Archery Hunting Units 42,421,521,53?

[ETArchery]

Hey guys, me and 3 other buddies plan to do a DIY CO OTC Archery Elk hunt September 14-20 (6 days of hunting). We have narrowed down the OTC units to 521, 421, 53, and 42 although we have done alot of research, we have never hunted elk before. We have narrowed down to these units because of harvest reports, elk population reports, accessable land through the onX map scouting, and I have family in Glennwood Springs. Are there any tips/advice one would give for the best strategy/unit areas to try (open to PMs)? We are pretty sure our toughest hurdle will be finding elk with no experience doing this before so looking for a little guidance.

Everyone always says to get away from the road and away from crowds, get in shape and really burn some rubber when it comes to OTC units. We are up to the challenge, all under the ages of 26 and we all are prepping our bodies for the fall physically, but we understand our big disadvantage is the lack of experience and hesitant to do a 5+ hour hike into somewhere that won't produce any elk.

Should we run and gun to different good looking areas/units? Hike in 5+ miles to an area and camp for 5-6 nights? What units give us the best odds for either strategy? We aren't looking for your spot, we are just looking to find a few pointers from someone who knows the area or knows what we need to do in order to increase our chances of getting a shot at something.

 

[ETArchery]

Also Considering unit 43 as well! And we do understand this is Muzzloader season and some extra pressure can and will be relevant.

 

[PeteTheBeat]

Watch Randy's E scouting series on YouTube. Find a bunch of stuff that looks good according to this using Google maps and onx. Profit.

 

[ETArchery]

Watch Randy's E scouting series on YouTube. Find a bunch of stuff that looks good according to this using Google maps and onx. Profit.

Thanks Pete, we will definitely watch and re-watch those videos for sure to pick out some good areas.

Coming from the East Coast with no real ability to scout like we wish we could, there are questions that a map can't specifically tell you:

• What the hunter traffic looks like, higher pressure areas vs. lower pressure areas? (hug private land? stay on public?, utilize blm?, look for the toughest terrain?, etc.)
• What elevation and habitat do the elk tend to stay at during this period of the rut?
• Is there areas with a lot ATV traffic in those units and where to maybe avoid?
• Will moving camp often and truck hunting be more effective compared to camping for 5 nights straight deep in one area?

Things that you can't tell by just picking a few spots and saying that looks good, we are not afraid of research and will continue to do a lot of it but that will only take you so far. I am sure there are a lot of hunters who have the same idea we do which is fine, but knowledge gained from experience is always a huge plus to keep us on a good track to have an enjoyable hunt. Again, we aren't looking to take advantage of anyone's hard work and time they have put into these areas, just a little guidance.

 

[nrpate05]

First off, I would focus on narrowing down your unit choice. All these units have elk and I think in pretty good numbers. I've hunted 42 and 43 on separate rifle hunts and found plenty of elk on both hunts. I would focus on the higher elevations during archery season, but wouldn't rule out lower elevation areas as well. During the rut it seems elk can be anywhere. I've seen them from 9000 ft to close to 12000ft during 1st rifle. It's always a tough call to backpack in or camp at the truck. Both have benefits and drawbacks. If you can get out a couple days early to scout that can definitely help in your decision. I like backpacking because it eliminates time spent hiking in and out during the day, but it doesn't make sense if there aren't any elk. Also, don't always think the furthest area from a road will automatically be the most productive. Outfitters love these areas because they have horses and it's pretty deflating when you're busting ass hiking and you see a bunch of guys on horseback 10 miles from the road.

 

[ETArchery]

nrpate05, Thanks that is what I keep hearing when you come in blind. Just go split up and explore/scout as you hunt once you get on them then maybe do some back country camping. I know we have limited ourselves a little with only 6 days of hunting but with travel and time off its is about all we can do with our work schedules coming from out east right now.

Will muzzle loader season make a big impact during this week? Should we try and schedule for the week before?

We have done some research on the outfitter numbers of the units and understand odds are there are more outfitters in certain areas for a reason, but packing out an elk over even 3 miles is quite the task for a first timer so I don't foresee us going too extremely deep unless we get onto something good early.

 

[Thomas11]

The first mistake u r making is hunting the 14-20th in my opinion. The muzzy season is 14-22 this yr. the archery goes until the 29th and I would most def want to be there last week over the third week due to the rut being better and no muzzy hunters. The hunts u r asking about are entirely diff in nature each. 53 a lot of wilderness and u would need to backpack in to get into some of the remote wilderness, same w 43(very big country), 521 and 42 is more lower elevation w/o much glassing ability. It really depends on the kinda hunt u want because each unit offers some diff terrain

 

[ETArchery]

The first mistake u r making is hunting the 14-20th in my opinion. The muzzy season is 14-22 this yr. the archery goes until the 29th and I would most def want to be there last week over the third week due to the rut being better and no muzzy hunters. The hunts u r asking about are entirely diff in nature each. 53 a lot of wilderness and u would need to backpack in to get into some of the remote wilderness, same w 43(very big country), 521 and 42 is more lower elevation w/o much glassing ability. It really depends on the kinda hunt u want because each unit offers some diff terrain

Thanks Thomas 11,

Yeah I guess the terrain variations that effect the way you hunt is what we just have no experience in, raising all these questions about what unit(s) to decide on. Being new to trying to find elk and from your description, I am going to say our better odds of finding elk is spotting them via glassing or hearing them. Maybe we will get lucky and stumble upon them hiking but I am not going to bet on that, so maybe the more remote wilderness units suite us better for our first go around to give us good glassing opportunities?

