Colorado Elk Myths--Disputed!

[ElkNut1]

I've heard over the years that many hunters here & on other hunting sites believe that elk in Colorado are harder or tougher to hunt therefore tactics that are used in other states do not apply as well in Colorado? How much truth is there to this or do you feel it's a myth? Let's consider OTC Elk Hunts there!

ElkNut1

[Elkduds]

Paul, can you clarify? I've hunted elk in many areas in CO, never in other states. Each setting emphasized different tools from the same toolbox. I believe that is the case everywhere, right

[ElkNut1]

Mark, there's many hunters out there that say CO elk are different! They say methods & techniques that are used outside of CO are not effective there? I think it's bologna but that's just my opinion, elk are elk, you need to know how to adjust & adapt to the type of elk you are hunting. For instance are they heavily pressured elk or not, both require selective methods of use no matter the state hunted. I believe many hunters in CO hunt highly pressured areas that are not far from roads or are areas off trails that see lots of pressure. They come online to internet sites & see & hear about hunters calling elk in & they immediately feel that these other hunters are hunting "easier" elk. Simply not true, pressured elk are pressured elk & you treat them a bit differently unless they are rutting hard! Thoughts? Come on you CO guys here's your chance! (grin)

ElkNut1

[under H2O hunter]

I agree that elk's behavior is based off their need to survive. An elk in Idaho may not bugle because of wolves. Or an elk in New Mexico may not move because of the heat. Elk hunting is elk hunting. Elk are no different in Colorado then any other state IMO. Colorado elk just see more people. Colorado is an outdoorsmen's paradise. Not just hunters but hikers, bikers, and so on. Elk encounter many different things that can affect the way they behave. Colorado has more hunters then any other state as well. So you combine the amount of people outside enjoying nature with the amount of people that are aggressively hunting elk and it's no wonder the elk behave the way they do.

An elk's only goal in life is to survive and reproduce.. That's it. They are merely surviving and trying to pass along their genes. So when people say that Colorado elk are harder to hunt there is some truth to that. I feel they are harder to hunt because there is a lot more pressure on these animals and they are simply moving away from the pressure so they can survive. People are just lazy for the most part. A guy can probably go up to Wyoming or Montana drive around make a few bugles and get a bull to respond. Maybe even kill it out his window. In Colorado that doesn't seem to work to well. The elk have learned that roads have people, and people create problems for the elk.

[Wyo67]

A guy can probably go up to Wyoming or Montana drive around make a few bugles and get a bull to respond. Maybe even kill it out his window.

I must be hunting Wyoming wrong... I've been in on several successful bull and cow hunts and I've yet to kill one within a mile of my truck or ATV.

[under H2O hunter]

A guy can probably go up to Wyoming or Montana drive around make a few bugles and get a bull to respond. Maybe even kill it out his window.

I must be hunting Wyoming wrong... I've been in on several successful bull and cow hunts and I've yet to kill one within a mile of my truck or ATV.

Yes you are... I watched several guys on the Grey's River drive up and down the road waiting for the elk to step out and BOOM. Drop em and roll em into their trucks.... You have to hunt from the road in Wyoming It's the only way to get em there.

[Wyo67]

A guy can probably go up to Wyoming or Montana drive around make a few bugles and get a bull to respond. Maybe even kill it out his window.

I must be hunting Wyoming wrong... I've been in on several successful bull and cow hunts and I've yet to kill one within a mile of my truck or ATV.

Yes you are... I watched several guys on the Grey's River drive up and down the road waiting for the elk to step out and BOOM. Drop em and roll em into their trucks.... You have to hunt from the road in Wyoming It's the only way to get em there.

Thank bud!!! Have to try that someday... Although it sounds like method takes all the fun out it.

[Gselkhunter]

I don't believe the elk are different Paul but the terrain is. A lot of that is elevation. The changes in vegetation, cover, water sources may make it a different hunt than other states. The different air density makes it harder for the average guy coming in from out of state. The shear size of mountain basins and end less forest make elk hard to find and gives elk a huge advantage in escape routes. They still bugle and cow talk like other elk but you better eat your Wheaties and use your brain.

