first draw

first time to apply for a Colorado tag, got a first season E/S for Elk in unit 35. What is it like and are many animals in it, started doing research on the unit today, any advise would be great.

You didn't research the unit before you applied?

They all come out of the wood work this time of year....

Coloradoboy

What are you saying colorado boy.

LAST EDITED ON Jun-12-18 AT 07:23PM (MST)[p]I am not sure what circumstances led you to apply in 35, or any unit, anywhere, with no info on it at all. As the prior guys implied, it's hard to understand and you will therefore get lumped in with a lot of new applicants this year that I suspect will find themselves in a similar situation and asking the same question. Expect some grief, at least up front. But you are honest about that so I feel for you, especially if you are new to this game. You said you are new to Colorado, right? Well there are maps available from BLM and USFS to start. The DOW has map resources available too. Study them for public lands and access. I don't know much about the unit, but regarding general elk habitat, there is ample info on a million sites and articles that you can look into. If it's a forested unit, scrutinize your maps and aerial photos for dark timber areas. In lower/drier areas, look for nasty scrub areas and inaccessible canyons as far away from trails and parking as you can find. When shooting starts, many animals will book over / down to private land and your best chance may be to catch them moving. But since archery and muzzleloader seasons already will have passed, many have already moved. Success rates are reportedly not that high in Unit 35, but there is probably enough game in 1st season. you can hunt really hard, or maybe just get lucky, but probably need both. If you find that you are ill-prepared for the hunt, or this unit, you also have the option of returning the tag, but you won't get a refund if you want to keep any preference points you had, although it sounds like you didn't have them. This returning of tags is upsetting to some guys who really wanted a chance for that tag in the draw but lost out to you, but at least the tag goes back into the leftover/reissue pool and someone else who whats it can get it. If you go it's probably best you treat this first foray into Colorado elk hunting as learning/scouting opportunity from which you can branch out in the future. And like I said earlier... you never know what you might get. Good luck.

Im referring to be people that show up for the first time on the forms after the draw results looking for help. Honestly, most of us locals who've put the work into perfecting being consistently successful on OTC units are rather tight lipped when it comes to spots. It would be much different if you had a coveted hard to draw tag in your pocket that people only see a couple times in a lifetime if not only once. Best advice, pour over maps and google earth. Do your best to find places as far from the road you are willing to go. Basically take the steps many of us have had to take when learing a new unit/state etc.. best of luck.

Coloradoboy

Thanks Katoom, I have been doing research before I applied and had help from a guy who has hunted Colorado for years, was just looking for any other info, I have maps and local help.

Stick around mac and you'll see what coloradoboy is talkin about. Look, there's another one!


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