Colorado Youth Elk hunt

[Sea 2'er]

Looking for any info on Colorado Youth Elk hunt. Any suggestions on locations, areas in either public or fee and level of endurance specifically to terrain are welcomed. Will be taking my 13 year old and need to consider weather, conditions etc.

Still going through CDW info and websites for non-res status and youth tag availability (OTC?).

Any advice appreciated.

Bob

 

[nickman123]

You are a little late if you're thinking of this year. Deadline to get in Colorado's drawing was back on April 3rd. For this year you would have to buy an over the counter tag or look for a leftover tag after the drawing and I'm really not sure if there is any youth preference on those.

As for next year, Colorado has a great youth cow elk program in the drawing. In most of the units where they have limited license drawing hunts for cow elk, they set aside 15% of the tags just for youth hunters regardless of whether they are resident or non-resident. The non-resident youth tag is only $100 and a non-resident youth has a real good chance to draw a cow elk tag for prime areas even with zero preference points. My son has drawn a cow tag for unit 61 two years in a row.

 

[Sea 2'er]

Nickmam123,

Thanks for the info. So how did you guys hunt the area? 4x4, snow machine, ATV? Were you successful in filling your tag? Could imagine there was quite a bit of snow for that time of year. Yeah, I'm trying to plan a hunt for next year. Will need the time to plan it out.

Thanks

Bob

 

[nickman123]

I'm only really familiar with the Grand Junction area. We've hunted 21,30,61 and 62 many years.
In 1st season, usually not too cold and usually no snow but 1st season tags are more popular and harder to draw, and 1st season is short- only 5 days.
2nd season, good chance of at least some snow and cold weather. Often there are a few days of cold and snow, then it warms back up, and you end up with a bunch of mud. We usually hunt 2nd season.
3rd season is cold and almost guaranteed snow. Only done 3rd season twice- froze our asses off both times. Would never do again without a camper or trailer.
We have atvs and there are a number of dedicated atv trails- especially in 61 and 62. We hunt by pickup, foot, and atv.
Zones 21,30,62 are harder hunting but still have fair numbers of elk but 61 is my favorite. It's a limited zone and has tons of elk and we've learned how to hunt a couple areas in it real well. Have hunted 61 six times, taken 5 elk. Have never failed to see at least one legal bull in 61 and have never failed to have shot opportunities on cow elk in 61 (few years ago my dad blew about 3 chances but he's in his 70s and getting pretty slow). My son was successful in 61 on his first try.
All the zones are pretty steep and mountainous. If you are not young and in real good shape, it really helps to know the area a little and how to hunt it. For an adult, 61 usually takes at least one point to draw a cow tag so if you wanted to have your own tag and hunt with your son that could be a problem. If you did get a 61 tag, I'd be happy to give you more specifics on where and how we hunt in 61. We might even be there at same time. Love to see your boy get an elk.
I've heard many, many other guys speak real highly of the area further east around Rifle. I think its zones 23,24,33?? But I have never tried it myself. We kind of stick to what we know.

 

[nickman123]

I'm only really familiar with the Grand Junction area. We've hunted 21,30,61 and 62 many years. <br>In 1st season, usually not too cold and usually no snow but 1st season tags are more popular and harder to draw, and 1st season is short- only 5 days.<br> 2nd season, good chance of at least some snow and cold weather.  Often there are a few days of cold and snow, then it warms back up, and you end up with a bunch of mud. We usually hunt 2nd season.<br> 3rd season is cold and almost guaranteed snow. Only done 3rd season twice- froze our asses off both times. Would never do again without a camper or trailer.<br> We have atvs and there are a number of dedicated atv trails- especially in 61 and 62. We hunt by pickup, foot, and atv. <br>Zones 21,30,62 are harder hunting but still have fair numbers of elk but 61 is my favorite. It's a limited zone and has tons of elk and we've learned how to hunt a couple areas in it real well. <img src="http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75911&stc=1" attachmentid="75911" alt="" id="vbattach_75911" class="previewthumb"> Have hunted 61 six times, taken 5 elk. Have never failed to  see at least one legal bull in 61 and have never failed to have shot opportunities on cow elk in 61 (few years ago my dad blew about 3 chances but he's in his 70s and getting pretty slow). My son was successful in 61 on his first try.<br>All the zones are pretty steep and mountainous. If you are not young and in real good shape, it really helps to know the area a little and how to hunt it. For an adult, 61 usually takes at least one point to draw a cow tag so if you wanted to have your own tag and hunt with your son that could be a problem. If you did get a 61 tag, I'd be happy to give you more specifics on where and how we hunt in 61. We might even be there at same time. Love to see your boy get an elk. <br>I've heard many, many other guys speak real highly of the area further east around Rifle. I think its zones 23,24,33?? But I have never tried it myself. We kind of stick to what we know.

 

[Aught-SixGuy]

I've hunted north and east of Rifle, out of Meeker. GMU12 is awesome. Batting 1.000 on elk there. (One trip, one elk haha). Hoping to tag out again this year. Good luck guys!

 

[Sea 2'er]

Nickman123,

Great information, thanks very much. Yeah I was concerned with weather, snow coverage and getting around, as we as accommodations, camping etc. Ill keep doing my homework and might just get back with you later