OTC units in Colorado

[arkansaselkhunter]

A buddy and myself are planning our first elk hunt this fall for Colorado. We are going to get an otc tag and pack in on foot. We haven't narrowed our hunting area down to anything besides Colorado, so I'm looking for any info on OTC units any where in the state. We just want to get in to a lot of elk, quality is not a huge factor for us. Not looking for trophy bulls necessarily, we would love to just go and see a ton of raghorn bulls. So, does anyone have any suggestions on OTC units where we would have a good chance of just seeing a lot of elk. Also, we've been training hard for two years now so we are prepared to hike far in to rugged country, possibly a wilderness area. Any input is appreciated!!

 

[ILbowhntr]

Looks like everyone's wish list, get into lots of elk. Good luck. I've only hunted 80 in Colorado and it does not meet your criteria. Archery or rifle season?

 

[Arrows4Elk]

Have you narrowed it down to any specific units? Done any research on your own? You'll be hard pressed to find someone who has spent years finding great elk spots who'll give up the goods to a query like this.


Not trying to be a jerk, just want to be realistic. Do some research, come back with some specific questions and maybe somebody will give you some beta.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

just to echo everyone else... good luck. Not many people are going to point you to a spot they know well with lots of elk, good opportunity and low hunter density. I've got a handful of spots I bank on holding good numbers year in and year out but I keep those cards pretty close. I got burnt once by bringing a buddy to (what used to be) a great spot and now he brings out 12 guys and a couple wall tents. That's fine, public land is public land but never again will I make it that easy for someone else in a spot I worked hard to find. Unless you pulled a premium coveted "trophy tag" in one of the few units in CO, stumbling across dozens of raghorns to weed through usually isn't the case. For a first timer, most OTC - Public land -DIY hunts in CO you'll be looking to shoot the 1st legal bull you see.


Just to help you a little though, general rule of thumb in CO is highest elk densities are in the northern part of the state.... the further south you get the lower the elk densities tend to be, quality however can increase. This is just a vague generalization however. elk are always where you find them.

 

[Elk101 Admin]

Take a look at toprut.com @ https://www.toprut.com/hunt/colorado-elk/


You can choose "nonresident" and click "Over the counter units for archery."
A map overview will appear and highlighted in green will reveal the "public" unit numbers for CO OTC Archery. Yellow will indicate private land.

Here is a direct link in case you have issues: http://www.toprut.com/hunt/colorado-elk-otc-archery-units-map/nr/um/146/?view=map

Hope this helps narrow it down for you. With the training you have been doing I suggest getting into tough areas most people will not will increase your odd of getting into elk.