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

 

[Westelker]

Maybe you are a shitty elk hunter. mtmuley

Pennsylvania Pussie.....just stay away from CO. We don't need NR like you.

 

[seeth07]

I just was in CO with two guys that have never seen the mountains before. I was busy with my wife and all I could do was give them pointers from afar. I showed them an area that was likely to have elk (based on just looking at data on a map), they hiked in there, found elk and after two days finally figured out how to kill one. 3rd season otc in a pretty crowded area of local hunters more so than NR hunters.

What's so hard about this CO elk hunting?

 

[El Jason]

Maybe you are a shitty elk hunter. mtmuley

10 miles between three days is really gettin’ after it.

 

[Gulf of America]

10 miles between three days is really gettin’ after it.

10 miles sounds like a nice day, trying not to push it too hard with altitude and all.

 

[elkduds]

Don’t know where that’s at?

Rokslide Forum

rokslide.com

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

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

Big difference between living in state and driving from states away every year. But don't please let that get in the way of your opinion.

Maybe you can drive to Wisconsin or the UP of Michigan and show those flatlanders how to kill a mature buck on public land in the north woods? Shouldn't take someone like you more than a couple days.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

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.....

Remind the forum where you live again...

The OP is a non resident, driving roughly 1k miles and coming in blind. When and where was the last time you did that, and how did it go for you?

 

[Pennsylvania Possie]

Maybe you are a shitty elk hunter. mtmuley

Let’s see if you can keep up with me?

 

[Pennsylvania Possie]

Remind the forum where you live again...

The OP is a non resident, driving roughly 1k miles and coming in blind. When and where was the last time you did that, and how did it go for you?

As far as myself, I’m not going in blind. I’ve been out numerous times. The places we went in the White river area have produced many elk in the past. Years ago when hunting season came to an end you would see elk antlers on the back of numerous trucks now your lucky to see two or three.

 

[Pennsylvania Possie]

Let’s see if you can keep up with me?

Maybe you just go to a paid ranch and hunt, and you call yourself a hunter!