Colorado OTC Archery Elk

[Hnthrdr]

I do think there needs to be some sort of squeeze to regulate the masses… how… i have no idea. But i can say i have hunted otc archery elk for 4 of the 5 past yrs and have always had great hunts. I like the opportunity over trophy. I have always found human-less areas, had great vocals, killed some bulls and called a bull n for my buddy for his first bull.

Co resident or non res?

 

[wardl_3]

Non res

 

[Shoresy69]

Seeing that map makes me think one thing...

Man I feel sorry for people who traditionally hunt Routt National Forest. Probably going to have like 5 times more people in that area than there was 5 years ago...

It has been crazy with people up in there the last few years. Won’t be going back to that area again.

 

[Embrkwld]

I do think there needs to be some sort of squeeze to regulate the masses… how… i have no idea. But i can say i have hunted otc archery elk for 4 of the 5 past yrs and have always had great hunts. I like the opportunity over trophy. I have always found human-less areas, had great vocals, killed some bulls and called a bull n for my buddy for his first bull.

This is exactly it. Unfortunately the OTC units are crowded due to bad decision making from CPW. But there are still some great opportunities that hunters can make the best of. Have to find those pockets nobody has been into and that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s 10 miles in either.

Last year we hunted OTC and it was so packed we decided to hunker down in transition areas and had a ton of success with it. Elk were quiet and being pushed all over but we found a way to make it fun. Do I wish that weren’t the case? Of course. But am I gonna use this site to complain all day like a lot of other guys? Nah. What’s the point. We’re all out here trying to have a good hunt, not talk what ifs.

 

[Pilsner]

The current government in Colorado is trying to eliminate hunting altogether. "Wildlife managing wildlife" is code for "no hunting." That's why they are importing wolves and that's why the OTC seasons are getting worse. Colorado is electing people who want to destroy the Western heritage of this state.

Aka following the Washington model.

 

[HornPorn]

Related question: yall backpack hunters in Colorado OTC units where bear canisters are required, what are you packing in?

 

[Hnthrdr]

Related question: yall backpack hunters in Colorado OTC units where bear canisters are required, what are you packing in?

I pack a bear tag, therefore I’m guaranteed to not see a bear

 

[HornPorn]

I pack a bear tag, therefore I’m guaranteed to not see a bear

Takes up a lot less space than a canister too. Canisters are prob for the granola eating hippies without weapons or tags.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Related question: yall backpack hunters in Colorado OTC units where bear canisters are required, what are you packing in?

Just hang your food from a tree, and burn your trash in the fire

agree the bear tag should be a good deterrent

 

[Hnthrdr]

Just hang your food from a tree, and burn your trash in the fire

agree the bear tag should be a good deterrent

I typically hang my food in a dry sack, and packout the wrappers so I don’t leave any trace

 

[CMF]

Related question: yall backpack hunters in Colorado OTC units where bear canisters are required, what are you packing in?

I didn't know there were places in CO that required it...

 

[HornPorn]

I didn't know there were places in CO that required it...

Yeah there are some wilderness areas. And a trail Im looking at using to access an area, when I looked up info on the trail it said bear cannisters were required for campers. Maybe hunters weren't the target audience?

 

[cuerro viejo]

the south west went to draw because the parks department said there was low calf recruitment because of archery pressure, yet there has been left overs every year since going to draw. Also remember they are begging hunters to shoot a bear…..

Wasnt an over crowding issue in SW its a predation issue

 

[CMF]

the south west went to draw because the parks department said there was low calf recruitment because of archery pressure, yet there has been left overs every year since going to draw. Also remember they are begging hunters to shoot a bear…..

Wasnt an over crowding issue in SW its a predation issue

If only there was a spring season....

 

[Hnthrdr]

If only there was a spring season....

Yep… definitely could put some pressure on the fawn an calf munchers

 

[Coveyleader]

I love hunting bears, but killing one during an elk hunt is way down the list. I’ve passed tons of them over the years as I simply don’t want to deal with them.

I keep my food in my tent, or in the shade next to it. I’ve never had an issue.

 

[BCSojourner]

I love hunting bears, but killing one during an elk hunt is way down the list. I’ve passed tons of them over the years as I simply don’t want to deal with them.

I keep my food in my tent, or in the shade next to it. I’ve never had an issue.

We have been using Pinesol-soaked rag strips around our tent. I read that bears don't like the scent and it is used as a deterrent up in Alaska. The scent lasts for days. So far. so good in an area that has a lot of bears.

 

[Andrewlonghi]

Related question: yall backpack hunters in Colorado OTC units where bear canisters are required, what are you packing in?

10mm with 200 gr hard cast bullets

 

[westonhoma]

Makes you really think about what the hunting will be like in 5 , 10 , and 20 years from now. Especially for NRs...

 

[HornPorn]

Makes you really think about what the hunting will be like in 5 , 10 , and 20 years from now. Especially for NRs...

Pay to play is already here, so over the next 5 - 10 it will just get worse.
20 years from now, between further wussification of society and habitat fragmentation, there won't be hunting on public land in the lower 48. Govt will cull as needed without including public. Hunting will 100% be reserved for people with private land, and people who are either friends of landowners or people with $$......$50K for a ranch elk hunt.