Colorado early season archery unit for OTC

[Luke Downing]

what are some of the better OTC units in Colorado to start researching for early season archery.
wanting to go out for the 2016 season and would like to start doing some researching on units to lock an area for us to go to
not needing honey holes just looking for good ideas and units to check out


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[Hunteastwest]

Luke:

Look for the OTC areas away from the Denver area. I've heard they can get crowded. The steeper and more rugged the better.

Just remember, just because it's OTC doesn't mean that the elk aren't there. You'll likely have Hunter competition, but hunt smart and hard.

Good luck!


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[Umpqua Hunter]

If I were in your shoes, I would start a spread sheet with all the OTC units on it. Then go to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website and look up the harvest statistics for each of those units for the past 3 to 5 years. From that info you will probably be able to narrow it down to a handful of good units.

http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Statistics.aspx

 

[Granby guy]

Luke:

Look for the OTC areas away from the Denver area. I've heard they can get crowded. The steeper and more rugged the better.

Just remember, just because it's OTC doesn't mean that the elk aren't there. You'll likely have Hunter competition, but hunt smart and hard.

Good luck!


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That's not necessarily true. There are some good units near Denver.

 

[Slugz]

Luke,

As mentioned this question will get so many answers that are all correct and true it may become confusing. OTC colorado IMO is one of he best things we have going out here. I hunt a limited draw area every other year (takes 1 point usually) those off years I go OTC archery in a few back up areas I have. My thoughts when I did this research a few years back.

1: Yes there are areas closer to the front range that have good hunting. I know a guy who used to get into them regularly 1 hour west of Colorado Springs. He had to hunt close due to work schedule.
2: My thoughts are..... archery is tough enough and there are plenty of OTC units with better overall numbers of elk, less people pressure.....and some of those have very very large animals. depending on how hard you want to hunt.
3: If you study the data close you will see some have very high bull to cow ratios.....rough terrain.....lots of National land (no ATVs)...I second what UH said above. If you got any questions feel free to send em.


Just my 2 sense. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

 

[Bowhuntrben]

Here's a good site for doing some research:

http://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/index.html?app=HuntingAtlas

As others have stated, statistics are available on the DOW website. Also think about the type of hunt you want to do. I've enjoyed doing the wilderness type hunt, but then I feel like I'm more limited on mobility if the elk aren't there. I'm not a good elk hunter, but that's been my experience.

 

[NHK9]

I just hit GMU 65 this year in the Uncompahgre. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be but I filled my tag with a 4x. I'm grateful for the opportunity to hunt that country and fill my tag. Coming from the east I was hoping to do a more spot and stalk type of hunt. You know the stuff you see on TV! I hunted woods a lot less thick than here in NH but still in the woods. Thinking about going to the other half of 65 to see if that will open up a bit.

 

[sodaksooner]

Not many people are just going to tell you what units to hunt. However if you do a bit of research like guys have suggested, and come back with some units you might want to hunt, folks will be a lot more forthcoming. People typically want to see that you have put a little thought into it before they start volunteering info.

Also use google once you nail down a unit you want to try. Lots of info out there that way too.

 

[mallardsx2]

How are you physically? That dictates almost everything.

 

[Collins]

Here's how I got started in OTC hunts in Colorado:
1. Print off a GMU map
2. Look at the amount of public land/wilderness in the OTC units
3. Start making a list of a few areas that intrigue you
4. Use google earth and any other resources that show roads, trailheads, etc..
5. Research hunter numbers, elk numbers, etc from the Parks and Wildlife website
6. Have a plan A, B, and C

I didn't really know what to expect my first trip out there, there's really nothing like setting boots on the ground, but do as much research from home as possible.

 

[Collins]

I agree with mallardsX2, be in shape.

 

[Luke Downing]

The area I am looking at is unit 43 on the west side of the Maroon Bells wilderness area

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[RICMIC]

I've hunted the Maroon Bells three times; guided in 2006 for the 3rd elk season (connected on a 320" 6x6), 2007 backpacked in for the 2nd elk season (saw cows, no bulls, no punched tag), and lastly in 2014 solo backpacked for the deer mzl season (150 class 4x4).
All were on the west side of the unit. I would personally never pack in there again for an elk hunt without a lot of young help or a good packout option. It is tough, tough country. I covered a lot of country in 2014 and the area was covered with domestic cattle. I saw no elk, and the deer were not around until the cows moved out. It is steeper yet from the Marble side. I did get away from any other hunters by using the trail to gain the elevation, then bush-wacking a couple miles to camp near a water source.
Luke, send me a PM if you want something more specific; good luck.

 

[Slugz]

Here's how I got started in OTC hunts in Colorado:
1. Print off a GMU map
2. Look at the amount of public land/wilderness in the OTC units
3. Start making a list of a few areas that intrigue you
4. Use google earth and any other resources that show roads, trailheads, etc..
5. Research hunter numbers, elk numbers, etc from the Parks and Wildlife website
6. Have a plan A, B, and C

I didn't really know what to expect my first trip out there, there's really nothing like setting boots on the ground, but do as much research from home as possible.

I like the checklist mentality there Collins....Line 4 Id recommend you take that map and use a highlighter on all roads, atv trails, foot/pack trails and any other way a human can get in. Put that map up on a wall and step back.....it usually points to exactly where the animals are find those holes and go after em.