Can't you hunt most of the state with OTC general elk, deer, and black bear tags?

arrow said:

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Can't you hunt most of the state with OTC general elk, deer, and black bear tags?

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Not mule deer.

I was thinking of getting a secondary draw elk tag but I do not think I can swing it with the deer hunts I have to guide during rifle season. I may just be limited to archery elk on weekends. This year is the year of getting a bear and buck for stepdad in 3R. That is the most important thing.

Now, in 2024....I will be burning 12WY points and also whitetail hunting the Milk River in MT.

I'm pretty sure they can. My family members in Montana usually have a whole laundry list of tags each year.

Im an idiot. I thought you were talking about CO. My mistake. Sorry

The closest trailhead I can find is 7 miles from the flat area around Derby, I guess I assumed that would be far enough back to be alone. Is there an ATV compatible trail or something that I'm missing?

We're getting really close for that early season archery hunt! My mind is ready but my body is not… well it's probably like 80% ready

Might be worth it to park at Indian Camp and hunt the areas I sent you yesterday on Sweetwater Trail. There has to be another way to Derby though, but its still under snow.

Thats on the list of places I'm spending time looking at.

Part of me really wants to go to 65 or 45 for the only reason of taking a break from hunting mid week and heading up to the top of Uncompahgre/Mount of the Holy Cross. My buddy is less enthusiastic about checking a 14er off the list than I am

Looks like a pretty big Cinnamon! Then again, all bears look pretty big to me

He is a big bear. There is a sow with cubs a little smaller than him. They are everywhere this year due to moisture and forage.

arrow said:

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Can't you hunt most of the state with OTC general elk, deer, and black bear tags?

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Oh, for sure. Having two young kids, stakeholder meetings for work in September, and living in an area with not great elk numbers, the B tag is my best bet at putting an elk in the freezer, though. We can't shoot doe or cows during rifle, and last year I filled my single deer tag with a doe in archery so I could ensure meat in the freezer.

Doesn't mean I won't get out and hunt, but it would be awesome to go hunt a great unit for a quality bull.

I drew a limited entry Wyoming antelope tag in unit 96. Also have a mule/Coues tag in the Gila. I shot a really nice Coues on same hunt last year.

2 months from today I'll be in the high mountains of Colorado chasing elk. Can't wait! That is all.

It's coming up quickly! I'm still behind on my cardio…

I drew a cow/calf elk tag in WY for this fall. This will be my first elk hunt. I got a Kuiu pack on sale last week that is supposed to arrive on Friday. I'll be loading it up and hitting the trails during the evening to train.

That's awesome!

Kuiu had a good sale that ended last night. I loaded up on some more socks and some lightweight gear for archery. I like their packs a lot.

Do you like their other gear, in general? I loaded up on quite a bit during their sale this past week.

Absolutely! Their stuff runs a little small (like Sitka) but it's all phenomenal stuff. It's overpriced and not worth it if you're just sitting in a box blind, but for trekking in the mountains it's worth every penny.

That's good to hear. I don't mind spending the money as long as it does the job and holds up well with appropriate care.

I have been using hand me downs and such for the past 10 years, but didn't have anything for rain/snow and decided to bite the bullet. I got a Yukon and Chugach rain gear set and am planning to return one after I try them on to get a better feel for how the layers are fitted.

What is the consensus on how to physically prepare for a 7 day hunt? I'm comfortable putting in a fair number of hours every week on the bike, but am more concerned about core/legs/back strength. Is it better to spend more time hiking with a loaded pack, doing core & lower body exercises, or something else entirely?

Drew a CO Mule Deer tag I did not expect to draw. I've drawn it before but had 10 points. I put in for it with 5 this time and didn't even check on it. Then a tag arrived in the mail late last week. For this SWA, there are 5 Archery MD tags and only one goes to a non-resident. I have now drawn it twice! Stoked.

Make sure you follow directions on how to wash their rain gear. I didn't and need to get some of their stuff for my rain jacket to "recharge" it with whatever water repellent they use.

Regarding physical preparation - it really depends on the type of terrain you're going to hunt and your physical AND mental fitness. Mental toughness/fortitude is probably one of the more overlooked attributes needed for these hunts… embrace the suck and be able to find comfort in the grind.

For every hunt I have ever been on, my cardio has never been where it probably should. I strength train pretty rigorously and have done so for about 20 years. Unfortunately I dont do a bunch of cardio but will incorporate running and stairclimbers with a pack for training.

Where my strength training helps out tremendously is in lower body strength and core strength. Walking over deadfall is basically lunges or Bulgarians. You also need to have strong hip flexors and a lower back. Fortunately I have not had an issue on any of my hunts here.

If I were making recommendations on exercises to help, outside of squats and maybe deadlifts (which I am not a fan of), I would recommend:

Bulgarian split squats
Lunges
Suit case carry (one armed farmer walk)
Suit case carry dead lift dumbbell (both of these strengthen your core and stability muscles in your spine)
RDLs
Rows
Front squats
Lying leg curls
Dumbbell step ups
I'd also focus on core strength and usual upper body stuff

Plenty of other more experienced guys on here that can offer advice.

TLDR - be mentally and physically prepared to suffer and you'll be okay

That's awesome! Can you draw for me next year?

Thanks! This is quite helpful. I had back surgery a year ago, so I am particularly mindful of core stabilization. As far as embracing mental and physical misery…Aggie football and 15 years of endurance sports might pay some dividends.

Try out the MTN Tough app for your training. It's pretty awesome.

I will check it out, thank you!

Track&Recover said:

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2 months from today I'll be in the high mountains of Colorado chasing elk. Can't wait! That is all.

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In 2 months I'll already be back home! Which is a sobering reminder that I have a lot of **** to get ready in a short amount of time.

I need to decide what weeks I will hunt my CO archery elk tag. Unit 67.

I'm planning a two week block. If it wasn't for the muzzleloader season I would go the 10th - 23rd.

It is a limited draw with only ~90 archery hunter but there will be another 70 muzzleloader hunters the week of the 10th.

That has me thinking I might go the week before muzzleloader, which then has me thinking I might as well be there for the opener, which has me thinking I should go scout a few days before the opener.

Also I am wrapping up my escouting/ hunt plan so if anyone has been in this unit I'd love to pick your brain.

Any chance you could hunt the first week and if the elk aren't cooperating return after muzzleloader season? I definitely wouldn't go the week of muzzleloader. I hate that they put those dates in there.

That is a possibility... Just sucks to make the 28 hour roundtrip drive again. I seem to do that pretty much every year though.

The odds are in your favor by going for the two week block. That is enough days in the field where your success probability is high regardless of what dates you go.
The moon phase is best during the muzzleloader week. I would do the 10th - 24th if you are taking votes.

You know how to kill bull elk.
I've killed them rutting the first week of September and I've killed them rutting the second week of October. For me, with archery, I've needed them rutting.

I'll be in 76 the first week of September....with a deer tag.

Anybody ever hunted 64/65 Colorado? Buddy and I got cow tags for 1st season on secondary draw. Would like to share my plan based on research and scouting and pick some brains.