Still confused on where in CO this archery season...

[QuackNSmack]

Ok so my buddy and I have been researching our first CO Archery Elk trip for the upcoming season since about January. This is our first out of state, as well as elk hunt. We are going to do an OTC tag, which I believe go on sale today. Im coming from Southern Ca and he is from back home...Northern Ca. We plan to meet in CO on sept 9 and hunt through the 18th. Goal is to locate one primary area and a back up or 2 near by...half day trip to new area at most.

We have decided to do DIY and set a base camp with spike camp out as we find heard further away from camp, but have no idea where to go. Every one I talk to has good to say about each place I ask about. We have both talked with hunt planners (excellent program for newbies or non resident) and have narrowed down to basically most OTC units. Lol he has a list of prospect units that differ from mine, we have both bought books on elk areas and crossed referenced those areas mentioned to ones we have found with the planners, then looked at multiple maps...(boundaries, topos, usfs, google earth and satellite aerials). Crossed all these together and started scouring the areas by basically picking a landmark area and finding access for a camp set up, then go in a circle 3 miles out in each direction locating steep north slopes with benches, meadows, south facing bowls, saddles, steady water sources with springs for possible wallows, and far from any roads. Oh and in the 8k-12k elevation range

We are coming down to the wire and still can't decide. Idk why but I keep leaning towards 68 out of lost camp. Tons of area to get way back, but it's a long ways in to get up where I'd like to. Then when I look at the aerial photos, it's more open it seems with not many areas of aspen and thick timber. Am I over thinking or missing something? Anyone able to shed some light on areas to start out from? I'm not set on 68, that's just where I keep looking over. Any info will help...number of animals you have seen, access, what type of weather to expect, topography, is there timber and "hide outs"? Have had success there or a waste of $1200 (between the 2 of us)? Any help at all is greatly appreciated. Thank you ahead of time for any help in narrowing this decision down.

 

[RoosterKiller]

Yes. Way over thinking. You need food,shelter,and water. If you have these then you are good to go. Pick areas that have aspen close to pine groves and that have a creek,stream pond whatever water source.Pick preferably a canyon with fairly steep sides that contain all of this and you should find elk.You will need to scout the area. If you don't see fresh sign move on.
If you have fresh sign then thats where you want to be.You should be able to scout two areas a day until you find fresh sign.
If they are there the sign will be there.You don't need to see the elk to know they are there.
Good Luck

 

[archersisco]

I've had success in unit 73 archery OTC . Taken two elk in four years of hunting it and missed ops the other two years.
It's in the San Juan forest and has some good backcountry ops. I hunt out of mancos north east google earth some of that country it has everything you want. Good luck!!

 

[Sea 2'er]

Google earth is okay but if used for ground viewing, it 'll look like moonscape. Try the usfs sites for the area you're interested in, might be some different views of what you want. Also check out caltopo.com for mapping as well.

I'm heading to the SW area in early Sept with similar game plan, but going solo.

 

[EliteGame530]

Let us know how your hunt goes

 

[Bossbrott]

Don't know him, never met him, but RoosterKiller deserves a big thanks. RK, you're a good man.