[Elkduds]

I suspect you can find similar elk terrain in CO to any in WY, NM, AZ, MT, ID. Even OR and WA, except we have no real rain forest or coastal ranges. I think CO is like a big Cabela's or Bass Pro store, with a huge selection over a vast, eye-popping landscape. Hard to know where to start. We have herds of elk that migrate over 50 miles from summer to winter range. We have herds that cruise in a big circle, returning to the same spot on the circle every several days. We have herds that migrate a quarter mile over the nearest property fence when the calendar turns to October. I suspect that whatever your local elk are doing, we have bunches that are doing that same thing in many different areas. I really like hunting in aspens in Sept, more elk are killed in the timber in October, even more in the sage in November. You want oak brush, big sage, dark timber, recent burns, basins @ timberline, edges of alfalfa fields, blowdowns, red rock canyons, closed logging roads, miles of wilderness, giant dark canyons, licks and wallows, beaver ponds, spring creeks, cottonwood river bottoms? You'll find it here, and so much of it is public land.

I would probably know a few hunting areas better if I hunted in another state. Here you can hunt a 2/201, then check out a 40 or 61, next year the Flattops, then South San Juans, a buddy takes you to his family ranch by Steamboat. You see the problem. I spent 5 years trying to hunt the areas I eyeballed while riding lifts @ Crested Butte ski area, and didn't get to half of them. An embarrassment of riches. A good problem to have.

[msd1228]

I don't believe the elk are different Paul but the terrain is. A lot of that is elevation. The changes in vegetation, cover, water sources may make it a different hunt than other states. The different air density makes it harder for the average guy coming in from out of state. The shear size of mountain basins and end less forest make elk hard to find and gives elk a huge advantage in escape routes. They still bugle and cow talk like other elk but you better eat your Wheaties and use your brain.

This is one of the things that makes me want to hunt your state one day. The elk hunting in our parts, to be perfectly honest, is mind boggling easy as far as physical terrain goes. Sure there are a few tough areas, but by and large most places are pretty danged easy to get around in, even in, even for most old timers. The fact that Colorado also has approximately 12x the number of elk that Alberta does, despite being nearly 3x smaller by land area sure makes a guy feel all tingly. I really look forward to the day (hopefully within the next few seasons) when I get to come experience your great state. Sorry to de-rail your threat a bit here Paul.

[otcWill]

I have only hunted CO and WY for elk. I dont' think the elk are any different but I definitely have noticed the hunting is. I know from having spoke with Paul that he hunts stuff that is heavily timbered throughout the area and has wolves. To me, that sounds like an absolute nightmare. I have said before that WY is a better place to start for the average DIY hunter simply because there is less competition from hunters. We have more elk (in CO), otc tags, and thus more NR hunters than any other state. That is really the only thing that CAN make it harder than other states. The key is having a friend or getting some intel on an area.

[twinkieman]

[quote="Gselkhunter"]I don't believe the elk are different Paul but the terrain is. A lot of that is elevation.

Honestly, that was my first thought, elevation... Elevation that Colorado has, means it could be more difficult, just from the lack of oxygen to breathe. Elk are elk, they speak the same language, what most of us do elsewhere, would be no different on Colorado, it would just me more physically demanding.

[Indian Summer]

I have never hunted Colorado. But I've done countless outdoor shows where guys have walked up and told me their stories. I've also had plenty of clients in Montana and Wyoming who pretty much told me the same stories. So in a way I feel like I do have a fair amount of knowledge about the elk hunting there.

No doubt elevation is a factor. I know what it feels like to go from 800 feet above sea level to 8000. I'm used to the process of becoming acclimated. I don't know how anyone could ever get acclimated to hunting at 12,000 feet while giving a 100% effort to find and kill elk. Sounds like heaven on earth for camping or riding a horse (poor horse!) but no thanks to an elk hunting marathon up there!

But I don't think that's what you mean Paul. I think you are referring to those who say the elk are smarter (kinda ridiculous) or just react differently to calling. I definitely have experience hunting pressured elk. I know of a trailhead where you can hear and see them from the truck. One day we stood there loading up a string of mules while 2 bulls stood in plain view bugling their brains out. The hunters were going nuts. I told them... "You will NOT kill those bulls" I can't say I have always walked away from opportunities like that but even when I gave it a try I knew my odds of success were slim to none. So yes... I think pressured elk, like pressured deer or turkeys, are harder to hunt. Don't you think that's just common sense? One of the first things pressured animals do is become nocturnal and retreat to the thick nasty stuff during daylight hours.

