In general OTC tags are trash.
Elk Hunting Newbie
- Thread starter tsieger
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Higher point areas have much higher quality hunts. So in summary. The worst hunting in the state in a unit with an over the counter tag. The very best will be with a unit that takes 10 or 20 points to draw.
RPRNY
Member
I offer a different view on OTC tags. By all means go in the draw for a good first season GMU. But OTC available tags are also for high volume GMUs and, if one works the map hard in advance and coordinates with one's in-state relatives to do a little scouting, you can locate remote, low pressure area in OTC GMUs. Thus, my comments about being fit and, preferably, mounted.
Don McDowell
Member
I don't think a draw only area is necessarily any better than one open for a general license. Here we can start hunting in Sept, for any elk, some places bulls only, and go thru Oct, and by that time if you haven't spent enough time elk hunting there are quite a few of those areas that are open for antlerless elk into December, and on occasion into January.
I can see where a draw area in Colorado might be the better deal than buying an OTC and having 4-5 day season, crowded up with orange men.
I can see where a draw area in Colorado might be the better deal than buying an OTC and having 4-5 day season, crowded up with orange men.
RPRNY
Member
Jealous of my northern neighbors.
Don McDowell
Member
Did I mention that same general license is also good for archery? 
Want to go deer hunting? Buy a deer license, no luck on the mule deer? Why shucks just head up to the Black Hills and center punch a whitetail.
Want to go deer hunting? Buy a deer license, no luck on the mule deer? Why shucks just head up to the Black Hills and center punch a whitetail.
old heeler
Member
I live what's called Plains Unit here in Co and it's either sex elk tag, season starts Sept 1, 2017 thru Jan 31, 2018 also OTC tag.
It's mostly private land east of I-25.
West of I-25 lot of Private Land only cow tags (draw) Sept 1,2017 thru Jan 31, 2018.
I was up fishing Hog Park Res way south of Encampment during first part Wy hunting and looked like here with all the ATV hunters.
you have draw tags Wy
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/FAQ/Nonresident-Elk-Draw-FAQ
Don McDowell
Member
Yes with the exception of the Pawnee and Commanchee Grass Lands easter co. Is private ground , with not particularly good elk habitat. They started that season after one of the "elk ranches" near Stoneham had a few elk escape, neither the P&W folks nor the land owners particularly wanted a free ranging elk herd out there.
Yes it is rather annoying the number of folks on atv's in the hills all summer, but as North Park was hit hard by fires last year, the number of ATV riders utilizing the Medicine Bow Forest from our southern neighbors has increased dramatically.
Never said we didn't have draw tags here. We have a number of area's that are draw only, that is mostly an effort to control hunter numbers and elk harvest. They started that back about 1970 when a few of the "better" area's got hit pretty hard. We went from sending a card in for the drawing with your favored area on it, and if you got lucky you got a pink post card back that said you could kill a cow elk if you didn't shoot a bull in area XX. To having to draw a license for those area's. But by and large if a person doesn't want to tie one's self to a particular area, a general license will give you about all the elk hunting you can stand, and finally give up and pull the trigger..
Plus nonresidents can also apply for licenses left over after the draw.
From the changes I've seen in the Colorado seasons, and the cost of their nonresident licenses these days, a nonresident on a first time elk hunt would do very well to look at one of the Wyoming left-over antler less tags.
Yes it is rather annoying the number of folks on atv's in the hills all summer, but as North Park was hit hard by fires last year, the number of ATV riders utilizing the Medicine Bow Forest from our southern neighbors has increased dramatically.
Never said we didn't have draw tags here. We have a number of area's that are draw only, that is mostly an effort to control hunter numbers and elk harvest. They started that back about 1970 when a few of the "better" area's got hit pretty hard. We went from sending a card in for the drawing with your favored area on it, and if you got lucky you got a pink post card back that said you could kill a cow elk if you didn't shoot a bull in area XX. To having to draw a license for those area's. But by and large if a person doesn't want to tie one's self to a particular area, a general license will give you about all the elk hunting you can stand, and finally give up and pull the trigger..
