Big Colorado Bulls

[fuzzyvelvet]

So from what it sounds like, units 2 and 201 seem to be the top units to kill a big bull in Colorado. What is the terrain like in these units? What size of bulls do you see there on a regular basis? What is the top end bull? Any pros/cons to the units, like private vs public land, other coinciding hunts, etc? Post up your experiences and photos if you have any. Thanks.

Fuzzy

 

[Coyote_chaser]

It takes like 25 points to draw that tag, get in line!

 

[fuzzyvelvet]

I'm very aware of how long it takes to draw a tag. Just wanting some basic info on the units. Which hunt is better, which weapon, etc.

 

[Coloradoboy]

I spend alot of time in areas 2,10 and 201 scouting and helping guys fill their tags. Personally I like area 2 the best, seems to have the most elk. All of them produce good bulls its typically just the year as to which produces the biggest bull. Area 2 and 201 have very diverse terrain, from sage brush flats, pinions and cedars to Ponderosas and aspens in areas such as Douglas and Diamond Mountain. The Bull to cow ratio in these areas in no joke along the lines of 70/30. You will without a doubt see more bulls than cows. I've actually gone days (during the rut) without a seeing a cow. A dominate herd bull with typically only have 2 to 10 cows. In fact every bull ive helped take has been alone and these bulls all ranged from 320 to 370 class. The rifle hunt is a slam dunk but I personally like the archery hunt due to its the longest and you have first crack at bulls and the bulls are zero call shy from my experience. Due to such a high bull population a cow call sends them running! Its unreal to say the least. Id stay away from the muzz hunt due to they give cow tags during this time so you have to compete with cow hunters and the rut really doesnt seem to get heavy until late in the archery season and rifle season. This past season 201 produced a 397 bull and theres been rumor floating around of 400 but im yet to confirm it. The season before that I helped a MM member take a 355 bull during the rifle season and had a missed opportunity at 360 plus bull. Unit 2 also produced 2 other 350 bulls that rifle season, a 386 during archery season and a I know of a 340ish bull taken during the muzz hunt. My dad spent time in 10 that year with a family friend and they chased some good bulls around, one being a 370 class 7 point and a 350 plus class 6 point. The guy had extremely high expectations and passed on multiple 340 class bulls late in the hunt and went home empty. All in all Id say 2 is my favorite due to it has the most public land and I like the country. 10 can be good but it contains alot of private and RFW land and majority of the elk hang out right along the National Monument line. 201 is small but produces good bulls, Im not sure why its hyped up more than 2 or 10 its just harder to draw because its a small area and they cant give as many tags.
Coloradoboy

 

[tailchasers]

Colorado boy was that hunt in 10 with Brad per chance? Sound like his hunt. From what I have personally seen and herd 10 gets more hype than it deserves. Still one heck of a unit but not worth the points. IMO 2 and 201 is way better. We have hunted cows and dogs in these areas for the past few years and I will agree about seeing more bulls than cows. Harder to hunt the cows than the bulls.

 

[Coloradoboy]

No sure wasnt. And 10 is not over hyped if you know how to hunt it. Its not a walk in the park hunt as 2 or 201 is but you can kill good bulls if you know the places to hunt and how to skirt around the private and RFW..

 

[Coloradoboy]

If you want to talk Over hyped.. lets put 61 on the table

 

[Avsman]

don't forget 40

Windage and elevation pilgrim windage and elevation

 

[Coloradoboy]

I would say 40 is a great unit to kill a big bull if you your pocket book is heavy

 

[jimmedup]

ya 40 sucks.. what a waste of points.

 

[Magicman]

After you get into the "point chase race" your hunting is screwed until you finally dump. I've been chasing for 16 years and will be 68 years old this Fall.

My goal was #2 when I first applied. At my age, that is now impossible. Then maybe ML in #61. Now impossible. So now maybe 1st rifle in #61. Maybe a 25% chance this year, unless someone dumps points, then 0%.

I still go every year, but will the limited tag come before my knees and hips give out??

Before you die.....Take time to live

 

[azbow]

After waiting for over 20 yrs for the chance to have one great
elk hunt, it is hard to decide where and when to finally use all the pts. Having never been in either 2 or 201, it is very difficult to pick one.

Let's see...2 archery
No....201 rifle
Maybe ......?????

Sure wish that I had a plan, instead of buying those darn pts every year.

 

[ElkMeister]

I agree with the previous post. I drew unit 2 six years ago and spent 6 days chasing bulls around north of the highway (during the rifle season). On the seventh morning, Boom..30 cows and 6 bulls in one group and ended up shooting a 320 bull(2 bigger ones that i couldn't get to) and had to be back to work. I found only 1 bull on the south side of the high timber. They will hang out more in the cedar's in my opinion. Hopefully I won't be too old to draw again.

 

[Coloradoboy]

>I agree with the previous post.
>I drew unit 2 six
>years ago and spent 6
>days chasing bulls around north
>of the highway (during the
>rifle season). On the seventh
>morning, Boom..30 cows and 6
>bulls in one group and
>ended up shooting a 320
>bull(2 bigger ones that i
>couldn't get to) and had
>to be back to work.
>I found only 1 bull
>on the south side of
>the high timber. They will
>hang out more in the
>cedar's in my opinion. Hopefully
>I won't be too old
>to draw again.


Good Luck, I gave up last year. IMO its a once in a lifetime tag

 

[adamwipp07]

>If you want to talk Over
>hyped.. lets put 61 on
>the table


Why do you consider 61 over hyped? are you just talking about bulls over 340?

 

[ElkScout]

Exactly the way I view it too. Saving points into the teens and twenties is for the young folks. It is so much nicer blowing 2 or 3 points every 3-4 years on decent and fun units than hunting with 50 other hunters for 20 years for that one opportunity.

If you are close, keep saving IMO, but don't feel bad about spending points - you get to hunt good units more often.

And hunting more is never a bad thing.