2017 OTC DIY Elk hunt

Well I have tried searching and it doesn't seem to have come up for this years Colorado OTC elk hunt. I, and a few others, were not able to go on this last years hunt but want to make it in 2017! What say you regulars? Cleric, Sneaky, PMK, ZK315, Chief Joe, JSims, and anyone who was able to go in 2016! I know of one other member who didn't know about these trips but is interested in going, Splash556. Last year I put in for a cow tag and did not draw, so I am hoping with points this year I will get a cow tag. Same plan as last year for me, take my 14 y/o son and let him get a bull if we get the opportunity, I will hopefully get a tag and a chance at a cow. Who else is game?

What are the dates for the hunt, what is the success rate, and what is a rough budget for food/travel/lodging/tag?

I'm slowly warming the boss-unit up to the idea of me going this year. I was actually talking to her about it a couple of nights ago and was the first time she hasn't said "no". Sooo, I've slowly been doing some more research on it. I didn't get to go last year due to the infant at home, but this year is looking much better.

A buddy of mine has been looking to do essentially the same as what we have done, but in a different area, so I've been looking into that area as well.

Success rate is low. Generally less than 25% state wide

Tag is 600ish
Lodging is camping. You can get a motel in town for 100ish a night I think
Mostly everyone brings their own truck because different people come and leave at different times. Use Dolores co as a point of reference

All in I was less than 1500 last year. 600 for tag. 600 for gas and the rest in food/expenses

That I know of there have been 3 trips to the Dolores Colorado area, hunting the San Juan National forest. Success rate is really low, but all elk hunts are unless you pay big bucks. Nothing the first two years and one bull this past hunt, but the weather was really screwy from what I understand. When I went in '15 I spent just over $1k ($650 of that was my bull tag), I had quite a bit of the gear needed, and bought the rest as I planned out my trip. Food was quite a bit of pot-luck, we all brought a few meals for the whole group, snacks during the day, and breakfast if you felt like getting up that much earlier. It was hard hunting, it was exhausting, and it was frustrating not getting anything. I think it is safe to say I had a great time! I wish that work (lack of) had allowed me to go in '16, but now out of the oil patch and self employed.

If I remember correctly, the tag was right around $680 ?? Probably the most expensive portions of the trip were fuel getting there/back and the tag. The lodging we did in 2015 was on the side of the mountain in the back of campershells, cab of the truck, cab-over-camper. So our lodging was just what we brought with us. Not sure if anything was different last year or not.

The food in 2015, we divvied up dinner meals. Everyone would bring a dinner or two for the whole group, and just picked what we wanted each evening. Drinks, breakfast and lunch was pretty much on our own...protein bars, shakes, sammiches, etc.

Zach, I have considered looking into other areas myself. I know that the reason we keep using this same one is this is the area that is known. But all areas are unknown at one point. I would be open to hunting another unit if the numbers look good.

Unfortunately the success rate is about the same in the unit he was looking in. From what I was looking at, it looked to be more of a pack in, set up camp, then hike out from camp area though. I've looked all over Google Earth and it looks decent, but lots of work. I'm not really sure if the success rate (or lack there of) there is due to lack of work that people put in or what. The road systems in that area was quite a bit more spread out and almost non-existent in a lot of the area I was looking in.

The problem is you never know what the elk are going to do.

Two years ago they were high. I only remember seeming them on the tops of the mountain

Last year they were hanging low from game warden reports. They came down the mountain earlier and were staying put

This is the best information on hunter success that I could find. 2016 data not yet available.
Year Bull ElkCow Elk Total ElkTotal Hunters Success
2012 22,208 19,192 43,490 215,326 20.0%
2013 22,766 20,840 43,606 219,166 19.9%
2014 22,435 19,465 41,900 217,769 19.2%
2015 22,558 22,294 44,852 221,274 20.3%

My belief is that a sizeable chunk of the people that are successful are residents that do a fair amount of scouting or pay someone to scout

I intend to go up there, but I may end up doing my own thing. I have a couple buddies that are set on me taking them on a hunt up there, and if they follow through with it, we'll do our own hunt. We'll be in the same general area, though, so we can still hang out and help. Of course, if they end up not being able to go, I intend to be a part of this group like usual.

Is there any season for around Thanksgiving time?

I doubt if I will have a week and a half off again. If I go it may be a Sunday -Thur hunt.

Chital I doubt it. But look on the Colorado website

I think any elk hunts around that time are draw hunts.

I will have to pass this year. I am taking a group of guys up to my extended families ranch just on the other side of Lizard Head to elk hunt.

Only way you are going to increase your odds are:

1) Hunting with a primitive smoke pole
2) Hunting with a bow and string
3) Find an area with little to no roads and hike in a good ways and drop camp.
4) Pay big bucks for a private land hunt or guided hunt.

Otherwise 2nd rifle OTC elk hunting is always gonna be a challenge. And yes, unpredictable weather isn't at times very helpful. However I would argue, it's just as much about being away from it all camping in the mountains and doing what I love as it is actually killing something.

