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This has been the exact experience ive enjoyed in units75 751 77 78 80 and 81. It is unbelievable the number of people in the "wilderness" during September. Ive never been brave enuff to try otc rifle. I can only imagine. CC is spot on and I think he is putting it lightly in saying its crowded. When u have 4 or 5 seasons all going at once plus all the hikers and trail riders its amazing how many people crowd into the san juan in septGetting back to the original question......
I'll speak to the 2 GMU's closest to home that have unlimited 2nd & 3rd season bull elk tags. 71 & 711 are the 2 units and I've hunted them for 30 years. (72 & 73 are closer, but almost all private or reservation land so I don't include them in this statement) I won't hunt in 2nd or 3rd season because of the orange army that invades these units. Hard to find camping areas, road hunters everywhere and trash too. It is absolutely unreal. I remember when we had general seasons and it was great....not now! I either hunt 1st or 4th. Muzzle Loading season is getting that way too, just too many hunters, both ML & archery.
I M/L hunted unit 70 a few years ago. I scouted all summer (probably 20+ days). Had a camp spot in mind and where I had seen elk all summer. When I got there 3 days before opener, there was a huge army tent setup and 18 archery hunters there. I went to several other areas I had as alternate choices, same story.
I'll take my chance with 1st or 4th season draw and hope they split the M/L season off from archery.
Rant over....................