Colorado Cow Elk

[Shmeegs28]

Hey everyone,

My Colorado archery elk hunt hit the fan big time so we snagged a leftover 4th season Cow tag in unit 18 in hopes of filling the freezer. I have yet to strictly hunt Cows so just looking for any little tips that could help out. I know that cows are going to push to lower elevations much earlier than the bulls are so I have been E-scouting areas between 7500-9000 feet. Where I am planning on going has a good amount of private land bordering a bunch of BLM. I guess my biggest question is should I focus on those private borders to try and catch a cow as it moves to feed and bed or should I try and get a little deeper into public to stay away from private? Im trying to find where the best feed is going to be for them but that is hard to do on maps. We are going to try and do a scouting trip before we head up but that may not be possible with work and family life. Again just asking for any input that could help refine my e-scouting as I have 0 cow hunting experience!

I hope everyone else is having better luck than I am this season!!
Thanks in advance!

 

[Sheltowee]

Pretty sure @Big Fin and Corey Jacobsen's Elk 101 has a new module this year specifically on hunting cows. Might check it out.

Just guessing, but I'd probably be inclined to hang around the periphery of the private *especially* if they were crop fields or pastures. Hunting pressure will probably keep them pushed toward the private.

 

[Shmeegs28]

Pretty sure @Big Fin and Corey Jacobsen's Elk 101 has a new module this year specifically on hunting cows. Might check it out.

Just guessing, but I'd probably be inclined to hang around the periphery of the private *especially* if they were crop fields or pastures. Hunting pressure will probably keep them pushed toward the private.

Ive been looking into subscribing to their outdoor class so i might have to pull the trigger on that! whats the best way to tell if private has been used for crops or pasture? I tend to avoid private so I havent spent much time digging into that kinda thing, thanks!

 

[elkduds]

I guess my biggest question is should I focus on those private borders to try and catch a cow as it moves to feed and bed or should I try and get a little deeper into public to stay away from private?

Yes

 

[Sheltowee]

Ive been looking into subscribing to their outdoor class so i might have to pull the trigger on that! whats the best way to tell if private has been used for crops or pasture? I tend to avoid private so I havent spent much time digging into that kinda thing, thanks!

Big ass irrigation center pivots are usually a good tell. Haystacks or moo cows pretty solid indicators, too.

 

[Westelker]

Yes

Get yourself positioned and hidden away to get a shot while the cows are either going into the the private very early or if they're not disturbed during the day be in position while they leave the private as they transition to their bedroom at last light.

If a fence line is the boundary between private and public try to position yourself far enough parallel to the fence so other public hunters won't interfere.

 

[nrpate05]

That lower elevation sagey BLM land above the private/valley should be getting good by fourth season. I liked hunting those areas that were a little further in and had some timber and private land adjacent.

 

[Shmeegs28]

That lower elevation sagey BLM land above the private/valley should be getting good by fourth season. I liked hunting those areas that were a little further in and had some timber and private land adjacent.

there is a little timber in the area so ill have to key in on that. Have you noticed if they tend to hangout on South facing slopes most of the day or is weather still dictating that?