Colorado Unit 471 Camping Question

[MountainFeral]

Thinking about hunting unit 471 OTC Archery this year. Anyone who has hunted there- does the dispersed camping along the main access roads/forest roads get packed with hunters to the point of it being tough to find a place to camp? I'd assume that it'd be a little more crowded towards the Aspen corner of the unit, but being that it's so small, I can also see how everything could potentially be a circus. I was looking more at the Lincoln Creek zone as a base camp.

 

[DmrbigEshotT]

Welcome to the forum. This is a good question for the area biologist/CO if you can get them on the phone.

My input: you can expect every flat area to have heavy hunter and non-hunter camping traffic, especially in September.


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[11boo]

It will be a circus. Seriously, get there a couple days early or you won’t have a spot. That’s OTC life.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Otc? Ge there 2 weeks early and spread your shit around a flat spot to hold it. 1 week early and everyone else will have spread their shit already! Day before? Sleep in your truck.

 

[MountainFeral]

Otc? Ge there 2 weeks early and spread your shit around a flat spot to hold it. 1 week early and everyone else will have spread their shit already! Day before? Sleep in your truck.

I live in an OTC unit (86), and it's not that bad here. But, I'm on the north half of it, which is slightly less popular. That's why I was hoping to get a little insight on the camping situation in 471. I've got some off road/trail spots planned to scout for potential spike camps, but I still need a spot to park the truck where it can live legally for a few nights.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I live in an OTC unit (86), and it's not that bad here. But, I'm on the north half of it, which is slightly less popular. That's why I was hoping to get a little insight on the camping situation in 471. I've got some off road/trail spots planned to scout for potential spike camps, but I still need a spot to park the truck where it can live legally for a few nights.

I drove through an unnamed but popular otc unit last year. It was the 3rd week in August. I didn’t see a single person, but EVERY camp spot was taken. It was wild.

I agree though, probably depends on where you’re going but not a lot of otc units anymore that aren’t busy!

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

IIRC where you are inquiring about there actually is no dispersed camping until after the reservoir (IE you have to reserve a national forest campsite along that stretch) and it was rougher than your average forest service road. There are trailheads to park at but you can't camp at those.

 

[MountainFeral]

IIRC where you are inquiring about there actually is no dispersed camping until after the reservoir (IE you have to reserve a national forest campsite along that stretch) and it was rougher than your average forest service road. There are trailheads to park at but you can't camp at those.

Exactly the sort of info I am looking for- thanks!

 

[spike camp]

For someone looking for somewhere to to go, when and why…this thread is perfect!

 

[wardl_3]

I dont really understand how so many people say otc is so packed… i have hunted/camped the past 5 seasons in more than 10 dif otc units and only once felt overwhelmed by truck/human #s. And filled tags.

 

[400Blazer]

I just got a tag for 4th season rifle in 471. Difficult campground would be great to camp in but all the information I can find says it will be closed. Also the road to that campground will be closed as well. I’m looking for a place to park either my truck with a tent on it or a smaller camper. Any suggestions?

I have tried reaching out to the biologist and park rangers.

Thanks,

 

[Hnthrdr]

I live in an OTC unit (86), and it's not that bad here. But, I'm on the north half of it, which is slightly less popular. That's why I was hoping to get a little insight on the camping situation in 471. I've got some off road/trail spots planned to scout for potential spike camps, but I still need a spot to park the truck where it can live legally for a few nights.

Dude you live in an OtC unit and are headed towards a busier part of the state to hunt… you are doing it wrong! Haha figure your backyard out, trust me you can do well there

 

[MountainFeral]

Dude you live in an OtC unit and are headed towards a busier part of the state to hunt… you are doing it wrong! Haha figure your backyard out, trust me you can do well there

I've also got an early rifle high country deer tag for the unit in question... just posting in the Elk Forum because I figure more people have been in the area in September for them since it's an OTC unit. I've got my honey holes over here in 86 that I plan to hunt after the deer season, but based on what I've seen while scouting so far, I'm gonna have the bow tagging along on the deer hunt

 

[Hnthrdr]

I've also got an early rifle high country deer tag for the unit in question... just posting in the Elk Forum because I figure more people have been in the area in September for them since it's an OTC unit. I've got my honey holes over here in 86 that I plan to hunt after the deer season, but based on what I've seen while scouting so far, I'm gonna have the bow tagging along on the deer hunt

Makes more sense now. I think the single greatest advantage any hunter can have is hunting his backyard and learning animal behavior year after year, it has helped immensely in certain units

 

[Hnthrdr]

Just another thing to think about. You might distract yourself from deer hunting with that bow… if that’s a good alpine rifle tag and you want a good opportunity to kill a big buck maybe leave the bow at home. I personally won’t archery hunt mule deer since they are way too big of a distraction to me from elk hunting and vice versa… I am always a bugle away from ditching glassing or trying to stalk a buck and then seeing a boomer elk…

 

[TLUD52]

I Hunted that unit last year you shouldn’t have a problem finding a spot to camp. The terrain is steep so be well prepared.

 

[MountainFeral]

I Hunted that unit last year you shouldn’t have a problem finding a spot to camp. The terrain is steep so be well prepared.

Ha! I usually hunt 86, so it's been a bit of a reprive from the steep stuff.