Need Some Advice and Info for CO Elk and Maybe Muley Trip

[Dylan Sluis]

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!!

 

[KHNC]

Get you a GoHunt membership. This will get you the info you need all in one place. Not real likely you will get the answers you need on a public forum. Good luck on your research.

 

[CHIEF CRNA]

First of all, there are no more OTC units for non residents in Colorado. You will have to draw for both deer and elk.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

My next question would be what would be some good zones to look at where I can hunt OTC elk.

Nobody is going to answer that

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,

you and everybody else

So what are some units I should be taking a look at?

Nobody is going to answer that

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.

nobody is going to answer that

I have started doing some research but I just don't even know where to start.

Do more research, get a Gohunt membership, utilize the Colorado hunt planner on their website, call Colorado parks & wildlife office, use the search function on here. ( all of the information you are loooking for it out there, it just takes some time & effort)

Here's my 2cents
Focus on one species, you're already making it harder on yourself by trying to figure out units/regions and licensing on 2 different species

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.

https://cpw.widen.net/s/5wvx7rggrd/colorado-big-game-hunting-brochure

read page 44-50, they are clearly marked

 

[SuperDUECE22]

First of all, there are no more OTC units for non residents in Colorado. You will have to draw for both deer and elk.

you shouldn't respond to threads if you don't know what you are talking about

 

[sndmn11]

First of all, there are no more OTC units for non residents in Colorado. You will have to draw for both deer and elk.

Fix your false comment.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Oh boy, in before the lock. Haha 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

 

[kswaterfowl]

Oh boy, in before the lock. Haha 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

Come out to Kansas and shoot all those pasture rats. All the deer hunters just get in the way of my coyote calling.

 

[sndmn11]

View attachment 792735

https://cpw.widen.net/s/5wvx7rggrd/colorado-big-game-hunting-brochure

read page 44-50, they are clearly marked

@Dylan Sluis this link is all you need. You have FIVE MONTHS to read 20 pages. Please do so and the reread a page a day until March. PLEASE read it. A friend runs a business that rents hunting tents and had a crew come back last week with $10k plus in fines because they knocked off some elk in the wrong unit.

You stayed you started doing research, but clearly didn't read the above link about OTC BULL elk.

If you really wanted to figure this out, you'd head out here next week and scout all the OTC BULL elk units that intrigue you. There will be some hunters out for fourth season, and you can see where pressured 250" elk end up, as well as have the best gauge for the not-trophy quality mule deer population of that unit. Unit, not zones.

If you REALLY REALLY wanted to cut your teeth. You'd read the tip of page 41 and turn next week's scouting trip into an extra week of elk hunting.

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

Read page 33 and maybe Dylan will help you learn whitetail in exchange for your OTC honeypotsholes.

 

[Dylan Sluis]

First of all, there are no more OTC units for non residents in Colorado. You will have to draw for both deer and elk.

i'm not even from colorado and I know this is false. for archery yes there is no otc anymore. but for rifle there still is. And i started a trial on gohunt and ya I can see why every one says get it. VERY HELPFUL. makes things 1000X easier

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

First of all, there are no more OTC units for non residents in Colorado. You will have to draw for both deer and elk.

That’s false will still have otc rifle for non residents, they did away with archery


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[cnelk]

The best thing to do is wait until the new Regs come out in Feb '25.
They will have the new 5 Year BGSS season dates [they will be different than in years past]

Read them. Read them again. And again.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

The best thing to do is wait until the new Regs come out in Feb '25.
They will have the new 5 Year BGSS season dates [they will be different than in years past]

Read them. Read them again. And again.

2025-2029 dates are confirmed, here is 2025 dates

Archery Sept 2-30
Muzzy Sept 13-21
1st Rifle October 15-19
2nd rifle October 25- Nov 2
3rd Rifle November 8-16
4th Rifle November 19-23


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[cnelk]

2025-2029 dates are confirmed, here is 2025 dates

Archery Sept 2-30
Muzzy Sept 13-21
1st Rifle October 15-19
2nd rifle October 25- Nov 2
3rd Rifle November 8-16
4th Rifle November 19-23


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And the new 2025 Regs will have that handy 'Whats New' column

 

[Hnthrdr]

Come out to Kansas and shoot all those pasture rats. All the deer hunters just get in the way of my coyote calling.

Let me know when and where brother! Hell maybe even I’ll put you on some monster bulls in Co if that’s your thing, or some big ole mountain coyotes

 

[Hnthrdr]

@Dylan Sluis this link is all you need. You have FIVE MONTHS to read 20 pages. Please do so and the reread a page a day until March. PLEASE read it. A friend runs a business that rents hunting tents and had a crew come back last week with $10k plus in fines because they knocked off some elk in the wrong unit.

You stayed you started doing research, but clearly didn't read the above link about OTC BULL elk.

If you really wanted to figure this out, you'd head out here next week and scout all the OTC BULL elk units that intrigue you. There will be some hunters out for fourth season, and you can see where pressured 250" elk end up, as well as have the best gauge for the not-trophy quality mule deer population of that unit. Unit, not zones.

If you REALLY REALLY wanted to cut your teeth. You'd read the tip of page 41 and turn next week's scouting trip into an extra week of elk hunting.



Read page 33 and maybe Dylan will help you learn whitetail in exchange for your OTC honeypotsholes.

Oh I know where I can get those whitetails probably seen more 150 whiteys than roosters on some days grinding out the eastern plains…I just want the whole midwestern experience lol

 

[southLA]

First of all, there are no more OTC units for non residents in Colorado. You will have to draw for both deer and elk.

Incorrect

 

[sndmn11]

Oh I know where I can get those whitetails probably seen more 150 whiteys than roosters on some days grinding out the eastern plains…I just want the whole midwestern experience lol

Redistribute your tourism dollars? Those towns need your hunting dollars to survive.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Redistribute your tourism dollars? Those towns need your hunting dollars to survive.

Don’t you know it bubby! I heard they can barely scrape by on the Upper, thank the good lord for NR hunting dollars seriously though someday will get my midwestern deer hunting, full of sitting in trees; maybe a deer drive, tbh I think I would rather hunt them in central Montana mountains, but they would distract from Hungarian partridge up there

 

[SloppyJ]

As a NR going on my first elk hunt next year, you have to sit down and read. You have to wrap your head around the landscape of western hunting and the games they play to get tags. It's not like it is over here in the south or the east which blew my mind at first. Hell, I just learned that you have to own a certain amount of land in some states to get a landowner tag. Nothing is guaranteed out there.

Start with very broad research and I'd recommend sticking with one animal. If you can find extra tags later, that's a bonus. Narrow down the state you want to hunt and then research your ass off. From what I've read, you're going to be in for a rude awakening if you're going DIY style and the first time you've been there is the day you show up. I wouldn't want to put myself in that situation but I understand the inability to go scout in person.

I decided to go with a guide for my first trip so that took me down an entirely different avenue. Once I got that settled in, then it was on to the rest of the puzzle. Good luck man. I wouldn't expect too much info coming in the form of a handout either. I get where a lot of the residents are coming from but at the same time I'm sure there are some that would be willing to help point you in the right direction if they see you're trying.