problems. Seems they have a spot and then others who have problems and make a move end up on top of them and they don't know from year to year what to expect. How do you plan around that? CO has a great elk population but even Dr Doolittle can't call and kill elk where that stuff is going on.

Over the years I've attended hundreds of outdoor shows booking hunts and I cannot tell you how many people walked up with the same story. Tons! 4 wheelers off designated trails etc and just couldn't get away from it all.

I've seen plenty of hunters give up and move on to hunt Montana, Wyoming, Idaho etc but never leave those places to try CO. Not bashing it but those are the facts. Like I said... if you knew what you were doing like Cnelk and others it would be an awesome place to hunt. But it's true... I talk to residents who haven't even been able to find a place to call home. Life's too short for me to gamble. I need to know right now what the competition will be like.

That said if I was a first timer deciding where to start it wouldn't be at the top of my list. Unless Cnelk or someone else like that was going to hook me up. I'd never hire an outfitter there. DIY or nothing.

It sounds like Wille Makit is speaking from experience even if 5 mil was off by a thousand or two. lol

I've hunted Colorado for 62 years. If you're going to go hunt OTC units, then you can expect lots of company. It's not the smart way to hunt Colorado. I'll be lucky to see 2-3 hunters for the whole season. Do your research, use your head, and don't expect an easy hunt.

[Willie makit]

Definitely not speaking from experience here, but merely from the research I’ve done over the last few years. I’m still working up to my first real elk hunt so I’ve got little useful insight to contribute to the forum, but have learned tons by reading and occasionally asking questions.

I should have been more specific about my numbers; “Colorado: 5.188 million”, as posted in another thread. As Joe stated the number is a “little” off but the general consensus all over the net is the same, CO OTC is going to be crowded; unless, of course you engage Billy goat mode and hit the vertical country. Not my idea of my first trip- Not out of the question mind you, just not wanting to stack the deck the wrong way on my first go at it.

2013 really should have been my year; I backed off all the really popular LE units in favour of just drawing a tag, even putting in with a guide in NM. By my numbers my stats were 87% chance I should have drawn a tag somewhere; but alas, I’m a solid 13%er this year. This is the reason you really don’t want me buying you a lottery ticket.

Although this draw year really took the wind out of my sails, my high point has been taking my Dad with me to Kansas for a whitetail hunt. Although we cut it shorter that I had planned because he was burned out, wouldn’t trade it for anything. I daily asked how he was doing and it took him 7 days of all day hunting, but he gave me the towel to throw in on day 8.

I add this little titbit because he regularly dropped hints about me hunting solo afar and alluded to my plans to do an elk hunt. He knows I’ve been applying and planning, he nicely and subtly tried to convince me not to go solo because of the safety reasons of hunting so far from home.
He’s right too, plenty of times in the last couple years of going solo to Kansas and Missouri I could have fallen, gotten cut, broke down etc. and could have been days before being found. Keeping in daily contact with a few of my buddies really was insufficient as only one knew approximately where I was hunting; and all but one was ten hours away back in my home state.

This elk hunting adventure is really raising the bar and safety has been in the forefront of my mind ever since hitting my threshold of trying to find a buddy that could/would go with me. Joes “mis-match.com” thread really hits home as I’m on both end of this spectrum.
I regularly invite folks to go spearfishing with me in Arkansas usually just for the weekends and have been burned and left hanging too many times to mention. Never mind setting out for a 10-20 day elk hunt.

Sorry drifted off topic a bit, and HOlY cr*p, Im long winded.....
2014.... figure out a elk hunt safely!

[Willie makit]

BTW I asked dad to front me 15-20k $ so I can do my bucket list Alaska moose hunt fully guided ( for safety reasons),

"I'll spring the $ for some pepper spray, keep your dog safe if you dont make it back, but enjoy your solo moose hunt" was his reply,

Now thats love, dont care who you are!

[Still Hunter]

Definitely not speaking from experience here, but merely from the research I’ve done over the last few years. I’m still working up to my first real elk hunt so I’ve got little useful insight to contribute to the forum, but have learned tons by reading and occasionally asking questions.

I should have been more specific about my numbers; “Colorado: 5.188 million”, as posted in another thread. As Joe stated the number is a “little” off but the general consensus all over the net is the same, CO OTC is going to be crowded; unless, of course you engage Billy goat mode and hit the vertical country. Not my idea of my first trip- Not out of the question mind you, just not wanting to stack the deck the wrong way on my first go at it.