Plus nonresidents can also apply for licenses left over after the draw.
From the changes I've seen in the Colorado seasons, and the cost of their nonresident licenses these days, a nonresident on a first time elk hunt would do very well to look at one of the Wyoming left-over antler less tags.
old heeler
Member
[QUOTE="Don McDowell, post: 10533699, member: 205081"
From the changes I've seen in the Colorado seasons, and the cost of their nonresident licenses these days, a nonresident on a first time elk hunt would do very well to look at one of the Wyoming left-over antler less tags.[/QUOTE]
I'm not sure what changes your posting about. I guess you never seen Co app. and if you haven't PM your address I'll send you one, you can read what choice you have if unsuccessful 1) leftover draw 2) either sex archery 3) antlerless archery 4)refund. antler elk 2nd season or 3rd season.
http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Leftover.aspx
I'm not going to get into debate on which state is best to hunt.
From the changes I've seen in the Colorado seasons, and the cost of their nonresident licenses these days, a nonresident on a first time elk hunt would do very well to look at one of the Wyoming left-over antler less tags.[/QUOTE]
I'm not sure what changes your posting about. I guess you never seen Co app. and if you haven't PM your address I'll send you one, you can read what choice you have if unsuccessful 1) leftover draw 2) either sex archery 3) antlerless archery 4)refund. antler elk 2nd season or 3rd season.
http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Leftover.aspx
I'm not going to get into debate on which state is best to hunt.
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A non resident elk tag in Wyoming is $577.00
A non resident elk tag in Colorado is either $484.00 for a cow or $648.00 for a bull or either sex tag.
Not too much difference in price between Co and Wy.
There are some incredible bulls taken off the Eastern plains every year. In fact I'd say the majority of true trophy bulls taken in Colorado are off the Eastern plains now days. There are some public land Eastern plains hunting secrets that the savvy hunters in Co are starting to figure out.
The Eastern plains elk herds do not all share their beginnings from escaped game farms, not in the least.
Non residents and residents alike can buy left over tags in Colorado for any species, over the counter, first come first serve when they become available in August.
But PLEASE out of state hunters PLEASE head to Wyoming this year, all of you!
Don McDowell
Member
The last time I hunted Colorado, was about 30 years ago. At that time you decided whether you were hunting, first season, second season or 3rd. Bought you deer and elk license before midnight the day before opening day.
Last year the grandson was talking about going elk hunting , so I told him I would come down and go with him if he decided he had the time to go. Looked at the website, and decided that there wasn't anyway I was going to spend 650 for a license good for 4 days of season.
I'll stick with the occasionally trip to the eastern plains and hunt pheasants with the son in law, or a duck shooting expedition on the South Platte with some friends that have a lease blind.
Last year the grandson was talking about going elk hunting , so I told him I would come down and go with him if he decided he had the time to go. Looked at the website, and decided that there wasn't anyway I was going to spend 650 for a license good for 4 days of season.
I'll stick with the occasionally trip to the eastern plains and hunt pheasants with the son in law, or a duck shooting expedition on the South Platte with some friends that have a lease blind.
Don McDowell
Member
HH, fyi, my wife is from an early (1866) family settled in NE. Co. I grew up 9 miles from the Co. border, have family still scattered all over the place, and at various times we have owned or leased ranches from the eastern plains to middle park. Not completely unfamiliar with what has happened down there over the last 50 years.
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If I was a resident of Wyoming there is no way I'd be elk hunting in Colorado. The question asked here is in regards to non resident hunting. And as I pointed out the price for non resident tags is about the same in Wyoming or Colorado.
As far as seasons go Colorado has some short seasons 4 or 5 days as mentioned. They also have some 10 day seasons and 3 and 5 month elk season too. It just depends on what tag you buy or draw.
