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What season is everyone picking for CO elk this year now that the season structure has been completely revamped? If you hunted 2nd season, you still hunting 2nd? Some seasons offer either sex tags now as part of the draw. Most of our years have been first season, and we're sticking to that again this year. Probably put in for cow tags.

we normally hunt 1st rifle and are applying for it this year too.

Expect to have more pressure on tags this year because of those changes, though.

wouldnt surprise me to see point creep get worse in 1st rifle, for sure. =/

good luck to you and yours.

First season has no deer tag options. A lot of out of state people I know wanted every chance they could get when they came and purposely hunted 2nd season because they could have a deer tag too. Pushing the seasons later in the year will encourage out-of-staters to apply for earlier season because of weather IMO. If you have to drive here from PA through snow storms towing a trailer or setting up camp in 18" of snow could, a later season could be a deal breaker. I do think the either sex tags will be sought after. First season is still 5 days, which isn't appealing if you are coming from out of state. Just not sure what will happen.

agreed on all accounts. we normally hunt 1st season cause the harvest % tends to be higher.

that said.....

last year, we hunted 2nd season cause we finally had enough tags to draw buck tags in "our" unit. our four hunters got two bucks, one bull and a bear. first time we've ever "batted 1000", and my dads first ever bull. he got lucky on that bull tag with 0 PP's, and didnt have enough deer PP's to draw.

The last three years I have hunted 3rd and 4th seasons with success. The previous 12 seasons, we hunted 2nd rifle season. I will be hunting 2nd rifle season this year if I draw. Our old gang has petered out over the years and only 2 of us old timers remain with another guy that has been with us off and on for 8 years. A couple of the newer guys are beginning to irritate me so I’m about ready to leave them with it. I like 4th season for bulls but my buddy doesn’t want to hunt when he can’t get a deer tag. Besides, the new structure pushes the 4th season back a week into Thanksgiving after next year. Happy Trails

I've always hunted third season and did well with outfitters in Units 12 and 13. This year I will be going first season for the first time, Private Land Only either sex, we should draw, no deer, that sucks. I hope it isn't too hot. Good luck all.

A pard of mine said he read where CO is supposed to have below average precipitation and above normal temperatures through December. I also asked him for next weeks Powerball numbers.... LOL!

I think everyone should stay home and cower in fear of the Corona virus . Don’t apply the season will be canceled for sure.

Maybe that will allow me to draw a deer tag 2 years in a row.

My thought as well, although I applied for deer in NM not CO. But I wanna draw my other tags.

3rd and 4th is my plan. Should have a deer tag as well.

Only ML for draw, will probably hunt some late seasons in Dec with leftover tags.

Should add, I put in for first rifle elk, hope to do a backpack hunt.

I have a question that you all can probably answer faster than I can Google it.

I am putting in for a Limited archery tag that I should draw in Unit 12. I am also wanting to put in for one of the rifle bear hunts that runs concurrently with the archery season in another unit. How do I go about doing that? Was planning on calling the DOW tomorrow to see if I could get an answer from them.

That is an OTC add on license if you have the archery tag.The big game brochure shows a hunt code of B-E-012-U1-A. After you have your archery tag go online and buy the OTC tag. Note; do not use the hunt code for the draw for that tag.

What unit were you looking to hunt bear in? The add-on licenses appear to be for the same unit(s) as the primary deer/elk tag. If it’s a unit other than the ones listed on your elk tag, you might have to apply for another license listed in the Bear section of the regulations (I think). Call CPW hunt planner number to clarify. I always found the hunt planners to be helpful. License sales not so knowledgeable sometimes. Happy Trails

Archery hunt unit 12 and then bear hunt unit 71-711

Thanks Vince

The OTC Add on Bear tag must be in a unit that overlaps your archery tag per the regs. I don't think you can get a bear tag for 71 -711 if you have an archery tag for 12 . I think you would have to apply for one in a draw. Hunt code B-E-071-O1-A

Good luck 🍀

That’s what I am thinking also Vince. I called CPW in Meeker and he was about as helpful as a case of herpes.

You must have talked to Evan Jones. Local game wardens are not up with all the new changes that have been implemented

Right! They know if you have the right tag for the dirt you are standing on and dates, etc. I know Evan Jones and he seems like a nice guy. He is a friend of my landowner buddy and I have visited with him a couple of times at the ranch. Call the CPW hunt planner folks in Denver.....listed in the brochure and online.

Double post......must be da corona....

Steve--I hope you are kidding about the high temperatires. In 2017 I was hunting second combined in Meeker, it was 75 degrees, I came home sunburnt and with a 5x5! I thought I was going to have heat stroke. Good luck all!

My pard is a county ag agent and was quoting a USDA forecast. He sent me the link, but I didn’t open it since it would not work on my phone. Hope it’s a normal year, but what’s normal this year? H

Yep, it was warm 2017 2nd Rifle but pretty normal 3rd season with a bit of snow. Happy Trails

No one can predict any weather in Colorado. We got snowed out in 2nd rifle last year.

Don't bother applying, if you haven't yet. Colorado cancelled the 20-21 hunting seasons due to viruses and such.

date stamp.

Whats everyones opinion on the bear tag? Put in for 1st rifle elk, debating on applying for a bear as well.

Many of the units have OTC bear tags that correspond with your elk tag. I'm getting one this year. I'm not a huge fan of bear steak, but I saw so many tracks this last fall it's hard not to buy one.

Screw it! I'm gonna go fishing instead

Having hunted CO since a 1974, I have seen three bears and a few tracks over several different Big Game Units. I know there are few more out there, but firmly believe this is a new tactic of CPW to convince hunters to buy more bear tags to get more revenue. We all know that in many areas, elk herd numbers are down, yet CPW still holds on to the280,00+ elk numbers. To say there are less,would mean hunters would look elsewhere and they would have a revenue shortfall.Same thing with bears

Preference point for me and my sons this year as they are both getting married. Archery next year again for us . I just can’t get enough of elk in September. As for a bear tag as a NR , I won’t buy a tag but my Res son will. Never saw one while hunting but plenty of sign , although we checked sons elk carcass daily last year and only had coyote hitting it.

Another nonresident preference point for me, that will make 11. I'll probably try to draw a decent muzzleloader tag at some point. The good rifle tags are forever out of reach unless they go to a hybrid draw.

We’ve seen a few in unit 13 during 2nd season and the archery guys on the adjacent ranch saw 13 last year (unverified).

I will say that I have seen quite a few bears in 71-711. The one time I did have a bear tag I only saw a small one that may have went 100lbs soaking wet. I trapped bears for UT at Camp Lejeune Marine base in coastal NC when I was in college. The biggest one I ever snared went pretty close to 700 lbs and I poked him with a jab stick at about 4 feet. In all honesty, shooting one is fairly low on my to do list. I will probably just end up helping my friend hunt and watch the mules while he does his thing.

I've seen bears in every unit I've hunted in, all in archery season some big uns too.


Last day to apply today.

Only fools and newcomers.... ha ha

We had a lot of snow on the ground last year during 3rd season, but it was fading towards the end of the week. 4th season was warmer than 2nd or 3rd. Ya never know. Just go and be prepared! Happy Trails