Colorado OTC - How bad is it

[squirrel]

Sure there are lots of people, but people are VERY predictable. If you figure this out and use it you can be pretty much 100% successful in OTC units for bulls. Throw in a leftover class B cow tag and a freezer full of "free meat" is a virtual guarantee.

Of course, since people are very predictable I predict that about 98/% of people will not "figure this out".

Successful elk hunting resembles hard work. People dont really like hard work, they like to watch hard work, they like to talk about hard work, they LOVE to reminicse about when they once DID hard work...

 

[cedahm]

As someone heading to Colorado this mid September for the first time and my first dusky grouse hunt, y'all are making my anxiety level climb. My apologies in advance to any elk hunters I encounter, hopefully I'll move elk your way.

You have every right to be there on public land as the archery hunters. I'll be chasing grouse in September too and have had some really great encounters with archery guys when my dog and I are busting through the country hahaha!

All I'd add is that if you're hunting during the overlap with Muzzleloader (9/9-9/17 this year), that first weekend will be about as crowded as elk/grouse country ever gets. Still have 'summer' recreation in full swing, grouse hunters, rifle bear hunters, plus both Archery and MZ folks.

But,as usual, if you're off a main trail/road, you won't see nearly as many folks as you think.

Literally counting the days until grouse opener. Finally have a season where our 'OG' grouse group can all make the opener. Bird numbers were excellent last year, and from the little we've seen, broods were healthy and large again this year.

 

[WesternRookie]

Go soon, CO's OTC days are likely ending for NRs.

Yep, 2024 will be the last year of NR OTC in CO

 

[BackcountryBlake]

I thought it was pretty bad last year. Had not hunted that OTC unit for a while, but in places(options A-Q) that I typically saw maybe 1-2 hunters at most in a day 7 years ago… I was seeing 6-12 hunters a day in the field last year.

Still had a great time..as anytime I’m in the mountains. It was a little frustrating though literally not being able to escape hunting pressure for long.. no matter where I moved to or how deep I dove in. Felt like people had a tracker on me.. ha.

 

[kansasdad]

It was a little frustrating though literally not being able to escape hunting pressure for long.. no matter where I moved to or how deep I dove in.

Imagine what the elk and deer are thinking about all the crowds. At least you weren't being hunted. (Said in jest, and I sure appreciate the sentiment about other hunters using "my" hunting spots, and without my permission!)

 

[HONEYBADGER]

Yep, 2024 will be the last year of NR OTC in CO

Hunting as a whole is headed for an end in Colorado.

 

[BackcountryBlake]

Imagine what the elk and deer are thinking about all the crowds. At least you weren't being hunted. (Said in jest, and I sure appreciate the sentiment about other hunters using "my" hunting spots, and without my permission!)

Mmhmmm

 

[Dinkshooter]

Hunting as a whole is headed for an end in Colorado.

Butt Dart Governor and First Gentleman, hand picked commissions with complete anti-hunters, now you can get a discounted parks pass with vehicle registrations to make the revenue without selling hunting licenses. They are not even shy about telling you wildlife management is headed towards "mutualism".

It won't be long until they can truly say hunters are not needed anymore.

I'd say "crowds on a OTC hunt are the least of our problems. In fact I'd suggest you get your Colorado hunt in now regardless of crowds.

 

[Dinkshooter]

And our new CPW Director is from Washington, not a coincidence.

 

[Flatlander3]

Alot of good input. Thanks All.

 

[painbow]

I came up hunting low point mule deer units in Nevada - which is about as brutal as it gets.
But we'd go into a 10% success rate unit and pull out bucks for everyone there.

A high pressure unit, or OTC hunt is largely what you make it.
If the unit has a 10-20% harvest rate - there are some people who can bend that to a 80-90% rate.

It involves a lot of planning, and a alot of fitness, but many people simply aren't willing to go to the tough to get places.

 

[Atlas2023]

Medicine Bow in Wyoming is worse than anything I’ve seen in Colorado.
Hunt the grizzly units in Wyoming if you want the place to yourself.

 

[Atlas2023]

Go soon, CO's OTC days are likely ending for NRs.

How so?

 

[D_Walt]

How so?

The next 5 year season structure in CO will likely do away with NR OTC; at least that’s what all the talk is…2024 will still be OTC, after that the 2025-29 structure just might address the OTC conundrum

 

[Gonzotactical1]

Colorado OTC, How bad is it? All i see is doom and gloom comments about the amount of people and lack of elk. How many of you routinely participate in the OTC rifle hunts? Is it reall that difficult to get away from people?

I have been 2 times to SW Colorado and hunted the San Juans and Weimenuche Wilderness areas . The easy access roads are crowded. You have to get way off the main graded roads and get deep into the mountains to get away from people. Take plenty off off road gear, plan on snow for 2nd rifle and be prepared to be cold. you can get away from the crowds if you want to. I do.

 

[elkduds]

I have been 2 times to SW Colorado and hunted the San Juans and Weimenuche Wilderness areas . The easy access roads are crowded. You have to get way off the main graded roads and get deep into the mountains to get away from people. Take plenty off off road gear, plan on snow for 2nd rifle and be prepared to be cold. you can get away from the crowds if you want to. I do.

Welcome to HT. Kudos for offering info instead of asking for same.