My brother and I are going to start applying for preference points in Colorado with Pagosa Springs area as base (his in-laws have a cabin in hat area). We have never elk hunted before and I was looking for some advise on which units to start researching for where we would apply as well as any OTC units for this coming year since we will just be building preference points in a draw unit.

Glad you guys are getting into wapiti! That's awesome! Welcome to the orange mafia (aka, the massive flood of out of state hunters who descend on Pagosa annually)!

I live in Pagosa full time, and would be happy to help you guys in any way. But I'm going to be brutally honest with you- Not because I'm trying to talk you out of it, but you need to know what this place is really like. Hunting isn't what it was 20 years ago... it isn't what it was 5 years ago.

If you are based in Pagosa, you will be hunting units 77, 78, & 771. Any tag you get for this area will be good for all 3 units. Depending on what season you hunt, will dictate what unit you focus on. It's isn't really feasible to hunt other units and stay in Pagosa. If you want to hunt another unit, camp in that unit or you will spend your whole trip driving.

Elk tag options here are OTC (over the counter): archery, rifle 2, and rifle 3. There is a limited draw for Rifle 1 & 4.

I'm not trying to dissuade you, but you need to know: hunting in our unit is tough. The terrain goes from gentle rolling meadows to impenetrable rocky cliffs. We have lots of dark timber, many areas have tons of standing dead (beetle kill) trees, so you must be mindful. Where the bigger elk live is tough country, not for the faint of heart of physically unfit. Begin getting in shape NOW, and drink water till you are sick of it- then drink more. That will be the #1 thing that makes your trip enjoyable or miserable- being in shape.

We have a good population of elk, but they get a TON of pressure. You aren't likely to kill a monster 350" bull up here. People shoot them before they get old enough. If you get a 280-300, that's a great bull for these units. The vast majority of people will kill smaller bulls, wether they should or not. Most will shoot the first bull they can. The closer to roads you get, the worse that problem is. There are a few toads living in the backcountry- but getting to them, killing them, and then getting them out is a whole different story.

What makes this unit so tough is not the terrain, it is the amount of pressure we receive. With 3 OTC seasons, and a generous rifle 1 draw, there are A LOT of hunters here. More every year. Again, I'm not trying to dissuade you, but you need to know what you are getting into. If you think you are going to stay in a cabin in town, get up and drive to a trail head each morning, hike a few miles down the trial, and knock down a couple of elk... well, just know there will be a dozen trucks at every trailhead filled with people who think the same thing. I'm not saying it isn't possible- some people get lucky every year and stumble into a bull within waking distance of the truck. I'm saying the VAST majority of people with that plan go home pissed with empty coolers.

Many people set up camps along the roads/trails. Every road you drive up has camp after camp. It's almost crazy. I stopped counting on Buckles Lake road after 75 camps last year- during the "limited draw" rifle 1. It's a mad house during any OTC season. If you can easily find it on a map, so can 10,000 other people.

If you really want to kill, imho your best option is to hike in and set up a camp in the backcountry. But know, we receive so much pressure you will see other people even doing that. I hiked in 9 miles this last year to hunt sheep, in a TOUGH place, and found a horse camp set up in the middle of a meadow that I was planning on hunting near. The whole bowl was blown out, b/c these goobers put a camp in the middle of a prime spot they should have been elk hunting. That was a LONG hike to discover I had zero chance in that area. It's frustrating- but that is part of public land hunting.

There are places you can go, but don't expect information to be easy to find. With this pressure- you have to be tight lipped or there will be people overrunning any spot soon. I thought it was paranoid BS when I moved here, but have since learned it isn't, it is a reality. I am MORE than happy to help you guys out, and would even show you around if you come to town. But, there really are no "secret elk spots", with online scouting and GPS, people are everywhere. I'm not being tight lipped- there really are no longer secret honey holes. These elk are simply wherever the can find the least pressure (which is hard for them). High, low, it doesn't matter- they are where people aren't.

If you want to hunt this area, or anywhere, I can't stress enough the importance of getting up here in the summer and scouting. That is the only way to learn where you want to focus on, how long it will really take you to get in there, and how yuh want to hunt it. You need to have several places in mind, because you might find other hunters in any of them- no matter how secluded you think it is.

If yuh guys come up to scout, hit me up. I would be more than happy to show you guys around, and we could even spend some time catching trout and scouting if you like. I am by no means an elk or hunting expert. But I'm happy to share what I can, and what little I know. What season are you guys focusing on? How are you wanting to hunt? What is your experience?

Best of luck to you guys! If you go in with the right expectations, and pursue the experience, your gonna love every minute of it! And, when you are loving it (even the grueling parts), that's when you usually find that perfect bull to shoot!

