Solo Elk Hunt in Colorado: Am I About to Embark on a Glorious Disaster?

[JAG]

A bad day of elk hunting is better than a great day whitetail hunting.

 

[corndog1]

Go for it. I'm not the greatest elk hunter but get one every few years because I just go out and walk.

 

[SaskHunter]

A bad day of elk hunting is better than a great day whitetail hunting.

That is the furthest thing from the truth, but Okay.

I'm pretty confident the overwhelming majority of guys on here would rather have a great day whitetail hunting over seeing and hearing absolutely nothing but pumpkins in "elk country".

Going on a date with a 9 < getting to 3rd base with a 7.

 

[Nick87]

Going on a date with a 9 < getting to 3rd base with a 7

Riddle me this, a dime or 2 nickels?

 

[SaskHunter]

Riddle me this, a dime or 2 nickels?

Which ever one I get to pocket!

 

[Nick87]

Which ever one I get to pocket!

I was trying to be discreet in reference to the 9<7

 

[SaskHunter]

I was trying to be discreet in reference to the 9<7

Discretion, what's that?

 

[ploxwithblox]

The best way to gain experience is by doing. Go for it, and enjoy the process. I have realized that being a beginner at anything some of the most fun, and can make for some of the best memories. I do strongly recommend obtaining an inreach or something of the sort, having seen and personally been through a some harrowing events in the high country.

 

[noharleyyet]

**Headline: "Solo Elk Hunt in Colorado: Should I Go for It or Wait?"**

I’m looking for some advice—should I take on a solo OTC elk hunt in Colorado this year, or hold off until I’m better prepared?

I’m from the Midwest with no experience hunting elk or navigating mountain terrain, but I’ve got some unexpected time off and am considering heading out to Unit 14. My main concern is the pack out—if I do manage to get an elk, I’m not sure how difficult it would be to handle it alone, especially when it comes to preventing meat spoilage.

For those of you who’ve done solo elk hunts, how tough is the pack out on your own? Any tips on strategies for managing the load, especially if I’m trying to stay close to truck access? Also, how realistic is it to find spots in Unit 14 that won’t require a long, grueling pack out?

I’m torn between giving this a shot now or waiting until next year when I could be better prepared and possibly have a team to help. Would appreciate any specific advice or strategies you’ve used in similar situations. Thanks!

You'll have lots of company...

 

[Butcher]

I say do it. I did it and I traveled solo but in Colorado you are never alone. I was 6.5 miles back when I came across a line of grandmas with thier dogs asking me “did you catch a deer!?”

 

[maxracx]

From one WI flatlander to another, seize the day. Do it while you can. Make sure you have basic communication back home, in reach/Zoleo, know you limits, and have a great time. I would watch every Youtube solo hunting video or Fresh tracks video you can and have plan A thru Z in your pocket. Also, make sure you always have a water source.

 

[MT Bound]

if you're looking to experience the West then just go, whether or not you buy the OTC tag is up to you.
Not that big of a deal to quarter one up and haul it out, as long as you don't go 5+ miles in by yourself. Just plan ahead a little bit and prepare in case you put one on the ground.
I've done alot of solo elk hunts and pack-outs by myself and they are do-able if a little thought goes into it.
you won't pack out a bull by yourself if you're 7 miles in and it's warm out, without the potential for losing some meat and just plain running out of physical energy.

Try to focus on the areas that are 3 miles or less in that everybody walks through to get to the deep back-country, most of my elk have been killed in the <3 mile mark in hidey-holes

 

[BQ12]

I say do it. I did it and I traveled solo but in Colorado you are never alone. I was 6.5 miles back when I came across a line of grandmas with thier dogs asking me “did you catch a deer!?”

That’s hilarious

 

[Pennsylvania Possie]

**Headline: "Solo Elk Hunt in Colorado: Should I Go for It or Wait?"**

I’m looking for some advice—should I take on a solo OTC elk hunt in Colorado this year, or hold off until I’m better prepared?

I’m from the Midwest with no experience hunting elk or navigating mountain terrain, but I’ve got some unexpected time off and am considering heading out to Unit 14. My main concern is the pack out—if I do manage to get an elk, I’m not sure how difficult it would be to handle it alone, especially when it comes to preventing meat spoilage.

