Colorado

[hunter4528]

Im looking for some input for Archery elk hunting in CO.
Just some info i have 2 friends that live there and never hunted and last year the one asked if I wanted to come out and hunt his father in law had been hunting elk for the last 40+ years and had given my buddy the hunting bug. He is ex military and loves to shoot so this was his first real hunting trip. I drove from PA 28 hours over 2 day and a snow storm and we took a camper out to BLM and he missed opening day do to a last minute death in the family. So the first night i was alone hours from anyone no cell service and the heat didn't work. I ended up taking my first bull opening day and we hunted til mid week for him with no luck and the storms pushed us out. This year i bought a ATV trailer and canvas tent so we can move locations if needed and wont be worried bout the camper if it rains.
So onto my actual questions here. I love archery hunting. While i have been recently loving long distance shooting to the point i built a 7prc and have been working on my handloads I want to archery hunt more than anything for a bull elk or just elk. I started building my point in PA but i want to build point in other out west states. After watching hours of hunts i want to be chasing those bugling bulls. I know i can start applying for archery draws with my OTC tags in the spring and if i don't get drawn ill just build points.
My buddy doesn't really understand the system out there and we had to get his wife to buy out tags the first year since she has been hunting there for years. I want to in the spring apply for points or a draw just in the off chance i would draw a archery tag if not then build the points up. My question i guess is where to apply? We hunted north west closer to the Utah boarder and while there was sign that a lot of elk moved through the week before we were there i would like to try to apply somewhere that i might have good success. Im not looking for a monster trophy just yet while i would love that i would be happy with a nice legal bull.
I bought a new Matthews last fall after i got back and switched from expendables to fixed blades for this year in prep along with alot of other things. Im just looking for input on areas to apply that i might have a decent chance at a draw or areas where there is high chance of success. I would most likely be solo my buddy doesnt shoot archery and has a little one on the way and no extra money to invest into it now. My local friend who ive hunted with since childhood wants to go but talking him into it has been a chore so i plan on solo.

 

[Jbehredt]

So you want me to post on an open forum the locations of my favored anrchery elk hunting spots where there are many legal bulls and few hunters? For a stranger from PA. Riiiiight.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Im just looking for input on areas to apply that i might have a decent chance at a draw

The recap reports will give you a good idea of your chances of drawing any given tag. That’s about as specific guidance as you’re likely to get on this forum; recommending units is frowned upon (for good reason). You are likely to get some sarcastic responses and maybe a few good memes.

 

[hunter4528]

So you want me to post on an open forum the locations of my favored anrchery elk hunting spots where there are many legal bulls and few hunters? For a stranger from PA. Riiiiight.

Im not asking for your spot im asking for information so i have better success. I dont want to apply for a draw for somewhere that is high draw with hundreds of other people in the same area. I plan to work for my elk i know that im just looking for some friendly input even just on the drawing system. Just from my week of season in rifle last year i seen there was plenty of weekend warriors out on BLM putting on drives like they were whitetail hunting and completely ruined the days hunt for my friend who lives there and it was his first actual hunt. There are jackAs both country wide just because im from out of state doesnt make me any less of a ethical, respectful hunter. I am just looking for some help information.

 

[svivian]

Everything you are looking for is here. Enjoy

https://cpw.state.co.us/hunting/big-game/elk/statistics

 

[hunter4528]

The recap reports will give you a good idea of your chances of drawing any given tag. That’s about as specific guidance as you’re likely to get on this forum; recommending units is frowned upon (for good reason). You are likely to get some sarcastic responses and maybe a few good memes.

thanks that is a start. I know there are websites that give the breakdown of harvest and succuss rates and trophy units. I figured i would reach out to actual people that have experience. My friends father inlaw has taken a elk almost every year hes lived in CO from the same unit but hes never hunted anything but 3rd and 4th rifle so as far as archery goes he isnt too helpful but extremely fun to talk to about his past hunts. I dont think he even draws tags i think hes been just buying his over the counter his whole life.

