CO Early Rifle Bear Hunt Timing

[Willie IV]

Heading out for a bear hunt this September in Colorado. With Labor Day being the 7th, would you go early knowing you'll probably get the long weekend hikers or would you maybe head towards CO on Labor Day and hunt after the hiking crowds have left? I'm coming from the Midwest so have at least a day and a half of travel time to the unit I'm hunting. I can hunt as many days as I need to so if there's other suggestions on timing I'm completely flexible.

 

[justinspicher]

I’d hunt every day that was available, bears are tricky. No baiting, no dogs. Just hours and days behind glass or wandering around the forest hoping one does something stupid enough to get a shot opportunity.

 

[LongWayAround]

Hikers are mostly interested in pretty views and destinations like lakes or peaks. They're not posted up in some oakbrush hellhole. I don't think you'll have any issues. Most of the hikers I run into also tell everyone if they have seen a bear.

 

[crazygrizz]

I'm headed out the Saturday before Labor Day, maybe Friday night depending on how work goes. Got an archery bear tag, still debating on an otc elk tag to go along with it. Just having the 3 day weekend + only needing to use up 4 vacation days makes it worth the extra people for a bit. I have a patch on my bino harness with my username on it, so maybe we'll cross paths.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I’d go as early as possible, it’s all about glassing here in Co. or just pure dumb luck bumping into one

 

[30338]

I've bumped into 2 over many hunts. It's mostly spending long hours glassing as mentioned. Seems like acorns in my area hold them later into Sept than berries do. But berries can be red hot in early Sept. Kill two while you're here please.