Colorado Black Bear - Draw or OTC?

[RufusB.Marion]

Curious if y'all had any advice. Hunted CO last year for first time as resident (Mule Deer, Turkey & Elk). Looking to add more opportunity to my season and was wondering if you would recommend adding a bear tag to a deer or elk tag OTC - or trying to draw a standalone bear tag. Cheers!

 

[XLR]

If you buy a bear tag you won't see a bear. If you don't buy a bear tag you will see dozens of bears.... it is proven. On a serious note, it all depends on how bad you want to kill one. Think about how much time a bear would take away from your elk hunting. If you have to pack them out you are going to have 1-2 days less of hunting for an elk/deer depending on how many people you have.

 

[kjw]

It never hurts to have one in your pocket if you can get one for the area you already plan to hunt. Keep in mind there are plenty of otc units that have list B tags allowing for a second tag. If you don’t have a September hunt planned, going after bears would extend your season. Maybe even let you learn about an area before the October/November hunts

 

[RufusB.Marion]

If you buy a bear tag you won't see a bear. If you don't buy a bear tag you will see dozens of bears.... it is proven. On a serious note, it all depends on how bad you want to kill one. Think about how much time a bear would take away from your elk hunting. If you have to pack them out you are going to have 1-2 days less of hunting for an elk/deer depending on how many people you have.

Hahaha much appreciated. Very good point on the pack out - have been mostly solo up to this point.

 

[RufusB.Marion]

It never hurts to have one in your pocket if you can get one for the area you already plan to hunt. Keep in mind there are plenty of otc units that have list B tags allowing for a second tag. If you don’t have a September hunt planned, going after bears would extend your season. Maybe even let you learn about an area before the October/November hunts

The September idea is very interesting. Have you hunted that season yourself?

 

[BDRam16]

If you buy a bear tag you won't see a bear. If you don't buy a bear tag you will see dozens of bears.... it is proven. On a serious note, it all depends on how bad you want to kill one. Think about how much time a bear would take away from your elk hunting. If you have to pack them out you are going to have 1-2 days less of hunting for an elk/deer depending on how many people you have.

Also don’t forget the skull and hide has to be taken to a CPW check in area within 5 days. So if you are in the backcountry you will basically lose a whole day just getting your bear checked in and legal.

 

[XLR]

Also don’t forget the skull and hide has to be taken to a CPW check in area within 5 days. So if you are in the backcountry you will basically lose a whole day just getting your bear checked in and legal.

Good point!