colorado unit questions

[cmfi3]

Hello, my hunting buddies and I have been putting some research into a second season OTC elk tag in Colorado this year if we dont draw anything here in Oregon. We have been looking at unit 301, 211, 4, and 14. Im not asking anyone for there secret spot, but any info on these units would be greatly appreciated. Couple of these units look like lots of public land and a couple look like some limited access, whats it like? can you get away from the crowds? Thanks

[TOM H]

My neighbor hunts units 4.441 on the Nov either sex tag using horses and his party does pretty good on bulls. I hunted unit 4 when I first move to Co and it's always been a good unit I just found another good unit alittle closer to home. The units east of Hwy 13 been doing alot of drilling in that country to the Utah border down to Hwy 70 so towns like Craig,Grand Junction are on a boom cycle again.

[cmfi3]

Thanks for the response Tom H, Do these areas typically get enough weather to start moving the elk during the second season, or does it just depend on the year?
Can a guy get far enough off the beaten path to get away from the crowds or is there to much access?

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Most of what you mentioned is late hunting after the snows hit. That may or may not be in hunting season. During the second season don't count on it although it did happen during 2006 which was a freak year with a big early storm. During the second season there are resident herds on the national forest portion of 4 and 441 but not anywhere you can really get away from the crowds. That country has a lot of elk and a lot of hunting pressure. 14 in my opinion would be the best bet for the second season of the ones you mentioned. Better chance of getting more by yourself also.

[TOM H]

Originally Posted by cmfi3

Thanks for the response Tom H, Do these areas typically get enough weather to start moving the elk during the second season, or does it just depend on the year?
Can a guy get far enough off the beaten path to get away from the crowds or is there to much access?

They have what is called the Elkhead Mountains in unit 4/441 that is where I hunted.
Recreation in Craig, Colorado

Black Mountain (West Summit) Trail | Colorado Hikes

Hard to say on the weather last year we had an early storm and the unit I hunt alot of elk moved down just after the first only elk season. Last year was almost 300K elk hunters harvest less than 50K elk and they had less hunters and elk taken and with the high gas prices might be the same this year. Well good luck