Long time whitetail hunter wants to try OTC elk in CO.

[BryanLo]

Hello, hope I don't ruffle any feathers but I'm looking into input on a unit to start researching for a bull elk hunt. I'm 56 and have been whitetail hunting in MN and WI for 40 years.I have good, well used equipment and am a decent outdoorsman. I just don't know where to start. Right now I have narrowed it down to 2nd rifle season and buying an OTC tag. I am planning to hike in 2 miles or so in hopes of finding sign and getting away from crowds. Any tips or suggestions on units to look at would be very appreciated. It seems so much info contradicts itself and I'd just like a good start. I was narrowing in on unit 12 but have read it has been way down recently. I have no interest in a guided hunt and can't afford private land hunts. Not a trophy hunter but I would be targeting bulls. Any tips and starting points would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dmd08]

In my experience hunting OTC elk units for a few years now, 2 miles will get you away from the road hunters and you'll be rubbing elbows with the hikers and backpack hunters. More than 2 miles will get you way from some of the hikers and you'll be rubbing elbows with more backpack, horseback and drop camp hunters. Good luck. Get ready to rub some elbows. I'm kind of joking. And kind of not.

 

[wildwilderness]

Go west and get a tag. Nothing will prepare you more for Next year, than going this year!!

Highly recommend getting a cow elk tag as well if you really want a chance at something. Usually available as a leftover in a lot of units.

 

[BryanLo]

Go west and get a tag. Nothing will prepare you more for Next year, than going this year!!

Highly recommend getting a cow elk tag as well if you really want a chance at something. Usually available as a leftover in a lot of units.

My understanding was that OTC tags are good for both bull or cow.Am I wrong?

 

[BryanLo]

In my experience hunting OTC elk units for a few years now, 2 miles will get you away from the road hunters and you'll be rubbing elbows with the hikers and backpack hunters. More than 2 miles will get you way from some of the hikers and you'll be rubbing elbows with more backpack, horseback and drop camp hunters. Good luck. Get ready to rub some elbows. I'm kind of joking. And kind of not.

Thank you.

 

[wildwilderness]

My understanding was that OTC tags are good for both bull or cow.Am I wrong?

You have a lot to learn! That’s why nothing beats going asap- forces you out of the hypothetical and unknown to needing to know now! Start by reading all the regs

OTC Archery has an Either-Sex tag.
OTC Rifle 2nd and 3rd season is a Antlered Bull only tag. Make sure you know what a legal Bull is!

Also know the difference in a List A, B or C tag

 

[BryanLo]

You have a lot to learn! That’s why nothing beats going asap- forces you out of the hypothetical and unknown to needing to know now! Start by reading all the regs

OTC Archery has an Either-Sex tag.
OTC Rifle 2nd and 3rd season is a Antlered Bull only tag. Make sure you know what a legal Bull is!

Also know the difference in a List A, B or C tag

Thanks. My plan was to originally go with a bow so I was looking at that. Appreciate the guidance on antlered only for rifle.

 

[HornPorn]

“I have no interest in a guided hunt”, and yet here you are asking to be guided. You do want a guided hunt, you just don’t want to pay for it. And then you will tell people you did it DIY, which is a lie.

 

[BryanLo]

“I have no interest in a guided hunt”, and yet here you are asking to be guided. You do want a guided hunt, you just don’t want to pay for it. And then you will tell people you did it DIY, which is a lie.

Is there a reason you're so angry? I literally just asked for suggestions on places to start looking. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to make accusations.

 

[Hide Hunter]

“I have no interest in a guided hunt”, and yet here you are asking to be guided. You do want a guided hunt, you just don’t want to pay for it. And then you will tell people you did it DIY, which is a lie.

Damn you're salty

 

[Fogalo]

Is there a reason you're so angry? I literally just asked for suggestions on places to start looking. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to make accusations.

It does help if you look at the regulations first before jumping on a forum - Colorado eliminated OTC archery tags for non residents awhile ago. I would suggest starting on YouTube and reading the regs and use the search function on here. You can save yourself a lot of time and energy.