Colorado Over-The-Counter Elk Hunting - Western Hunter Preference-point reports are available to view online. Its also a good idea to hunt a unit with a wilderness area inside of its boundaries. If you want to be different from the majority of traveling elk hunters, try Oregon. Colorado offers an unlimited quantity of over-the-counter (OTC) bull elk rifle licenses during the second- and third- rifle seasons because we have the largest elk herds in North America. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Brodie Swisher is a world champion game caller, outdoor writer, seminar speaker and Editor for Bowhunting.com. What are your thoughts on these units? Wyoming: Best State for Affordable and Available Elk Hunts. Of course, some OTC units have higher success rates than others. There is also an OTC Plains Rifle season in eastern Colorado. Kentucky Sues Hunter for Transporting CWD-Positive Deer. Believe me, you wont regret it once you realize the first three are full. The bull ran a little ways and then stopped to look back. The elk populations in District 380 are around 2,100, Lemon said. However, if a trophy bull is unimportant to you, there are many non-trophy OTC hunts available. Our most recent estimates put bull-to-cow ratios at 10 per 100. If you don't have access to GOHUNT Maps yet, you can either sign up for Insider or purchase our maps-only membership Explorer. With the windows down and the vehicle off, I heard a bugle sound off. Unfortunately, the arrow blew right over his back. The lower the random number, the better your draw position. In the Primary Management Zone, units with greater than a 50% success rate in 2018 were GMUs 4, 5A, 21B and 36. Hunting in Colorado is just a little bit different than in most other states, from my experience, but planning for it in the right way can lead to enjoyable hunting! South Elk Ridge: Good roads on mesa tops, limited access to rugged canyons, great area for pack-in hunts (Dark Canyon). 1,140. If elk numbers and a high success rate interest you, GMU 4, which encompasses parts of Moffat and Routt Counties, is a worthwhile contender. I quickly shot some photos, but knew I needed to get to work on breaking down the bull. You can hunt over-the-counter units in at least one state annually as you bank preference points for a future trophy hunt. He immediately responded, as well as another bull farther down the drainage. The muzzleloader season has one permit available to out-of-staters. I wont let this data point be an ultimate decision factor but it does influence my decision no doubt. Now lets look at the OTC Archery Hunts (Combined Either-sex and Antlered hunts). Access in the Scappoose Unit is challenging, Dion warned. Sofia ranks top in European Cities and Regions of the Future 2020/2021 Our system is a three-man approach. That being said, considering two units as equal Ill almost always opt for the one with a better trophy potential, because why not? Next, go to YouTube and listen to top-tier callers like Rockieand Corey Jacobsen. Purchase some quality diaphragm calls like those from Rocky Mountain Hunting Callsor Phelps Game Calls. The Equality State has many incredible elk-hunting units, or areas, as the Wyoming Game and Fish Department refers to them. This gives me a great idea of the number of surveyed hunters a unit has had in years previous or how many tags a given limited entry tag is offering. Check out the video from Shubucks elk hunt below, Your email address will not be published. OTC Only 26% of the area is accessible to the public. It also had a high 2018 success rate of 79%. 6630 Arroyo Springs St., Suite 1200 For the 2018 season, high-demand elk hunts were found in units 6A-C, 12, 13, 15, 16A-E, 17, 21A, 23, 28, 34, 36, 45, 51, 52, 53, 55A and 56. Messages. Limited Entry (LE) elk hunts for both antlered and antlerless elk do occur during the 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons. 2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. Words cannot explain how disappointed I was in myself. Good luck on your hunt. The bull:cow ratio is simply referring to the average number of bulls the biologists have counted per 100 cows. Another thing to keep in mind. Idaho is an opportunistic elk state. For this, set the filter by the season you are primarily interested in, Archery (Over the Counter) for instance. Nevada grows big bulls because it doesn't offer nonresidents OTC bull tags. Colorado's Best Places for Over-The-Counter Bulls Weather is a huge factor. Five units (4, 13, 22, 85 and 421) were in the top units for both the 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons for both total Bull Elk harvest and for hunter success. It's