Archery units Colorado

[Hoyt-slayer]

Hey guys I am living in Colorado this summer and planning moving westward to this fine state in January after I graduate. Anyways, while I am out here I plan on finding an OTC elk unit/area to scout for future years. I have been doing a lot of research studying topo and aerial maps to narrow down an area. I plan on backing packing in a ways to get away from crowds during hunting seasons. I am not afraid of tough terrain or to hike deep in a unit.

I have sort of thought about the Routt national forest up by Steamboat Springs (unit 14). I found an area deep in the mountains but I also know it is a very pressured area as a lot of out of staters head that direction. Is it worth my time to backpack in there a ways to scout this summer? Is it even possible to get away from other hunters in that unit?

I was also thinking about units 74 and 444 to maybe do some research and try to scout this summer. What are your thoughts on those units? I am new to elk hunting and just trying to get the most bang for the buck while I am here this summer.

 

[Musket Man]

Where are you living/moving to in CO?

 

[nebowhunter]

I have archery hunted 444. Elk numbers were good and always had good luck. always run into other hunter, but the farther you go the less you will see. Not much for trophy quality but an occational good bull.

 

[Hoyt-slayer]

Where are you living/moving to in CO?

I am living in the Denver area right now but I plan to move somewhere further away from the city. I am not a huge fan of the city life.

 

[gypsumreaper]

Have hunted 444 in the past during archery season for deer, and a few times for elk, but I have hunted it a couple years for rifle elk an deer. Mainly hunted red table road and then lime park area. Any questions I am willing to help where I can. It's really green in 444 right now with a ton of water which is good and bad


If you get meat from the store then dont criticize me for having the courage to go out and kill my own meat

 

[Hoyt-slayer]

Thanks gypsumreaper, I appreciate it. I'm still trying narrow down a unit, if I head into 444 I will PM you.

 

[sheephunter]

I was in 444 in the second rifle season last year; I saw more hunters than I've ever seen and heard more shooting than I've ever heard the first couple days of the season. That said, I'm headed back there this year. I like that there is a good mix of terrain types and it's fairly close to home for me.

 

[JPSeveland]

keep in mind your tag is state wide and dont tie yourself down to one area. if you really want to hunt routt nf i have had great success on elk in area 16 there is alot of trailheads in the area and all types of terrain. there are some great bulls in the area as well. if you want to hunt more south area 86 is another great area. hope this helps good luck.

 

[BruinPoint]

People say 10% of hunters kill 80% of the elk... the best bet is to pick an area that suits your hunting style and invest your time and money learning that area inside out. That's a good way to take uncertainty out of the equation.

 

[Hoyt-slayer]

Thanks for the information everyone, I completely forgot that the OTC tags are statewide. This opens up my choice on areas to scout this summer. I am going to pack deep into an area this weekend and really try to learn the area and do a lot of scouting, while also getting used my gear for this upcoming season. I will let you guys know if I have any luck.

 

[Hoyt-slayer]

I packed in a ways and did little scouting this weekend. I did not see any elk but I did find a lot of sign from the previous year. Most of the area that was tore up with elk sign, was around a small spring on a bench and on nice saddle. I did all my scouting around 10500 feet and my question is, do you think the elk will move up to that elevation come September? I am planning on hunting the archery opener in Colorado.