Colorado Either Sex Rifle Hunts !!!!!!!!!

[Budrow]

I'm I wrong or what is going on? Give or take a unit or two,
there are 132 elk units and there are 90 plus elk units with a first season either sex rifle?? Is this good management? Tell
me I'm wrong!

 

[Bambistew]

You're wrong...

I think there are very few units that are 'short' on cows. Whats the problem?

 

[cohntr6]

MOst of these units you may be referring to were bull only a few years ago. They made them either sex so hunters could fill their tag easier.
Colorado is the land of opportunity for elk hunters everywhere, not for quality (when comparing to Utah, Arizona, etc.)
Maybe someday....
Jeff

 

[NORKALNIMROD]

The elk population in some areas of Colorado has exceeded the habitats carrying capacity. I have hunted elk in several states and the herds I have seen in Colorado are huge compared to the herds I have seen in other states I have hunted. Having huge herds is great as long as the environment can tolorate the presure and maintain the herd. I hunt Colorado almost every year, and usually opt to bank a point and purchase a cow tag later in the year. My partners and I have killed over 60 elk in the past few years in Colorado. Last year we killed 10 elk opening morning, 8 cows and 2 bulls. I could have killed at least a dozen legal bulls while I was quartering my cow, where else can you do that? This is not uncommon! One of my partners, Califelkslayer can vouch for what I say. I believe Colorado, minus it's point system can't be beat for filling the freezer.

 

[sremim]

Which part of the state do you hunt?






It's Bush's fault!!!

 

[NORKALNIMROD]

Western and remote. We hunt where most won't. You can do it on foot, but horses/mules are best.

 

[Califelkslayer]

What Norkal said. Several years ago Co wanted to cut its herd to 270,00 elk. They allowed second cow tags in numerous units with an overabundance of elk. After 2 years of this program, they had 310,000 elk. Getting a true trophy tag in Colorado will take you a lifetime if you start now but for sheer numbers, it can't be beat.

On the hunt stated above, my son and I hunted together and saw AT LEAST 150 elk before he took his bull @ 2:30 pm opening day. We were hunting aspens where visibility was only about 150 yards. The herd we hunt is listed as the THIRD biggest herd in the state. Not sure how the other 2 could be any better though.

 

[AHT]

I don't hunt this season myself, by choice, but I have family and friends that do. I like this season, it gives hunters a chance to hunt the tail end of the rut. The people I know that hunt this season do get an either sex tag. Since it's the tail end of the rut, they have a better chance at a bull and they have a better opportunity to be a little more discrete in the bulls they take. In the end, when the season is winding down, they always have the option to take a cow in order to put some meat in the freezer. There would be no question in my mind that I would hunt this season if I didn't have the opportunity to hunt when and where I do.