Are there any elk in colorado?

[butcherboy]

25 years and never killed an elk? How in the world can you put in 20 miles and not see an elk? I don’t really know what advice to give you except to take up another sport. To me, something seems off here….

 

[Dave_]

-Move if there isn't fresh sign (doesn't have to be a new unit, just learn 1 or 2 units very well, move around until you find fewer people, try different elevations, elk move with pressure, etc)
-study elk biology
-learn elk "language"
-don't go to busy trailheads, access pts
-think outside the box
-gps every elk you do see or hear and look for patterns
-change up calls/calling techniques
-hunt all day, everyday, for as long as you can manage while staying married and employed
-probably other stuff

Add:
IF you get an opportunity make it count...you may only get one.
- Be confident in your shooting, gear, and physical ability.
-plan how you would set up at every calling site, shooing lanes, cover, yardage markers, trails, etc
-practice estimating yardages throughout the day



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[Deadfall]

Sounds to me like you moving too much.

 

[Bugger]

I’d feel bad if I didn’t think you joined only to discourage people from going to your area, as that was your first post and only theme so far.

 

[Coveyleader]

3 less in our OTC spot

 

[Quandary]

Go Elk hunt with Cliff Gray.

Cliff Gray - Hunt. Fish. Spear. Get Your Own Food. - Pursuit with Cliff

Covering the topics of mountain hunting, self-reliance, fishing, spearfishing and becoming an overall better outdoorsman.

pursuitwithcliff.com

 

[surich725]

Have you tried totally different units or do you always hunt the same one? Like others have said I’d move around more. Dont pigeon hole yourself to spots you have already tried without finding any elk.

Yeah I have done otc, steamboat, big creek, meeker, craig pretty much everything north of 70

 

[surich725]

I’d feel bad if I didn’t think you joined only to discourage people from going to your area, as that was your first post and only theme so far.

I wish that was the case, legit been hunting elk muzzleoading, archery and rifle since I was 13. All my hunting patterns over the years have harvested elk, some of which I was by their side. But yes I am almost 40 and have never taken an elk with any of the above. Last year spent 12 days up in unit 19 and never saw an elk. I wish I was lying but its truth. Been all over Northern Co and never connected.

 

[Dougfir]

I think your goal should be to find a way to hunt with a skilled and successful hunter. That could be a guide. That could be a hunting partner, but someone who consistently gets into elk. You need to see and experience a different way to go about the hunt. If you can do that, I think something will click for you and you'll realize some key things that you've not been doing, or have been doing, that have gotten in your way. You have some serious persistence, which is a good quality for a hunter..

 

[3forks]

I wish that was the case, legit been hunting elk muzzleoading, archery and rifle since I was 13. All my hunting patterns over the years have harvested elk, some of which I was by their side. But yes I am almost 40 and have never taken an elk with any of the above. Last year spent 12 days up in unit 19 and never saw an elk. I wish I was lying but it’s truth. Been all over Northern Co and never connected.

Did you see any sign (either old or new) in your 20 miles?

 

[surich725]

Did you see any sign (either old or new) in your 20 miles?

Some but not great, we just moved camp from 8 to 7 and going to try to find a less people populated area.

 

[Crowmangler]

How often do you check the wind while you're hunting?

 

[Indian Summer]

I feel the same way about musky fishing.. Not totally convinced those things are real..

I’ve caught hundreds. My wife has 8 over 50 including a 55. Three of us in a boat had 65 rips in one day and boated 57 of them on Lake St Clair. The day before that we caught 38. Two days prior to that 34. Once you figure them out, it’s not that hard. But timing is important.

 

[stumblinhorse]

Some but not great, we just moved camp from 8 to 7 and going to try to find a less people populated area.

E-04 is like the 2nd lowest harvest DAU in the state. I live in E-08 which has a higher harvest percent and I won’t hunt here…. OTC in CO is really tough but I would not hunt those units.

 

[String&stick]

My dad hunts Colorado every year rifle. . . Sometimes their group of 6 gets skunked and has a year with no elk, some times they kill 4 or 5 a year, but most years they kill 2 or 3 for the group

Their first year in a unit they get there 3 days early and scout escape routes and thick timber hiding pockets with water close, and look at where pressure will come from. Opening day they sit on escape routes and hell holes. . . For the most part it pays off for them, and they don't have to do too much walking after their first year once they nail down some good spots.

They spent 10 years killing 0 or 1 elk before switching strategies, many years without even seeing elk.

If it's not working switch it up! After 20 years OTC have you built any points for a limited entry unit? Nothing more fun then getting to chase low pressure elk!

 

[Idahobugler]

I admire your determination that’s a long time without success. Lots of experience and guys that have killed a lot of elk on here. You’ve been on successful hunts with other people, imitate that. Best of luck this year, hope you get it done.

 

[ElDiablito]

It’s really not that hard. Or is it?

Maybe consider golf….

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I would find a new hobby

 

[Fever Buck]

Just want to chime in and say I feel you OP. I’m on year 6 and have never seen an elk on public land. I guess all we can do is keep after it. Maybe switch to hunting other states or other parts of Colorado?

 

[IDVortex]

Well, I technically have only hunted 4 years for elk. All 4 have been archery, and one rifle hunt. Called in 1 bull, and screwed myself due to no shooting lanes, seen plenty of elk, and have thankfully killed 1 cow. Granted it was in WY for a cow hunt with a rifle but still a elk.

Buying a whole beef might be cheaper.