I was looking to elk hunt an OTC unit, but the trail head I was planning on using starts in a draw unit and crosses over into a OTC unit. I planned on hiking in and setting up camp in the OTC unit approximately 6-7 miles from the trail head. I'm looking for opinions on this plan and any advice you guys might have. I'm sure this has been done before. My greatest concern is bringing meat back to the truck, crossing though the draw unit, and getting checked by the game warden. How could you prove which unit you killed the elk in? The only other option to get to the basin I wanted to hunt would be a much farther hike. Or use horses.
crossing unit borders
- Thread starter mboyett1976
- Start date
Dos Perros
Member
- Jul 1, 2015
- 128
- 0
I spoke with a hunt planner on a similar issue. He recommended documenting everything in your GPS. Drop a pin where you were standing when you shot it. Drop a pin where the animal was when it was hit. Drop a pin where you find your arrow. Drop a pin or two at places where this is a lot of blood. Drop a pin where you recover the animal.
Vikingload
Member
I see this really as no different then driving through different units. As long as you can take the warden back to the carcass I see no problem doing this. I will and have done this in the past and the main thing is to know the boundaries and document the kill site.
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Head in the Clouds
Member
There is at least one area where hunters may cross through a corner of Rocky Mountain National Park to access the national forest land adjacent to it. Crossing through a limited entry unit should be no issue if you document the spot on your GPS.
tdub24
Veteran member
I agree with the others, no issue. If anything the warden will want you to take him/her there so documenting the exact locations on the GPS is smart.
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Hilltop
Veteran member
Only issue I can see is packing an elk 6-7 miles before it spoils... That's a long pack without horses.
You're right. That's another issue to deal with. There will be two of us so maybe we can get it done!
gypsumreaper
Active Member
- Mar 13, 2014
- 308
- 0
No issue just don't shoot in the draw unit, and be able to take a warden back to your kill, if you have horses to pack game I wouldn't worry about 6-7 miles, we used to hunt a 4.5 hr ride from camp to kill elk in archery season, never had issues horses can get a lot more meat out in one go than 2 guys. I've packed a whole boned out elk on one horse before, and walked out, was a little slower for the horse walking but better than me taking 3-4 trips alone. I've driven roads that were borders to 2 units and killed animals been stopped asked where I shot it and that was that. Wardens are pretty understanding if you are honest and don't give them reason not to believe you, have coolers full of dry Ice in ur vehicle so you can cool meat soon as you get back,
If you get meat from the store then dont criticize me for having the courage to go out and kill my own meat
If you get meat from the store then dont criticize me for having the courage to go out and kill my own meat
Great advice gypsumreaper. I'd love to have one horse for each of us to ride in and if we kill, walk out while the horses tote the load. I wish I had some contacts in Colorado that have horses for rent at reasonable prices. Those that I have check on in the past have been pretty high. Some requiring you to rent a minimum amount of horses. A few years ago, I had some good friends from home pack me into the wilderness area and drop me off. I was planning on hunting all week while they went trail riding. I ended up killing on the first day. After quartering up the elk, I hiked back to the trailhead to their camp. We rode up the next morning and packed him out. That's the ideal setup I would like to have.