How do you pick an OTC unit (Colorado)

[codyderrick]

This will be my third year hunting elk during the archery season. The first two years were kind of like throwing a dart on the map. I thought that no matter which unit I selected I'd at least see some elk, even if they were miles off. But didn't see anything last year and no I'm frozen trying to even get started.


I have found a few units: 82/86, 71 and 62 that look like they may work for hunting without horses or backpacking miles in.


I've watched the e-scouting videos from here and Randy Newberg's series, but everywhere I look seems like it offers the 3 things elk need.


Is there a science to it, or do you just say, this is the area I'm trying this year?


Thanks in advance.

 

[brett8133]

Use hunt smart to look at success rates co website for harvest numbers to help narrow it down . Also you need to hunt the same unit several yrs and get to know it


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[fightthenoise]

My wife drew a 1st rifle tag so I figured that was reason enough for me to hunt her unit during archery to learn it. Maybe one of us will get something. Looking at success rates, it almost doesn?t matter what unit you pick. It?s going to take a good amount of user-generated luck and universe-generated luck everywhere you go. I?d pick based on the type of country you like to hunt because that?ll make it easier to push it every day if you like where you are. A few percentage points of success rate one way or another isn?t significant enough to plan a hunt around it.


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[Travis25]

From what I?m learning, just throw a dart. Pros and cons to each. Obviously elk in all of them. Easy to get paralysis by analysis


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[cnelk]

1- Look at the number of leftover tags for units.
If there are plenty of cow tags, that means the herd is over objective and the CPW issues lots of them.
That would be a good place to start.


2- When you decide upon a unit, hunt it for SEVERAL YEARS. Learn it like the back of your hand.

 

[oathkeeper]

Are you a CO Res?

 

[codyderrick]

No, I'm in Texas.

 

[jessedacus]

The CPW hunting atlas is gold. Last year was my first time hunting out west and I would have tagged out had it not been for user error on my part. Bottom line is I used this resource and even I found elk. Good luck!


https://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/index.html?app=HuntingAtlas

 

[codyderrick]

Yeah, I've been pouring over that site, google earth, and caltopo trying to find some areas to concentrate on.


Does anyone have any advice on how accurate the `elk concentration areas` on the Colorado Hunting Atlas site are? 

 

[jeffreydavis667]

I love this question I?ve being feeling the exact same way!


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[jeffreydavis667]

Wow great advice. I?m going to go check out all these site and hopefully get my freezer filled this fall.


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[Rolfe]

You can also get great information off the OnXhunt app.