But... if you were to find a place in Colorado... or downtown Boise... where there were no people you'd find that the elk hunting was the same as anywhere else.

One of the things that I hear about Colorado is the unpredictability of the other hunters. Guys do a bunch of internet research... or even get some intel from a friend like Will mentioned, and when they get there it's tent city. So what do they do? Switch spots next year. That means guys that were camped somewhere this year show up next year and what do they find.... the guys who bailed out of tent city last year! I hear that all the time too. "Nobody was in our spot last year but this year there were a pile of guys there" It sounds like musical chairs down there. So if pressure is a big factor and you can't predict the pressure what do you do? Well... either say that the elk are smarter... or do what elk do when there's pressure: Migrate!

If you know what you're doing you can find honey holes in any state. If not my number one suggestion would be to pick one with less hunters. I feel bad when someone asks "What unit in Colorado should I hunt?" and my answer is "The one to the north.. it's called Wyoming" But I'm only trying to help. After all... the elk really are dumber there.

[ElkNut1]

Indian Summer is spot on in my meaning! I'm not referring to elevation or toughness of terrain! It's about the elk themselves. So many are convinced/fooled into thinking that the elk are harder to hunt because of hunting pressure in CO. Fact is that applies everywhere where elk are heavily hunted including right here where we hunt in Idaho! Elk are Elk, make no mistake about it, the areas you choose to hunt with or without pressure will dictate the kind of elk you will encounter. It's up to us as hunters to adapt to our surroundings & adjust our techniques so we fit in & not stand out as impostors! Good stuff from all !

ElkNut1

[Wapiti]

I agree elk are elk and they have the need to breed and carry on there bloodlines each year. They will be breeding whether you and I are there or not. The way I see it guys get out hunting and the bulls have already got into there breeding herds which may be a small bull with 2-3 cow or a herd bull with 6-10 or more cows. What folks need to remember and think about is we are only hunting during the daylight hour but all the breeding or at least a big portion is happening at night while we are all tucked into bed back at camp !

Once these herds are formed the bulls really have zero need to bugle thus we get that dreaded lull in bugling action. We get it up here in Alberta and British Columbia. So I assume it happens every where elk live.

Now is this Lull making the guys out there hunting CO making it seem like the elk are harder to hunt ? I don't believe so. In fact if I was a bull I wouldn't bugle either as it draws in predators and other hunters !! BUT it also draws in other bulls that may come in and try to steal your cows !! All this at a time where the cows are very nearly coming into estrus !! This short period is very sensitive and the bull that has the cows knows this.

Shoot Shane and I pounded spot after spot for 12 days last year and only herd the odd bugle and that was usually after dark when we were finished hunting for the day !! Now here we were two guys in the end of September when the elk are supposed to be bugling and we couldn't buy a bugle !! I can't see CO being any harder than that !!

I honestly thought Shane and I would have called in 10-12 bulls in that time he was up hunting with me but it never happened and we were right on top of cows on different occasions !!

Trav

[wewarev]

As an admitted novice to the elk hunting world let me reiterate what has already been mentioned about the elevation in Colorado. Even though I had been to Colorado several times in the past, I'd never been there to hunt elk.
After studying topo maps and GE of my unit, the biggest shock for me was how steep the mountains were and how the lack of oxygen affected me. Funny thing is, on the first morning when we left camp and were climbing the mountain, at one point I asked my son and friend who were with me how far they thought we had climbed. The both thought around 700-800 feet. We had climbed less than 300!
I've never been to Idaho or Montana, although I want to hunt both places one day. I just know the elevation and lack of oxygen was my biggest surprise in Colorado.
I can't wait to get back there this September!!!

[Elkduds]

I'm not supposed to reveal this, but on your 10th anniversary as a resident, you are shown the secret elevators that go to the tops of every ridge over 10K elevation. You didn't hear it from me

[Indian Summer]

I've wondered if it wouldn't be a good idea to take oxygen canisters like the guys who climb Mt Everest. I'm sure it would help. But the Everest guys toss them on the ground when they are empty! I hear it's a garbage dump up there. wtf

[Gselkhunter]

11,000' is just a walk in the park. Even girls can do it.

