Southwest Colorado archery

trophyfever · Aug 4, 2008

Planning my first over counter bull elk archery hunt in southwestern Colorado. Any one have suggestions on where to go on public land self guided?Never shot an elk yet with a bow but since no luck in the drawing-thought I'd try this area in September.Try t hit the rut.
Appreciate any help.Don't need your secret spots, just your GPS coordinates--ha ha

thanks

264X300 · Aug 5, 2008

I hear there's a lot of elk in the San Juan's between Montrose and Cortez.

sigfour · Aug 9, 2008

I have hunted otc archery elk quite a bit in s/w colorado. I prefer to hunt near durango/bayfield area and hunt unit 751. Beaver creek and tuckerville are some areas to start with. The san juan mtns and the weiminuchie wilderness holds lots of elk.

trophyfever · Aug 9, 2008

Thanks for all the good info guys. I'll get out my maps and gps. Using the garmin csx and national geo maps. Which is better-begin or end of season? I'll have about full week. got Hoyt Ultratec.

Hope your hunts are great this year. Heading to Arizona next week for archery over counter buck deer in northern arizona to acclimate for high altitude.

thanks

Heat · Aug 9, 2008

Be aware of the changes to archery deer this year. Not all the units are OTC now.

Nick

trophyfever · Aug 11, 2008

Yes I know-lost my secret spot in the Kaibab since its now a draw. Probably hunt 7,8,9,10 areas in AZ for overcounter deer. have 13 pts for AZ deer so I'm maxed hoping for Strip area some day be4 I die. Its nice to hear Kaibab is coming back but avoiding crowds is the age old problem.

about Colo.-don't think there are any leftover deer permits in southwestern colo but I have to check out.Heard and area around Rico is good for archery hunters to scout?

rackem406 · Aug 11, 2008

Just so you know unit 7 is no longer OTC. 11m around Flagstaff still is, but expect to see a lot more people in 8 and 10.

Rackem

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OutdoorWriter · Aug 12, 2008

I owned a resort at Vallecito and guided elk and deer hunters in the Weminuche and San Juans (near the Purgatory Ski area)for several years.

How do you plan to hunt -- will you camp near roads or are you prepared to either backpack in or hire a horsepacker to get you into the backcountry? -TONY

trophyfever · Aug 12, 2008

Rackem,
Have u hunted 8 or 9 for archery deer?never been in 11m but hunted elk in 10 and didn't see but one buck in 7 days but then we were chasing elk. Saw lots of 320-350 bulls but no monsters. Supposedly, they were in the Indian res with the deer.

thanks

trophyfever · Aug 12, 2008

Hey,
thanks for the info.Haven't chosen a place to hunt yet.Probably not have time to scout so use my hunting time and hope they're in the rut. Not using an outfitter-but will do alot of hiking. Usually, find a packer to help get animal out if I'm lucky.Hauled out three bulls in Colorado(rifle seasons) and prefer to hire it out if at all possible or cut it into little tiny cubes.I'll be camping.
My buddies are going rifle third season in 18 hoping for snow and I'm going archery hoping for the rut.Always a gamble.
Haven't been to Valecito lake area for 20 years.Probably has freeways now ifthere is any water in the lake this year.
keep in touch,
Off to practice with my new wackem's.
thanks

rjhickm · Oct 18, 2008

Hey, saw your info on 751. I was thinking of hunting in the Bayfield area on the 3rd rifle. Did it last year but without snow not much big moved down. Any ideas? I'm from NM and don't get to scout that area much. Really appreciate any help.

Randy