2013 really should have been my year; I backed off all the really popular LE units in favour of just drawing a tag, even putting in with a guide in NM. By my numbers my stats were 87% chance I should have drawn a tag somewhere; but alas, I’m a solid 13%er this year. This is the reason you really don’t want me buying you a lottery ticket.

Although this draw year really took the wind out of my sails, my high point has been taking my Dad with me to Kansas for a whitetail hunt. Although we cut it shorter that I had planned because he was burned out, wouldn’t trade it for anything. I daily asked how he was doing and it took him 7 days of all day hunting, but he gave me the towel to throw in on day 8.

I add this little titbit because he regularly dropped hints about me hunting solo afar and alluded to my plans to do an elk hunt. He knows I’ve been applying and planning, he nicely and subtly tried to convince me not to go solo because of the safety reasons of hunting so far from home.
He’s right too, plenty of times in the last couple years of going solo to Kansas and Missouri I could have fallen, gotten cut, broke down etc. and could have been days before being found. Keeping in daily contact with a few of my buddies really was insufficient as only one knew approximately where I was hunting; and all but one was ten hours away back in my home state.

This elk hunting adventure is really raising the bar and safety has been in the forefront of my mind ever since hitting my threshold of trying to find a buddy that could/would go with me. Joes “mis-match.com” thread really hits home as I’m on both end of this spectrum.
I regularly invite folks to go spearfishing with me in Arkansas usually just for the weekends and have been burned and left hanging too many times to mention. Never mind setting out for a 10-20 day elk hunt.

Sorry drifted off topic a bit, and HOlY cr*p, Im long winded.....
2014.... figure out a elk hunt safely!

Not trying to be picky, but are you saying there's 5.188 million hunters? If we're talking about elk. Less than 400,000 elk tags are sold. Sorry if you meant something else.

[G Posik]

Looking at new dirt this year. Have about 6 spots to really look at over the internet then a scouting trip on a couple this summer.

Where ever it will be a back pack hunt and go to some nasty country to get away from others.

Glenn

[WindedBowhunter]

I have a plan A-B-C, depending if I draw a tag.

I could be chasing Muley in 1-2 states or chasing Elk in ID or MT

Keeping my mountain legs under me, just in case!

[LckyTylr]

Nose in Maps . . . again!

Although I found Heaven on Earth this year for an archery elk spot . . . it was OVER RUN with hunters during rifle season and all of the trails were closed down. I'm putting a lot of pressure onto my own shoulders. I'm not only trying to kill my first elk with a bow, but I'm trying to get my Father-in-Law and my Wife to kill their first elk with a rifle. So far, each place that I find is either okay/decent for archery elk . . . but then rifle season is just a blaze orange army. I'm looking for the holy grail of hunting spots, some place that has plenty of elk, decent trail access (for my old out-of-shape Father-in-Law), and some place that you aren't hunting elbow to elbow with everyone else from Boise. I think I'm headed East.

Now, read the above post . . . and then, by all means, please roll around on the ground laughing with me, because I believe such a place only exists on private ranches . . . but I'm going to try.

[FemoralArchery]

Nose in Maps . . . again!

Although I found Heaven on Earth this year for an archery elk spot . . . it was OVER RUN with hunters during rifle season and all of the trails were closed down. I'm putting a lot of pressure onto my own shoulders. I'm not only trying to kill my first elk with a bow, but I'm trying to get my Father-in-Law and my Wife to kill their first elk with a rifle. So far, each place that I find is either okay/decent for archery elk . . . but then rifle season is just a blaze orange army. I'm looking for the holy grail of hunting spots, some place that has plenty of elk, decent trail access (for my old out-of-shape Father-in-Law), and some place that you aren't hunting elbow to elbow with everyone else from Boise. I think I'm headed East.

Now, read the above post . . . and then, by all means, please roll around on the ground laughing with me, because I believe such a place only exists on private ranches . . . but I'm going to try.

There are plenty of places like that in Idaho.

Are you after bulls only for your father in law and wife? If they don't mind hunting cows, I may know a place.

[cohunter14]

Next season was shaping up to be a great one for me, with guaranteed draws for both my mulie and antelope tags here in Colorado based on Pref Pts. However, just found out the wife is pregnant with twins that are due in May...ouch! I'll be lucky to get a few days in elk camp this year I think Maybe 2015 will be the year!