[mongopino915]

Had a good friend and a very consistent elk killer from Oregon hunt with me in Colorado OTC public land National Forest for 10 days last season.

The one thing that he mentioned about Colorado elk hunting being hard was that anywhere and everywhere looks like good elk country and elk can hide just about anywhere, which makes them hard to locate, especially when the elk are not very responsive. We were able to locate and encounter elk daily by knowing where to go rather than locating them via vocal and/or visual. Elk can move and make just about anywhere their home. The elk in Colorado OTC public land are no different than anywhere else and can be as good as seen in Primos Truth, just once in awhile.

[Indian Summer]

In Primos Truth! Not! Those guys hunt an exclusive private ranch. To them public land hunting is like the thought of standing in front of a National Forest sign with a cardboard sign that says "Homeless Please Help"

[Pop-r]

No kidding IndianSummer. You've seen it too I know. Right place right time. I've seen it in CO, OTC units prolly a handful of times or less where it's an absolute frenzy!!

[Indian Summer]

I've had my days where the bulls wouldn't shut up. Bugled their brains out all day. BUT... it took some sweat to get to those places. The Primos guys are always smiling and never break a sweat. That's anything but "reality tv". I like those guys. Nothing at all against them. I use a Primos Imperial Plate as my go to diaphragm. But you can't begin to compare where they hunt to a normal day on public land anywhere let alone CO.

[mongopino915]

I did say once in awhile.

Speaking of Primos guys, I have heard that they did try to hunt Colorado OTC public land once (to shut up all the critiques) for 7 days and was able to successfully tag almost one. The TRUTH is where you hunt matters the most.

This ain't no Hollywood, it's fenced ranch huntingwood.

Can't wait until the last week of August 2015 gets here.

[Elkduds]

There are many, many areas of public land that are entirely surrounded by private land, in CO and elsewhere. You cannot access them without expensive access across the private land. They are de facto private lands, but could still be considered public in a shady way. They have the same unmolested elk as on private property. And you would never break a sweat to get there.

[Indian Summer]

Or break the bank. Randy Newberg of On Your Own Adventures used a helicopter to legally access landlocked private like that.

That's a sore subject with me Elkduds. Worse than the Wyoming wilderness law. Those pieces of land have some of the best hunting around.

[ctdad]

I've hunted three different units in Colorado and one unit in Montana. Seems to be considerably different behaviours of Elk in the two states but I don't completely know why. Hunting pressure is real in the unit I Hunt in Montana. I see plenty of other hunters. However, those Elk are way more vocal. Sometimes they just won't shut up. The areas I've been in Colorado the Elk will bugle some but not often or consistently. I don't think that behavior is unique to Colorado though.

I agree that the attitude in Colorado is extreme, but the area I Hunt in Montana is much lower elevation but still very steep. By the end of a Hunt there, I want nothing to do with another Hill. I can catch my breath faster at lower elevation, but that's the only significant difference for me. I live at 1200ft.

[Elkduds]

Joe, does accessing via helicopter pose any legal issues, assuming non-wilderness area? Even if it were $$$$$, it might be worth it just to see the faces of the landowner, outfitter and high-paying private hunters when I land with 3 of my buds, right beyond their fence. The fence with the gate in it.

[Indian Summer]

Is it legal? Yes and no. Done properly it is. The main thing is that the pilot/aircraft has to be licensed for commercial operation AND be authorized to land on the land in question. BLM you can do that. I'm not so sure about National Forest. Randy (Big Fin on Bowsite) showed the entire hunt on his tv show and he's still a free man. lol

One time I was hunting around Medicine Bow Wyoming and a guy paid a chopper to drop him into some checker boarded public land. The pilot wasn't licensed commercially and long story short: Him & the hunter became cell mates. It was the big story in the news all week.

[Z Barebow]

Is it legal? Yes and no. Done properly it is. The main thing is that the pilot/aircraft has to be licensed for commercial operation AND be authorized to land on the land in question. BLM you can do that. I'm not so sure about National Forest. Randy (Big Fin on Bowsite) showed the entire hunt on his tv show and he's still a free man. lol

One time I was hunting around Medicine Bow Wyoming and a guy paid a chopper to drop him into some checker boarded public land. The pilot wasn't licensed commercially and long story short: Him & the hunter became cell mates. It was the big story in the news all week.