a matter of luck. I just quickly looked up your units.They offer a bit of differences.In 62 your in more brushy canyon country,and alot of roads,70% public with 13% success archery.If your willing to get off roads aways and glass you could do great here. . There was a time in my life when I preferred to hunt alone. Trophy potential is great. Is there another we should be looking at? Third, many hunting units here have a 100% drawing success rate. Applicants should secure access before applying. You hunt unit 31? These 11 units (4, 5, 12, 13, 22, 42, 43, 65, 70, 86 and 211) ranked in the top 23 for both total harvest and hunter success. My Brother and I are planning our first elk hunt for next year and have been doing a lot of research trying to figure out what unit would be best we have been looking at units 31, 62, and 521. But lucky recipients are treated to the rare opportunity to hunt 380- to 400-plus-inch bulls, because the unit produces them annually. For nonresident archers, there are only two bull permits available. It comprises 13 game management units (GMUs). I simply followed the tracks from the herd. Also, some hunters will go deep to find elk and they almost always bump elk (I know I bump elk that other people may get to see), those elk have to go somewhere and they might just run over you. Brodie and his family live in the Kentucky Lake area of west Tennessee. A higher number means more bulls on the landscape. Learn more about finding these opportunities on Insider here. I was leaning more towards 521 because of the wilderness and the ability to get farther away from trails and roads. We simply rotate days. Here, I am paying close attention to the data points from the filters but also to the general terrain makeup of the area on the map. There are two types of OTC Archery Elk Tags; Either Sex or Bull Elk Only. All rights reserved. While setting this list up I like to think of things I would want out of my hunt- Am I looking for more of a backpack hunt experience? There's one walk-in hunting parcel in the northern section, and the remainder of public access is on BLM lands. I couldnt believe my eyes when I started seeing all the cows. 2022 GOHUNT, LLC. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. Common Questions About OTC Hunting Opportunities in Colorado Total hunter success for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 OTC 2nd rifle season was 9.4%, 8.6%% and 13.7% respectively. This hunt may have restricted access. Wilderness areas restrict traffic to foot and horseback only, knocking a lot of wheeled competition off your list. There are far too many variables to determine a 'best' unit to try and plan this far ahead. Full Breakdown of Colorado Elk Seasons - GOHUNT Overview of Colorado's elk hunting opportunities For units 1, 9, 10 and 23, it takes 22 to 27 bonus points for general early bull, 19 to 25 bonus points for muzzleloader early bull, and 15 to 22 bonus points for early archery bull. I simply put $75 in a separate savings account every payday, The amount typically comes to $1,950. If it's a trophy-class bull you're after, it's tough to beat the San Juan unit. Thanks!!! Hunting opportunities are afforded via general-season and limited-entry licenses. Here is a rough breakdown of drawing odds for the 20% of licenses issued through the preference-point draw, Munig continued. Montana# no longer offers OTC tags for non-residents - but many units have 100% draw; Non-Res Bull Elk $888 or $1,045 for Any Elk & Deer Combo; Cow Elk $275 Wyoming no longer offers OTC tags for non-residents - but many units have 100% draw and leftover tags may be available; Non-Res Elk $692 (cow/calf $288) The total harvest in the plains units is relatively low and most elk are harvested by local hunters that know the country and know when elk can be found there. Blog POOR MAN'S HUNTING GUIDE: DIY HUNTING TIPS FOR ELK Jun 5, 2020 POOR MAN'S HUNTING GUIDE: DIY HUNTING TIPS FOR ELK There are major benefits to hunting deep in the backcountry, penetrating remote wilderness, and creeping into barren deserts. Here are answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions. Area 100 Type 1 tag holders racked up a stupendous 89.5% success rate in 2018. For total bull elk harvest, the top 23 OTC 2nd Rifle Season elk units ranged from an average of 169 to 69 elk harvested (left side Table 1). I search for antlers to challenge myself and practice good conservation. These hunts are for Antlered Elk Only (Bull Elk) and are available in 93 hunt units (GMUs Game Management Units) in Western Colorado. Are OTC licenses available for both deer and elk? I no longer rank the Plains Rifle units because CPW makes it impossible to find or to separate the data. Joined Jul 25, 2014 Messages 44. Of the 13 nonresident hunters carrying GMU 42 licenses in 2018, eight were successful, accounting for a 63% success rate. Prospective hunters should also look into WDFW elk raffle-permit hunts as an additional opportunity to hunt branch-antlered bulls in the Blues. Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities. Our unit was unseasonable warm and dry for spring and summer and it pushed the elk into the irrigated alfalfa fields on private . I have a mountaineering background so I'm not afraid to hike to find the Elk. Public hunting opportunities dominate the San Juan unit via BLM and state lands, as well as the La Sal National Forest. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. After covering some distance, I spotted a cow bedded down in the timber. There are a ton of different layers you can add for understanding your hunting landscape. Limited Draw Colorado Elk Archery | Hunt Talk Record yourself often and play your recordings back. Print these pages out and place them side by side. With some 270,000 elk scattered across 12 National Forests and countless parcels of BLM land, you can understand why Colorado easily claims the title, elk capital of the world. Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Plan Your Hunt - Colorado Parks and Wildlife Required fields are marked *. You Didn't Draw A Deer/Elk Tag? - Top OTC Tag Opportunities But, ultimately, they're both awesome cities and well worth a visit. Support us! I can then cross-reference these numbers with other prospective units on my list. This gives a data driven pulse on the direct success of surveyed hunters. The top 23 units ranked by hunter success accounted for 37% of all Bull Elk Harvested for the last three OTC 2nd rifle seasons. They may also move to draws, gently rolling sagebrush hills and sagebrush flats, as well as the sand hills. Top 3 States for Over the Counter Elk Hunting with Joe Griffin Western Hunting | 5 Key Prep Tips that Eastern Hunters Need to Know How to Find Better Big Game Hunting Spots with E-Scouting Backcountry Glassing | The Tools and Strategies for Western Hunting HuntWise: The Toolset for Western Hunters Rifle and muzzleloader general licenses are available on a first-come-first-served basis, while the general-season archery licenses are unlimited. GMU 4 and the surrounding units average 16 bulls for every 100 cows. Not anymore. Most OTC elk units fall into three basic areas. It's composed of an astounding 92.3% BLM lands, with only 4.27% privately owned and the remainder state owned. While that is still plenty of ground to roam, consider that some of the BLM chunks are landlocked by private lands. Average hunter success for the 2015 2017 OTC 3rd rifle season was 11.5%. Obviously, these have little to do with bull quality, but the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website includes harvest statistics that denote how many bulls with 6 points or more per side were taken in each unit. You just have to be smart and go in those places to find them. Step 2: Look at the statistics. OTC hunters are encouraged to review WDFW hunting prospects and elk-harvest reports to select a unit that meets their desired criteria for total harvest, success rates and hunter numbers, Garrison said. Keep your eyes peeled for deep, dark drainages with flat areas (what hunters call benches) between them. Who doesnt want to hunt all season and never see or hear other hunters? Nonresident hunters with just four preference points stand a 75% chance of drawing the tag, and hunters with five or more points went 100% in the draw, DiRienzo noted. Emily and Walla Walla Units). Habitat consists of sage and sage-grassland, pinyon-juniper, creek-cut canyons and semiarid plateaus. Public lands in GMU 16 A-E include the Gila National Forest and various BLM and state lands. I made excuse after excuse why I couldnt go. WDFW offers branch-antlered Rocky Mountain bull harvest in units with high elk densities through elk special permits, Garrison told me. So this year, I set out to do the hunt completely solo. This step gets overlooked a lot. Amazingly, 900 yards into the track job, I found my bull. As of the 2019 controlled-hunt draw, resident bowhunters needed 20 points in order to draw the Wenaha Unit, and nonresidents needed even more, he said. Thread starter Ryan2388; Start date Jun 2, 2015; Jun 2, 2015 #1 Ryan2388 Member. Deer licenses in Colorado are issued through the limited license drawing. Trophy Potential is one filter that is admittedly dont use a lot. If you think youre going to be the only one your OTC unit, youre in for a rude