Colorado Elk Hunters?

Hi,

I'm hoping there are some Elk hunters here.  I'm from WI and looking to elk hunt in Colorado in 2021.  I have a friend or two that's interested in coming with.  Anyone have any experience with a drop camp outfitter they would recommend?  Will need to be in a unit with OTC tags.  I'm thinking about units: 12, 70, 42, 77, 13, 5, 211 (open to suggestions)?  I'd like to be in a remote area where we will see less hunters but have a reasonable opportunity.  I'd rather have action than a trophy (but if I can get both that would be cool LOL).

Any help is appreciated.  I'm looking at 2nd rifle season but open to suggestions there as well.  3rd season falls around the WI whitetail rut.  Looking to be back for that.      

you're on the wrong site

Can't remember the Unit number, but look up the town of Oak Creek up by Steamboat Springs. OTC cow and Bull tags.  In the Routt National Forest. There are a TON of outfitters that hunt the public land, either with or without horses.  

We hunted a drainage adjacent to Flattop Mountain and went three for four.  We did not see any legal bulls, but were in the third season, so they were pretty used to hunters at that time.

Good luck, and bring enough rifle.  Some of the shots we took were across parks and were upwards of 350 yards ranged on a laser.

Thanks for the info Buck.  I'll look into the area.  Looking to bring a .270 WSM.  Pretty solid out to 300 at this point but working to tighten the groups up and get out a little further.  

Howdy -

First off, if you're in good shape and have a full week I don't recommend drop camping it (unless you're old, fat, and have a lot of money). Backpacking it to where there's no people = success. Look at the terrain and dig in. That said there are a bunch of outfitters for units 12/13. It's a huge area and you can get OTC tags that basically cover a huge region with a variety of elevations there. We've had success with an OTC tag in the past. Unfortunately the draw usually leaves more bull tags than cow tags region depending.

2nd rifle season is great but be prepared for weather. Last year winter came early so we were hunting in everything from dumping snow up high to t-shirt temps down low. 3rd season is pretty rough in that regard. 1st season is great but sadly friends keep scheduling weddings during first season so we're always stuck hunting 2nd lol - but if you can come out for that the elk are definitely less spooked than 2nd or 3rd. 2nd is longer I believe. 

Lobo outfitters in Pagosa Springs have a great reputation.
Toner mtn. Outfitters as well.
Both can get you into the best that Colorado has to offer.
Good luck, Andy.

Buck Rio wrote: Can't remember the Unit number, but look up the town of Oak Creek up by Steamboat Springs. OTC cow and Bull tags.  In the Routt National Forest. There are a TON of outfitters that hunt the public land, either with or without horses.  

We hunted a drainage adjacent to Flattop Mountain and went three for four.  We did not see any legal bulls, but were in the third season, so they were pretty used to hunters at that time.

Good luck, and bring enough rifle.  Some of the shots we took were across parks and were upwards of 350 yards ranged on a laser.

Heh also hunted the same unit with OTC tags, so +1 to Buck's comment about Routt. 

To the other comment about 350yd shots we had a completely diff experience with crazy close shots in dark timber. Joked that it would be easier using a 9mm :p 

Crazy close shots in dark timber. I'm a recurve hunter and can relate to that. Season just started. Pretty much the only time of year climbing gets put on the back burner :)

LOL.  Lots of good info here.  Easy Cheese, I'm getting older(er), not totally fat (yet), and I have more hair than money (I'm pretty much bald).  :)  How tough is it to get tags for 1st season?  I'm guessing it depends on the unit.  I would think we could all get 1 preference point and try to draw for 2021.  If we don't all pull we could fall back on 2nd season OTC tags.  Also, are there some units that have OTC cow tags for 2nd season?  I'd be happy to get a bull and cow tag.  Just in cast there's an opportunity for some meat.  I'd certainly rather walk away with something than nothing.  Trying to figure out regs in another state is like reading stereo instructions (might actually be worse).  

Bow season in WI starts in a week and a half.  My favorite time of year.  We're leaning towards rifle season for the elk trip to curb a little bit of the learning curve.  Hoping if we come out with 2 to 4 people someone will have some luck and we can all get a little meat.  None of us would be able to get out to scout ahead of time and we want to camp in the back country.  We just thought a drop camp could take a little bit of the learning curve out without doing a full fledged guided hunt (which I wouldn't be able to afford and not sure I would enjoy it anyway).

Drop camps can be an excellent way to get up into the high country.
Ran into a couple of guys last year who drive out every year then rent a U Haul to camp in. Air mattresses, gen, dorm frig, stereo. They were 50 miles from town at treeline. Quite a sight to see way up there.

Easy Cheese wrote: Howdy -

First off, if you're in good shape and have a full week I don't recommend drop camping it (unless you're old, fat, and have a lot of money). Backpacking it to where there's no people = success. Look at the terrain and dig in. That said there are a bunch of outfitters for units 12/13. It's a huge area and you can get OTC tags that basically cover a huge region with a variety of elevations there. We've had success with an OTC tag in the past. Unfortunately the draw usually leaves more bull tags than cow tags region depending.

2nd rifle season is great but be prepared for weather. Last year winter came early so we were hunting in everything from dumping snow up high to t-shirt temps down low. 3rd season is pretty rough in that regard. 1st season is great but sadly friends keep scheduling weddings during first season so we're always stuck hunting 2nd lol - but if you can come out for that the elk are definitely less spooked than 2nd or 3rd. 2nd is longer I believe.

I agree with the notion of being self sufficient, we stayed in our own tent. We got up about 3:30am and hiked our asses to the top of the ridge line separating drainage's so we could glass as soon as it got light, then work our way down to the elk we glassed. We took two off of the same park on different days. Third one was the long-ish range one, across a beaver pond with a .300 Win Mag and 210 gr Nosler Accubonds. She dropped at the shot and didn't get back up. 

Be ready to pack out your meat too, I don't think they allow ATV's. We de-boned all our cuts in the field, so we didn't have to carry any bones.

Val I wrote: you're on the wrong site

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