Utah General Elk vs CO OTC

UtahMountainMan · May 3, 2012

LAST EDITED ON May-03-12 AT 09:37AM (MST)[p]Hey guys - I have never hunted Colorado before but I am planning on giving it a shot. I hunt with my bow and the last 5 or 6 years I have been so focused on archery deer hunting that going after a big bull has taken a back seat.

That may because I always hear how "bad" the utah general bull areas are. I have never tried so I cant say.

I would be the only one hunting but would probably be able to convince my brother to come along. We would want to do a 5 to 7 miles backpack trip in and use that as our base camp while hunting.

So my question for those of you who hunt/have hunted both Utah and Colorado:

Which one is better, Utah general area or Colorado OTC?

Im guessing most will say Colorado, so my follow up question would be, is it THAT much better that it is worth spending an extra $700 or so to get over there?

Also, my goal would be to find elk and have an opportunity at a branch antlered bull. Im not going to say I expect to shoot a 330" bull in a general area.

Really want some good feedback here guys, thanks in advance!

UtahMountainMan

RidgeRebel · May 3, 2012

My bother and I hunted archery elk in CO for the fisrt time 2 years ago. It was well worth the money to go to CO. My brother shot a great OTC bull on the first day and I had some close encounters but couldn't make it happen. Lots of fun though and the season runs through september.

Good Luck

c86man3 · May 3, 2012

If you do your homework it can be done in Utah. Especially if you are willing to hike 5-7 miles in. You could do that in the Uintas and have a good chance. Look at google earth and see the unit boundaries and the public vs. private boundaries.

Scout the elk during the summer.

I did this last year and killed a 5x5 my first year hunting the Utah general bull this last fall. Granted, I was lucky, but you can really increase your odds with some good research.

Hooner · May 3, 2012

Go to Colorado. Not even a question. I live in Utah and if given the chance I would go to colorado any day of the week over Utah. I ahve hunted the Uintahs and it is a neat place but still does not hold a candle.

marley · May 3, 2012

I lived in and hunted Utah any bull units for 10 years....never shot a bull. Have hunted OTC archery in CO for 3 years and killed 2 six point bulls. There's my answer.

ElkManDan · May 3, 2012

If you know how to hunt elk you can get a bull in either state. I have been bowhunting here in UT on the OTC tag 2 years now and have taken a 6 point and raghorn bull. I called in a bull to my buddy in Colorado 2 years in a row both 5 points. I have seen more big bulls in Colorado but the one time I did have a tag there I drew on one bull but didn't have a shot.
If you do bowhunt Colorado be aware that they have bunch of draw muzzleloader tags for the 3rd week of archery so don't be surprised when they show up and the hunt changes.

southslope82 · May 3, 2012

Here is a otc utah bull I took in 2010. I have also found shed horns on the unit that go alot bigger than this guy. But good luck finding them during the hunt. I have had multiple opprotunitys to kill bulls every year this is my best to date. I have to chuckle when I talk to guys who hunt the open bull areas for years and some go 5 plus years and not see a single elk. I am fortunate enough to live right in the middle of a open bull area and get to know it and scout it regular. Don't over look utah.

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South_slope · May 3, 2012

Herd totals should be an indication. I have definitely had more fun in surrounding states than in Utah general areas. Wyoming has some great bow hunting as well. I have had limited success in Utah, but there is really no comparison for herd size and dates if you bow hunt.

westelkman · May 5, 2012

I can't speak to a comparison, never hunted OTC elk in Utah. I have hunted OTC Co in 25 of the last 30 years or so mostly with a bow.

Your comment, "Also, my goal would be to find elk and have an opportunity at a branch antlered bull. Im not going to say I expect to shoot a 330" bull in a general area."

I have only seen 2 bulls in all of those years that were 330ish on OTC, few and far between. Any branch antler bull is a decent trophy, IMO. Still a lot of pressure in Co. I have had my best success in areas most guys won't go, which is usually downhill into a nasty hole whether its 2 miles or 10 miles from a TH.

Its not rocket science, you just need to cover lots of ground until you find them. Every year I hear the same stories about how "We camped in a good spot but didn't get into them" I like to see new country and last year up above Steamboat we had to go up over a steep mtn and about a mile down the other side to get at them. Hope that helps, best of luck

"In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments; there are consequences"
Robert Green Ingersoll

Midnight · May 15, 2012

I'd have to pick Utah

I'd use someone to get you and your gear into the area and you can figure it out.

This is what I did last year and had a blast.

I have hunted CO unit 80 OTC tag, UT and even Idaho.

All of them require you bust your butt and get to remote country.

Boot Leather or worn out horse shoes are the best way to find them.

Midnight
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