awakening. So, highest hunter success (with at least 20 elk, ranged from 24.9% to 12.0%, compared to average OTC Archery Success (2015 2017) of 11.5%. Check your email for a confirmation message. The top 22 units ranked by hunter success accounted for 43.5% of all Bull Elk Harvested for the OTC 3rd rifle season. I did bump into a spike bull, but the unit I was in does not allow the taking of a spike. Currently, there's also one landowner enrolled in the Access Yes! Montana has long been a popular elk destination. I was confident I could make the shot, and I sent arrow. In the bottle, we have a mixture of either Wilderness Athlete, MTN OPS, or some other flavored drink mix that contains a mix of electrolytes and necessary vitamins and minerals. The public-land elk hunter has to have heart: heart to outwork others, heart to climb the next ridge even when the legs and the back ache horribly. But an applicant with zero or very few bonus points still has a chance to draw a tag. My recommendation is to list out at least five spots for potential campsites. If you are an out of state hunter, unless you have done lots of scouting before, I suggest you start researching units where at least 50 elk were harvested and also had better than average hunting success. A high harvest success does not always translate to larger bulls, though. Morale is always up, and when a bull hits the dirt, we divide the weight and get the bull out in a single trip. On each day we have a shooter, caller, and someone running a camera and holding a decoy. But remember, most hunters dont hunt everyday, most dont hunt all day long and most dont get more than mile away from a road. These odds are for a Type 1 license, which you can hunt using any weapon. Abajo Mountain: Higher elevations include large alpine meadows with aspen/conifer stands surrounding, lower elevations contain oak stands with large sagebrush clearings, good camping, nice roads, holds a good number of elk. During the day, its also necessary to snack and nap. Knowing how many people and when they are hunting on those hunts could be a big benefit. That's my #1 on my list for my first elk hunt . Habitat types range from semidesert lowlands to pinyon-juniper woodlands to ponderosa forests and spruce-fir forests at the higher elevations. Now that youve decided on a couple of OTC units nice! You must log in or register to reply here. Habitat in GMU 36 ranges from Chihuahuan Desert to pinyon-juniper woodlands to ponderosa forests and subalpine spruce forests in the higher elevations, he continued. The left side of the tabel is ranked by total bull elk taken by OTC tag holders in OTC units during the 2nd rifle season. However, the Blue Mountains elk herd is known for producing some of Washington's largest bull elk 400-plus inches and is managed for a higher bull-to-cow ratio than other Washington elk herds. In 2018, 5,079 hunters went afield in GMU 4, taking a total estimated harvest of 1,434 elk. Our draw operates on a bonus-point system where every bonus point gives the hunter an extra chance at a low random number in the draw. elk hunting The map will now only display units with an OTC archery hunt available. Sure, a nice bull is always the goal but Im always in these hunts more for the adventure than the horn size, and I like to eat elk. Realizing how quiet walking in the ash was, I used the burn to cut the distance. Each state handles things a bit differently, and wait times can be up to 20 years or longer for the most sought-after units. Colorado is the perfect place and an over-the-counter (OTC) elk tag is the answer. With the info in these sections, I will generally have a good idea of what this area provides and if it is something that would be of further interest to me. The Blue Mountains units, Garrison added, contain varied topography and public access, ranging from privately owned, agricultural-dominated landscapes to remote, rugged publicly owned forest and wilderness areas. I nearly cried I was so happy! You do have to take some of this info with a grain of salt as harvest success is also directly related to hunter effort, but still, with the amount of data CPW collects these are very solid numbers to base a hunt around. I was shaking so bad my arrow was making all kinds of noise on my rest. These 13 units (4, 11, 12, 13, 23, 42, 43, 65, 75, 85, 211, 421 and 751) ranked in the top 22 for both total harvest and hunter success. I got him quartered and in game bags in about 2 hours, however, it would take the next 24 hours to get the meat and head off the mountain. the next step is to pull up onX Hunt or Google Earth to start locating likely elk haunts. Just the will and ability to adapt. I