Colorado Elk hunt advice

[illinoisdeerfarmer]

I am in dire need of some good advice on Colorado elk hunting. I am a complete beginner to elk hunting. I went back in 2006 to GMU 18 the first week of archery. But never seen nor heard a single elk. I have to do the DIY hunts due to the budget. I have saved up a total of 5 preference points. I know that is not enough to get me in a great unit. I don't have alot of friends that hunt, so it will also be a solo archery hunt. The question I really need some serious advice on is which unit is best for a solo beginning elk bowhunter? I have looked over tons of forums, maps, data, etc. But it is very overwhelming to just try to pick a spot with very limited knowledge. Any advice you guys might have would be GREATLY appreciated. I know most folks don't want to give out their "secret spot" locations and respect that. I'm just looking for any help at all. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[HighDesertSage]

Are you stuck on archery only? IMHO/E to many guys new to the elk game go archery or bust. Look at the success rates between archery and rifle seasons, it can be pretty substantial. I would learn elk habits and habitat and knock a few down with a rifle first before handicapping yourself. Contrary to most hunting shows out there most public land elk won't come running into a call. Those hunts are usually private land and/or limited entry. You can still call elk here, but I have seen them slip in quietly, observe, and then leave before we even knew what was going on.

In regards to your pref points. You are kinda of at a point where I don't know if they can really do any thing for you. CO is an opportunity state. Most tags can be drawn with 0-2 points. The next step up is tags that take 15 plus years to draw. Their isn't very much middle ground here in CO. Check out the link I attached below. That shows how many points you need to draw a particular tag. There is a few that take 5 points. I can't tell you how the unit is because I have never hunted them. Your best bet might be to get something that only takes a few points. 12, 23, 24 have a ton of elk. Also very high success cow elk hunts would be within your reach as well.

Best of luck!

 

[HighDesertSage]

http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Hunting/BigGame/Statistics/Elk/2013ElkPreferencePoint.pdf

 

[Rooster52]

I would go for a cow elk in an area/unit that has a history of a large elk herd and high hunter success I like units 4 and unit 12.
In unit 4 look at the area around Angle Springs or further east California Park.Unit 12 ,Sleepy Cat peak is usually pretty good along with Rough Creek drainage.
Just a couple of places to start with.These are on National Forest and open to public.These areas are popular areas ,but they are popular for a reason.They hold elk.

 

[Blacktailbc]

I would try further south.....like maybe unit 62 or 70. It's heavily hunted, but for a reason, because there is lots of game. The terrain isn't too crazy, and you should see elk if you get a little ways from the road.

 

[illinoisdeerfarmer]

Thanks for the advice guys! It is very much appreciated. Also Rooster52...thank you so much for the detailed areas within the units. That is what I am really struggling with is picking a specific spot within the unit. I guess I was thinking archery might mean less crowds. I was kicking around the thought of muzzle loader hunts as well. I just want to avoid seeing nothing but people while I am out there. I was hoping to find a unit that would have either sex tags available. Noting at all against the opportunity at a cow...but would be great to have a tag in my pocket if even a smaller bull came by. I am more into the "hunt" than the "kill". I would be fine with coming home empty handed if I had a fun hunt and actually got the opportunity to see or hear elk.

 

[adamwipp]

Look into unit 11 and 211 they have other archery tags and muzzleloader tags can be draw fairly easy. Lots of elk if you can get away from the roads.

 

[DAVIDKERR]

i would talk to the hunt planners @ co dow.they are very helpful. i would get a rifle tag. since $is an issue get a cow tag.i i got my first co elk last year(a cow).if you are by yourself hav a plan to get an elk out,get into the dark timber. there was 4 of us and it about did us in to get 1 cow elk out(to the road)learn how to cut elk up in field-dont 1/4 it.very important-co dow hAS A VIDEO.BRING MEAT BAGS.GO TO WHERE THER ARE A LOT OF ELK.APPLY FOR FIRST SEASON/IF UNSUCESSFUL GO 2ND/3RDANYWAY.JOIN ROCKY MT ELK FOUNDATION,GOOD MAGAZINE-LEARN A LOT.TALK TO ELK HUNTERS.TRY TO GO W/SOME GUYS WHO HAV HAD SUCCESS.MY FIRST ELK I WENT W/MY NEIGHBOR FROM WY AND HIS BROTHER WHO STILL LIVES IN WY AND GETS INTO ELK EVERY YR.HELPED ME A LOT.GETTHE REGS&READ THEM.THER IS A LOT TO LEARN GOOD LUCK. GO CYCLONES!!!