As mentioned, aircraft can access BLM land. Cannot access wilderness (obviously) nor NF land unless it is a designated landing area. (landing strip)

[Trophyhill]

Myth. What works in less pressured NM units has worked in heavily pressured CO units for me. When it comes down to it......timing is everything. Making the right sounds, and right decisions at the right times put elk on the ground. We all know what happens when we do the wrong sounds and make bad decisions at the wrong times; )

[ak32]

I think the biggest difference is the terrain. Altitude can make a big difference on how far away into the bush you want to hunt, living at 9000ft has its advantages
CO has some weird and fickle weather like anywhere else, but early snow in Sept. usually helps the hunt tremendously here.

Given the easy OTC tags and large herds CO does get more pressure than other states which definitely makes it harder during rifle seasons.

[GoldToyBox]

I'm going to go with it's baloney, a rural legend.
Just way too many variables between states, regions, terrain, elevation, feed, weather, season dates, local vs migrating elk, game regulations, hunting pressure, etc to make such a generalized statement.
I've not noticed a huge difference between the Rocky's, Roosevelt's & Tule's, slight differences yes but nothing to make leave the basic tactics; stealth, scent control, good optics, patience, knowledge of the area and a huge helping of LUCK (sometimes called SKILL).
Oh yea, almost forgot; wolf population
Good luck

[smj281]

I'm not supposed to reveal this, but on your 10th anniversary as a resident, you are shown the secret elevators that go to the tops of every ridge over 10K elevation. You didn't hear it from me

Awesome cant wait

[Ridge Runner 76]

So are we talking CO elk in the rut, or CO elk outside the rut?

[82ndreddevil]

I am a NM resident that enjoys the opportunity to hunt OTC elk in CO whenever I do not draw in my home state. I think a big reason why people can have a hard time harvesting in CO OTC hunts are that many of these hunters are out of staters who get no opportunity to make scouting trips prior to the hunt. We all know how important scouting is. Many people that live near elk country scout all summer to nail down there patterns, and to come up with a plan A,B,C and so on. I've talked to people that come from OK,TX, and LA that just came out to CO with a national forest map and a tag. CO is very acomidating to non residents which makes it all too tempting for people who live in whitetail country to come out without realizing how hard it can be to find elk sometimes.

[powderhogg01]

I would say that the OTC elk are a bit more fickle. Especiially to the more inexperienced callers. I will say this much though, as an inexperienced caller myself, I was able to have plenty of close calls. Not every elk I saw was called in, in fact I had a bull at 50 yards just milling around. I let out the softest little mew I could muster and he bolted out of the area...
I think the main thing to remember is elk are elk and they are most certainly pocket animals. the saying that 90% live in 10% of an area was found to be the most true statement. Once you find them and figure out how they move around it did get easier. I had lots of game camera pics and videos leading up to the hunt, then nothing for 3 weeks, and boom they are back in the area as soon as the muzzys are gone. Lesson learned and stored for next year.
I have not hunted wy or id but I would reckon that with those states with less hunters the odds are likely a bit better that the elk are less educated. I am looking for a guide for a trip next year with my father and a friend, he said that if DIY and calling was my prefered technique I would need to leave co, as his clients have much better success rates in ID or WY.

[phall]

i agree elk will be elk no matter where they are, they have 4 things to do eat, sleep, breed, and survive. colorado doesnt change that at all. i agree with everywhere looks elky and altitude but that just makes one have to hunt harder it doesnt change the elk. the one thing that colorado has is pressure, pressure, and more pressure. thay bugle sure, but cautiously. then over the mountain they maybe going crazy. i will also say this heavily pressured elk will behave as such in colorado or anywhere else. my take on it all from my limited experience is make one mistake in colorado and that set up is done, period i mean done. one wind swirl, one confusing out of context or inapproriately timed call its over. make a sound, smell, call like a hour man and its over. maybe then i would call pressured colorado elk less forgiving?

[CurlyTail]

Colorado elk hunting regulations cater to non-resident hunters who just want to hunt elk. In the OTC units, the pressure is absurd in some areas, and the success rates very low. No elk is smarter or more elusive that the one that is not there.

The unit I hunt - the elk are hard to locate, but don't seem particularly call shy or hunter savvy.