Dylan Sluis
Lil-Rokslider
Hello all. First of all I want to say thank you for any help that I get. And please read everything below just so you get what I'm looking for. I have looked at a bunch of older threads but with CO's rule changes for 2025 I figured it's probably easiest to start a new one.
So me and my dad have thrown around the idea of taking a trip to CO to rifle hunt some elk mainly and possibly throw mule deer in there as well. If we do this we are probably just gonna go OTC for rifle elk. I am in need of some clarification and figured you guys could probably explain it better to me vs trying to understand their rule book. I know there are only certain GMU's for otc elk. I get that. But how do I know what units are bull only, cow only, or either sex. Because I know you can buy those 3 different OTC licenses. Or is that like even a thing in CO? I'm from MN and that is how our DNR does deer zones. From the sounds of it an OTC rifle elk tag is valid in a ton of GMU's. I know you can't get OTC mule deer tags in CO. My next question would be what would be some good zones to look at where I can hunt OTC elk. And then apply for a mule deer tag in that zone. Our main focus would to get us both an elk but if we would get lucky and draw a muley tag it would just be an added bonus. Also you have to apply for a certain GMU when applying for a muley tag and then can only hunt muley's in that zone right?
I also want to clarify we wouldn't be out there trophy hunting. I'm 20 years old and this would be my first time hunting anything other than whitetail from a stand. I've dreamt of going elk hunting for as long as I can remember. My dad is 50 and has gone out west 1 time before in MT and shot a Muley and cow elk out there. But that was a very long time ago when you could just buy a combo tag and go. I would just want to be in a unit with good elk populations and some decent bulls so we'd have a chance to shoot a bull, but then can always shoot a cow for meat as well. Like if either of us shot a bull over 250 we would be so unbelievably happy.
So what are some units I should be taking a look at? Where I can chase elk mostly but if I draw a muley tag I can chase them as well. We would just be on public land so any unit that might see a little less presuure and where I would have a higher chance of drawing a muley tag would be great. Again thank you to anyone that responds and helps me in anyway. I have started doing some research but I just don't even know where to start. Thanks guys!!
So me and my dad have thrown around the idea of taking a trip to CO to rifle hunt some elk mainly and possibly throw mule deer in there as well. If we do this we are probably just gonna go OTC for rifle elk. I am in need of some clarification and figured you guys could probably explain it better to me vs trying to understand their rule book. I know there are only certain GMU's for otc elk. I get that. But how do I know what units are bull only, cow only, or either sex. Because I know you can buy those 3 different OTC licenses. Or is that like even a thing in CO? I'm from MN and that is how our DNR does deer zones. From the sounds of it an OTC rifle elk tag is valid in a ton of GMU's. I know you can't get OTC mule deer tags in CO. My next question would be what would be some good zones to look at where I can hunt OTC elk. And then apply for a mule deer tag in that zone. Our main focus would to get us both an elk but if we would get lucky and draw a muley tag it would just be an added bonus. Also you have to apply for a certain GMU when applying for a muley tag and then can only hunt muley's in that zone right?
I also want to clarify we wouldn't be out there trophy hunting. I'm 20 years old and this would be my first time hunting anything other than whitetail from a stand. I've dreamt of going elk hunting for as long as I can remember. My dad is 50 and has gone out west 1 time before in MT and shot a Muley and cow elk out there. But that was a very long time ago when you could just buy a combo tag and go. I would just want to be in a unit with good elk populations and some decent bulls so we'd have a chance to shoot a bull, but then can always shoot a cow for meat as well. Like if either of us shot a bull over 250 we would be so unbelievably happy.
So what are some units I should be taking a look at? Where I can chase elk mostly but if I draw a muley tag I can chase them as well. We would just be on public land so any unit that might see a little less presuure and where I would have a higher chance of drawing a muley tag would be great. Again thank you to anyone that responds and helps me in anyway. I have started doing some research but I just don't even know where to start. Thanks guys!!
dude rifle is still otc antlered elk next year, you can find units where you have a decent chance at drawing a deer tag that are also OTC antlered elk. No one should be telling you these places with good elk populations and success and big bucks to boot…. Take a map west of I-25 and throw a dart. That unit will have deer and elk in it. If it’s otc elk apply and go figure it out. Oh btw I saw you are from the Midwest. Do you have any spots I could come to that aren’t too pressured and have a good amount of big whitetail bucks? Not a trophy just like a 150-160ish buck I would be thrilled thanks
