Advise for a Nubie, S/W Colorado Elk

[Caninelaw]

I have relatives in Cortez, Co and they're always saying I should come up there during hunting season. Unfortunately none of them hunt so I'd pretty much be on my own. Also, I'm not rich so if I did do it it would probably be a do-it-yourself type of hunt. Since I've never done an elk hunt I was wondering how doable is a do-it-yourself hunt in the Cortez area? How (and what chance do I have) of drawing a tag for that area? Is it even possible for someone coming into the area cold, with no chance to scout things out, to be successful? Any other advise for a complete nubie to elk? <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_249810-->

 

[Lives2Hunt]

My father and I used to go through Cortez, every yr we went to SW CO to hunt. I thought the area looked alright for deer, esp. north/east of the main part of town. Elk through? I am not sure, but, do know as you go more and more east you will find more and more elk. In and around Durango, and even better elk hunting north of Durango toward Telluride, or east toward Pagosa Springs. Now PS is going to be about 1.5-2 hours east just to town, but north of PS has great elk hunting, bout a 3-3.5 hour drive from Cortez to good elk hunting N. of PS. I have seen small numbers of elk just south of Durango and just north of town. But that is common in many big cities, got to get further from people.

I would just pick a zone furthest from Cortez, but not farther than you want to drive a few times, and get an OTC bull tag. I have hunted 76, 77, 78, 751, and 771 and those are pretty good elk units and lots of public land. I hope this helps a little bit.