Colorado elk hunting?

[buzz]

Some friends and I are thinking about going to colorado elk hunting this year. We will be bringing plenty of stock with us so we are hoping to find an area that we can pack into and get away from the big crowds. From what I hear the place to be is around Craig. Looking for any input such as pressure,trails, draw tags,over the counter tags,amount of outfitters,quality of bulls,deer possibilities. Any info greatly appreciated.

[MadCatter]

Buzz, asking people to give up their best hunting spots probably will not get many responses. However, as a general rule, if your trying to beat the crowds, your best bet is wilderness areas. That would fit with your wish to pack in.

I don't get over into that country much at all, but I'l pass on what I know. I'm sure there are others on here who can tell you more (or tell me I don't knwo what I'm talking about).

The Craig area has a lot of elk, but a lot of hunters as well. Some of those units take years to draw a bull tag. Cow tags are a little easier to come by. There are quite a few outfitters in the area. I hear the deer herd is pretty good as well.

I would start by calling the local CDOW office and picking their brains. I think the local office is out of Meeker, CO. Also, the draw statistics and harvest information is available on line.

Sorry, that is about the extent of my knowledge for that area of the state. I'm sure some of these guys on the site can tell you more than I.

Good luck,

Travis

[FullCryHounds]

Arizona has some great elk hunting!

[buzz]

I am not asking for specific locations, just any helpfull info. We have been hunting ID for a couple years now but there is just too many wolves and not enough elk. I am not interested in taking a cow since I can kill those within a half mile of the house so we are trying to find an area that has some decent bulls within a reasonable drive.

[MadCatter]

Define "decent bulls"! The better quality bull hunts will require years to draw a tag for a rifle hunt. Your chances might be better for archery. Even then, good quality bull hunts require a draw.

If your trying to save yourself a drive, the NW part of the state is your best bet. But as I said before, it is also one of the most heavily hunted.

There are other areas of the state that produce some good quality bulls, but will require a further drive, and may still require a few years to draw.

I don't know of any quality bull areas that are over-the-counter licenses.

I would still start by contacting the local CDOW office. They can tell you better than I on that part of the state.

Other than that, I would be prepared to pay an outfitter or landowner for access/landowner voucher. Thats the only way around the draw.

Good luck, I hope this helped.

Travis

[gravedigger]

Unit 24 over by Meeker.i've hunted it quite a few years.very horse friendly area.Look for skinny fish lake.Good Elk population.Good Bull ratio.-Shawn

[cjohnson1178]

I lived in Co most of my life. The good hunting in NW Co. will take most your life to draw. The Meeker area gravedigger mentioned (skinny fish lake) is in the flat tops wilderness it burned up a few years back. Im sure the elk are starting to move back in but it will never be the same in this lifetime. its a shame I personally took three 5x5 elk in that exact spot. But the entire flat top wilderness has good elk numbers. but i wouldnt plan on a big trophy. lots of hunters in N. Co. I packed 10 miles into the eagles nest a few years back thinking i would be alone. HA HA there were people every where. I would go to southern Co fewer people bigger bulls (In general) unit 12 is in N. CO fairly easy to draw, good elk numbers. If u dont draw just go next door to unit 231 over the counter. but dont expect to be alone no matter where u go. hope this helps, good luck

[buzz]

Thanks for all of the input guys. We still do not know where we are going this year maybe back to Idaho for one more year. Colorado sounds like it might be a crowded area and that is not what we are looking for. Idaho has not been bad. We should have had three six point or better bulls between the four of us, but only ended up with one nice six and four point rag horn.

[Conejos]

Your chances of drawing a really quality hunt is much better in New Mexico. I know some wilderness areas that are over the counter in Colorado but not many really quality bulls. If you are still looking let me know. pm me and maybe I can help you out with a New Mexico draw.