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

[RidgeRunner76]

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.

OK. How bout both. In areas the same and all over the state. Almost all are the worst CO units the state offers as I don't really play the "draw" tag game.

Again, nothing earth shatterering. Consistent though.....

 

[RidgeRunner76]

Game in general

 

[Oak]

Why do you guys try so hard to convince them they are wrong? Just say, “darn right.”

 

[RidgeRunner76]

Why do you guys try so hard to convince them they are wrong? Just say, “darn right.”

You're not wrong. Been ages since I posted here.

In my case, maybe it's because I miss talking or hanging with those who've been there. Been an extremely rough 4 years, so ya....

Carry on. Off to the shadow's again.

 

[Oak]

You're not wrong. Been ages since I posted here.

In my case, maybe it's because I miss talking or hanging with those who've been there. Been an extremely rough 4 years, so ya....

Carry on. Off to the shadow's again.

Please post away. It was a joke.

 

[RidgeRunner76]

Please post away. It was a joke.

All good!!! I knew it was. Keep up the great work you do on behalf of CO!

Maybe you'll bless my raffles in the Big Horn draw coming up! Know where a few good one's live!

 

[Pennsylvania Possie]

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.

I agree 100% . It’s bullshit to hunt Colorado anymore for non-residents. But I’m here to tell you, there isn’t the elk in Colorado, that they claim. 3 years ago I was in White River area, I walked my ass off for 5 days and 3 different areas and only seen 2 elk. This time I was in the San Juan area because I was able to get two land owner vouchers for mule deer. The mule deer hunt was good but my boys buck at CWD and CPW told me to throw it away. Trouble is; they don’t refund you for any of that except processing, which I do myself. Which is bullshit! Also , while we were in the San Juan area for second season, I got an OTC tag and for three days I didn’t see shit! I probably hiked a total of 10 miles between the three days, if not more. So , I’m here to tell you, Colorado sucks right now unless you’re paying for a private ranch.

 

[Oak]

I agree 100% . It’s bullshit to hunt Colorado anymore for non-residents. But I’m here to tell you, there isn’t the elk in Colorado, that they claim. 3 years ago I was in White River area, I walked my ass off for 5 days and 3 different areas and only seen 2 elk. This time I was in the San Juan area because I was able to get two land owner vouchers for mule deer. The mule deer hunt was good but my boys buck at CWD and CPW told me to throw it away. Trouble is; they don’t refund you for any of that except processing, which I do myself. Which is bullshit! Also , while we were in the San Juan area for second season, I got an OTC tag and for three days I didn’t see shit! I probably hiked a total of 10 miles between the three days, if not more. So , I’m here to tell you, Colorado sucks right now unless you’re paying for a private ranch.

Couldn’t agree more.

 

[Pennsylvania Possie]

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

Don’t know where that’s at?

 

[mtmuley]

I agree 100% . It’s bullshit to hunt Colorado anymore for non-residents. But I’m here to tell you, there isn’t the elk in Colorado, that they claim. 3 years ago I was in White River area, I walked my ass off for 5 days and 3 different areas and only seen 2 elk. This time I was in the San Juan area because I was able to get two land owner vouchers for mule deer. The mule deer hunt was good but my boys buck at CWD and CPW told me to throw it away. Trouble is; they don’t refund you for any of that except processing, which I do myself. Which is bullshit! Also , while we were in the San Juan area for second season, I got an OTC tag and for three days I didn’t see shit! I probably hiked a total of 10 miles between the three days, if not more. So , I’m here to tell you, Colorado sucks right now unless you’re paying for a private ranch.

Maybe you are a shitty elk hunter. mtmuley