Archery hunt Colorado vs Montana

[hubbs77]

Just wanted to ask a quick question on what the major differences are when hunting Montana and Colorado for archery elk? I have hunted the past few seasons in some of Colorados more difficult terrain and was just wondering what y'all find to be the biggest differences between the two states? Whether it be hunting style, terrain, situational calling.... just curious. Thanks!

 

[Marine4life]

Grizzly bears. In many places of MT you need to take, and comply, with precautions. Terrain in MT varies across the state but assuming your talking about public land, MT has rough country but not the really high elevation country CO has. Elk are elk no matter where you find them and whether they bugle or respond to calls is dependent on hunting pressure and in my opinion there is no shortage of that in either state.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bz_711]

Only been to MT once, but differences for me:
-Grizzly bears, my buddy did see one
-Less high country where we were...so really depends as both states have units with alpine and both have areas all below treeline. In general I just preferred my CO areas where I have several views of rocky peaks each day...not much related to elk hunting I just enjoy the views and being able to get above trees.
-Considerably less hunting pressure in MT and about 95% less recreation/tourist where I was
-MT = Moo Cows! Was surprised how many times we came across cattle at over 10,000 ft
-Less cell signal. I had to drive 30 minutes to make a call home (I now have a zoleo because of that). I also drove a 2 lane highway for prob 40 miles without passing a single car or house (and no cell signal)...you better be prepared to be stranded.
-So many mule deer.

Elk hunting was similar (just as hard) and I do plan to go back. What I liked most of MT was the expansiveness of it and just fewer people...great state to get away from it all.

 

[Dos Perros]

I think the CO bow hunters are better elk hunters, elk callers. For that reason the elk are tougher to call and get close to. And then also more recreational traffic in CO than in MT.

 

[cnelk]

I dont think MT has the beetle kill CO does

 

[lager]

There is plenty of beetle kill on the west side of the divide. A lot of the areas where we used to hunt are such a mess of downfall the elk cannot get thru it, and have moved to different areas.

 

[wannakillabigbull]

I've killed archery bulls in both CO and MT. If you didn't tell me I was in MT I wouldn't have been able to tell you I wasn't in CO; there are definitely similar areas in MT if you're looking for steep and rough country. But both states are huge with such varied terrain, it'll depend on where you are. Grizzlies have been mentioned and that's certainly a factor depending on the unit you pick. When I hunted MT general I ran into about the same number of people on the trail as in CO OTC or low draw, but far less off the trail in MT. Hunters in CO tend to hunt very hard and put in a lot of effort compared to the other states I've hunted.

 

[Skerhunter]

Elevation/terrain, wolves, bears would be the major differences. The elk are still doing elk stuff!

Pressure in Montana has been steadily increasing during archery season and is now similar to OTC units.

 

[KHNC]

Well , NW Montana barely has any elk. I guess CO gives more actual chances of seeing one.

 

[BigLou]

you should definitely hunt Colorado. Twice as many elk. Shorter drive. Better beer. No brown bears.