For those of you who’ve done solo elk hunts, how tough is the pack out on your own? Any tips on strategies for managing the load, especially if I’m trying to stay close to truck access? Also, how realistic is it to find spots in Unit 14 that won’t require a long, grueling pack out?

I’m torn between giving this a shot now or waiting until next year when I could be better prepared and possibly have a team to help. Would appreciate any specific advice or strategies you’ve used in similar situations. Thanks!

I wouldn’t waste my time hunting Colorado. It’s been ruined by the a mismanaged organization that worries about money and not the game. I just posted a thread under”venting “. I’ve hunted the white river and San Juan areas in the last five years and they both suck. And I’m here to tell you, I get after them . I’m not from Texas and sit in a blind with bait. Unless you go to a paid ranch; don’t waste your time.

 

[JAG]

That’s hilarious

Did you go yet?

 

[RidgeRunner76]

I wouldn’t waste my time hunting Colorado. It’s been ruined by the a mismanaged organization that worries about money and not the game. I just posted a thread under”venting “. I’ve hunted the white river and San Juan areas in the last five years and they both suck. And I’m here to tell you, I get after them . I’m not from Texas and sit in a blind with bait. Unless you go to a paid ranch; don’t waste your time.

Let me explain this.

Veteran CO hunter via the 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond. Even in the "Golden Age"
It was never a slam dunk. There were bigger bucks, and bulls. You will either earn your animal here, or get lucky. 99% earn them. I've little sympathy for you based off your 2 posts. I'm not where so many respected guys like Kurt, Pat and Randy are, but I do it honestly. Grab your panties, lace those boots up. All I got for you.

My daughters did.

 

[Dsnow9]

I wouldn’t waste my time hunting Colorado. It’s been ruined by the a mismanaged organization that worries about money and not the game. I just posted a thread under”venting “. I’ve hunted the white river and San Juan areas in the last five years and they both suck. And I’m here to tell you, I get after them . I’m not from Texas and sit in a blind with bait. Unless you go to a paid ranch; don’t waste your time.

I could show you pictures of 4 big bucks, one big bull, a couple other bulls and bucks all killed in those areas in the last week with a full moon and temps in the mid 60s in mid November that I killed, helped with, or gave pointers to people on. Sounds like you might just need a better attitude and a different strategy or two.

 

[elkduds]

I wouldn’t waste my time hunting Colorado. It’s been ruined by the a mismanaged organization that worries about money and not the game. I just posted a thread under”venting “. I’ve hunted the white river and San Juan areas in the last five years and they both suck. And I’m here to tell you, I get after them . I’m not from Texas and sit in a blind with bait. Unless you go to a paid ranch; don’t waste your time.

Welcome to HT. Your efforts to dissuade NRs from hunting CO are noted and appreciated. Have you considered Rokslide?

 

[Bigjay73]

Hunting CO this weekend, elk everywhere I've visited. Gotta love chasing elk on a leftover tag.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Let me explain this.

Veteran CO hunter via the 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond. Even in the "Golden Age"
It was never a slam dunk. There were bigger bucks, and bulls. You will either earn your animal here, or get lucky. 99% earn them. I've little sympathy for you based off your 2 posts. I'm not where so many respected guys like Kurt, Pat and Randy are, but I do it honestly. Grab your panties, lace those boots up. All I got for you.

My daughters did.View attachment 392717

Except those aren't elk, which is what this thread was about.

OTC tags for public land elk in Colorado... flat suck. There is no nice way to put it. By the middle of the 2nd day, damn near every elk high tails it on to private land and stays there. I've literally watched it happen, multiple times in multiple years.

Now, mule deer tags in Colorado, even for public land, IF you can draw one, aren't that hard to fill. I'm 3 for 3 on those in the past 10 years, and 2 of the three were within the first two days of 7-day hunts. You really can't even compare public land elk in CO with public land muleys. Completely different experiences IMO.

Getting back to the question at hand, any trip to elk country is an opportunity to learn. Trouble is, Colorado now wants NR's to pay an $800+ tuition (even for a cow) for a week of lessons with very little chance of success. If you live there or grew up there, obviously your odds improve. But I've driven from states away to hunt CO for over a decade, and this will probably be the last year I pay CO for a NR elk tag. The quality just isn't worth the price anymore.