Colorado plains elk units. Are they even worth trying?

Newtosavage · Jun 24, 2017

I'll be heading back to CO this fall in pursuit (again) of elk meat for the freezer. My son - who is a CO resident - will be joining me when he's not in class at UC Boulder. We've hunted the Durango area the past two years with a bow and muzzleloader, and while we came close with the ML last year, so far the coolers have been empty coming home.

Researching the hieroglyphics they call the annual big game hunt guide, I learned that the units E. of I-25 have a longer season and allow either sex hunting with OTC rifle tags, unlike the units West of I-25. As I consider $100+ dollars/day to be quite steep for a tag, I'm inclined to spend a few weeks pursuing a cow in the plains if need be. That would also allow my son to make two trips to hunt with me between classes.

But with so little public land in those plains units, and not having the ability to apply for ranching for wildlife or other resident perks, the choices look very limited.

Any information or cold hard truths are welcome before I go out on a fool's errand without a prayer.

Don McDowell · Jun 24, 2017

You might check with Ft. Carson to see about hunting opportunity on the Pinyon Canyon. The Comanche Grass lands are just a cross the road. There are a very few elk that roam in and out of the Pawnee Grasslands.
Probably better off just to go along with your son and be his cook/packer.

H&Hhunter · Jun 24, 2017

Don McDowell said:
You might check with Ft. Carson to see about hunting opportunity on the Pinyon Canyon. The Comanche Grass lands are just a cross the road. There are a very few elk that roam in and out of the Pawnee Grasslands.
Probably better off just to go along with your son and be his cook/packer.

The Pinyon Canyon unit is draw only starting this year. There is some spectacular Eastern plains elk hunting, unfortunately all of the good stuff is either on Ft Carson or private land. I was also stoked about Eastern plains OTC hunting due to Pinyon Canyon but that ship has sailed.

Some of the largest elk in the state are taken out of units 104 and 105 but they are all on private land. The same goes for some stuff east of Pueblo.

Newtosavage · Jun 24, 2017

That's what I figured. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. LOL Thanks to the internet, there really aren't any secret hunting spots anymore. Heck, I can find outfitter's camps on Google earth without even trying very hard.

Probably better off just to go along with your son and be his cook/packer.

If I let that boy kill an elk before I do, I'll never hear the end of it. ha, ha.

Don McDowell · Jun 24, 2017

Another option, go for one of the left over Wyoming licenses, seasons are longer and if you paid for both of you to get a antlerless license, or a reduced priced cow/calf, it would be cheaper than just you buying a nr Co license.

Newtosavage · Jun 24, 2017

Don McDowell said:
Another option, go for one of the left over Wyoming licenses, seasons are longer and if you paid for both of you to get a antlerless license, or a reduced priced cow/calf, it would be cheaper than just you buying a nr Co license.

Thanks. I will look into that.

Gtscotty · Jun 24, 2017

Newtosavage said:
Thanks. I will look into that.

I was going to say the same thing as Don, I noticed that there are ~170 type 4 tags leftover and ~150 type 6 tags left over for area 7, where I hunt. Bow season all of Sept, gun season Oct 15th-ish through Dec 31st. They are doing a draw for the leftover tags this year, as opposed to first come first serve like in the past, you can enter June 26th through the 30th. The draw is in mid-July I believe, you can see all of the areas with leftover tags on the Wyoming fish and game website.

old heeler · Jun 25, 2017

Newtosavage said:
That's what I figured. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. LOL Thanks to the internet, there really aren't any secret hunting spots anymore. Heck, I can find outfitter's camps on Google earth without even trying very hard.

Newtosavage said:

I'll be heading back to CO this fall in pursuit (again) of elk meat for the freezer. My son - who is a CO resident - will be joining me when he's not in class at UC Boulder. We've hunted the Durango area the past two years with a bow and muzzleloader, and while we came close with the ML last year, so far the coolers have been empty coming home.