For units- if you want you can get draw tags here for just a few points. It might be worth 2-3 points. But it doesn't increase your odds all that much vs the OTC. If you want to apply for a draw, I would focus on Rifle 1. Rifle 4 can be boom or bust depending on snow.

Many people will hunt OTC in 77/78/771, while building points to hunt unit 76. 76 is just over the continental divide from us, and is a very limited draw unit. HUGE bulls there. Same terrain and genes as here, just dramatically less pressure and they are able to get older. I don't know what 76 is drawing at, but I'm sure it's north of 10 points.

Sorry, but I can't help you with units in other places. I know Durango receives a lot of pressure too.

Thank you. Great post.

If it was not for the AG tag I would think you were someone else. I had that exact discussion with one of my buddies the other day. He is hunting OTC Archery while building points. He has a family cabin in the area.

Thank you for an awesome post - I have all of the equipment needed for backpack hunt so it sounds like that is our best bet - makes sense that it gets a lot of pressure with its location relative to a tourist area. This will get us started with research - thank you again!

CupofJoe, that's some really good information. I'm trying to put together an elk hunt around there with some buddies. One of us hunted there a couple of years ago. We're planning on backpacking in a few miles during OTC archery season. Have you heard anything about the units around Pagosa going to draw only? I saw talk of it on another forum.

AgDad121619 said:

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Thank you for an awesome post - I have all of the equipment needed for backpack hunt so it sounds like that is our best bet - makes sense that it gets a lot of pressure with its location relative to a tourist area. This will get us started with research - thank you again!

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That would be what I would do. Use the cabin when you get in town, acclimate for a day or so. Then hike back in. You will spend so many more hours hunting rather than driving. If you are backpack hunting, it opens up SO much more land to you, and so many better/more enjoyable options.

I haven't heard anything definitive. I honestly wish they would. Getting rid of the Obscene number of OTC tags is the only thing that will help this elk herd recover.

I would love to see them do something like crop rotation. I know they have to make money in some units to have others be select. But they could put 4-6 units on a cycle together- and rotate which ones are OTC and which are draw every 5 years. Then, any unit would only be OTC for 5 years out of any given 15-20 year period. Let the places rest.

I agree.... but unfortunately most things I've seen out of CPW seem to focus on making money, not necessarily herd management.

But, that's a discussion for another thread. Your post above in the spirit of this thread is fantastic.

You forgot the limited entry (draw) muzzleloader tags for elk during otc archery.

Not much to add to Joe's excellent post above. Other than if you plan to backpack it's nice to get a test run in. And show up in shape or be realistic about the shape you're in. A long backpacking trip for a first time can go sideways quick and really beat the spirit down.

And read everything you can about elk behavior. Tons of info out there. But there's no replacement for actually getting boots on the ground in the country.


Edit: and yes, CPW needs to do something about the OTC tag numbers. It's just not sustainable. I worry that it's been going for so long that it'll be tough separating the tags from the $$$ it generates.

Couple all of that with a $600 out of state license and you are forced to buy that small game license for another $75. It is not like it use to be......

LEJ said:

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You forgot the limited entry (draw) muzzleloader tags for elk during otc archery.

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Ssshhhhhh....

Just kidding. I didn't forget about the muzzle loader tags. An excellent option (especially for deer).

Joey,
I hope you saved that response to a word document. I'm sure copy and paste will come in handy for that one! My advice for new hunters only repeats what already been posted. Try to get boots on the ground over the summer and take advantage of the overload of data online. We got into some good OTC bulls this year and I actually had nightmares about how we would get them out if one of my buddies got a shot.

There's some chatter on Rokslide regarding certain OTC archery units moving to the draw. The ones I hunt are included. It's got to be time for that. Even if they keep the tags unlimited they should make them by application only. That way it's not everyone in the world's backup plan. Or worse, you get guys that go up there hunting without a tag, only to go buy one after they find elk.

It's a "be careful what you wish for" kind of thing. But I think it's time for CPW to act. The experience is suffering.

Back in the early 90's we hunted in unit 751. we had 7 mules and 3 hunters. it was a lot of work and we rode 9-10 up to the divide to muzzleloader hunt. I thought we would have the place to ourselves.

but there were other guys up there hunting and we didn't see the elk. now we got a snowstorm of about 2' so we had to leave, but it was surprising to see others way back in there.

Hey Cup! I wanted to see if I could pick your brain about this area some time. Any idea if moving to draw archery in 2020 had an effect or too early to tell?

Go away! There are no elk in his area!


(I'm only about 3/4 joking...)

I mean….that's kind of the point behind the change right? I promise I won't come.

