CO Elk 70 or 71 Archery/First Rifle

[mkelley12]

I am trying to plan a hunt and i think i have narrowed it down to unit 70 or 71. I am going to try and get first rifle but if I do not draw that then it will probably be archery. Another option might be 80 or 81 for first rifle as the odds seem good but have not looked to much into those units yet.

Just seeing who has hunted those areas and if anyone can give suggestions. This will be my first time elk hunting and will be going with another guy who has never done an elk hunt as well.

I know all otc units are crowded but we will be doing bivy camps so getting off the road will not be a problem. Just looking for good chance to see and get on elk the statistics seem really good for these units.

Thank you

 

[backcountry_hunter]

I can't weigh in on 71 but the other three are fine choices.... In all three units I feel like archery hunting pressure has almost doubled in the last 10 years. I think for 70 alot of guys see it as being close to 61 so some of those same genetics & numbers must spillover but it's still an easy tag to get. They're totally different though and hunting in 70 can be everybit as tough as anywhere. 81 is east side south san juan wilderness, 80 is the rio. The wilderness is great country but thick! The rio I've gotten into elk but I've seen plenty of truck campers there in archery also. Couldn't say about 1st rifle in either though. I remember thinking in the south san juan that bringing binos was pointless.


1st rifle boasts the highest success %'s for all of Colorado's elk seasons even despite many of them being able to be drawn with 0 pts. Post rut, no calling but weather can be really nice.... Not sure if I'd want to stay in a true bivy sack though during 1st rifle, archery yes but 1st rifle you might want a full blown 3 season tent.


In either season if you're willing to pack in for a few days you'll lose 80% of the crowds maybe more.

 

[ILbowhntr]

Bowhunted 80 a couple years ago. Never ran into another hunter, but saw several. You know, the guys that walk the ridge lines or hunt from bottom up in the morning. Several camps scattered around. 80 takes one point for 1st rifle. I'd hunt it again. Use the other guys to your advantage.