Spot on! Although we didn't put a bull on the ground in 2015, that was probably one of my best hunting trips anywhere.

look at huntscore.com

look at huntscore.com unit by unit

I'm out. Doing Montana guided elk with Shawheel.

OTC tag is $636 (just happened to have it next to me when I was reading this)

Oh, that's going to be fun.

He's supposedly already "getting ripped". I'm just trying figure out how to power my dam CPAP machine. (And fit a few cigars and a large flask, for after the kill only, of course , into the duffel bag.)

Gonna be a long year until October

That guy stays in pretty good shape. I'd hate to have to keep up with him in any better shape. I'm going to guess that there may be horses involved for those that, you know, just aren't that crazy about hoofing it themselves?

Yes, I do have some "horse sense".

I don't blame you. I'll have to try that someday, myself. I just have to work out the sense part.

I was telling Creekrunner that I've gone to the gym for an entire week, so of course I'm going to be totally ripped. That's how it works, right?

And yes I hope there are some horses, because I plan on overpacking.

And good luck to the folks who make it out on this trip. Even if you don't tag out, you'll get a week in some beautiful country and hopefully you'll be lucky like me and meet some great fellow hunters.

OP please remove this post if you feel it does not belong here.

Every year I rent my cabin out to Elk hunters but I have never had any THF members to my knowledge. Just putting it out there as a FYI. Hunt area 77, Pagosa springs, 6 miles to the entrance of Weminuche Wilderness Area. Nine separate beds. If interested click on link below.

hit Cleric up on gadgets that might power your CPAP ... he had a little device that burned pine needles & twigs to charge his phone ... he might can hook you up with something bigger that would run a CPAP

I was hoping so, but it didn't work out.

That thing was wild. It would be pretty handy on a pack in hunt. As it was, it was just handy for keeping him occupied.

It's an okay device. Just take a lot of wood to burn to get enough juice.

Last year I took a pop up, but it didn't have power

MR.T,

I have looked at your link before, the wife and I are interested in going up to that area and I checked it out. Looks like an amazing cabin. I think unit 77 is supposed to be good for elk. Might be something to keep in mind.

I would think you could start a fire with the friction off those corduroy pants he had, and it was fun to watch him get that gizmo going!

Didn't someone take a picture of this "Cleric contraption"?

My guess is it is one of the biolite stoves they sell at REI....fine for car camping but way too heavy/bulky if you are going to pack in.

https://www.rei.com/product/897771/biolite-wood-burning-campstove-with-flexlight

Yep, that looks like the one!

I don't think so, unfortunately. We were too distracted by the fire charging his phone, and by him charging the fire.

I don't know what kind of car camping you do, but I charged my phone way quicker in my pickup without ever having a fire going inside of it.

Lol, yeah I didn't read that very carefully before posting. Mainly meant it isn't something I'd want to pack in a long ways, but if the hike from the car wasn't very far or tough it could be worth packing in.

Hah, I knew what you meant.

No respect I tell ya. No respect

It's not the elk hunting that's tough. It's surviving our group that is.

yep, not much slack was given ... but "mostly" in good fun ... and keep the gas can away from Chief Joe, he's a pyromaniac wannabe

I thought your where supposed to have been the chaperone?

Chief Joe was more senior than I ...

I've thought bout throwing in with y'all but after reading the stories and all I feel safer hunting by myself!

I can hurt myself and die on a peaceful mountain by myself or get blown to bits in camp by a wood fire charging electrical device or gas on a fire......yeah, I'm good by myself

It's not that bad...

Although sneaky running off after some elk and showing up 8 hours later looking like he was about to die was rather amusing

Oh, I'm sure it ain't bad but I've kinda transitioned over to chasing mulies. Tags are cheaper and I can get one out by myself in one trip. Them elk are a lot of work and weight to get out and well I just don't wanna work that hard on my 'vacation'

Alright, lets clear up a few misconceptions.

Chief Joe was not a pyro wannabe. He was a pyro professional.

It is that bad.

It was more like 6 hours. I was clearly not about to die, didn't look like I was about to die, and was not even winded. Pffft. That was a cake walk. The near vertical ascent and barbed wire was my favorite part. If y'all knew how to shoot, I wouldn't have had to go all the way over there to chase those elk off our ridge, anyway.

Sneaky, thanks for clearing that all up for me
Now that I know your crew don't know how to shoot I'll just stay wondering bout by myself, thanks though!

Well, if you need any elk run off, let me know. I'm pretty good at it.

But not know how to shoot he means not shooting at elk 1050 yards away on another bowl on an incline...

It was a downhill incline. Don't make it sound sound difficult.

So those of us planning on going, is anyone interested in checking out other areas? Mr T. has a really cool house outside of Pagosa Springs that he rents out, if 5 or 6 pitched in we could have some really comfortable accommodations. I know the time we spent at JSimms dads place in 15 was so nice. Just a thought, and not trying to hijack the trip.

you can also look at the stats on www.toprut.com I'm looking at other units for son and I, and if it would help to hunt on an antlerless tag so we can get some experience.

A buddy of mine is looking at the White River National Forrest area. There's 3 or 4 units in that area that I've slightly started looking into.

this brings back memories of long ago hunts
Montana is a beautiful place to hunt

have you looked at huntsourse.com?

