CO unit 81

[bcreason7]

Hey guys, Me and a group of guys from Oklahoma are headed to Colorado for OTC elk and were thinking about going to 81 or around there for mid September archery. Has anyone hunted there or nearby? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[bpctcb]

OTC Colorado is simply millions of acres with thousands of elk. The elk are where they are.
BP

 

[Laelkhunter]

I hunt 2nd Rifle OTC on a private ranch that is on 78/81. I stay in Chama, and drive daily to the ranch (about 20 minutes). There is a campground down the road from our gate, and is usually occupied by several tents and campers. The hunters cross the road and hunt the area North of the campground. Last year during second rifle, I only heard two or three shots coming from the public area after two full days of hunting, so it didn't sound like too much going on.
Could have been some bow hunting, but it was probably too late (Oct 17th & 18th) for bow hunting. Elevations in the area go from about 8500 to about 10200.
If you get lucky, excellent processing at Hometown Market in Antonito, Colorado about 30 minutes North. $200 to process, wrap, and freeze by a professional meat cutter. Quick too (24 hour service avail). Flash frozen and is ready to pack in ice chests for the trip home.

 

[bcreason7]

thanks fellas!!
keep it comin please!

 

[gabenzeke]

I was planning on hunting 81 as well and have talked to several people here and on Eastmans. Some of the feedback that I've gotten is that there are 2 outfitters in the area and some people have complained that they aren't easy to get along with if you cross their path. The other bit of advice I got was to make sure you know the public land boundaries as there is a lot of private land in the area. This is all 2nd hand info, but it seems kind of hard to get info about this unit from others that have hunted there. Not sure if that's a good sign, but that's how I'm going to look at it.

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[gauge]

This is all 2nd hand info, but it seems kind of hard to get info about this unit from others that have hunted there. Not sure if that's a good sign, but that's how I'm going to look at it.

I have not hunted the unit but I have hunted close. If this is the unit you have decided on, then get into your maps and start looking for areas that would hold elk. Colorado hunting atlas is a great resource. As for private land, aside from some big ranches on the south end, you have no worries with finding public land on the west side of the unit. This is a huge unit that is only 30% private land.
Don't take not getting info as being a "sign" or take it personal. You are likely the 10th guy that week to ask a similar question. Asking about OTC units on a public forum isn't thought highly of. These forums can be searched on Google for the next 10 years, quickly ruining an area or trail head. If I said go hunt drainage x, there would be an increase in pressure and who knows if the elk are even there that season. Pick a spot, learn it, have fun. Good Luck!

 

[gabenzeke]

I didn't take offense to it at all. And I totally understand people not wanting all their spots outed on the internet. When I asked about the unit I was asking questions more about the availability of water and hunting pressure. So the lack of responses could be good, bad, or meaningless. I'm still planning an area in 81 as my 'a plan' so well see how it goes. I plan on returning so I get more confident in the area and my plan. This will be my first elk hunt, so while I want to be successful I'm sure there will be a lot to learn.

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[gmajor]

I've hunted muzzleloader in the past, this will be my first time OTC.

Should I be looking at different elevations in 2nd rifle season? I'm caught off guard that I didn't draw and am now faced with the daunting task of figuring out what elk season is like during OTC 2nd (or 3rd) season. I'm just talking general elk behavior here.

 

[gmajor]

Any considerations for choosing between 2nd and 3rd season OTC?

 

[Laelkhunter]

I hunt the 2nd OTC, mainly because most times there is still some bugling going on (plenty last year). Also, the trees still have some leaves left, which we enjoy the sights of changing colors instead of all of the trees being barren. I would really rather hunt the first week of October for the previous mentioned reasons, however that can't happen. Nothing wrong with the 3rd OTC, mostly depends on the weather, and the rut cycle which is hard to predict when you are planning the hunt 8 or 10 months ahead of time like I do. Rut is usually over with pretty much by the 2nd or 3rd anyway.

 

[gibbons025]

I am from Oklahoma and have been hunting unit 81 for archery season the last 2 years. We go the first week of season and stay for a week. PM me with any questions you have.

