Colorado hunting advice

[Dr_flash]

I just found this forum and the elknut web page and i am very impressed. First post here. I have hunted elk in Colorado as a kid but took a break while in college, marriage and kids. I'm getting back into it and i have 7 PP to use. I've never hunted during the rut and so calling elk is a new experience for me. I am saving up to buy the playbook and 4xDVD set as well as a bugle. I have a cow call and i don't have any problems with the diaphragm calls (have them for turkeys but need to use the youth models as the regular ones don't fit well in my mouth). My question is, after working with a CPW hunt planner, i have narrowed down my choices for 2015 to either Colorado GMU 76 muzzle loader season for bulls (Sept 12 - 20), or Colorado GMU 49 first rifle season for bulls (Oct 10 - 14). I should be able to practice every day on may way to and from work and study, study, study throught the summer. (a) do you think i am rushing the muzzy season or should i hold off one more year and (b) if not, which choice above would you guys recommend. A little back ground. I am comfortable with either gun. I have family and friends who have both hunted each area so i'll get my scouting, map work, etc... in. Each unit takes ~ 6 to 7 pp to get into. They both average for the last 10 years at about 50% success. GMU 76 will have 85 hunters with another 120+ archers. GMU 49 will only have 80 hunters. I am not a truck hunter, i've always camped and walked in by foot but growing up we only hunted cows. Bulls only are a new experience for me. I may be solo but i'm not completely sure yet, a buddy my join me. Other than that, any advice would be great, especially on the elknut dvds, are all four needed or stick with the 3 pack first. Great site, i am probably spending too much time reading the great informational posts.

[Pop-r]

Welcome sir. Traditionally i would tell u that the mzzldr would be a no brainer but with the way the bulls in CO are still bugling like crazy that first rifle lately i might go that over it. I know a lil ab 76 but not 49. 76 is BIG country! The only drawback (IMO) to CO first rifle is you've only got 5 days. You better have a pretty good plan or you may not punch your tag. Any weather can help or hurt bad. My buddy killed a 360 bull in 76 in 05' with bow. I will say this as my advice albeit just my opinion. Get a lil more tuned into your game before you burn those points. Go hunt an OTC unit near those areas & try to slip off a day or three & look around & familiarize yourself with the area & try to locate some game & info on the area. You're sitting good on pts to make smthng happen & all of the info u say ur gonna b studying & trying to plan a hunt in unfamiliar territory can b overwhelming. Don't rush it is all I'm saying. When u draw that tag u wanna be ready to fill it or have a pretty good plan to. With all that don't let me discourage u at all sir if u feel confident enough to get it done this year! It can be done!

[easeup]

Welcome to the forum. There is a wealth of elk hunting knowledge here too.

like popr I know a little about 76 and nothing of 49 but his comments are good. 76 is high country and subject to weather if you only plan for a 5 day hunt there; but it is spectacular high country for the eyes. In addition, I believe most of our members here who have hunted 76 will tell you they found the elk very high near timberline. You will want to be in good shape to enjoy your hunt there.

[under H2O hunter]

If you are new to calling and hunting bulls as you stated I would stick to the 1st rifle season and go with unit 49. Yes it's only a 5 day season however I am not a big fan of 76. Had a buddy who burned 12 points on the unit only to get skunked in 2013. Thats when we had the really bad rains here so that may of had something to do with it. The elk are really active calling and responding to calls during the 1st rifle season. It will allow you to locate elk for sure. If your calling is ok you will be able to get bulls to a least react a little. You may not be able to draw them in for a ML but a rifle for sure will be a chip shot. Good luck

[Indian Summer]

I would STRONGLY suggest doing an OTC hunt before burning your points. If you can do an OTC bow or gun hunt in a unit where you could later draw the muzzleloader tag that would be a great plan. I don't know about you but burning points is a big deal to me.

[CurlyTail]

I think the Colorado Muzzeloader season is the sweet spot between good weather, spectacular scenery, hunting the rut, being able to use calls, not too much hunting pressure, and an excellent possibility of success.

[GoldToyBox]

I agree with Indian Summer.
I would not burn my PP's on an area I didn't know, specially with a short season.
I don't know either unit but if you can hunt OTC the first-second?-third? time before using your PP's I would do that.
Other option is hire a guide who knows the area or a lot of pre season scouting.

Good Luck, bring back picture!

[Dr_flash]

I really appreciate all the comments everyone. I'm glad i posted this because deep in my stomach i was feeling that i may have been rushing this and i wanted to get others opinions. I've gathered all the data off of the CPW website (harvest numbers, numbers of hunters, tags for each area and season, draw success for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th choice, etc...) and put in a spread sheet so that hard part is done. Last year i hunted GMU 45 and saw very little sign and only found a bull moose. Growing up i hunted GMU 66 (of course, back then i think the boundaries were different, now the line goes right through our killing spot between GMU 65/66) with my dad and his buddies and then while i was in college they started hunting GMU 49 muzzy/bow until the Denver post called it out in an article and that was that...

Here is what i was thinking. My first choice this year is going to be area 10, early rifle season for bull with the hybrid draw (i have a 1.5% chance of getting this so i'm not expecting it and just gathering my point instead). So i need to make my second choice really count. Here is what i was thinking (i'm going to skip 49 right now). GMU 76 is surrounded by 66, 67, 68, 75, 751, 77, 78, 79, and 80, For muzzle load season for cows (no bulls or either sex), second choice i have a chance in GMUs 68/681 (220 hunters in the field), 75/751 (160 hunters in the field), 77/78/771 (110 hunters in the field), 79 (50 hunters in the field), and 80 (290 hunters in the field). I'd like to start muzzy hunting and i think starting with cows is the way to go, plus i can practice calling bulls as well since i'll be out in the field. Unfortunately, i'm not sure which one to pick. I'm not worried about the elevation and i'll be in shape. All the units look ok...

[Dr_flash]

I was also thinking this. I could hunt 76 area 3rd or 4th rifle for cows and get to know the land. The problem is the weather. I guess its a risk i would have to take. Although not perfect, the success rate for cows 3rd and 4th season over the last ten years is 31% and 30% respectively. Thats really not bad and i'd only have to deal with 230 hunters 3rd season and 220 4th. That may be the better way to go, learn the land.

[easeup]

might want to check your numbers when thinking about how many folks are out there with you. Those units are OTC for the bowhunters which is concurrent with the muzzy hunts. With that said, I really don't think any of those places are too crowded. But once the muzzy guys go home it is noticeably less crowded out there.

[Dr_flash]

True, i didnt factor in OTC archery, i cant get a feel for the numbers out there.

[Pop-r]

If you're totally cool with shooting a cow then your idea of hunting 76 is your best idea yet. If you're set on hunting 76 later. You will learn invaluable info that will help you kill a bull later on. Then again it may help you decide you don't wanna hunt 76 afterall. Either way it's a no lose for you.

[Dr_flash]

Cows are fine. Growing up we mostly got cow tags, we hunted for food and i still hunt for food first.

[cohunter14]

Doc Flash, I just checked the regs and you will not be able to draw 76 3rd season as a second choice (0.8% chance). For 4th season you would have a 61% chance of drawing it as a second choice. The muzzeloader options you listed for 2nd choice aren't spectacular odds either. Make sure you look at the 'hunt recap summaries' on the statistics page. Those list how many people applied for the tag with a first choice, a second choice, etc. and it also shows how many tags were drawn. Don't want you to put in for the draw assuming you are guaranteed a tag only to find out you aren't.