Best OTC Elk Unit

DeerAddiction4 · Sep 13, 2024

What do you guys think the best otc unit is to hunt in Colorado 2nd or 3rd season. Trying to plan a hunt and am not sure where to go. Looking to go DIY and after hunt I would be willing to share info about the unit.

HIcountryman · Sep 13, 2024

oldmossback · Sep 13, 2024

DeerAddiction4 said:
What do you guys think the best otc unit is to hunt in Colorado 2nd or 3rd season. Trying to plan a hunt and am not sure where to go. Looking to go DIY and after hunt I would be willing to share info about the unit.

You are not going to receive much info to this question and here is why,
If anyone has found a honey hole in a OTC unit or a OTC unit that they feel is better than the rest, They do not want that info to get out and do not want their spot ruined. Most likely they have found the unit or area by lots of hard work, homework and scouting. This often time takes many years.
Your best bet would be to look at the CPW statistics page and narrow your search down to a few units that have good harvest reports . Then start scouting the area to find the animals and least people.
I myself have been in search of a good OTC elk area for almost 25 years. It is not easy and what I have found I have stumbled on by just wondering the woods

1989Cohunter · Sep 13, 2024

Pick one and get to know better than any girlfriend you will ever have. They are all very tough and they all have elk. Good luck!

Calif_Mike · Sep 13, 2024

1989Cohunter said:
Pick one and get to know better than any girlfriend you will ever have. They are all very tough and they all have elk. Good luck!

This is exactly the answer. We do very well in a low success rate OTC unit because we know it so well. There are no shortcuts to killing elk other than buying your success.

The_Coloradoboy · Sep 13, 2024

DeerAddiction4 said:
What do you guys think the best otc unit is to hunt in Colorado 2nd or 3rd season. Trying to plan a hunt and am not sure where to go. Looking to go DIY and after hunt I would be willing to share info about the unit.

That is a broad question.. like others have stated, it’s the unit you know the best and only a fool would state such information over an Internet forum.

DeerAddiction4 · Sep 13, 2024

Thanks I’ll see what research I can do and start hunting it. Do you think otc units will be hard to draw next year?

coloradoman · Sep 13, 2024

DeerAddiction4 said:
Thanks I’ll see what research I can do and start hunting it. Do you think otc units will be hard to draw next year?

Do you know what OTC stands for?

oldmossback · Sep 13, 2024

DeerAddiction4 said:
Thanks I’ll see what research I can do and start hunting it. Do you think otc units will be hard to draw next year?

By this statement I assume you are a non resident and you are concerned about OTC going to draw only for Non res next year?
If so , No I would not be too worried

The_Coloradoboy · Sep 13, 2024

DeerAddiction4 said:
Thanks I’ll see what research I can do and start hunting it. Do you think otc units will be hard to draw next year?

youre wet behind the ears aren’t you?

DeerAddiction4 · Sep 13, 2024

The_Coloradoboy said:
youre wet behind the ears aren’t you?

Never hunted elk before lol

DeerAddiction4 · Sep 13, 2024

oldmossback said:
By this statement I assume you are a non resident and you are concerned about OTC going to draw only for Non res next year?
If so , No I would not be too worried

Ok

DeerAddiction4 · Sep 13, 2024

The_Coloradoboy said:
youre wet behind the ears aren’t you?

I’m more of a Deer type of guy just trying to get started on elk

1989Cohunter · Sep 13, 2024

as a NR I would pick a unit and put boots in the unit. The first couple years hunting it may be glorified scouting trips. But that’s the price you pay for otc Colorado. You may get into them on your first go or you may not see a thing. But every spot I hunt in the otc units I treat like an investment.

gundog2 · Sep 13, 2024

You can get useful information from a variety of subscription services like GoHunt, Huntin Fool, Top Rut. Some of these come free with OnX subscription. You might even want to talk with a consultant. There are many other things you might want to consider above and beyond success rates, like road access, wilderness, camping or lodging options etc. Are you looking for a backpack hunt or day hiking? A good elk hunting plan will be successful even if you don’t get one.