ran into a bunch of old sign from previous years, but nothing super fresh. The 2018 OTC Archery season was Aug. 25 Sept. 23. Daryl Meints of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game said, We don't 'hot spot' hunting opportunities in Idaho because we still offer general OTC, unlimited hunting opportunities. We do not offer bonus or preference points, Meints said. The state is divided into wildlife management . The herd is also currently below population objective, but bull-to-cow ratios are within objective. Lozenets. Over-the-counter (OTC) elk tags are available in quite a few states, but the pressure is often high in those areas. For residents, Area 122 is a random draw, and all first-choice applicants drew tags in 2018. But post-hunt bull ratios are some of the highest in the West. When I recovered my arrow, it smelled like guts. It all depends on how far you want to hike from roads and trails and other people, on top of every other factor that can come into play. Even when it sucks, you just gotta keep putting one foot in front of the other,my hunting partner and hardcore elk nut J.C. Navarro once told me. These herds occupy management units on the Cascade Range's eastern slope, offering good public-land access ranging from steep, timbered slopes to arid shrub-steppe. Posted2020-07-07T10:27:00Z Any OTC (over the counter) unit in the White River National Forest between Glenwoods Springs and Meeker. Draw odds for the GMU 42 any-weapon antlered-elk licenses are about 4%. The top 23 units ranked by hunter success accounted for 37% of all Bull Elk Harvested for the last three OTC 2nd rifle seasons. The exact unit with the highest success rate fluctuates from year to year. For hunter success (right side of Table 1), I limited units to those where bull elk were harvest averaged at least 18 for the unit. According to Utah's Statewide Elk Management Plan, most of the any-bull units are dominated by private lands, with limited public access. I have a limited draw either sex archery elk tag that doesn't take many points to draw. Specific hunts, rather than units, are toughest to draw, Pitman explained. Multiple elk states have these hidden gems. In 2018, the 2nd rifle season was Oct 20 28 and the 3rd rifle season was Nov. 3 11. Prospective hunters are encouraged to review WDFW's big-game-hunting pamphlet for specific season dates for their unit of interest. When I heard it again, I knew I was hearing a real bull. But realistically speaking, it's much easier said than done, as so much goes into the successful harvest of one of America's most coveted game animals. Elk Hunting Statistics Draw Recap Report s and Hunting Statistics Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) has developed a new and improved Draw Recap Report, which provides a wealth of information for hunters. "Hunt smart" and learn elk behavior and patterns is your smartest tactic rather than trying to get away from the crowds. In truth, it does offer OTC elk hunts, but these don't nearly equal the quality you can expect from the draw hunts. Public lands are abundant, with exception of Unit 10, which is dominated by private lands, Munig shared. If you just want to kill a general-season elk, the spike-only Wasatch Mountains and Central Mountains units can be very good, with access via the Uinta National Forest and Manti-La Sal National Forest. This filter allows you to filter by specific season dates or during a specific date range. 2023 Western Hunting Application Deadlines, New feature released on Insider Hunt Planner, Point Tracker: Your first step in researching hunts, How to import waypoints from other sources to GOHUNT Maps, Trail's tips for how to find the best elk habitat, Research your way to big bucks with a tool you're probably not using, Using public land layer map research to your advantage. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Take a state like Colorado, where well over half the states units and tags are of the OTC variety. GOHUNT is a registered trademark of GOHUNT, LLC. Subscribe to our newsletter and get an extra 10% on your first purchase. If you are considering a hunt in the plains units, make sure you know where the public land is and that elk should be using those areas at the time you want to hunt. It is also interesting to note that the top 25 units by total harvest had 55.6% of all OTC archery hunters and 57.3% of all hunter recreation days. The current elk-population estimate in the Scappoose Unit is approximately 2,300 animals, Dion said. Elk move in and out of these areas, so we have no data on bull-to-cow ratios, and I can't name a specific OTC elk hunt in Arizona as the best. Best States for Elk