Colorado Elk Supply Demand

[Ucsdryder]

As a resident that’s killed 10 bulls in the last 10 season I can confidently say I would NOT hunt Colorado otc as a NR. Not a chance..

 

[bz_711]

One of my biggest issues is guys coming out underprepared to budget hunt and then having issues. As an outfitter I see it all the time, sub par sleeping bags, whitetail bow setups, no range finder, the list goes on and on. You see every year guys not being weather prepared and getting stuck or lost, injured animals for bad shots or sub par shooting, if you’re gonna go elk hunting in CO you need to be prepared and doing it on a budget may work for you a few times but when it comes down to it ur putting your safety at risk and then possible injuring wildlife vs making proper shots.


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Just as many guys with a $10,000 budget show up unprepared...maybe even more so than those on a $1000 budget. Wealthy often equals lazy and less skill/prep...I've absolutely seen it firsthand.

I hunted deer in Northern MN/WI for my entire life before getting into elk hunting. I haven't had the pleasure of doing an archery elk hunt yet, but my deer rifle needed to shoot 75-100 yds max in my neck of the woods...my scope/rifle/caliber were ill suited to go out west. Even if I break out the cost of a new set-up and my ammo over the course of all my elk hunts, that's still a significant cost. Most everyone east of the Rockies will need a different gun set-up to hunt in the west than hunting in the east. And even if you're archery hunting, you're still spending money on bows and arrows. I guess we can debate if that's money already spent on whitetail hunting (similar to the groceries) so we don't have to include that but I try that logic with my wife and it doesn't fly. Also, my 1200gr muck boots weren't conducive to hiking in the mountains so I needed to get a decent pair of hunting boots. And my gear (even for archery season) is too heavy to take out onto the mountains or I'd sweat to death. Thankfully our ice fishing tent and mr. buddy heater worked for a tent and stove so didn't have to get those.

I'm not familiar with Washington or Oregon elk hunting, but that's only going to drive up the gas bill. The chance you get 4 NR to draw the same bull tag in NM, Utah, or Idaho isn't realistic based on the draw odds I've seen. I suppose I'm assuming I'm not asking a buddy to split the gas bill who is coming out west without a tag. And won't that Wyoming general tag require some preference points which cost a little money?

It's possible I shoot a 480" free range elk on my general unit tag I hopefully draw this year...but is it realistic?

Again, I'm not saying you can't do it (in fact, it's pretty awesome you're able to and I have a ton of respect for that), I just think it'd be pretty dang tough to do it. And most of us have to realistically expect we're going to spend more than that.

I agree...it's a stretch and hard to pull off for most...BUT, that's where hooking up with someone who has plenty of experience can really help dial things in.

Good Luck!

 

[Soj51hopeful]

As a resident that’s killed 10 bulls in the last 10 season I can confidently say I would NOT hunt Colorado otc as a NR. Not a chance..

What if you lived in a state with no elk hunting?

 

[Ucsdryder]

What if you lived in a state with no elk hunting?

That has nothing to do with it. There are lots of states with elk. There is lots of time to hunt elk. Play the game in 5-6 states. Build points in Colorado, hunt every year you draw a good random tag, come up with a plan to burn points in states that have point systems.