Southwest or northwest ??

[Easthunter]

Hello all I’m trying to narrow down a couple of areas to hunt this coming September for archery elk. I’ve done some research and called biologists and wardens and I’m conflicted between hunting southwestern Colorado or north Western Colorado. I’ve been told the elk heard isn’t what it use to be down in the southern area I previously hunted and told that elk numbers are up in the northwestern part of Colorado. Does anyone have any comments or input on this? Also are there any pros n cons to either section ? Weather, terrain, etc. any input or opinions would be greatly appreciated thank you

 

[DenverCountryBoy]

CPW has population estimates in the stats pages for 2005-2017.

https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Statistics.aspx

If you figure out how many square miles are in each DAU, you can calculate the elk density.

 

[Easthunter]

Thank you for your input much appreciated

 

[5MilesBack]

The SW has gotten a pretty decent snowpack this year, but they've been in extreme drought for a few years now. It will probably take some time for that area to recover. That being said........there's still some great hunting down there.......as well as the NW. But the NW hasn't had the drought that they've had down south.

 

[Easthunter]

The SW has gotten a pretty decent snowpack this year, but they've been in extreme drought for a few years now. It will probably take some time for that area to recover. That being said........there's still some great hunting down there.......as well as the NW. But the NW hasn't had the drought that they've had down south.

Thank you

 

[edwal]

I can’t speak for the Northwest but I live and hung in the Southwest and I can say our numbers have dropped. That being said we get into elk every year, just not as many as a few years ago. Lots of snow down here. I’m hoping I can get into my area in June. Ed

 

[Easthunter]

I can’t speak for the Northwest but I live and hung in the Southwest and I can say our numbers have dropped. That being said we get into elk every year, just not as many as a few years ago. Lots of snow down here. I’m hoping I can get into my area in June. Ed

Hey Ed would you mind if I pm you with a few general questions and maybe run my plan by you for alil input?

 

[edwal]

Hey Ed would you mind if I pm you with a few general questions and maybe run my plan by you for alil input?

Sure. I hunt 74 and some 75.

 

[Easthunter]

Sure. I hunt 74 and some 75.

hey Ed for some reason it’s not allowing me to send a pm when I figure it out I’ll be talking to ya thank you again

 

[Jpugs]

I’ve hunted both the nw and sw. I find myself always going back to the sw. Yes the herd numbers may be down from years ago as others have stated but I have always been in elk every time. Since there’s “more” elk up north as many say the more it makes me keep going south. I would personally rather hunt less elk all to myself and never see another hunter than hunt the larger elk herds up north where you run into other hunters and race to the bugles hoping your going to be the first one there. So yes I prefer the SW. feel free to pm any questions I may be able to help you with

 

[Easthunter]

I’ve hunted both the nw and sw. I find myself always going back to the sw. Yes the herd numbers may be down from years ago as others have stated but I have always been in elk every time. Since there’s “more” elk up north as many say the more it makes me keep going south. I would personally rather hunt less elk all to myself and never see another hunter than hunt the larger elk herds up north where you run into other hunters and race to the bugles hoping your going to be the first one there. So yes I prefer the SW. feel free to pm any questions I may be able to help you with

For some reason I’m not being allowed to pm if I figure this out I’d like to ask questions

 

[Jpugs]

East Hunter - check your inbox I sent you a pm you should be able to reply

 

[Easthunter]

East Hunter - check your inbox I sent you a pm you should be able to reply

Did it work?

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Seems like this question gets asked fairly often so I'll contribute again. I grew up elk hunting the Northwest, but now live in Southwest. If i were coming from out of state i would be happy in either zone, but if i had to choose one it would be the Northwest part of the state. I dont see any difference in hunting pressure. Both regions simply get a lot of pressure. The Southwest is the closest most convenient part of the state to Texas, the 4th most populated state in the U.S. The Northwest has the largest herd and also draws in the masses from all over. The reason i would pick the Northwest is that due to the numbers, if i had no time to put in solid scouting effort I feel my chances are better there. Good luck and have a blast either way the compass points you!

 

[Newtosavage]

I've hunted both SW and NW in the past 4 years (2 yrs. ea) and found elk every year. I found a lot more hunters in NW and a lot more recreational users in SW if that makes any difference to you.

I gotta agree with Nickofthewoods. Go with the numbers. More elk in NW. More hunters too but more elk is always a good thing. We'll probably go back to SW CO this fall, but only because we have a few spots we know and we like the scenery better. Not because there are more critters there.