What is the best Colorado Elk Unit???

[a3dhunter]

Let's see if we can get something started here. What is the best elk unit for each season and why do you think so??? Why is your pick better than others? List your picks in order.
Tell if you have first hand knowledge or if you have "heard" it from a buddy.
Post pics of success if your willing to give the unit (this should be the best part)!!!

 

[a3dhunter]

The best bull I've seen was in:
unit 61 during second rifle season
It was a six point- probably 310-320" taken by a guy from alaska in 04' who I met up with in Grand Junction.

 

[schmalts]

Estes park. If you get caught just tell them your one of the wolves the tree huggers planted to control the herd.

 

[a3dhunter]

Hey, sound great---heading there on family vacation on May 28th! I can do my scouting then!!! Where will the elk be at that time??
a3dhunter

 

[a3dhunter]

Come on guys, don't want you to give up your secret canyon! Just give your preference on area, terrain, or amount of wildlife seen. Maybe even shed huntin'???

 

[Califelkslayer]

4/441. Look at the success rates during first rifle.

Since "00" our group has filled about 42 tags, 100%. Only about 6 of these were bull tags. In 03 there were 10 of us and we took 9 cows the first day, the last one on day three. Four of the cows were taken by 13 and 14 year olds. All four of them killed their first elk on that trip.

For my money the NW corner is the best. 11 day season with no other seasons running at the same time. 10/1 start date (rut)
If you don't have 10+ points you'll probably never draw it in this lifetime.

My opinion only.

 

[cohntr6]

Caelkslayer that is some serious success that you should be proud of! Especially with the youngsters! 10 cow tags filled in 3 days! All on public land?
I am jealous. I am hoping to do a archery elk hunt out that way this year.
Jeff

 

[a3dhunter]

Califelkslayer, that is great success!!! Good job getting the young ones involved, with success like that they will be hooked for life. Keep up the good huntin'.
a3dhunter

 

[nk]

What about OTC archery hunts?
nk

 

[Califelkslayer]

4/441 archery can be drawn with 0 points. The last time I looked at it was the 04 draw. Approx. 1500 first choice apps for approx. 1000 tags. If you don't draw it you are guarenteed with 1 point the next year. Since I'm accumulating points, I can't draw either the archery or first rifle either sex as a second choice. We really want to archery hunt it but all of us are in the point game, from 12 to 10 each.

 

[tracker12]

Can't you just apply for a cow tag and archery hunt first season.

 

[Califelkslayer]

In past years you could get a leftover cow tag in this area but archery hunting during first rifle could be an adventure. The last cow I shot there could have been an archery oportunity. I was helping my son quarter his cow when I heard elk running towards us. I got my gun and didn't shoot until the lead cow was about 40 feet away, running right at me. I don't know if they would have stopped for a bow shot though. As most of the elk we shot, they had been pushed towards us by other hunters.