Colorado- Hunting elk and muleys at the same time?

[ureyes]

Do you hunt muleys and elk at the same time if you draw a mule tag for an OTC elk unit?

How realistic is it to come across both in the same areas at this time of year?

 

[COlineman78]

I regularly see both, but hunt fairly low muzzleloader at 8-9k feet. The muleys are far from huge, but see a lot of 2 or 3 per side with the occasional 4 or 5. I used to put in for a buck tag just in case I didn't draw for elk; but there have been leftovers for the last 3 or 4 years, so I stopped putting in for deer. I think your likelihood of running across deer is going to heavily depend on altitude. Probably not going to see many deer up near tree line, but if you hunt that 7-10k range it is going to be a lot more likely. Conversely, the higher you hunt deer the more likely you are to see elk. It also depends on the time of year. Elk in certain areas of the state are more migratory in that they will move from tree line out into the high plains in the later seasons and through the winter. Where I hunt the elk and deer are resident and will stay there year round.

 

[ureyes]

Thanks lineman.

I drew a 2nd rifle mule tag for 75/751 and I plan to take my two 16 year old boys on their first big game hunt...will be buying them OTC elk tags.

This will be my third trip but I haven't been in 8 years and have never hunted the 2nd rifle season or muleys.

it comforting to know someone local does it too so I don't feel like its impossible or I'm shorting them somehow by pursuing both species.

 

[Dromsky]

Keep in mind, whenever hunting on an OTC tag you will have lot's of company.

 

[jdmaxwell]

Last yr in September I ran into 3 smoker bucks around 10,000 ft chasing bulls..

This September my bro in law will have archery mule deer tag in his pocket so hopefully we can find them again while chasing the bulls..

 

[LostArra]

When I hunted elk in Colorado I found the lack of a deer tag to guarantee many muley sightings.

On the other hand, I heard that buying a bear tag works better than spray or electric fence at keeping them away from camp.

 

[Bar]

No, I never do that. I always hunt deer and elk in different seasons. More hunting that way, and I don't hunt them the same way.

I'm not the type to kill an animal because I happen to see it. Whether it's deer, elk, or bear. I like to be hunting for just the one animal.

 

[Shrek]

When I hunted elk in Colorado I found the lack of a deer tag to guarantee many muley sightings.

On the other hand, I heard that buying a bear tag works better than spray or electric fence at keeping them away from camp.

This holds true in Montana too..

 

[Double Creek]

Of the three Colorado trips I have taken, each time I wished I had both tags. At some point during the hunt an opportunity would present itself. Of course, it was always the animal we had no tag for.

 

[realunlucky]

This holds true in Montana too..

My first trip to Montana I opted for only a elk tag and saw shooter deer everyday. Lesson learned for sure. If you can afford them options are always nice. Sometimes a change of pace helps recharge if primary animal becomes to much of a grind

 

[realunlucky]

No, I never do that. I always hunt deer and elk in different seasons. More hunting that way, and I don't hunt them the same way.

I'm not the type to kill an animal because I happen to see it. Whether it's deer, elk, or bear. I like to be hunting for just the one animal.

Different situation for sure to be local and have plenty of time to get after both.