Colorado over the counter Elk?

sageman · Jun 19, 2017

WE have hunted archery in units 22 and 32 with little results! If anyone would like to suggest another OTC unit it would be appreciated thanks. PM or post. We are NR

stinky · Jun 19, 2017

I dont know of any OTC unit that is that great.

That said. Ive shot elk in thise units you just mentioned.

Otc units are just tough to hunr.
John 14:6

sageman · Jun 19, 2017

Thanks Stinky. We were thinking we may need to get higher in elevation? but maybe we just need to try harder....jim

Cohntr62 · Jun 20, 2017

I suppose it depends on your perspective of a successful hunt. In recent years, 3 of us have been hunting unit 23 and have averaged 1 bull and 2 mulies per year. Is that good? Again, depends on your perspective. Lots of OTC units are loaded with elk, it's just that the trophy quality is less than the restricted units.

sageman · Jun 20, 2017

It is not all about the killing for us but hunting those units for 6 years and only having one good opportunity on a elk gets old! 3 of us go there together. the times we hunted deer we had great hunts and some successful ones. that's why I was asking abut a change up.

elks96 · Jun 20, 2017

I hunt those units archery. They are very hard even for me. Truth is there are not many elk. Not as many hunters, but just not many elk. The only reason o keep hunting it is for memories. If it was about seeing and killing elk I would definitely be someplace else.

There simply are not good numbers in 22 during the archery. I have hunted a few other units and saw single herds that had more elk than I see in an entire season.

Cohntr62 · Jun 20, 2017

You could try unit 12 or unit 4. They are heavily hunted, but have some of the highest elk populations in the state as well as easily accessible public land. And don't forget populations are not evenly distributed in any unit.

270Whatelse · Jun 20, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jun-20-17 AT 11:23AM (MST)[p]

bowhuntinnut · Jun 20, 2017

Even at the height of the elk population about ten years ago, there were not enough elk in unit 22 to sustain the number of archery hunters that have showed up in the last few years. Now there are considerably less elk and WAY more hunters. The archery success rate in 22 on elk has to be well under 10%. I have lived here my whole life and work in the unit and i myself am looking for somewhere else to hunt! Last year was just unbearable!

elks96 · Jun 20, 2017

Agree the stats for 22 get all messed up. About 2006 they showed 50% success. But I can say it is well under 10%.

For the OP are you saving points? If not the archery draw units like 33, 23, 24, 4 etc. only take a little
To draw and will have a ton elk. Since archery is limited the crowding is not as bad, but the same every year as those tag allocations stay the same.