 

[trophyhill]

80-81can be both good and tough. Personally I love it. I've found some areas where pressured elk go and I've found areas before the pressure really starts and I've found areas that are so obvious there is no pressure. One wrong turn though and you could be in the middle of tons of pressure. I've seen all weather conditions. Killed early season and late season. Before, during and after muzzy. It has some of the steepest, nastiest blowdown terrain you can find in CO to some of the mildest you can find. And elk scattered throughout. It's a fun hunt. I did a lot of research and networking to find these areas and plain old boots on the ground. It's a fun hunt. Study the animal and know there habits and you can find them.

 

[gibbons025]

80-81can be both good and tough. Personally I love it. I've found some areas where pressured elk go and I've found areas before the pressure really starts and I've found areas that are so obvious there is no pressure. One wrong turn though and you could be in the middle of tons of pressure. I've seen all weather conditions. Killed early season and late season. Before, during and after muzzy. It has some of the steepest, nastiest blowdown terrain you can find in CO to some of the mildest you can find. And elk scattered throughout. It's a fun hunt. I did a lot of research and networking to find these areas and plain old boots on the ground. It's a fun hunt. Study the animal and know there habits and you can find them.

+1 Excellent Advice.

 

[mattfly77]

I am from Oklahoma and have been hunting unit 81 for archery season the last 2 years. We go the first week of season and stay for a week. PM me with any questions you have.

I just joined and am waiting on my minimum post and 7 day requirement before I can PM you, but me and a buddy are coming out from TN to hunt this unit and would love to ask you a couple of questions.

 

[gauge]

I just joined and am waiting on my minimum post and 7 day requirement before I can PM you, but me and a buddy are coming out from TN to hunt this unit and would love to ask you a couple of questions.

I have hunted 81 a couple times, including last year. We left after a day and a half last year to a different unit. We couldn't even find a place to camp because of all hunters. Not saying there are not elk there, but 81 has turned into a circus. I can't believe CPW kept it an OTC unit. Also, talked to a guy I know that has hunted there for 15 years (out of state guy), he said he will never be back after what he has seen the last couple years. Not sure if it is forums or what has caused the pressure but you may look towards some different units. We found elk last year with less than a day of driving away from 81.
PM me if you would like.

 

[mattfly77]

I have hunted 81 a couple times, including last year. We left after a day and a half last year to a different unit. We couldn't even find a place to camp because of all hunters. Not saying there are not elk there, but 81 has turned into a circus. I can't believe CPW kept it an OTC unit. Also, talked to a guy I know that has hunted there for 15 years (out of state guy), he said he will never be back after what he has seen the last couple years. Not sure if it is forums or what has caused the pressure but you may look towards some different units. We found elk last year with less than a day of driving away from 81.
PM me if you would like.

Thanks so much for the info. I'll PM you as soon as the sight allows me to.....I read something about not being able to PM others on here until I've replied to 10 posts and been a member for 7 days.....crazy.

 

[rob86jeep]

Thanks so much for the info. I'll PM you as soon as the sight allows me to.....I read something about not being able to PM others on here until I've replied to 10 posts and been a member for 7 days.....crazy.

It's not crazy; it's a rule based upon circumstances like the OP's thread. He posted a question asking for information about a specific unit/hunt he had then hasn't contributed to the forum for 4 years... The rules are in place for a reason.

 

[Sapcut]

I have hunted 81 a couple times, including last year. We left after a day and a half last year to a different unit. We couldn't even find a place to camp because of all hunters. Not saying there are not elk there, but 81 has turned into a circus. I can't believe CPW kept it an OTC unit. Also, talked to a guy I know that has hunted there for 15 years (out of state guy), he said he will never be back after what he has seen the last couple years. Not sure if it is forums or what has caused the pressure but you may look towards some different units. We found elk last year with less than a day of driving away from 81.
PM me if you would like.

Rats. I hunted 81 several years ago and was thinking of soloing back there this year but not sure now. Other units I am familiar with are now draws so still looking I guess....unless anyone needs a killing partner.

 

[Gerbdog]

As has been said on here before, its the first unit you hit with a wilderness area coming into the state from the SE corner so its a natural stopping point for many hunters. I was down in the unit checking out the area last month and can confirm there were loads of future potential hunters out scouting. Anything from the roads being hammered by ATVs using Binos to watch the elk up top to backpacking in on a few day trip to find the elk. The trout were still biting so.... worthwhile trip.

 

[Tellis88]

This year will be my first trip out there and we plan on hitting 81 to check pressure then bounce around to other close units if it doesn’t pan out haha you gotta start somewhere being a newbie to hunting out west