CO Elk

[wmidbrook]

Well, looks like I'm getting a week off in Sept and I'd like to do an Over the counter archery hunt.

I'm looking into OTC Colorado archery hunts in Sept.  If anyone has any advice, I'd appreciate it.  Not looking for GPS coordinates but if you have some good general info, that would be great.

Thanks in advance.

(Edited by wmidbrook at 12:00 pm on July 19, 2002)

 

[PowDuck]

Not much help here 'cept; yeah, me too! My first CO hunt is coming up in 2nd week of Sept.

 

[340mag]

hints, sure I will give you a few

don,t camp in your hunting area, by that I mean don,t set up a base camp in the floor of the valley you intend to hunt in, the elk WILL LEAVE, camp at least over the next ridge if possiable

watch the wind and use as much camo on hands , face and body as you can.
move slowly and use cover

keep your broadheads razor sharp, practice 30-50 yard shots, and practice in the clothes and wearing all the equipment youll use while hunting, youll be supprised how many people put on all their camo, back-pack, hat and other equip. for the first time while hunting, sure you shoot good in blue jeans and a tee shirt but how do you shoot with all your gear on! (make sure nothing hits, rattles,catches,reflex light,or gets in your way)

EXERCISE, for weeks before the hunt,and carry lots of water durring the hunt!

don,t forget a spare bow string and a few tools

GOOD LUCK

any elk is a good elk in archery season, don,t get too choosy

 

[jackrabbit]

I don't know how familiar you are with the Colorado Game Units, but I've always seen good size herds in the areas north of the I-70 in the Rifle and Glenwood Springs areas (Units 33 and 34).  I believe there was a big fire in the Glenwood Springs area recently, so I don't know what impact that will have.  I've only done rifle-hunting in this area, so I'm not sure where the game will be located in September.  I always hunted the 9-10,000 foot level on the flat-tops during rifle season.

 

[wmidbrook]

Thanks guys.  Unit 33 is in this artical @CO's DOW website-- http://www.dnr.state.co.us/news/press.asp?pressid=1994

It lists about 20 units that are overpopulated in terms of management objectives including the Bear's Ear Herd and the White River herd.  I think I'll be heading to one of the White River herd areas.  The DOW has good info on several of these units that they are mailing a printout from their biggame CD.  Their biologist's are willing to share good info too.  Am waiting on a callback regarding early v. late archery in a few ranges...

PowDuck>>have you started narrowing your search down?



(Edited by wmidbrook at 12:46 pm on July 22, 2002)

 

[Roger C]

I have hunted southwest of Glenwood Springs in unit 421.  Always saw elk, hunted ML and rifle.  Got 4 bulls in six years.  The best was a 5x6.  Look at north of Colbourn (SP) where RMEF bought a 2100 acre place and gave it to the state.

 

[wapiti]

Just concentrate your scouting and hunting around water sources, it is a dry year.

 

[PowDuck]

We'll be camping and hunting in the Routt NF.

 

[Gamegetter]

I will also be hunting over the counter this year. I plan to hunt with a group near Alamosa Co. I have bow hunted Colorado 3 other times, but those have all been draw units - White River Nat. Forest in Garfield and Rio Blanco Counties. Arrowed a cow one evening as she came down to a meadow. Two years later arrowed a cow while watching a nice trail in late morning. Glad I fought off the urge to return to camp earlier that day. Had a bear in camp last time I went, a couple of guys were at camp for lunch and had their food coolers out. Bear decided he wanted a cooler and took a bite out of one corner. Sounds like you have received good advice, watch the wind it can change with the thermal currents. Double check the regs to make sure of any restrictions in the area you decide to hunt.
Good luck and if anyone has advice on bow hunting after the muzzle loader season, please let me know. THANKS Gamegetter.

 

[sdbowyer]

I'll only have a deer tag for Colorado, but I'll be helping a friend elk hunt in Unit 20 while I'm out there. I'll also be scouting the area so I can decide whether or not to lend the F&G $400 next year.