Colorado Hunting advice and discussion

[JMettl25]

Hello, I am a college student attending a small College in Lakewood, Co. This is my first year here and first season hunting Colorado. I had an archery mule deer and second season elk tag. I was unsuccessful at both because being a full time student
I cannot always leave and scout an area ahead of time; and I have to be a long weekend warrior. Normally I find trailheads or areas with few people and start walking and glassing finding watering holes and searching for sign. This year I was semi prepared but also very inexperienced and am seeking to be more so next year. I was hunting general zones for both with alot of tags and hunters. I know this complicates things but I also realize that there are pockets of animals in every zone. My quesion for this thread is to gain advice on how to better prepare myslef next year in zones to apply for or look into along with species to hunt in those zones and during certain times of the year. The other quesion I want to ask is what animal habits are like throughout the early season into late season as a general rule and how to effectively look for them during those particular season and things change. This was a huge struggle for me this year was how to find animals during the various weather shifts and hunting pressures. I am not a complete noice to hunting big game or out west. Just being limited on time and resources being in school some advice on how to better prepare myself would be nice. Thank you in advance for anyone who chimes in!

 

[Back Country Hunter 2]

What do you do during the summer? I would scout all summer long. Learning your area is one of the most important pieces IMO. Find where the good feed is, all the water, ext.

 

[Btaylor]

Maybe keep a notebook or pad in the vehicle and every time you are out make notes on trailhead activity through all seasons and during the off season. Keep scouting notes as well with TH info.

 

[30338]

I've killed bull elk a half mile above the Herman Gulch trailhead. That trail gets 500-600 people per day. And I hunted it in muzzleloader so all the aspen gazers were out. Get off the trails, hunt slow and good luck.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

Scouting will lead to your success. Animal habitats year to year during hunting seasons depend on weather and its timing, plus hunting pressure.

 

[303TrophyHusband]

I've killed bull elk a half mile above the Herman Gulch trailhead. That trail gets 500-600 people per day. And I hunted it in muzzleloader so all the aspen gazers were out. Get off the trails, hunt slow and good luck.

^^^this^^^
I am still amazed at the amount of wildlife I see within sight of heavily used hiking trails. They just get used to having the people there, they're wary but they know where the traffic is

 

[JMettl25]

I normally go home during the summer but this summer I will be in other places and possibly be spending the end of summer back in CO before school starts. SO I may do that if it works and I can get the time. Thank you!

 

[TheHardWay]

Google Earth can be your friend to scout from your computer, especially in your case where you are limited on available time to spend in the woods. Zoom in to the areas you are considering and look for water sources and benches/pockets where animals might be likely to spend time. Take notes, get the gps coordinates, and go check them out in person when you have time.

 

[vanish]

I was hunting general zones for both with alot of tags and hunters.

Erm, There's no such thing as a general zone for archery mule deer in Colorado?