Colorado Public Land Elk Hunting Question

[crmiller84]

I'm beginning my research for a 2017 OTC elk hunt in Colorado, and the first question that I keep asking myself is, of course, where can I hunt? I'm looking at the Colorado Hunting Atlas and am trying to figure out which properties are public access for hunting? I understand about the CPW Public Access locations, but the InAccess lands are what are confusing. Can you hunt Forest Service Wilderness, BLM wilderness, etc? I'm truly excited about doing my first backpack hunt out west (I'm a whitetail hunter from Indiana), but without knowing where I can go or what properties I can get on has me a bit stumped.

Thanks in advance!

 

[quent]

Can you hunt Forest Service Wilderness, BLM wilderness, etc?

pretty much. the go hunt X chip or whatever its called for your GPS makes it much easier. you can use it on your desk/lap top as well. its 100 bucks but well worth it. it basically tells whats huntable and what isnt. i use it pretty much for prong horn out since most of the eastern plains are private land.

 

[1hoda]

USFS, BLM is public access. Check Ranger District or BLM website or offices if you have specific questions. For State lands the Recreation Lands brochure is a good start. Some State Trust land is open, some is not- the brochure is a good place to start.

For BLM be aware there is a lot of it that is patchwork with private land and you are not allowed to go from one catty corner parcel to another. Even if you know exactly where the corners are and did not step on private land it's still trespassing. Much BLM is landlocked- crossing private land to get there without permission is trespassing.

Good luck!

 

[W.D. Crawford]

There is ALOT of public land in Colorado. There are several National Forests to choose from.

 

[quent]

There is ALOT of public land in Colorado. There are several National Forests to choose from.

yup. the trick is finding the elk on DIY hunting trips especially on the short amount of time some of the out staters have. good luck.

 

[crmiller84]

Thanks for the info guys. I have some family in CO, but alas, they aren't hunters. A cousin in NM has hunted CO a few times, so I'm gonna pick his brain also.