27 Res PP CO Units 2,201, or 10. Looking for opinions

[COHunter33]

My Dad has amassed 27 resident elk PP while hunting OTC elk his whole life. We are ready to burn them, but are vacillating between 4 hunt options. Considering all of these options have now become once in a lifetime hunts, I figured some people would be more willing to share opinions.
After researching the draw stats we limited it down to these options:

Unit 10 Early Rifle: will be able to draw this tag in 2024

Unit 2 Early Rifle: will most likely be able to draw this tag in 2024

Unit 201 Muzzleloader: Would be able to draw this tag in 2024

Unit 201 Early Rifle: will likely have to wait 2-4 more years unless he gets lucky.

Ideal factors for him:
Quantity of bulls over quality of bulls
Ease of public access

For those who have hunted or have knowledge of these hunts, what would you do in our shoes?

 

[kcm2]

I'd call CPW and speak to the NW biologist instead of asking here. The herds were hammered last winter. It may not be a good year to spend that many points in the NW part of the state.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I’d watch the winter. Sure dry right now. I wouldn’t want to burn 25 years worth of points on a really bad drought year.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Like some said watch the winter but with as late as muzzy will be in 2024, I would go 201 muzzleloader and not look back

 

[tkhuntsman]

I've been on hunts in 2 and 10 sadly none were my own. 2 was great but access was tough paid a trespass fee to access public land off the beaten path. It was 15 years ago and sadly I'd say that place is gone and unavailable now. 10 was good twice good numbers of elk with good access to public. Bigger bulls were still using private just like everywhere else in the world but found plenty of nice mature bulls on public. They were all archery hunts and those units are definitely good. They did get hit hard by winter the last couple of years but numbers still look good. I know a couple of guys that guide that country and they said despite it all they have had good seasons.

 

[Wheels]

I archery deer hunted 2 in 2022 and would have been thrilled to have an elk tag in my pocket. Everyone migrates to the pines but I saw a bunch of really big bulls up north in the unit. Videoed one that was pushing 400”. Chatted with a muzzle loader hunter that said they had gps collared 17 bulls in ‘21 that were 400”+.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

I archery deer hunted 2 in 2022 and would have been thrilled to have an elk tag in my pocket. Everyone migrates to the pines but I saw a bunch of really big bulls up north in the unit. Videoed one that was pushing 400”. Chatted with a muzzle loader hunter that said they had gps collared 17 bulls in ‘21 that were 400”+.

So 2 it is!

 

[sndmn11]

If winter and size has you worried, there's nothing wrong with drawing, scouting, and turning it back in for a points refund if unsatisfied.

 

[COHunter33]

Appreciate all the feedback. Ended up putting in and drawing 201 ML. We are both very excited. I don’t think anyone could go wrong with 2 or 201

 

[cnelk]

@Jaquomo

 

[Jaquomo]

Numbers are down a bit due to the 22-23 winterkill, but not everywhere. Some elk got trapped, others didn't. My friend hunted 2 last year and had bulls all over. He got a little overexcited and shot a bull on the first day. You are basically hunting the same elk, and this winter was way milder. You'll have a great OIAL hunt! Savor it, because you're unlikely to have another hunt like that, anywhere, if you hit it right.