Hunting | onX Hunt The onX Hunt appis my trusted system. I was committed to getting the meat off the mountain, but deep down inside, I was afraid the meat wasnt going to make it. GMU 36 annually has one of the highest success rates, said James Pitman, assistant chief of information with New Mexico's Department of Game and Fish. When some time passed without hearing anything, I decided I would follow the burn edge down to where I thought he might be. Top 20 Colorado OTC Elk Units to Hunt for 2019 Nevada elk hunters typically have no trouble finding land to hunt when they draw a coveted tag. One reason? The right side of Table 1 is ranked by Hunter Success. Denver. Why? Of course, some areas can get very crowded, but with a few days to scout, you should be able to find less crowded areas. To simplify your research, I've called the wildlife departments in 10 elk states and also spent many hours researching to unveil some of the West's best elk units. Many days, I see other hunters at parking areas, and I hear them driving around on the roads, but I rarely see or hear hunters in the woods. Note that our general season tags are valid in multiple units, and success rates vary by unit and weapon type. I got to a wide spot in the road and realized I couldnt get any further. Also, anyone that obtains a multi-season permit (learn more below) for general-season bull elk, can also hunt during the extended-archery elk season. The state's northwest corner has long been a storied trophy area that encompasses GMUs 1, 2 and 201. If you're looking to bowhunt mature Rocky Mountain bulls in Washington, prepare to play the draw. The Beaver State offers fair OTC success rates, and its limited-entry hunts hold potential for trophy bulls. Our Favorite Over-the-Counter Tags | MeatEater Hunting Access in Area 122 is very challenging, especially when compared with Area 100. I dropped to my knees, took my pack off, and kept inching forward to get to the herd. Colorado OTC elk using Insider to narrow down choices - GOHUNT Since hunting pressure is very regulated, a pre-hunt scouting trip can be productive and a great way to locate bulls to hunt. You took the time and did your required work on Filtering 2.0 now it's time to take that research to the next level with GOHUNT Maps! The low cost of licenses, large herds, and a really incredible make Colorado the state where more elk hunters flock each year . Table 2 (left side) shows the top 22 units ranked by total bull elk taken by OTC tag holders in the OTC units during the 3rd rifle season. However, the OTC elk hunt on public land can still be done successfully. Colorado OTC elk using Insider to narrow down choices. JavaScript is disabled. You are using an out of date browser. All eight bulls harvested had 6 points or more per side. Best Place to Elk Hunt in Colorado - Honest Hunters The area is also known for trophy bulls, largely a result of the drawing difficulty. Missoula, MT. Public access is key. Most general-license hunts provide good elk hunting, but the best can be had through drawing one of the Big Sky State's coveted elk licenses. It also depends what kind of experience you want to havewilderness, away from crowds or just purely want to have a best chance at an elk. Terrain varies in these different habitat types from rocky desert to steep, rugged mountains. GMU 16 A-E is part of the Greater Gila herd, along with GMU 15. Estimates put bull-to-cow ratios at about 12 per 100. I'm not a good elk hunter, but I've seem to run into an equal number of elk in pretty much every unit I've been at in Coloradoboth ones with higher success rate and those with low success rate. In areas like District 380, anticipate private crop and range land in the lower elevations, then lodgepole and mixed conifer forests in the mid-to-high elevations, with alpine at the top, Lemon said. Access isn't an issue, with the area being approximately 71% public. Along with this, though, hunt pressure can be aplenty and some planning and strategizing before your hunt can make the difference in seeing elk every day, or seeing people. Elk Hunting Guide for a DIY fair-chase elk hunt on public land includes planning the hunt, state selection, hunting strategies, backcountry safety & more. Public access also tends to be limited. When looking at public land percentages it is important to weigh goals and season of choice into your decision as well. GMU 2 has similar standards. Along with this, though, hunt pressure can be aplenty and some planning and strategizing .
Anime Conventions Near Me 2023,
Uc Berkeley Housing Email,
Flight Time Phuket To Singapore,
Delano Activities Registration,
Homes For Sale In Cantrall, Il,
Articles B
