Need help with OTC colorado elk unit suggestion

[realunlucky]

Looking for some advice. I've tried looking over the Colorado webpage, with their mapping program, and here is the situation.
My buddy lives in Minnesota, and I live in Texas. we both used to elk hunt together in the bighorns of WY, and then again in Idaho. we are going to try a few application drawings, but in the event that doesn't work out we may head to Colorado for an OTC rifle hunt.

The "meet in the middle" area would be Fort Collins. Looking for some assistance with picking a unit along that front and then south towards Denver. Moving west from Fort Collins or Denver is fine, but hoping to find something to keep the drive time down for each of us.

When we hunted in the past, we were able to get into wilderness areas which limited the amount of roads, hunting pressure etc. I'm overwhelmed right now by the Colorado mapping stuff. Would anyone be willing to share a good starting point on a few units they might suggest for OTC elk second or third rifle seasons with reasonable access. We don't care about trophy quality, and don't mind working for the animal. But at the same time there is no way we can get out that way to do any scouting in advance.

I don't need specific locations, GPS coordinates, etc....I understand people want to keep them to themselves. I just want a few starting points where we can meet up, drive into the mountains, then backpack in for a spike camp. No horses, or 4 wheelers here, just boot leather.

If you want to assist, but don't want the world to know, a PM is just fine too. Thanks to Rokslide, and hope everyone has a safe and Happy new year.

Lets get this thread back on track. Someone should start a thread about poachers and punishments

 

[Foldem]

So you feel he hasn't paid a high enough price and feel he should continue to be punished more and more extensively by not being able to offer scouting services ? Sounds like a higher tree and continuing to punish even after punishment has met out ie pissing on their grave. WWJD ?

Nope never said any of that, nor do I think it. I live close enough to Colorado that I have zero plans of ever using a scouting service, but if I did I would choose not to support his business. That's my personal choice. But thanks... It's good to know I can always come on here and get expert advice on all things Christianity and backcountry hunting from you Shrek. My advice to you is to drink some water and go to bed.

 

[rbljack]

again I want to thank everyone for their inputs. I talked to my buddy recently (from MN) and he may not be able to go this year because he has to pay for a wedding. In the event he doesn't go, id be looking for areas in the southern part of the state possibly. Based on yahoo maps, I can be in Westin colorado in 7 hours, Conejos in about 8 hrs, and in 9 hours I can make it to south fork. If I can keep it to that 7 hour range, I might be able to make a weekend trip out there to scout, which is a plus, but that area appeared to be a wintering area if im interpreting the maps correctly.

What areas would yall suggest for a guy coming from Snyder Texas, who is trying to limit drive time (if my buddy doesn't go).

 

[5MilesBack]

What areas would yall suggest for a guy coming from Snyder Texas, who is trying to limit drive time (if my buddy doesn't go).

There are elk in every unit west of I-25. Some have higher pressure than others, yet elk are killed every single year even in those higher pressure units. Just figure that someone is going to kill something........might as well be you. First timers get lucky every year. But the key to elk hunting is to do everything you can to up your odds. The key to upping your odds is getting experience in the field to know elk behavior and patterns, scouting, and finding an area that holds elk and learning the heck out of it. Do those three things, and you'll be killing elk every year.

Elk hunting is not a casual endeavor........unless you want to pay an outfitter every year. It's usually not a "one and done" activity either. Every year I do things that up my odds for FUTURE years. This is a long term commitment if you want to do it right and be successful at it. There's a reason why the success rates are so low. I'd look at it as a long term plan, and spend some time with it and you'll reap the rewards. Keep adding to your knowledge and experience every year, and you'll see the dividends start to pile up. I spend weeks studying maps and satellite images before ever stepping foot into a new area.

Good luck.

 

[rayporter]

unit 76 is a draw unit and is just north of South Fork.

 

[zman]

Yeah quick search shows this dude is not who you want to hunt with.

Thanks guys, hadn't heard any of that. I get the DOW emails so I do read all the poaching reports but never saw anything about him for some reason. My experience with Jeff was great... maybe I got lucky. Would have done more research/ recommendations if I was booking a guide but all I was looking was for a starting point in an OTC unit.

 

[Bonedalien]

Just figure that someone is going to kill something........might as well be you.

best thing i have read in a long time! perfectly sums up the proper elk hunting mindset.