I have a dilema on my hands. I recently got permission to hunt elk on some private property in southwestern Colorado. It takes 2-3 preference points to draw a muzzleloader tag and 1 point to draw a fourth season tag in this unit. I'm trying to figure out if I should go for the quicker 4th season tag or if I should try for the muzzleloader tag since it typically offers a better chance at harvesting a larger bull. But I could probably go on two 4th season hunts in the time that it would take me o go on one muzz hunt. What would you guys do?
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photohunter
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The muzzleloader season is during the rut, the animals aren't as chase up by other hunters, a better chance at a bigger bull, better weather.
Go with the muzzleloader.
Go with the muzzleloader.
I hunted the 3rd combined season out of Gunnison about 12 years ago and it was by far the most successful season in that area due to the snow bringing the elk down.You still had to go hard after them but if you hiked far enough that you stopped seeing people tracks you would find elk tracks and could track them down.Don't know what you consider a big bull .I tracked down 2 lone bulls on 2 seperate days.No shot on either one.One was probably a 300 class bull and the other around 250.If you don't mind the snow late hunts can be good.I would go with the more hunting opportunities option.To me any bull is a good one.
Colorado Bob
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I'm not sure which unit you are talking about. But most of the elk will move up into the San Jauns/ La Platas for the summer months & remain there until the snow moves them down. But there are local herds in the lower elevations. I have found that the elk are becoming less vocal & the rut is getting later. Bulls are usually still bugling in the 1st rifle season. I have taken elk with both ( 54 Renegrade & 30/06). I now pretty much hunt with my 30/06. You have time, do some homework---find out from the landowner if it's a local herd or do they move in to snow falls.
Speckmisser
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One bull hardly makes me an elk expert, so I won't even go there.
But what I will say is, it really depends on what YOU want out of the experience. Personally, I'd probably go with the option that gives me more hunting opportunities, because I dig the hunting as much as the killing. In that case, I guess that choice would be the 4th Rifle season.
If your priority is a big bull and the opportunity to call one in, of course the earlier the better. But by 4th season, the weather should have driven them down somewhat, and your odds of getting some meat in the freezer would probably be better (if the property you have access to is at lower elevations).
Not really a conundrum... just decide what's more important to you. A big, bugling bull... or lots of time and opportunity to get out and hunt.
Of course, depending on the unit, you could do your ML hunt, then get a cow tag for that fourth rifle season. Are you a CO resident?
But what I will say is, it really depends on what YOU want out of the experience. Personally, I'd probably go with the option that gives me more hunting opportunities, because I dig the hunting as much as the killing. In that case, I guess that choice would be the 4th Rifle season.
If your priority is a big bull and the opportunity to call one in, of course the earlier the better. But by 4th season, the weather should have driven them down somewhat, and your odds of getting some meat in the freezer would probably be better (if the property you have access to is at lower elevations).
Not really a conundrum... just decide what's more important to you. A big, bugling bull... or lots of time and opportunity to get out and hunt.
Of course, depending on the unit, you could do your ML hunt, then get a cow tag for that fourth rifle season. Are you a CO resident?
