I am thinking about going to CO next year on a general archery tag ( I have no points in CO ) and was wondering what the hunting pressure was like during the archery season. I have been there during the 2nd rifle season and it was a zoo. Is it less so during archery ?
CO archery Elk
- Thread starter Bullcan
- Start date
Slugz
Veteran member
All seasons will produce the "zoo" comment depending on location. 2nd/3rd will generally be worse due to the OTC rifle tags. WRT archery OTC, with the proper amount of homework you can hunt and see minimal to zero pressure. IMO.
SWHoosier
New Member
I am be participating in a similar hunt next year. I have a few units that stick out to me to try to draw. I have only hunted Wyoming however I am sure its similar in the fact that you have to get off the roads....
That has been my experience when hunting other states during an archery season. Yes, you will see other hunters, but not even close to what you will see during a rifle season.
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
You see more hunters during rifle season because they're wearing blaze orange... Just as many around during archery, you just can't see them as well
SGM
Active Member
As stated it all depends on where you hunt. During 2nd rifle last year I did not see one other hunter, hunting where I do and yes this is public land. You can call CPW and talk to the hunt planners and see if they can give you an estimate as to how many OTC tags where sold in whatever unit you are looking to hunt.
Old School
New Member
- Feb 5, 2016
- 3
- 0
I went OTC in Colorado this year and we ran into hunters everywhere we went. Walked over 50 miles and ran into hunters everywhere from right at the road to 3 miles back in. It depends on the unit you go to and also the week(s) you are there.
Living in Colorado I can vouch that some units and areas are just packed full of people. Especially the flat tops, last year you could glass the mountain and see close to 20 people. I try and stay way from there. Same thing around the coal mine in between meeker and Craig.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
gypsumreaper
Active Member
- Mar 13, 2014
- 308
- 0
JimP
Administrator
I have found that if you go the last week of the archery hunt then you just may have the whole unit to yourself. With archery season starting the last weekend in August you have Labor Day to contend with. It is the last holiday before snow season and everyone and their dog will be out, that along with it being a long weekend for most folks they will flock to the hills. The next weekend is the start of the muzzle loader hunt so that puts more hunters out there. But come the last week a lot of the weekend warriors are tired of the hills and don't have anymore time to take off of work. They may be out for that weekend but are headed home on Sunday afternoon. The following week you will hardly see anyone out there. This is the week I have had the hills to myself and have killed the majority of deer and elk during. Then comes the last weekend, you might see a couple of hunters but you will wonder if there is a hunt going on.
Slugz
Veteran member
Really depends on the unit IMO. I have a valley to myself for the 1st week of the opener in a limited draw unit in NW Colorado on public NF. That same valley turns into a zoo 1st rifle. However comma, minimal pressure and huntable during muzzleloader is the soup de jour.
Location, location, location
Location, location, location
Last edited: