Colorado Units Overrun by Recreation?

[Dakota_Rookie]

I’m not sure if this topic is allowed. I’m not asking about specific units or places or even species. I’m wondering if there’s any units that get so much recreation pressure they’re not worth looking at.

I have a unit and season I’m looking to pull the trigger on applying for and curious if that unit comes up.

I’m sure there will be some sort of an answer around the lines of “ALL OF THEM!”


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[PathFinder]

The answer probably is "all of them." But the animals live with it all summer, and most hikers stay on the trails to main destinations.

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[Phaseolus]

Recreation numbers have increased no question. But, for the most part they don’t leave trail systems. Go hunt.

 

[justin davis]

Once the weather changes it seems like less people out

 

[Dakota_Rookie]

Appreciate the replies, this probably won’t keep me from applying in my unit, but would help to know what to expect. I’ve hunted around heavily used side by side trails in the past. Animals do seem to adapt and learn to live with it for the most part.


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[MuleyFever]

No

 

[Coveyleader]

I’ve hunted some units infested with hikers and it blows me away at the lack of elk and deer in these alpine areas. I mean miles and miles of nothing yet the habitat is incredible.

 

[Ridgerunner338]

Don't let it stop you but be aware of it. For example, if the unit you are looking at has a popular hiking trail though it and its archery or muzzleloader season, it will probably be busy.

 

[PWCGray]

I wouldn't screen any unit out based on it. Even the busiest stuff on the recreation side, say the Bells, has plenty spots that feel secluded off the trail systems. Hunters tend to overestimate how much other recreationists ever get off the trails. Most lifelong trail runners, hikers, backpackers, have never gone 300 yards+ off a known trail. I'm not dogging on them, it's just the nature of their activities.

 

[cnelk]

Ive seen fresh elk tracks on hiking/motorcycle trails first thing in the morning.
Typically these trails arent used by people until mid to late mornings because they arent 'early risers'

 

[sndmn11]

Not at all, maybe even a little advantage.

 

[justinspicher]

It’s a thing, but only if you let be a thing.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I mean your units that are closest to the front range and the “bigger” mountain towns/ tourist destinations will have the most rec. usually isn’t a huge issue. Has led to some funny conversations with recreationalists. September is busy just about everywhere. Oct-Nov is hit and miss, if it’s mild and sunny: expect the yuppies to be out in full force peak bagging, hitting the trails hard. Snowy and nasty: expect it to be just the hunters, some of which will pack it up and leave with the bad weather.

 

[Marble]

Not only do they mostly stay on the trails, but when weather cools off and hunting season starts, most hikers don't venture into the woods in numbers like warmer weather.

I usually see a couple hikers during season, but they are always on trails and rarely back as far as I'm going.

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[Timberline001]

I live in Salt Lake City and hunt within 30 minutes of town. I’ve called a bull up to trail and had it walk between hikers. I watch mature bucks feed 100 yards away from mountain bikers and hikers every morning in the summer. It really doesn’t effect the animals and if anything makes them a little easier to hunt at times.

 

[LongWayAround]

There are areas that do not appeal to non-hunters.

Sage brush. Lack of scenic alpine lakes/trails. Etcetera...

There are plenty of areas that no one is going to ride mountain bikes, hike, SxS. Look at it, and ask yourself "what would I do here, if not hunting?" If the answer is "nothing," it probably doesn't appeal to those user groups.

 

[Ucsdryder]

If there’s a 14er, expect crowds.

If there are aspens, expect crowds.

Anything east of i25 will probably fit the bill of avoiding crowds.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Just wondering if they could be used to your advantage to push game toward you? Most hikers, sightseers, etc won't be walking those areas in the prime hunting areas at the best hunting times (early morning light or late evening light), so what about getting back into the hunt areas in the dark and get set up and wait for the tenderfoots to push the game toward you? Just a thought. But if there is too much continual human presence, the game animals might have long left the area for more remote areas.

 

[KYHuntress23]

I’m not sure if this topic is allowed. I’m not asking about specific units or places or even species. I’m wondering if there’s any units that get so much recreation pressure they’re not worth looking at.

I have a unit and season I’m looking to pull the trigger on applying for and curious if that unit comes up.

I’m sure there will be some sort of an answer around the lines of “ALL OF THEM!”


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I hunted in 2023 near Florissant/Divide. Ran into dozens of people that were camping, riding 4wheelers/dirtbikes, shooting in unauthorized areas, playing loud music at camp… It rained on and off all of muzzleloader season, but this did not deter the off-roading enthusiasts. Had two dirtbikes roll through at 0400 one morning in the pouring rain. Then a few side by sides shortly followed. I quickly realized why the local hunters were pissed. Also, why the elk were staying on private land.

One evening (around 9 PM) while sitting around a campfire, echoes of gunshots rang out in the canyon. Terrified me to the point that we put out the fire, packed up and left. Another day, we found ourselves at the bottom of a canyon and were scouting the area. We heard the definitive whistle of bullets whizzing over our heads. And they were close. There’s signs posted along the roads regarding shooting hours and locations. People definitely do not follow the rules with guns and off-roading.

Many of the dirt roads in that area are considered nice. I recall seeing a Chevy Volt (electric car) off the beaten path and a few drivable campers (or whatever they’re properly called). After the absolute waste of a hunting tag (didn’t see or hear the first elk), I have decided to follow the rule of “rough roads is where I want to go”. It’s beautiful country, but not a legitimate place to hunt while the weather is still nice.

 

[KYHuntress23]

I hunted in 2023 near Florissant/Divide. Ran into dozens of people that were camping, riding 4wheelers/dirtbikes, shooting in unauthorized areas, playing loud music at camp… It rained on and off all of muzzleloader season, but this did not deter the off-roading enthusiasts. Had two dirtbikes roll through at 0400 one morning in the pouring rain. Then a few side by sides shortly followed. I quickly realized why the local hunters were pissed. Also, why the elk were staying on private land.

One evening (around 9 PM) while sitting around a campfire, echoes of gunshots rang out in the canyon. Terrified me to the point that we put out the fire, packed up and left. Another day, we found ourselves at the bottom of a canyon and were scouting the area. We heard the definitive whistle of bullets whizzing over our heads. And they were close. There’s signs posted along the roads regarding shooting hours and locations. People definitely do not follow the rules with guns and off-roading.

Many of the dirt roads in that area are considered nice. I recall seeing a Chevy Volt (electric car) off the beaten path and a few drivable campers (or whatever they’re properly called). After the absolute waste of a hunting tag (didn’t see or hear the first elk), I have decided to follow the rule of “rough roads is where I want to go”. It’s beautiful country, but not a legitimate place to hunt while the weather is still nice.

And to add some context: Mule deer were everywhere in this area. Even walked within 50 yards of a moose with her calf. Just no visible elk (some sign, but not fresh). A local hunter did inform me that the elk in that area flock to private land. And there was plenty of it around me.