 

[Hunter26]

Im not asking for your spot im asking for information so i have better success. I dont want to apply for a draw for somewhere that is high draw with hundreds of other people in the same area. I plan to work for my elk i know that im just looking for some friendly input even just on the drawing system. Just from my week of season in rifle last year i seen there was plenty of weekend warriors out on BLM putting on drives like they were whitetail hunting and completely ruined the days hunt for my friend who lives there and it was his first actual hunt. There are jackAs both country wide just because im from out of state doesnt make me any less of a ethical, respectful hunter. I am just looking for some help information.

Yes, we have all had hunts that are ruined by the hundreds of hunters. Some of us have found little sanctuary's that get you away from the masses but only by going out and doing it. If you are simply looking for tag numbers that will equate to hunter numbers you already got your answer with the recap reports. I would also recommend getting out the state rules and regulations book if you are looking for friendly input on the draw system. The only thing people are going to do here is retype what is in that book. I don't take you as any less ethical or respectful but you have to realize what you are asking. What you have asked for specifically is public info. It is just hard giving anybody the easy button after every single guy on here has had to work their ass off to get it.

 

[cnelk]

Im just looking for input on areas to apply that i might have a decent chance at a draw or areas where there is high chance of success.

I am too! Be sure to post what you find out!

That way we can all be friends

 

[LongWayAround]

@hunter4528

"I dont want to apply for a draw for somewhere that is high draw with hundreds of other people in the same area."

That is every area in Colorado that you can draw.

In 2028 we will have a random component to draws and you will have a minute chance at a better tag.

Non-resident OTC archery has been eliminated and you now have to apply for singular units or unit groups. Familiarize yourself with your options and look for an area that interests you. Anything with good draw odds will have a lot of tags. Success rates are low. Even good areas have fairly low archery success.

 

[dlee56]

Im not asking for your spot im asking for information so i have better success. I dont want to apply for a draw for somewhere that is high draw with hundreds of other people in the same area. I plan to work for my elk i know that im just looking for some friendly input even just on the drawing system. Just from my week of season in rifle last year i seen there was plenty of weekend warriors out on BLM putting on drives like they were whitetail hunting and completely ruined the days hunt for my friend who lives there and it was his first actual hunt. There are jackAs both country wide just because im from out of state doesnt make me any less of a ethical, respectful hunter. I am just looking for some help information.

This is the experience you’ll have in 70% of units. The other 30% of units take 6-35 years to draw.

 

[Hunter26]

@hunter4528
Don't freak out about the post. Lots of people have done it but once you realize what you are asking for it makes sense on the responses you get. This can be a great forum and you can learn so much about some many things. Just start digging just like you should with the regulations book.

 

[Diamondback]

OP, they pointed you to the data, now it's up to you to do the rest.

 

[Jethro]

So you want me to post on an open forum the locations of my favored anrchery elk hunting spots where there are many legal bulls and few hunters? For a stranger from PA. Riiiiight.

Don’t forget, needs to be easy to draw too.

 

[Maverick1]

Start two of the same threads: Archery elk hunting help. Get two of the same replies!

"So onto my actual questions here." I only see one question mark above. And that question was "My question i guess is where to apply?"

The answer is to use the Colorado system to apply for and draw a tag.

And, please keep in mind, it is against the forum rules for FNG's to ask unit specific questions.

 

[Maverick1]

 

[Hnthrdr]

Hi! I like elk huntin too, problem is I get older every year and have smol children my back hurts boss…, can anyone tell me which units I have a good chance at killing a 340+ bull but with a 400 yard or less packout? again not looking for honey holes, thanks in advance

 

[D_wit22]

I mean you’ve been out before, you have friends that live in Colorado….that gives you a step up on most non resident hunters like myself. Learn how to E-scout effectively, spend time around elk to learn their behavior, and just Go HUNT! Every time your out there it should be making you a better elk hunter. The mountain is your best teacher. After 5-6 years of going out you should start to have a good feel of elk behavior and how to hunt them with success.
Who knows, maybe you stumble into your own honey hole and then you can be the tight lipped one on this site telling FNGs to get lost