Elk hunting tactics/logistics/advice

[TitsMcGee]

TLDR; should my hunting partner and I apply as a group, or apply individually to increase the chances of getting approved for multiple hunts?

A work buddy and myself will be going on our first ever Elk hunts this year. We're Colorado residents. Since we're both new my suggested plan has been to hunt as many of the 4 rifle seasons as we possibly can to gain as much experience in the woods, as quickly as possible. We both grew up in rural areas and white tail hunted growing up but no backpack hunting experience. For context in Colorado you can apply as a group, or individually. In order to get tags for a group application there must be 2 tags available for that game/unit. So if we both apply as a group for a particular game/season/unit it theoretically halves our chances, but doubles the harvest potential.

He won't be able to go the first 3 days of Second Rifle(8 day season) so that one is pretty much out the window from my thinking. My question is what's the best way forward? I'll lay out some options below:

Option 1:
Group Elk + bear tag Season 1 or 3
Group Mule dear Season 4

Option 2:
Individual(Me) Elk+Bear S1
Individual(him) Elk+Bear S3
Group Mule dear S4

In the individual application route I could apply for S1 and S3, potentially doubling the chances of approval since if I don't draw S1 I could draw for S3, same goes for him.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

I’m guessing you have no PP so a 4th season deer tag is going to be out of reach. You also need to think about backpacking during the rifle seasons it can turn dangerous very quickly.

You are residents so applying for a group doesn’t really matter you need to choose seasons and tags that give you high chances of drawing. Have you read the entire CPW brochure to better understand the regulations and draw?


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[Soj51hopeful]

You are way over thinking this. The majority of 3rd season elk units are over the counter meaning you just buy the tag without a draw. Both of you get elk tags near where you live and go hunt!

Ps I was expecting a better profile pic.

 

[justinspicher]

Id suggest that you both apply for points and hunt otc. You hunt S2 and then he hunts S3.

You can cram “more” hunting in like this and two guys trying to fill one tag per season is much easier than two dudes trying to fill two tags in the same season.

 

[TitsMcGee]

Have you read the entire CPW brochure to better understand the regulations and draw?

I can't recite it front to back but I have read through it. Can only keep up with so many rules and regulations, the more I look into it the more muddled the water gets and confusing/complicated it seems. Personal property for S4 mule is something new, I'll look into that.

I'm planning on applying for 60% or better draw odds. What do you mean when you say applying for a group doesn't really matter since we're residents?

 

[TitsMcGee]

You are way over thinking this. The majority of 3rd season elk units are over the counter meaning you just buy the tag without a draw. Both of you get elk tags near where you live and go hunt!

Ps I was expecting a better profile pic.

Nature of the beast. Diving into Colorado's hunting systems and process feels like being thrown in the deep end.

That's good to know about 3rd Season being OTC.

That OC spray is a b*tch.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

I can't recite it front to back but I have read through it. Can only keep up with so many rules and regulations, the more I look into it the more muddled the water gets and confusing/complicated it seems. Personal property for S4 mule is something new, I'll look into that.

I'm planning on applying for 60% or better draw odds. What do you mean when you say applying for a group doesn't really matter since we're residents?

PP is preference points, not personal property. And most mule deer tags are going to require you to have atleast 1PP.

Applying as a group being residents you have high chances of drawing anyways but as stated above hunting separate seasons to maximize your time in the woods is a good idea. Also as stated 2 first time guys trying to kill elk at the same time is tough, even if you do get into a couple having the patience and experience to get both guys on target and shoot g at roughly the same time is very very rough.

Whitetail hunting is completely different t from elk, especially backcountry backpack hunting. Archery season is going to give you the most time to play with it. Missing 3 days of the 9 day second rifle season isn’t really a big deal most beginners can’t hunt the full 9 days straight anyways. My clients usually hit the 5 solid day mark and are at their limits.


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