[Willie makit]

Still hunter, my 5.188 million number was pulled from another thread showing 2012 human population in Colorado which eludes to the fact that Colorado is one of the most populous (humans) of the elk states. This alone should make Colorado a "crowded" place to hunt, add its central location and OTC tags only compound the issue. They still claim to have the largest elk herd, which also is a big attraction.

Of all the people I personally know that have elk hunted, all but one went to Colorado. None of them either can go back or we're really interested in the idea of returning. Ever since I've decided to heck with them, I'm going, Colorado has not been high on my list, I guess it's just the "vibes" I get. Since most likely I'll be by myself, I'm warming up to the idea just for the fact that should I get into some kind of trouble, someone most likely will be in earshot, lol

When I think Colorado, i envision this and just can't get it out of my head.

[Indian Summer]

Willie... and anyone else who gives a hoot: Yep CO has a high population of both people and elk. It's also the closest to the eastern hunters which is a huge factor. One thing to remember too is that you need to look at elk densities as in per square mile. Colorado also has more elk habitat than any other state. They are pretty much wall to wall. Other states like Wyoming and Montana have way more limited mountainous country. You'll hear people in those states use the words "west side". That's where the mountains are. The east sides do have smaller ranges with elk but have really large tracts of flatlands. Antelope country & good deer but very limited opportunities to hunt elk. Private ranches and very limited elk tags were they are available is the norm & killing elk there is way easier if you have access which is the reason for the hard to draw tags. So when you look at overall numbers you may want to narrow it down and make sure you are comparing apples to apples for the region you want to hunt. Also... Wyoming has the lowest number of residents in the country. More antelope than humans. Montana is next in line. The homo sapiens per square mile is what keeps me going back. I can hunt with gun or bow and if I get hurt I' could blow a whistle for a week with little hope of anyone coming to help. I like that. I just make sure I don't get hurt. lol Also... Cnelk has killed half the elk in Colorado!

[Still Hunter]

Willie...............If you plan to hunt an OTC unit during rifle seasons. It may look like that in some units. You don't have to do that though. Bid on a non OTC unit, or pick another season like bow, or muzzleloader. Both of those get to hunt during the rut. You also can go for 1st rifle. That's still too crowded for me, but better than later rifle seasons.

As for your number. The state population doesn't really matter. The ones that hunt is all that counts. We have millions of acres of public land hunting. It's not hard to get away from other hunters. You just need to be willing to hike in. It an area ids easy to get to. It's easy for everybody, and that's where the lazy hunters will be.

Good luck when you finally do it.

[cnelk]

Cnelk has killed half the elk in Colorado!

Not quite. I have only 2 more to go

I tell anyone researching Colorado for hunting to look at the hunt codes and find units that are undersubscribed for cow tags.
That means that there are leftover cow tags available, which also means the elk herd is above management objectives.

As Pete mentioned, there are also some good hunting opportunities in units that take 0 points to draw, but they are still a draw unit

[scrubs]

I will probably just buy deer and elk tags for my son next year like I did this year. If he doesn`t get drawn for a special elk permit, we will probably only hunt deer.

[LckyTylr]

Femoral, No, Wife and Father-in-law are happy to kill either sex. I'm after a bull because my focus is on "playing the game" and matching wits with a drooling fool that pees on himself (why does that seem so hard).

[>>>---WW---->]

Colorado Facts:

Fortunately, 5,000,000 of those 5.188 million people that call Colorado home, live over along the I-25 corridor. And the other good thing is that the majority of them are hockey moms and golf dads, not hunters. However Colorado does seem to be the dumping ground for many hunters that missed the draw in other states. And unfortunately, for that reason, Williemakit's picture above is very accurate during the rifle seasons.

I highly recommend you all go to Montana. Just makes for better hunting for the .188 of us that are lucky enough not to be called city slickers. LOL!!

[Willie makit]

I'm sure the left handed cigarettes helps keep many of the natives too happy to be worried with them darn elk as well.

[swmoelk]

Going to do a back pack archery hunt in the west elks. Getting high and scouring the mountains for my first ever elk hunt. I am going to pack in a few miles and just soak up the experience with a long time hunting buddy. We are training and planning every free min we have now. Also anyone with advice on 54 I would really appreciate it.