Elk hunt in Colorado

[Lee M]

I’m looking to burn my 20 or so preference points and do a Colorado elk hunt in 2025. I have hunted Craig area for the last 25 years but i am looking for a top unit and possibly a good outfitter. The area i hunt in NW Colorado had a big winter kill in 2022-23. Units 2/201 require more than 20 and likely were impacted with the weather. I read some blogs about unit 40.

Any recommendations?

 

[JimP]

Unit 40 is a good unit that is mostly private but it does hold some great bulls.

Unit 61 is also a better unit for bulls in the 350 range. For 61 I would recommend Garvey Brothers Outfitters for any of the hunts. Without looking 20 Nr points might get you a muzzle loader tag, but i haven't looked for a number of years. I hunted with Garvey Brothers a number of years ago on the muzzle loader hunt.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Unit 20
Comanche Wilderness Outfitters

Scott Limmer has leases all around Estes Park and permits to hunt unit 19 and 20. I killed 370” bull with Scott

 

[Lee M]

Thx JimP and Altitude sickness. Garvey website and FB page is either old or not accessible. I did reach out to CWO. Anyone else have a recommendation?

 

[Altitude sickness]

CWO hunters killed some really good Bulls in 2023

 

[Berettaco]

Units 66/67 muzzleloader would be a good option. Check out Powderhorn Primitive outfitters - Monte is a good guide and person.

 

[Scott CWO]

I’m looking to burn my 20 or so preference points and do a Colorado elk hunt in 2025. I have hunted Craig area for the last 25 years but i am looking for a top unit and possibly a good outfitter. The area i hunt in NW Colorado had a big winter kill in 2022-23. Units 2/201 require more than 20 and likely were impacted with the weather. I read some blogs about unit 40.

Any recommendations?

Hi Lee. Just got home from Plains deer camp. I will respond back to your email today.

 

[Berettaco]

Units 2,10 and 851 are also good options

 

[Lee M]

I think unit 2 and nearby units had a bad winter kill in 2022/23. NW Colorado.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’m looking to burn my 20 or so preference points and do a Colorado elk hunt in 2025. I have hunted Craig area for the last 25 years but i am looking for a top unit and possibly a good outfitter. The area i hunt in NW Colorado had a big winter kill in 2022-23. Units 2/201 require more than 20 and likely were impacted with the weather. I read some blogs about unit 40.

Any recommendations?

You've already reached out to him but I'd discuss with @Scott CWO . He have me some great advice due to where I am points wise, the winter kill, and where he foresees Colorado going in the future with game management.

 

[Altitude sickness]

20 points won’t get you into the NW corner units.

And believe it or not if you have a little luck, you can kill as big a bull where CWO hunts in unit 20

 

[steve white]

I wonder how long it will take for herds to bounce back from last winter's die off?

 

[steve white]

BTW, are tags still available over the counter in Colorado?

 

[JimP]

Most of the state is OTC for rifle elk tags with no quota.

There are archery units that were either sex that are now bull only, but there are only a few of them.

As for how long it's going for the northwest corner to recover, I'd say 5 to 10 years as long as there isn't another winter like 2022-2023.