2022 elk unit options?

[338weatherby]

So I burnt my Wyoming points last year and am contemplating my options.

I plan to apply 1st choice bull in a good unit then 2nd choice cow in 40. I want a point this year so apply 1st choice where I know I won't draw.

So, I'm thinking I'll have to look at Montana or Colorado to put in for 1st choice bull tag in a unit where there are still decent odds on pulling a tag with 0 points.

Anybody got any ideas? I've been looking on Go Hunt at different units.

I'm going to dig into the Montana and Colorado regs now.

 

[GrayCreed]

Unit 18 Colorado

 

[Bucklowery]

I drew a tag in Montana first year for deer /elk combo for general. I believe odds are better now if you have a outfitter with the new legislature. Some guys may have more information

Thanks

Buck

 

[338weatherby]

I drew a tag in Montana first year for deer /elk combo for general. I believe odds are better now if you have a outfitter with the new legislature. Some guys may have more information

Thanks

Buck

Thanks. I won't be using an outfitter. DYI is the way I go. Not sure if that reduces the odds of drawing. Go hunt shows many units in Montana will 60% odds for first choice and 0 points. Was wondering if that's an error?

 

[338weatherby]

I was looking at units 301 and 560 in Montana. Looks like more accessibility in 301 while both will be good hike in units. Wondering if these are viable options. These are both griz units so that would be new to me.

 

[338weatherby]

Unit 18 Colorado

This looks like a doable draw for first season. Have you hunted it much? I see there were substantial fires there. Wondering how access would be. Big unit with lots of options it appears.

 

[338weatherby]

Colorado Unit 24 looks like an option. Anybody have experience there?

 

[Caveman0101]

Unit 18 Colorado

Just curious why you would suggest 18? Nearly the whole unit burnt in the last two summers, there is absolutely nothing growing in the burn yet. I must have talked to 50 hunters who didn't see an elk in the unit from Sept to Dec. The wardens at the Hot Sulfur Springs headquarters said there were only two elk killed in the whole units from archery until 4th season. Do you know something everybody else doesn't? What gives.

 

[Caveman0101]

So I burnt my Wyoming points last year and am contemplating my options.

I plan to apply 1st choice bull in a good unit then 2nd choice cow in 40. I want a point this year so apply 1st choice where I know I won't draw.

So, I'm thinking I'll have to look at Montana or Colorado to put in for 1st choice bull tag in a unit where there are still decent odds on pulling a tag with 0 points.

Anybody got any ideas? I've been looking on Go Hunt at different units.

I'm going to dig into the Montana and Colorado regs now.

Man, I don't know why that guy told you unit 18, but I would seriously suggest looking elsewhere. I've hunted that area for 20 years and the past two have been the worst I've ever seen. We actually got extra tags this past November so we could basically hunt from Kremling to Wyoming. We spent weeks before season scouting and the whole 4th season with 3 sets of guys in different trucks covering different areas every day and never saw an elk on public land. The wardens said the fires pushed them back toward Denver but a lot of that is private land. I guess it will get better when the grass starts growing again but we walked about 6 miles into troublesome creek drainage the first week of October and never even saw a track. Good luck.
O, when you do pick a unit look at google maps if it burned or has a lot of dead trees steer clear, we've had terrible beetle kill all over and it makes hunting in those areas almost impossible. We've literally shot an elk and had to chain saw our way to him. And if the deadfall is bad enough the elk will quit using the area.

 

[cornshank]

When I am going through the Colorado Regs , seems hard to figure them out sometimes , rancher vouchers, ranching for wildlife tags , leftover tags , over the counter tags , and more so I call the fish & wildlife in Steamboat springs Co. and ask for a hunt planner, they had them a few years ago . If they don't use them now , they will still answer all of your questions.
Good luck .

 

[Monster Toms]

18 is a wasteland after the fire. 24 is the east end of the flattops good elk but hard work. Put in the effort you will be rewarded.
2nd and 3rd seasons are OTC for bulls.

 

[338weatherby]

18 is a wasteland after the fire. 24 is the east end of the flattops good elk but hard work. Put in the effort you will be rewarded.
2nd and 3rd seasons are OTC for bulls.

That's what I was reading to. Got put in hard work. Hunting in the High Uintas in Utah we'd spike in 4 miles to get away from crowds. We had luck doing that. Thought something similar is what it will take here.

 

[dogz]

I was looking at units 301 and 560 in Montana. Looks like more accessibility in 301 while both will be good hike in units. Wondering if these are viable options. These are both griz units so that would be new to me.

Correct, both are G-bear units. Just be smart and you'll be ok. I assume you're rifle hunting, if so you're armed and good to go

 

[RedsideMT]

Montana is going through some big regulation changes at the unit level this year so keep an eye on that. As a non resident you can apply for a big game combo (deer/elk) or an elk combo (just elk) If you draw one of these you would have a general elk tag. Depending on the unit you may be able to hunt an elk on your general tag. Each unit is different, some might be any elk, some might be bull only with 4" brow tine ect. That's probably the 60% odds you were looking at.

At the same time you can apply for a more premium unit that is a limited permit. Most of those are fairly difficult to draw. You can still draw your general tag if you don't draw the limited. Hope that makes sense.

Good luck!