2015 Elk Hunt Prep -- OTC Tags -- Where To Start?

[cscott711]

There's no doubt about it. 12 miles would be crazy. That was only brought up because of a previous post stating that's where the elk were found in that specific unit. In all seriousness, how many of you have used horses or pack mules? Are those services available or pretty slim chances? I've ready Cameron Hanes Backcountry Bowhunting book and if I remember he's rented one or the other in different areas over the years.

 

[buckykm1]

There are places that you can rent horses-mules. But unless you are use to handling horses-mules, that just creates another problem.
you would probably be better off trying to find a packer in the area that you decide to hunt. jmo

Kevin

 

[25contender]

All of my elk have been packed out on my back and 6 miles would be my limit. I cant conceive of packing one out further than that and that would be with me and someone else packing. That would be two loads each Then a third pack out for the camp and horns. I would get in touch with a outfitter that will arrange pack out for you if you get something that far in. My advise would be to choose what states offer OTC tags then research each states OTC areas to see what the odds are then make a choice. I Think all the states now offer statistics for all areas in those states. You might be surprised as some don't look bad. Some states even break them down by Archery then ML /Rifle.

 

[RICMIC]

I have rented horses from Sombrero ranches in Colorado, and it worked out fine. They provided good animals and gear at the trailhead and picked them up on time. I have a fair amount of experience with horses, but have several bad experiences with mules. Either of them can kill you faster than a grizzly if they fall on you, plus you have to pack in feed for them. I wouldn't do it again unless we had a non-hunter in camp to be our horse wrangler.

 

[OregonJim]

This year we (2 of us 45 & 50 yoa in decent shape) packed our Colorado bulls (2) out on our backs.
We have packed animals from almost the exact same spot on three other occasions.

We got really lucky and had a snow and some cold weather which gave us the time to get the meat out with no loss.
The spot is about 3 miles in and almost all moderate up hill on the way out.

We used horses one year, and not being horse guys, it was almost more trouble than it was worth.
At 5 miles or more I'd definitely only tackle it with horses.

We bumped into a couple guys on our last day, who had a horse wreck while using them on a 2.5 mile pack.
It almost ruined the hunt (and many hunts to come) for those guys.

 

[Elkhunter96]

Drop camps or hiring a packer are good ideas for a first time elk hunter. All good advice. 5 miles is my max on my back and preferably much less. They are big animals.

 

[adbowhunter]

csscott -

Any OTC unit is going to have more people than you're probably used to on those deer and antelope hunts. With that being said, opening week and weekends tend to be littered with people but by Tuesday almost any unit in the state calms down. Unit bundle 44 has a lot of public land and is a good overall unit for OTC, but hunters are around.

I'll also say, if you think you've packed in far enough, you haven't. It doesn't matter how far you go, there will be other hunters, hikers and the stray dog at times... ok that's little exaggerated but overall Colorado is known to have great trails in our mountains and public lands which once again attracts people. Remember if you go in, you've got to be able to get the animal out. 12 miles sounds great, but the reality is not too many people can get an elk out on their back being in 12 miles...

Not trying to sound like Debbie downer, but strategic planning works better than the "farther, deeper, off the beaten path" approach. I've hunted CO for nearly 20 years (15 as a nonres) and there are some great units (OTC) that can provide you a great experience.

Lastly, look at units that have more tags, yes that means more hunters but it also means more elk!!! You can make other hunters work to your advantage too.

That's my two cents.

 

[RICMIC]

Good advice adbow.

 

[cscott711]

csscott -

Any OTC unit is going to have more people than you're probably used to on those deer and antelope hunts. With that being said, opening week and weekends tend to be littered with people but by Tuesday almost any unit in the state calms down. Unit bundle 44 has a lot of public land and is a good overall unit for OTC, but hunters are around.

I'll also say, if you think you've packed in far enough, you haven't. It doesn't matter how far you go, there will be other hunters, hikers and the stray dog at times... ok that's little exaggerated but overall Colorado is known to have great trails in our mountains and public lands which once again attracts people. Remember if you go in, you've got to be able to get the animal out. 12 miles sounds great, but the reality is not too many people can get an elk out on their back being in 12 miles...

Not trying to sound like Debbie downer, but strategic planning works better than the "farther, deeper, off the beaten path" approach. I've hunted CO for nearly 20 years (15 as a nonres) and there are some great units (OTC) that can provide you a great experience.

Lastly, look at units that have more tags, yes that means more hunters but it also means more elk!!! You can make other hunters work to your advantage too.

That's my two cents.

Good stuff! Are you an bow or rifle hunter? I don't want to go opening week of archery, but I'm leaning towards mid-September right now. I'd like to go the third week of September (and will if I draw a muzzleloader tag), but I don't want to be out there with the muzzleloader hunters if I end up bowhunting. Another reason I'm leaning towards bow hunting is "hoping" there's fewer hunters out there compared to muzzleloader or rifle season. Lastly, I really want to be out there during bugle/mating season. I've got a lot to learn and can't tell you how much I appreciate the information you guys are providing.