And how big of an impact will the ML hunters have that week on the pressure (during and after)? Once we do get into the last week of bow, odds are these elk are going be in some real rough areas or private if they've been pushed around a lot or will that factor into our plan for looking such areas in our scouting research?

 

[COEngineer]

I wouldn't overthink things too much. There are elk all over in all of those units. I suggest having a few trailheads mapped out and then pick one based on how many trucks are parked there when you arrive. If one looks crowded, drive to the next one. Keep in mind that some of the trailheads are crowded because they are the only access points to huge areas. Once you walk in a half mile and get off the trail, you may never see another hunter even though there are 10 trucks in the parking lot. Then watch for good backpack camping spots - near water, a level spot to put a tent, etc.

 

[davinski]

Wherever you guys go, pick up a few bear tags if you can. A great way to archery bear hunt is to archery elk hunt. Seriously, they'll come to cow calls. The avg CO bear isn't big, but numbers are way up, it's bordering on infestation in some areas in those GMU's.

 

[ETArchery]

@COEngineer, You're right, probably over complicating this a bit. I am sure once we settle down on a unit or two along with our spots everything will be more clear and we will have a better plan with some confidence. Being first generation elk hunters from out east and not having a mentor, our heads are spinning trying to plan this haha. We are trying to grab any advice from anyone with experiece so thank you!

@davinski, I was looking at that the other day. I think I will at least pick up a tag myself, and I am sure a few other guys will too. Seems like a fun way to keep us on our toes if we hit some lows on the trip, especially because they aren't crazy expensive.

 

[jdf]

You can answer ur #3 question on atvs by ur research once u pick an area.
Once u decide, then easy call to ask local forest district office to ask and study ur maps

 

[RidgeRebel]

I have hunted 521 five times archery and muzzleloader once. In those six years it seems elk in 521 have gotten a little thin. We still saw a couple bulls that last time we were there in 2017. I will tell you this, the muzzleloader hunt in 521 is like a rifle hunt in terms of pressure. Most years we archery hunted we would hunt 10 days ending on the Muzzleloader opener and every time the elk would disappear within hours of first light. I would recommend going the week before the muzzleloader, the rut is usually a little slower, but we usually got into a couple days of good calling.

 

[Thomas11]

Thanks Thomas 11,

Yeah I guess the terrain variations that effect the way you hunt is what we just have no experience in, raising all these questions about what unit(s) to decide on. Being new to trying to find elk and from your description, I am going to say our better odds of finding elk is spotting them via glassing or hearing them. Maybe we will get lucky and stumble upon them hiking but I am not going to bet on that, so maybe the more remote wilderness units suite us better for our first go around to give us good glassing opportunities?

And how big of an impact will the ML hunters have that week on the pressure (during and after)? Once we do get into the last week of bow, odds are these elk are going be in some real rough areas or private if they've been pushed around a lot or will that factor into our plan for looking such areas in our scouting research?

I just think the last week they really turn on as far as bugling and this yr the season stays open a whole week later then previous yr so that’s huge. It’s not so much the pressure of muzzy it’s just the later the better as far as bugling sndvrut action is concerned. And yes I like the ability to glass/see. Elk need some places to feed so I feel the broken topography country is better but that’s just me.

 

[ETArchery]

@Thomas11 thank you. I think we will definitely be looking a little closer at those dates and those areas as we plan. Coming from hunting whitetails out east in tree stands, the spot and stalk approach seems fun and different. The more elk we can spot, the more fun this will be for us.

 

[Thomas11]

PM me if you’d like to discuss further. There are also some units u can draw w/o pts too

 

[BackofBeyond]

Sawbuck Outfitters has helped me in the past.

have they really? wow.

Just wondering, are you actually typing that out on each thread, or did you copy/paste it from the first one?

Good talk.

 

[Scott85]

have they really? wow.

Just wondering, are you actually typing that out on each thread, or did you copy/paste it from the first one?

Good talk.

I reported the .

 

[BackofBeyond]

I reported the .

and now he no longer exists.

To bad. I was really looking forward to engaging with him.

 

[elkduds]

I reported the .

FIFY. Its a burro, BTW.