2026 rifle elk

[jsbart]

hey guys I'm new to the forum anyway I moved to the colorado springs area a little over a year ago I grew up in Iowa I am an avid hunter and am looking at doing a rifle hunt for elk this year the rules and regs are a bit confusing with the draw and units and otc stuff anyway I'm wanting to get some advice on the otc tags bull or cow doest matter I'm a meat hunter just wanting to know how it all works and what I need to do thanks.

 

[displacedtexan]

Such a unique, fascinating question.

Why not try to do some research on your own?

If you just want meat, cow.

 

[Chris in TN]

Welcome. This place can be friendly and full of advice but your first post sort of asks a lot.

Without knowing any more about exactly where you live, my first advice would be to find whatever unit had a nice chunk of USFS mountain terrain closest to your home, that also has OTC 2nd/3rd season bull tags, then apply for a *COW* tag in that unit.

YMMV, a lot. Also - please don't mention specific units. We don't do that here.

 

[ReddingArcher]

Whatever you do get a new rifle. Elk are big critters. Especially in a rut fueled craze. Almost impossible to kill. Elk rifles start with 375 H&H and go up from there. Leupold scope. Call it a day.

Just kidding, good luck with whatever you come up with. Lots of options out there on units.

 

[406flyfish]

Talk to biologist and start walking the woods. There ya go.

 

[LongWayAround]

I also moved to Colorado from Iowa. The regulations can seem intimidating. OTC makes it easy, you can only buy a bull OTC tag. There are thousands of easy to get cow tags. Look at a map, pick a spot, and learn the regulations for that spot.

Your post reads like you haven't actually read the regulations. Spend some time doing that.

If you ask specific questions, you'll get better answers. Don't ask about specific units.