 

[Elkfitness]

I would go the last week of archery, or the previous week if you draw muzzleloader.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cscott711]

I would go the last week of archery, or the previous week if you draw muzzleloader.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ok, thanks. Obviously anything can happen weather-wise, but if it's similar to Wyoming then I'd guess there's a decent chance for snow during that last week. Especially if at the higher elevations.

 

[buckykm1]

IMHO, probably the best advise given to you is to consider a Drop Camp or even a guided hunt for your first Elk hunt to kind of learn the ropes. So you have someone experienced to help you.
There is nothing easy about Elk hunting.

Kevin

 

[cscott711]

IMHO, probably the best advise given to you is to consider a Drop Camp or even a guided hunt for your first Elk hunt to kind of learn the ropes. So you have someone experienced to help you.
There is nothing easy about Elk hunting.

Kevin

It might be the best advice, but I'm a hard-headed son of a gun . Besides going with someone who has experience, I've never had an interest in any type of guided hunt. It's all part of a journey for me and I won't judge the success of any hunt only based upon killing an animal.

 

[Elkfitness]

Ok, thanks. Obviously anything can happen weather-wise, but if it's similar to Wyoming then I'd guess there's a decent chance for snow during that last week. Especially if at the higher elevations.

There's always that chance, but this is when they will be talking. In my OTC unit this year, it was quiet until the last day. You can either go early and go high for the Bulls or go late when they are bugling.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[OregonJim]

You have certainly received some pretty good advice here.
Thats why I love this site.

At least consider going "unguided" but having an outfitter ready for the pack out.
This is only my opinion but the 3 to 6 mile zone can be pretty darn productive.
You are past the limit for most walk in hunters and most of the outfitters push right through that area to get to the sweet spot 12 miles back. There was a really good thread on here a while back about keeping meat cool. This might be a big factor if you get warm weather. You should check it out.

If you had two or three hunters and all agreed on only taking one animal (until getting that animal out), then you could push the distance in a bit.

There are some good units that, with some good research, could result in a pretty good hunt.
Again its only my opinion but go for the RUT hunt..... there is no better experience than having a bugling bull at 100 yards on an intercept course!!!!!

 

[cscott711]

You have certainly received some pretty good advice here.
Thats why I love this site.

At least consider going "unguided" but having an outfitter ready for the pack out. That's an interesting option to consider. One I hadn't really thought of. I'll have to look into that.

This is only my opinion but the 3 to 6 mile zone can be pretty darn productive.
You are past the limit for most walk in hunters and most of the outfitters push right through that area to get to the sweet spot 12 miles back. There was a really good thread on here a while back about keeping meat cool. This might be a big factor if you get warm weather. You should check it out.

If you had two or three hunters and all agreed on only taking one animal (until getting that animal out), then you could push the distance in a bit.

There are some good units that, with some good research, could result in a pretty good hunt.
Again its only my opinion but go for the RUT hunt..... there is no better experience than having a bugling bull at 100 yards on an intercept course!!!!! That's what I'm talking about!

Couldn't agree more. The members here are a wealth of knowledge. Again, I know it's isn't elk, but I can offer my experience on deer and antelope in eastern Wyoming for those interested. Gotta pull my weight around here somehow.

 

[roknHS]

I worked for an outfitter on and off for several years here in Idaho. Most are happy to pack your game for you. You need to make contact with them ahead of the hunt and tell them what area you will be hunting. Their fee will vary on how far they have to travel.
Leave the horse wrangling and the packing to the experts. They also are willing to pack your gear and camp in for you if you are in their locale. It isn't really a drop camp scenario.........you are just hiring them to do a job. To them, it's just added cash flow they didn't expect.
Using this format, you can hunt pretty much anywhere in some of the most remote areas. All you have to do is walk in and out with a weapon and a light pack.
With today's innovations in light weight gear and food, I bet you could get all your camp, food, clothes, bedrolls and misc. on two pack horses. Figure about 160lbs total per horse.......so a total of 320lbs total. Should be plenty for 3 or 4 guys. If there were only two of you, you could live like kings and stay for 20 days.

 

[RICMIC]

Good info roknHS, but for what it's worth I tried to do just that while researching hunts in Colorado. Three of the outfitters were only interested in signing me up on a guided hunt and pretty well told me the suck eggs when I asked about a pack-out only. Another one shot me a huge price and then said that he couldn't guarantee that he would have horses available when I needed them. I did find one very cooperative outfitter at a reasonable rate, but since I talked to him see that the outfit is for sale, so maybe he needed the $. It's a good plan if you can set it up for where you want to hunt.