CO OTC Elk 2023 Questions

[csd99]

So I have finally decided to commit to an OTC elk hunt in 2023. I’ve narrowed down the season to archery and the region to the south/southwest. I know people find success covering lots of ground on roads, but I would really love to go in deep since getting as far as I can from civilization is half the fun for me.

My current plan is to try my hardest to get as far from people as I can and try to locate places the elk would experience less pressure from other hunters. I’d be looking for places at 8k-12k ft of elevation with plenty of timber, scattered meadows, and some water nearby. I would try to scout 3-4 times throughout the summer. Is this a viable strategy? Am I missing something here? I’d love to end up with an elk to fill the freezer but ultimately I’d be happy having just seen elk while hunting. Also, is there any merit to using e-bikes to get to/ close to a secluded campsite?

Thank you for any responses.

 

[streetdoctor]

Another "going in deep" thread. I would look at it as a camping trip...

 

[csd99]

Another "going in deep" thread. I would look at it as a camping trip...

If the odds are that stacked against me with this strategy I’d rather switch up the plans.

 

[cnelk]

Remember, when you 'go deep' from one spot, there are guys 'going deep' from another spot.

Guess what... ya all meet up in the middle

 

[HunterJoeMI]

Going in deep is all fine, but how you going to get the meat out if you are one the 8% that are successful. Solo, in more then 2 miles is a challenge unless you are just hunting off a major trail. Then you will not need to worry about any meat!

 

[Hondo0925]

Ditch the e-bike idea. If you go deep in Colorado you’re probably going to be near wilderness so it would be pointless.
There’s lots of open ground, lots of elk, lots of people and lots of fallen trees. Stick with it and you’ll find success in one way or another.

 

[Loggerdude]

I think there’s no far away from people anymore unless it’s controlled by caps or or draw. End of season seems to slow down numbers or midweek.

 

[southLA]

Consider what you’ll do if you go deep and see no elk.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Problem is a million other guys have the same exact plan. Probably be less crowded 500 yards from the trailhead.

 

[houghton_hunter]

I posted the results of my OTC 2021 trip here:

2021 Elk Meat Pole

I didn't draw an MT combo tag, so had to head to CO for OTC. Zoolorado lived up to its name. We got to the trail head a day before the season started, there were already four trucks parked. Hiked down a 2000 ft decent into a valley and had 40 elk spotted on a mountain, waited and watched to see...

rokslide.com

Forget the "going deep" thing, you need to go smart. Colorado has some of the lowest obesity rates in the US, everyone is fit, and everyone is using advice from 2014, go deep is now a poor strategy.

You cannot out walk the competition in CO, you have to outsmart them....how you do that comes with experience.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Think really really hard about your pack out logistics should you be successful, especially if going alone. Posts like this make seasoned elk hunters roll their eyes when they read about someone planning to "go deep" several miles into rugged terrain and then expecting to carry out elk quarters like it's a trip to Costco.

 

[Northpark]

My opinion is just go. You have to go stumble through things. You won’t really understand the unit or hunt till you do it. But that’s the fun part also very frustrating but it makes for more reward later.

 

[Poser]

Read these posts carefully and let that info sink in. Aside from that, if you have the ability to come out and scout a few times like mentioned, do that and you’re plans will adjust to reality anyway.

 

[ElkArcher918]

Like others have said hunt smart and be flexible/adaptable. Going deep and steep in CO isn't always the best solo strategy for archery elk. Enjoy your time in the field, gain experience, and hone your skills. If you kill one it's a bonus.

 

[Ucsdryder]

It’s December. Plenty of time to come up with a plan that doesn’t include “Otc Colorado”.

 

[gabenzeke]

A different reason not to go deep....you'll spend a significant amount of time or energy getting there. Once there, you're committed. And there may not be elk there. Then you have to spend the same amount of time and energy to get out, and more time and energy to get to plan b.

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[MallardSX2]

Going steep sounds like a good plan to me. 98% of guys don’t have it in them and of the remaining2% that do, half of them can’t shoot straight.

 

[peaches]

Go deep can work but a major issue is bumping into outfitters. More than once I've surprised outfitters and gotten "how did you get in here?". They can give some major attitude and act like they own the place - talking public land here. I use them to my advantage because the folks they bring in are often out of shape or can't walk far. I hunt the timber, north slopes, and escape routes in these circumstances.
Don't let these guys discourage you. It can be done, but you better be honest with yourself about your mental toughness and have a meat and emergency strategy.

 

[Slugz]

Get intel on the area before coming up with a plan.
Scout as much as you can.
Have a plan A - Z
Remain flexible.
Don't fall in love with one plan. They are where they are.
Be happy seeing elk like you said.
Scout as much as you can.

 

[Maverick1]

So I have finally decided to commit to an OTC elk hunt in 2023. I’ve narrowed down the season to archery and the region to the south/southwest. I know people find success covering lots of ground on roads, but I would really love to go in deep since getting as far as I can from civilization is half the fun for me.

My current plan is to try my hardest to get as far from people as I can and try to locate places the elk would experience less pressure from other hunters. I’d be looking for places at 8k-12k ft of elevation with plenty of timber, scattered meadows, and some water nearby. I would try to scout 3-4 times throughout the summer. Is this a viable strategy? Am I missing something here? I’d love to end up with an elk to fill the freezer but ultimately I’d be happy having just seen elk while hunting. Also, is there any merit to using e-bikes to get to/ close to a secluded campsite?

Thank you for any responses.

Nice first post. As you can see, you hit a hot button topic here on Rokslide with the “go deep” approach. How fun! Anyhow, your plan sounds solid. Everyone has to start from somewhere. A couple of comments:

The areas you outline should have elk in them. If not, be prepared to try multiple spots your first time out.

Summer scouting can be helpful, but isn’t entirely necessary. If you are close by, then go for it. There are areas I’ve scouted in mid summer that have been helpful in finding sign and water sources. One thing to keep in mind is elk have different areas they use depending on the season, so if you find elk in July, don’t get too fired up - they might not be there in September. I’ve made several out of state scouting trips that have been very helpful in the fall, and others that have been a waste of time - well, they showed me where not to go! I’ve also scouted and found areas that looked great, but then got there and found a lot of other trucks and people hunting. So, have a plan but be flexible.

The use of an e-bike can be helpful, but does not align with your go deep approach. (You need some sort of road/gravel/path for an e-bike; most places don’t have that “infrastructure” in place, and if they do, you will have a lot of company.). Most of the places I’ve hunted in CO you wouldn’t be able to take an e-bike more than 100 yards off the paved road - too steep/rugged/rocky. While there may be some sort of appeal to using an e-bike, it really becomes a limiter - you can only go where they function. So, if you are going on a scouting trip in the summer, take your e-bike with and let us know how it works out!

Welcome to Rokslide. Now that you have the obligatory “CO-OTC” first post out of the way, please know that no one is going to give your their honey hole, and yes, there is a ten post minimum to start using the classifieds. LOL.