Colorado Elk - to change up units or stick it out

[FGB]

In search of some advice around planning for Colorado.

For context, I chose NW colorado unit for my first archery elk hunt (coming solo from VA) in 2023, which happened to be one of the units that got hit hardest by the previous winter. I was not successful, probably saw around 10-15 elk and heard a couple bugles over the course of 10 days with zero legit shot opportunities, but having zero experience i wasn't too dissapointed. In 2024 i returned to the unit and quickly got on a small herd where i had seen elk in the prior year. Over the course of 8 days i got within 100 yards of these elk 4 times but was not able to get it done (all but one of these instances was just still hunting, had a cow come into 30 from raking but never had a shot on her front half). I hit a handful of other spots within the unit but was not able to get into any other elk outside of this couple square mile area. On the way out in a nearby town I talked to a local guide who guided muzzy hunters in the unit- he said that himself and other guides had switched units following the winter kill, since this unit got hit harder than others.

I got lucky and drew a great archery tag in another state in 2025, got into tons of elk and learned a massive amount over a couple weeks, but ultimately did not tag out due to a poorly executed shot.

Now i sit with 3 points in Colorado, and am essentially debating three options:

• Muzzy hunt the unit i have archery experience in. I feel confident i can put something (at least a cow) on the ground, but do not have high hopes for a mature bull or any great rutting action.
• Grab a muzzy cow tag in a high quality unit that i'll never draw a bull archery tag for just for the experience
• Get an archery ES or cow muzzy tag in a better quality unit that i can expect to more consistently hunt in the future (every couple years or so)

Any thoughts? As a nonresident who can only make it out a couple weeks a year would it be dumb to walk away from a unit i know i can get on a few elk in, especially given the recent mild winters that may be getting things more on track in NW CO? Worst case I can grab a leftover archery tag for the unit (hundreds leftover last year).

 

[CMF]

I've had success by hunting the same units over. The information you have is worth more than harvest and population statistics. The muzzy will definitely give you better odds of killing.

 

[Poser]

Stick with the unit you know.

 

[justinspicher]

I’d have to agree, stick with the unit you know, continue to learn it.

 

[sndmn11]

The path to consistent success in Colorado lies in how well you know the intricacies of where you are hunting. If you don't have time to scout, then every hunting season acts as scouting for the next year.

I'd stick with what you know, especially if you can hunt it every year or two.

 

[Pacific_Fork]

Do you really want to kill elk? Stop hammerin and hunt rifle. You’ll miss and wound elk less in the process too.

Archery is only good if you live in elk country or don’t mind waiting years to find success.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

Depends. Due u like the unit? Terrain, does it fit your style? Due u even know what your preffered style is yet.

I like going to new places every year. Feel it sharpens all around skills. But if it's a once a year thing for 5 days, knowledge will eventually pay off staying put. But you could change units and put one down the first day, which is probably just as statistically likely as grinding it out in a spot.

 

[Mtndawger]

Colorado is on its third mild winter in a row, after its third favorable summer in a row. Elk numbers are increasing very nicely in those units. A lot of hunters abandoned those units after that devastating winter and the corresponding reduction in tags, but I hope CPW starts increasing tags again. It could be a good opportunity to enjoy increasing elk numbers without the crazy number of hunters. Plus nothing makes up for knowing your terrain and elk behavior in it. I don’t really believe a 3 point unit is substantively better hunting than a 0 point one other than possibly fewer hunters.

 

[cnelk]

I think the OP answered his own question. Just needs validation.

The second time you hunted it was better than the first.

Chances are the third time could be even better than the second.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Here’s another way to think about it. You’re getting into more elk every year. Is it because you know the unit or because you are becoming a better elk hunter?

I’ve killed 5 bulls in 5 different units in the last 5 years, with rifle, ML, and archery. I think knowing the area is important, but I also think knowing what terrain holds elk and how to kill them once you find them is also important.

 

[MallardSX2]

Put in for the muzzleloader tag yearly as a first choice and then put in for the archery as a second choice.

Live your life and hunt elk yearly in the unit that you already know well.

 

[Kurts86]

I think it’s worth considering changing units if the terrain, access patterns or road layout do not fit your hunting style. Otherwise you should stay in a unit year over year during the same season.

My biggest mistake while learning to elk hunting was chasing “better” units across multiple states and weapon types instead of just getting really good at an easy to draw lesser tag 3-5 times during the same time period.

 

[FGB]

Depends. Due u like the unit? Terrain, does it fit your style? Due u even know what your preffered style is yet.

I like going to new places every year. Feel it sharpens all around skills. But if it's a once a year thing for 5 days, knowledge will eventually pay off staying put. But you could change units and put one down the first day, which is probably just as statistically likely as grinding it out in a spot.

Yeah, one of my concerns with the unit is that it doesn't lend itself very well to being solo (at least compared to some other units I've been escouting recently). After this last September, I think my main advantage is being able to sleep in the bed of my truck and staying super mobile, hitting various spots within ~1-3 miles of access until i get into elk. I think most of what people would consider the best archery seaon habitat in this unit is within wilderness 4-6 miles from access. Paired with subpar harvest stats even before the winter kill (compared to other OTC units) just has me worried I might not be spending my time and effort in the best way. But i guess In the end, after two years of elk hunting I feel like i have an area i can go and get shot opportunities, so can't really complain too much

 

[LongWayAround]

I'm normally of the mind that it's better to stick with areas that you already know.

But, if you can get a cow tag in a "high quality unit", there's a good chance that you would be dealing with more elk and fewer hunters. It's fun to go new places and you only get better at killing elk by killing them.

 

[FGB]

Thanks all - as @cnelk said, probably just needed some validation. I should be able to give muzzy a great effort this year (assuming i draw), and will reevaluate if needed. With the late labor day this year I'll plan to drive out that weekend and work eastern time remotely while glassing in the evenings before season and will be able to hunt the full season. If i can't find myself within 100 yards of an shootable elk with that then i don't think another unit will solve my problems

 

[Kurts86]

Yeah, one of my concerns with the unit is that is don't lend itself very well to being solo (at least compared to some other units I've been escouting recently). After this last September, I think my main advantage is being able to sleep in the bed of my truck and staying super mobile, hitting various spots within ~1-3 miles of access until i get into elk. I think most of what people would consider the best archery seaon habitat in this unit is within wilderness 4-6 miles from access.

For what it’s worth this is a legitimate reason to change units. Acknowledging you are going to be solo and knowing how you hunt best is justification for a move.

I’ve been in the same situation a lot where you are solo and you can find elk super deep in a wilderness unit but you are stuck making 1 or 2 big efforts into a drainage on the first 3 days of your trip. Basically you are going all in on a spot instead of taking smaller stabs 1-2 times per day.

If you can find a unit that better allows the 1-3 mile hunts I would say consider a move.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

In case you were not aware the CPW changed the archery tag allocation from OTC to draw only and DAU specific. You will likely draw the DAU you want when you apply but it is limited to those specific units.

There are elk in every unit west of I-25. Pick the terrain you like and go hunting.

 

[Coveyleader]

Thanks all - as @cnelk said, probably just needed some validation. I should be able to give muzzy a great effort this year (assuming i draw), and will reevaluate if needed. With the late labor day this year I'll plan to drive out that weekend and work eastern time remotely while glassing in the evenings before season and will be able to hunt the full season. If i can't find myself within 100 yards of an shootable elk with that then i don't think another unit will solve my problems

I know several guys that were exactly in your shoes. They had a hard time closing the deal with the bow, switched to ML in the same unit, and now they’re hammering them.

I’m sure the ML will be the tool that changes your success.