AgDad121619 said:

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My brother and I are going to start applying for preference points in Colorado with Pagosa Springs area as base (his in-laws have a cabin in hat area). We have never elk hunted before and I was looking for some advise on which units to start researching for where we would apply as well as any OTC units for this coming year since we will just be building preference points in a draw unit.

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OP, If you guys are just now about to start applying for preference points, but want to also start learning, you can apply for PP in you first choice and also get and OTC tag and go figure out the place with a tag in your pocket too. I'm sure yo know that, but just in case. Of course if your a non-resident, the tags aren't exactly cheap.

Glad you're getting into it.

Catag94 said:

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AgDad121619 said:

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My brother and I are going to start applying for preference points in Colorado with Pagosa Springs area as base (his in-laws have a cabin in hat area). We have never elk hunted before and I was looking for some advise on which units to start researching for where we would apply as well as any OTC units for this coming year since we will just be building preference points in a draw unit.

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OP, If you guys are just now about to start applying for preference points, but want to also start learning, you can apply for PP in you first choice and also get and OTC tag and go figure out the place with a tag in your pocket too. I'm sure yo know that, but just in case. Of course if your a non-resident, the tags aren't exactly cheap.

Glad you're getting into it.

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original post was 2 years ago - I have 2 trips under my belt but no elk yet. Been hunting with youngest son. Absolutely love it and am hard headed enough to keep going DIY until I get one.

Just like me not to read the dates!

Good for you. Keep at it. I've hunted all over the west and Canada and Alaska. A few of those have been guided but I have far more DIY ones and those memories are just as glorious. Remember size of a trophy hunt is not measured in inches of antler/horn.

I spent 14 preference points, 22 days and 190 miles hiked in Colorado hunting elk this past September. It was tremendous but I didn't draw any blood. Nonetheless, I spent a week with my oldest son (25) tagging along, a day with my youngest, I made a couple new hunting acquaintances, saw a pile of bears, mules deer, and even a mountain lion.
It was true hunting and it was worth it.

AgDad121619 said:

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Catag94 said:

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AgDad121619 said:

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My brother and I are going to start applying for preference points in Colorado with Pagosa Springs area as base (his in-laws have a cabin in hat area). We have never elk hunted before and I was looking for some advise on which units to start researching for where we would apply as well as any OTC units for this coming year since we will just be building preference points in a draw unit.

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OP, If you guys are just now about to start applying for preference points, but want to also start learning, you can apply for PP in you first choice and also get and OTC tag and go figure out the place with a tag in your pocket too. I'm sure yo know that, but just in case. Of course if your a non-resident, the tags aren't exactly cheap.

Glad you're getting into it.

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original post was 2 years ago - I have 2 trips under my belt but no elk yet. Been hunting with youngest son. Absolutely love it and am hard headed enough to keep going DIY until I get one.

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Did you end up going out of and around Pagosa or somewhere else? I stumbled across this thread looking up the archery draw tag in that area.

Highly pressured area. Would look elsewhere

Agree that Pagosa is a high pressure area. Way too many hunters chasing elk.

BigHead 04 said:

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AgDad121619 said:

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Catag94 said:

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AgDad121619 said:

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My brother and I are going to start applying for preference points in Colorado with Pagosa Springs area as base (his in-laws have a cabin in hat area). We have never elk hunted before and I was looking for some advise on which units to start researching for where we would apply as well as any OTC units for this coming year since we will just be building preference points in a draw unit.

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OP, If you guys are just now about to start applying for preference points, but want to also start learning, you can apply for PP in you first choice and also get and OTC tag and go figure out the place with a tag in your pocket too. I'm sure yo know that, but just in case. Of course if your a non-resident, the tags aren't exactly cheap.

Glad you're getting into it.

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original post was 2 years ago - I have 2 trips under my belt but no elk yet. Been hunting with youngest son. Absolutely love it and am hard headed enough to keep going DIY until I get one.

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Did you end up going out of and around Pagosa or somewhere else? I stumbled across this thread looking up the archery draw tag in that area.

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we have been hunting unit 42 below silt - mainly because a buddy from work has been hunting it 20 years and shared some spots to start. It is pressured pretty hard because no points are required to hunt it. There are elk there but you have to work hard for a sighting. I have only managed 1 true hunt and have spent the rest of my days walking / glassing/ and learning the area. Wouldn't recommend based on my limited sightings but we have learned the area some so we are focused on building our knowledge of this area rather than going somewhere new - and I question my strategy daily while I'm poring over the go hunt unit statistics.

Agree CO is high pressure area. I'd look elsewhere

Based on most of the responses look like I should have followed my original intentions.

Yeah sounds like Colorado is just horrible and I'll move on down the road