Well I am looking at my choices for draw tags. I am really thinking about trying over near pagosa springs and renting out Mr. T's house. I should get a cow tag this year with points. Any one interested in that?

Following this. Backed out last year and that was a stupid, stupid thing to do.

I am out this year

I most likely have other plans, but that would be a great way to go.

I've started looking around Rifle and Meeker areas. Still not 100% on if i'll make it or not, but the percentage is getting higher.

Uh oh. You knock yours up too and mamma said no? That was me last year haha

I guess?


What are the units y'all are gonna hunt/have hunted?

I go every year and get OTC tags Won't say where we go, But I will say your success rate is about the same whereever you go. I usually get an elk nearly every year and I attribute it to these things:

1) being in good shape. I don't still hunt. I walk, hike and spot and stalk. If you can't walk up the mountain, your success rate drops by more than half if not more.
2) Luck.
3) Being able to hit what your shooting at and being quick enough to make a shot before the herd spooks.

Lastly, if you're concerned about the success rate, elk hunting isn't for you. Approach it with the attitude of, If i get one cool, if not that's cool too. I go elk hunting for the exercise, camping and being in the beautiful mountains.

This year I had two tags and tagged out on both. No one else got one, because no one else spots and stalks. Most people sit on their butts and eat beef jerky hoping to get a 400 yard shot on something. Every one of my elk has been under 100 yards.

Oh one last thing. I have hunted first season, second and third. I have not noticed much difference in the elk numbers between seasons, they travel a LOT, so you never know when a herd is going to come busting into your area. We have had guys shoot elk from camp, just because a herd got the idea to come walking through camp. You just never know. Luck certainly has a lot to do with it.

I will say that weather is fairly critical. The colder the better, we usually try to go when we think it will be coldest. My favorite time to hunt is in the snow.

Check the winter conditions this year, some areas of Colorado are getting it bad, still snowing.
You all might look into Wyoming for a future hunt, some areas have significantly less pressure and reduced price cow tags. Get some PP and you can draw a pretty good tag, cow tags do not need points, random draw.
While all the tags are draw, hunting is great in the Cowboy state. In the right areas you can get up to 3 elk tags, 2 cow tags and a bull tag.
That being said Colorado OTC is an easy tag to get, have fun.
SW Colorado is having a rough winter as is some other areas around the state.

Sorry Chital, not ignoring you. I started my own business in December and although I spend quite a bit of time on the computer, I never seem to get on here or Texas Bow Hunter much anymore. Busy, busy, busy! We have hunted unit 71 3 times I believe. I have hunted it once, as a THF group 3 times, 2014, 2015, 2016. This years group hunt seems to failed to launch, everyone either doing something else already, or not able to go. I was looking at unit 77, 78, 751, or 771, but I have to admit I have not had time to do the proper study on any of them. One of the THF members (Mr.T) has really nice house there that I was thinking about renting out for this year. But with my limited experience in this area and no time for research, I think I will stay with unit 71 outside of Dolores. I am thinking I want to rent a house, cabin, or take a travel trailer this time. We had access to a house in 2015 and a good shower and hot meal made all the difference in the world.

just saw this on craigslist..theres also couple of deer leases listed.. https://austin.craigslist.org/spo/6038693556.html

anybody interested in this??

If I'm paying $8k for an elk hunt, it better come with a guide, and more than just a picture of a single shed. I can drive up to Colorado for a lot cheaper than 8k to look at scenery.

Wasn't that to be split 3 ways? Couple of Franklin's will get you to just scenery for sure..

We go almost every year during archery or muzzleloader. I have killed 3 bulls and 9 cows in 15 trips since 1999. None of my trips have cost more than $1200 including the tag and I made several for less than $500 (cow tags and fuel were cheap!). The tag should be the largest expense this year.

Suggestions to save $$$: 1) Camp out - a wall tent without the frame can be had for $500+ and will sleep 5+ people. 2) Cook and freeze meals in ziploc bags before you leave. These can be warmed up in boiling water. 3) 3 people per truck (1 driver, 1 navigator and 1 sleeper) is ideal and drive straight through (save the cost of a hotel coming and going). 4) DO NOT carry an ATV (save cost of fuel for ATV and poor gas mileage dragging a trailer).

To kill and elk: MOVE! MOVE! MOVE! MOVE! MOVE! MOVE! Stay on the game trails and watch for elk of course, but you are looking for sign of elk! Move until you hear them, smell them or find a fresh track. Follow the tracks - they always lead to an elk! If you smell them, walk into the wind SLOWLY until you find them. If you hear them, RUN to them (try to breathe while you run!) and try to stay downwind of them. Once you find elk in an area or a lot of sign, keep sneaking back to that area until you spook them or kill one. Its almost like hunting moo cows, elk are just wilder!!! Elk are big and make a lot of noise, so don't worry much about the noise you make while walking. If they see you or smell you, their gone. Hunt the dark timber on north facing slopes and stay out of the open areas - elk do NOT like the sun in the fall! Unless you like hunting with 10 gazillion other hunters - hunt muzzleloader or archery season.