My hunt this year is in southern Colorado second rifle season, iv been doin some research and haven't been hearing good things about second rifle season, Have any of you had good or bad experiences during this season? Is it possible to punch your tag? Some uplifting advice would be appreciated...
Has any one ever killed a second rifle season bull?
- Thread starter dying to kill
- Start date
Musket Man
Veteran member
You should talk to CC on this one. I have never hunted it but someone must of got 1 at some point. lol Just go have a good hunt and hope for the best. You will never get 1 if you dont go. You will be in Colorado with a tag in your pocket, what could be better!!! Are you going OTC? Why are you limited to southern CO? Good Luck!
de_ballew
New Member
Dyingtokill second season typically is not as good the first season but all depends how much pressure has already been on those animals. They will quickly head to private or go nocturnal. I have seen hunters take some nice elk in second season OTC. I think if you can get out and scout first season you may find some game that isn't being pressured and you might just be able to come back 2nd season and harvest one. Can't kill one sitting around watching tv. Good luck!
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
October 19 - 27. Second season can be good, depending on a number of things....weather being first. It is usually pretty mild then and can be down right hot too!
Remember one thing, these animals have been hunted for almost 2 months by this time. Archery & muzzleloading and first rifle season. The other thing is that there will be lots more hunters in the field as this is the first season that OTC bull tags are available and are unlimited in most units. In most of the public land areas, the elk will be in the dark timber and deep canyons because of the hunting pressure. Most hunters won't go there because it really lots of work (I know I'm preaching to the choir!). Wilderness areas don't necessarily follow this pattern except around the edges, again most hunters won't go deep so the animals get much less pressure.
My take is that the best rifle tag is first season. Second & third are unlimited OTC bull tags. The real sleeper is 4th season IMHO. Again it is really weather dependant. Usually a storm will get them moving and it can be great. This yearI plan on getting a 4th season leftover cow tag (if available) and should have no problem filling my freezer. I have lots of friends who only hunt 4th season and they usually do well, if the weather cooperates.
The way Colorado sets up its season structure is why I have started hunting muzzle loading season. The one main reason is less hunters in the field and of course being able to rifle (ML) hunt during the rut. Just my take after hunting here the last 15 years. When it comes to tags issued, it's all $$$and the state knows it. Thats why they issue unlimited bull taks in those 2 seasons, non resident are welcomed with open arms....please come and spend you money
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CoHiCntry
Veteran member
There's a reason why they have unlimited 2nd season OTC bull tags. If your hunting in a limited unit second season can be decent but if your hunting OTC, expect lots of company! IMO, it's probably the worst season to hunt. Elk have already been pressured and weather isn't usually moving them around much yet. The season is long and the first unlimited hunt so lots of guy's hunt it. Of course there are exceptions to everything... My advise, if you aren't to picky is to shoot the first legal bull you see, you may not see another...
If your hunting in a limited unit second season can be decent but if your hunting OTC, expect lots of company! IMO, it's probably the worst season to hunt. Elk have already been pressured and weather isn't usually moving them around much yet. The season is long and the first unlimited hunt so lots of guy's hunt it. Of course there are exceptions to everything... My advise, if you aren't to picky is to shoot the first legal bull you see, you may not see another...
bigmoose
Active Member
We usually do better on the second season for elk. I'm a deer hunter and when we don't get a deer tag, we will go the second season for elk. Guess it depends on where you hunt.
Moose
Moose
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Good stuff guys this is really help full, and im not really limited to south Colorado but with so many options on were to hunt I just decided to pick a part of the state and get to know it for a few years and move on if it don't work for me, instead of jumping around each year(just my own thoughts) Also I got a buddy that's gonna take some horses up there and get us back in there away from the foot traffic. I hope this pays off, I was wanting to put in for first rifle but he convinced me to save my points and go with second he said its just as good as first. So that's what I did. I know nothins guaranteed I would just atleast spot a elk if I cant get him killed that will be my fault.And yes I will be punchin a tag on the first legal bull I see I am not picky what so ever!! But thanks guys that was the exact info I was wanting..