DeerAddiction4 · Sep 13, 2024

gundog2 said:
You can get useful information from a variety of subscription services like GoHunt, Huntin Fool, Top Rut. Some of these come free with OnX subscription. You might even want to talk with a consultant. There are many other things you might want to consider above and beyond success rates, like road access, wilderness, camping or lodging options etc. Are you looking for a backpack hunt or day hiking? A good elk hunting plan will be successful even if you don’t get one.

I have been doing research on GOHUNT and have OnX and Hunting Fool.

gundog2 · Sep 13, 2024

If you can narrow things down to a few units, you might be able to get more help. If nothing else, people will usually tell you what challenges to expect and maybe give you some help via private messages.

Paul_Crawford · Sep 14, 2024

The_Coloradoboy · Sep 14, 2024

DeerAddiction4 said:
Thanks I’ll see what research I can do and start hunting it. Do you think otc units will be hard to draw next year?

2nd and 3rd rifle season will still be Over-the-counter for non residents next year so yes they should be pretty easy to draw….

Deercy · Sep 14, 2024

I've helped guys several times. If I know them, I will give them a unit and some general information to start with. If I don't know them, I usually ask them to pick an area and I will give information on where I would hunt, based on some things I look for.

Weiserbucks · Sep 14, 2024

The_Coloradoboy said:
2nd and 3rd rifle season will still be Over-the-counter for non residents next year so yes they should be pretty easy to draw….

Do you think zero points will be enough for an OTC tag?

DeerAddiction4 · Sep 14, 2024

The_Coloradoboy said:
2nd and 3rd rifle season will still be Over-the-counter for non residents next year so yes they should be pretty easy to draw….

My fault @The_Coloradoboy I thought they were doing away with them completely not just archery. Thanks.

The_Coloradoboy · Sep 14, 2024

Weiserbucks said:
Do you think zero points will be enough for an OTC tag?

Probably gonna take atleast 3 points to draw for sure

Weiserbucks · Sep 14, 2024

The_Coloradoboy said:
Probably gonna take atleast 3 points to draw for sure

Dammit, I only have 1

TKMulePacker · Sep 14, 2024

DeerAddiction4, are you old enough to drive yourself out here?

Will trade my fav OTC unit for a hunt on what appears to be your private ranch, sagebrush hunts? check out the kids pics.

DeerAddiction4 · Sep 15, 2024

TKMulePacker said:
DeerAddiction4, are you old enough to drive yourself out here?

Will trade my fav OTC unit for a hunt on what appears to be your private ranch, sagebrush hunts? check out the kids pics.

I’m not old enough to drive yet but I will be next year. I’m not interested in trading any hunts. Sagebrush Hunts is the name of our guide service. We offer hunts in Kansas, Texas and New Mexico.

TKMulePacker · Sep 15, 2024

All good, I wasnt being serious about trading hunts.

Just one thing you should keep in mind, most of the dudes on this site grew up when there was no internet. They learned everything they know by going out there and figuring it out on their own. Lots of time, money, effort, failure and try again.

Lots of guys are willing to help out, esp a young guy trying to learn, like yourself. Just come back with something that shows youve put some time, effort and thought into. Youll get more PMs from people willing to help. There is no substitute for doing the work, and we can all sniff out someone looking to skip out on that part.

DeerAddiction4 · Sep 15, 2024

TKMulePacker said:
All good, I wasnt being serious about trading hunts.

Just one thing you should keep in mind, most of the dudes on this site grew up when there was no internet. They learned everything they know by going out there and figuring it out on their own. Lots of time, money, effort, failure and try again.

Lots of guys are willing to help out, esp a young guy trying to learn, like yourself. Just come back with something that shows youve put some time, effort and thought into. Youll get more PMs from people willing to help. There is no substitute for doing the work, and we can all sniff out someone looking to skip out on that part.

Thanks.

The_Coloradoboy · Sep 15, 2024

DeerAddiction4 said:
Thanks.

I started on this site way back when I 15/16 years old (I’m currently 32) so roughly 16 year years ago now. I definitely made my mistakes in my younger days trying to impress the older crowd on this site. There are some great guys on this site with a lot to contribute to you as a hunter and young person cutting your teeth in western hunting.