As far as seasons go Colorado has some short seasons 4 or 5 days as mentioned. They also have some 10 day seasons and 3 and 5 month elk season too. It just depends on what tag you buy or draw.
Don McDowell
Member
At the time, back in the 70's and 80's, going to Colorado to hunt wasn't that bad of a deal. Season length was reasonable, and license cost was not bad, and it was possible to avoid the throngs of "orange men".. Things have changed and changed drastically down there.
But until they make the license fee increases here in Wyoming it's still a better deal for nonresidents than Colorado. More flexibility in season length, and the availability of the reduced price cow calf licenses.. Not to mention overall a better hunter success rate. Saw a thing the other day said that Co, had over 200 K hunters , and killed just short of 20k elk,,, that's a less than 10% success rate.
But until they make the license fee increases here in Wyoming it's still a better deal for nonresidents than Colorado. More flexibility in season length, and the availability of the reduced price cow calf licenses.. Not to mention overall a better hunter success rate. Saw a thing the other day said that Co, had over 200 K hunters , and killed just short of 20k elk,,, that's a less than 10% success rate.
RPRNY
Member
Given what I have seen during elk season, such a high success rate is a surprise!
Dudes whipping around the woods all day on ATVs, heavy density in public land areas close to roads, very unfit flatlanders wheezing along trails, and my personal favorite, utterly inept drunks having rodeos at their drop camp with livery horses - looked like a gypsy tack sale, everything strewn about, big bellied bearded bubbas chasing horses... hilarious. That's why being fit and heading to the nastiest, furthest from the beaten path, most vertical terrain looks like a winning strategy to me.
Don McDowell
Member
The last time I hunted down there, my little brother was living on our place out of Granby. He was plowing snow over Berthoud, and he and his buddy's had this secret spot all picked out... We got there way before first late, followed the trail way back in.. Waited for shooting light and spread out to start hunting. I stalked down a long ridge and then sat for a while, then started my way back to the pickup. When I got within a 1/4 mile of the trail just about every other pine tree had at least 2 big orange blobs at the bottom of them.. When I got back to the pickup, the place was about as full as the Cherry Creek Mall parking lot...That was in 88, I can only imagine what a mess it is there now.
Gtscotty
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Did I mention that same general license is also good for archery?
Want to go deer hunting? Buy a deer license, no luck on the mule deer? Why shucks just head up to the Black Hills and center punch a whitetail.
Well you do have to pony up a whole $16 for an archery license, but then you can use it with any tags you have. Pretty handy if you can draw deer and elk in the same area (or if you're hunting in south area 7 for elk and deer 64 is general like last year), fewer folks in the woods and valid tags for two species throughout September.
Don McDowell
Member
That's true.
old heeler
Member
If your little brother was living at your place out of Granby and that's in Middle Park you have part of the Indian Peak Wilderness close by also part of the Never Summer Wilderness or you could gain access thru Rocky Mtn National Park to some pretty good hunting (walk/horseback). I've been hunting middle park since the 70. You can go around Lake Granby east side and no rds. If your brother was plowing Bethound surprise he won't get you east side coming down or the west side. You can go west on 40 to up to rd that turns off to Streamboat Spring and north side of that rd has access to Continental Divide. I killed my biggest bull unit18. I spend around 3/4 month between fishing/hunting and scouting around Granby.
If your local and can't find elk something is wrong.
tsieger
Member
Would it be more worth it to hunt the Archery and/or Muzzle loader season? Are they a little less crowded?
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Generally speaking yes they are somewhat less crowded. All muzzle loader only elk seasons draw only however.
Don McDowell
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Finding elk was seldom a problem, once you got away from the "orange men", finding a legal elk could be a real bugger at times.
I preferred the ridges between Kinney Cr. and Cabin Cr., and Troublesome could be good once in a while, as could Cottonwood.
Sofie007
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Tips, tricks, and techniques:. Hunt early. Hunt high. Don't bugle or elk call unless you really know what you're doing. Their sense of smell is EXTREMELY good; need to mind the wind direction.
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