Old Hunter
Banned
2nd season is not as good as 1st season. For one, it can still catch the rut, and for two, it won't be anywhere near as crowded.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Now that I know you have some stock, I have a couple of suggestions that might be options for you guys. Unit 71 specifically the Lizard Head Wilderness Area might be something you want to consider. There are some trailheads and some good areas that most casual hunters don't get to. If you are interested PM me and I can give you some better details.
In God We Trust
Very Active Member
I have killed bulls during the second season as well as my dad and brother. Like others have said weather plays a big part in the quality of hunt. If it is warm with no snow the hunt can be tough. One year I went with my brother on his hunt and we didn't see much for the first 4 days because of the pressure and warm weather. On the 5th day we headed to timberline and shot a bull in the morning. They had moved back up to the higher country because of the weather. One thing I will say is finding a mature bull during this season can be tough. I see big bulls coming through the mountains every year during second season so it happens frequently. Good luck, how bad can it be? You get to hunt elk in Colorado.
xtreme
Very Active Member
I plan to be at Monte Vista Aug 6 for a chance at the left over tags. Like CC I will be looking for 4th season cow. My take is to hunt cow unless I draw a good bull tag. I think I have five elk points which I plan to use next year. Again, like CC, I love hunting the Lizard Head. The area in 81, I think we talked about, is a sure bull and easy except getting the meat out. I just don't see a chance at getting a bull with a trophy rack, still could be a 6x6. One place CC might have overlooked is Cold Creek canyon between Dunton and Delores Peak. Its too easy and unbelievable, the bulls stay in there close to the road as the hunters go deep. The best time to scout is night and I use gen3 mono while I sit and listen to the elk. That's how I found them. I walked past them for years. This is a rough spot and no easy task for a horse on retrieving game. I quit hunting there because of some really slob non resident hunters, I don't think they went into the canyon and they are probably gone now.
If you decide to hunt in 71 I can give you a spot that elk like to use, its not in the wilderness, but close.
If you decide to hunt in 71 I can give you a spot that elk like to use, its not in the wilderness, but close.
NDHunter
Veteran member
So let's say that a guy was willing to go into the dark timber and deep canyons 5 miles in, how does a guy find the elk once you are in there? Elk that are in heavy timber must be traveling a mile or two or more to get to good feed?
They can probably find good feed in the small openings in the dark timber where sunlight can reach the ground. I've noticed they'll feed a lot on those kind of spots throughout the day and move to more open areas as light fades. Perfect scenario is to be able to look across canyons where you can look through the timber at those spots.
Old Hunter
Banned
I hunt nothing but dark timber. You get them moving from bedding areas to feeding areas, and they also get up and move a bit during the day when bedding. Some guys think they lay down all day in the same bed. Not true.
You have to still hunt. Be very quiet. Move very slow. Play the wind. It helps if you've scouted the area, and know some bedding areas, but make sure you don't stink up the area while scouting.
It's a very different way to hunt compared to glassing, and long shots. You may not need a scope at all. I never did.
Good luck.
btw Only lately i've used a muzzleloader. All my hunting has been still hunting during rifle seasons.
You have to still hunt. Be very quiet. Move very slow. Play the wind. It helps if you've scouted the area, and know some bedding areas, but make sure you don't stink up the area while scouting.
It's a very different way to hunt compared to glassing, and long shots. You may not need a scope at all. I never did.
Good luck.
btw Only lately i've used a muzzleloader. All my hunting has been still hunting during rifle seasons.
xtreme
Very Active Member
Okay Pete, the scope is off my ML. I too like the dark timber and it fits my hunting speed. but I an't going five miles in. the bulls in Cold Creek are not more than 1/2 mile from the main road. I look for places they hide in plain site. Elk don't have to feed if pressure is great enough. I also like to hunt mule deer at the edge of town or just above private irrigated farms. Too lame to go five miles in.