Researching the hieroglyphics they call the annual big game hunt guide, I learned that the units E. of I-25 have a longer season and allow either sex hunting with OTC rifle tags, unlike the units West of I-25. As I consider $100+ dollars/day to be quite steep for a tag, I'm inclined to spend a few weeks pursuing a cow in the plains if need be. That would also allow my son to make two trips to hunt with me between classes.

But with so little public land in those plains units, and not having the ability to apply for ranching for wildlife or other resident perks, the choices look very limited.

Any information or cold hard truths are welcome before I go out on a fool's errand without a prayer.

Click to expand...

I live in a Plains unit and I prefer to hunt west of I-25. The Plains tags are unlimited which means you can buy as many as you want and most good hunting is on private land.

The Plains tag is good from Sept 1- Jan 31 so just going to hunting public land is not sure thing. Comanche Grass land is almost 1/2 million acres and I've never hunted the Grasslands. I've hunted antelope on private land close by and most of the water is on private land. Most of the Grasslands are in unit 135 and hunting harvest stats 2016 deer they took 25 bucks/17 does,antelope they took 110 bucks /105 does and no elk taken.

2016 stats on Plains unit 104/105/110 they took 65 bulls and about same cow/calves but that included Ranching For Wildlife tags for the units 104/105/110.

Pinon Canyon is mostly unit 142 and they took 13 bulls and 10 cow, 2016. Unit I live they took 14 bulls last year.

Best chance to fill tag is private land on Plains tag.

Newtosavage · Jun 25, 2017

Gtscotty said:
I was going to say the same thing as Don, I noticed that there are ~170 type 4 tags leftover and ~150 type 6 tags left over for area 7, where I hunt. Bow season all of Sept, gun season Oct 15th-ish through Dec 31st. They are doing a draw for the leftover tags this year, as opposed to first come first serve like in the past, you can enter June 26th through the 30th. The draw is in mid-July I believe, you can see all of the areas with leftover tags on the Wyoming fish and game website.

Thank you Gtscotty for the clarification. I was a bit confused about the Wyo advice as I missed the draw, but will look into those leftover draws (if I'm eligible). In CO, only those who applied in the drawing before the deadline are eligible for the leftover tags, unfortunately. I don't think I'll ever miss another CO draw deadline. LOL

Don McDowell · Jun 25, 2017

Anybody is eligible for the left over draw. This is the first year they've done this draw thing , usually it's first come first served.

Newtosavage · Jun 25, 2017

Thanks Don. I see that now. Opens tomorrow. I think my timing was very fortunate.

Don McDowell · Jun 25, 2017

Main thing to watch for is those area's with the little red asterisk , those are largely private land, and getting access can be a challenge.

H&Hhunter · Jun 25, 2017

Newtosavage said:
Thank you Gtscotty for the clarification. I was a bit confused about the Wyo advice as I missed the draw, but will look into those leftover draws (if I'm eligible). In CO, only those who applied in the drawing before the deadline are eligible for the leftover tags, unfortunately. I don't think I'll ever miss another CO draw deadline. LOL

Pretty sure that's not true. Anybody can buy left over tags in CO.

Newtosavage · Jun 25, 2017

H&Hhunter said:
Pretty sure that's not true. Anybody can buy left over tags in CO.

I looked again and found it. Gotta call in on Aug 1. to see what's left after the draw and 1st leftover draw.

H&Hhunter · Jun 25, 2017

Newtosavage said:
I looked again and found it. Gotta call in on Aug 1. to see what's left after the draw and 1st leftover draw.

Nope that's not how it works. You just go onto the website and see whats left over. On the first day you have to buy them in person. Starting day two until they are all gone, you can simply buy any left over tag online. No draw if its an available left over you just buy it.

Newtosavage · Jun 26, 2017

Haven't been able to find the leftover tag info online. Looking in the wrong place I'm sure. From the website, Aug. 1 you can call in, buy them in person or have someone buy them for you in person if they have all your information. Aug. 2 they go on sale online.

You wouldn't have a link to the leftover list by chance?

Newtosavage · Jun 26, 2017

Just called CO and leftover tags will be listed July 17.

Colorado plains elk units. Are they even worth trying?

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