The Elk Thread

[Paycheck]

Going to try OTC south Colorado elk hunt this year again. Looking at unit 80. Are Colorado OTC elk tags unit specific?

[jaker_cc]

Originally Posted by Paycheck

Going to try OTC south Colorado elk hunt this year again. Looking at unit 80. Are Colorado OTC elk tags unit specific?

No, just make sure that you look into the 2020 Regs about that unit. They switched a bunch of the OTC units in the sw part of the state to draw this year. Your otc tag is good for any otc unit in the state

[TradAg02]

Originally Posted by Punkin

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good lightweight tripod to use for glassing in the back country? Headed to Colorado in September and working on gathering up all the gear I need.

I pack a tripod for mule deer, but don’t for elk. Unless you are hunting for a trophy, I’d save the money and weight. Resting your binos on a short trekking pole while seated should get you stable enough to spot elk farther away than you can hike.


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[Paycheck]

Originally Posted by jaker_cc

No, just make sure that you look into the 2020 Regs about that unit. They switched a bunch of the OTC units in the sw part of the state to draw this year. Your otc tag is good for any otc unit in the state

Thanks, got a buddy that has a cabin in 78, but that's one they switched.

[chevota]

Finally got a chance to go scout further from camp today. Found a prime spot with tons of sign. Saw a cinnamon bear, and a bull still in full velvet. Nothing like a close encounter to get ya pumped for season. Another blonde bear driving back to camp. Got my cams set can't wait for mid september!

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[Punkin]

Originally Posted by TradAg02

I pack a tripod for mule deer, but don’t for elk. Unless you are hunting for a trophy, I’d save the money and weight. Resting your binos on a short trekking pole while seated should get you stable enough to spot elk farther away than you can hike.

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Why for mule deer but not for Elk? Are you spending less time behind the bino's for Elk than for mule deer? I have a cow tag so I'm not at all worried about trophy or antlers. Additionally, this is my first time so my expectations of success are slim to none. Main focus for this trip is gear and testing it out so I'm better prepared for next year and locating animals. I'll really be happy just to find them and practice stalking.

[wytex]

Save some weight and just have some trekking poles or a walking stick to rest them on.
Most of your elk glassing will be seated, rest your elbows on knees for solid rest.
Mule deer are also more open country animals , elk more so in timber but not always.
Elk racks are also very easy to spot from a distance, mulies need some closer looks to know what they are carrying on their heads.

[simek]

Has anybody else been impressed with goHUNT's new mapping app? I'm a big fan.

[MooseontheLoose]

Originally Posted by Punkin

Why for mule deer but not for Elk? Are you spending less time behind the bino's for Elk than for mule deer? I have a cow tag so I'm not at all worried about trophy or antlers. Additionally, this is my first time so my expectations of success are slim to none. Main focus for this trip is gear and testing it out so I'm better prepared for next year and locating animals. I'll really be happy just to find them and practice stalking.

Yes less time for elk than deer. Elk stick out big time and it's pretty easy to see them in meadows and hillsides from far away. If you're cow hunting in September and you see a group of elk, there's probably a target in there for you, so no need to spend the time to pick the group apart with the glass on a tripod.

A caveat I would add is that if you're going to do any kind of filming, whether it be with a Phone Skope or a traditional camera, a tripod would be a necessity for quality video.

[Texans42]

Originally Posted by Punkin

Why for mule deer but not for Elk? Are you spending less time behind the bino's for Elk than for mule deer? I have a cow tag so I'm not at all worried about trophy or antlers. Additionally, this is my first time so my expectations of success are slim to none. Main focus for this trip is gear and testing it out so I'm better prepared for next year and locating animals. I'll really be happy just to find them and practice stalking.

You can call in elk, and they tend to stick to thicker timber, by second week of Sept if you see cows they will have a bull there some where.

My range finder is 7x... about all I need for archery elk

[jds247]

Originally Posted by simek

Has anybody else been impressed with goHUNT's new mapping app? I'm a big fan.

I tried it a few days ago.. unless I was using it wrong the 3d on Google earth seemed better.. ill give it another try tonight

[jds247]

Originally Posted by simek

Has anybody else been impressed with goHUNT's new mapping app? I'm a big fan.

I finally figured out how to flip the map .. I like it . It's just a little hard to flip on a touch screen..

[MadHatter]

Originally Posted by MooseontheLoose

Yes less time for elk than deer. Elk stick out big time and it's pretty easy to see them in meadows and hillsides from far away. If you're cow hunting in September and you see a group of elk, there's probably a target in there for you, so no need to spend the time to pick the group apart with the glass on a tripod.

A caveat I would add is that if you're going to do any kind of filming, whether it be with a Phone Skope or a traditional camera, a tripod would be a necessity for quality video.

This.
In nearly thirty yrs, and several dozen elk, I've never once carried binoculars.
Only time I've had any optics was a couple yrs we used a spotter in the canyons, up above Paonia.
You can tell a if a bull is 300 or 350+ from 1/2 a mile with just your eyes.
Unless you're trying to decide on whether he's a 426" or 431" they're just extra weight I don't need.
In that case though, you will absolutely need a pair of Swaro ELs, with 4k lenses .
Elk are like horses, not really anything subtle about them.

[Punkin]

Originally Posted by TradAg02

I pack a tripod for mule deer, but don’t for elk. Unless you are hunting for a trophy, I’d save the money and weight. Resting your binos on a short trekking pole while seated should get you stable enough to spot elk farther away than you can hike.

Originally Posted by wytex

Save some weight and just have some trekking poles or a walking stick to rest them on.
Most of your elk glassing will be seated, rest your elbows on knees for solid rest.
Mule deer are also more open country animals , elk more so in timber but not always.
Elk racks are also very easy to spot from a distance, mulies need some closer looks to know what they are carrying on their heads.

Originally Posted by MooseontheLoose

Yes less time for elk than deer. Elk stick out big time and it's pretty easy to see them in meadows and hillsides from far away. If you're cow hunting in September and you see a group of elk, there's probably a target in there for you, so no need to spend the time to pick the group apart with the glass on a tripod.

A caveat I would add is that if you're going to do any kind of filming, whether it be with a Phone Skope or a traditional camera, a tripod would be a necessity for quality video.

I doubt I'll be doing any filming but that's a good point I hadn't thought of.

Originally Posted by Texans42

You can call in elk, and they tend to stick to thicker timber, by second week of Sept if you see cows they will have a bull there some where.

My range finder is 7x... about all I need for archery elk

Haha, I wish I could call Elk! Appreciate the vote of confidence though. It is something I intend to learn though as I don't want to always just be chasing cows.

Originally Posted by MadHatter

This.
In nearly thirty yrs, and several dozen elk, I've never once carried binoculars.
Only time I've had any optics was a couple yrs we used a spotter in the canyons, up above Paonia.
You can tell a if a bull is 300 or 350+ from 1/2 a mile with just your eyes.
Unless you're trying to decide on whether he's a 426" or 431" they're just extra weight I don't need.
In that case though, you will absolutely need a pair of Swaro ELs, with 4k lenses .
Elk are like horses, not really anything subtle about them.

Thank you to all for your feedback. I think y'all got me convinced to surpass the tripod, at least for my first trip, and just use the trek pole as needed. I'll be in unit 75/751 and from what I can tell so far, not many meadows to be found in the wilderness area which is where I plan to focus my efforts.

[wytex]

Get yourself a cow call, bite and blow type, Primos and Carlton both make good ones. Cowgirl and lonesome cow calls.
Not hard to learn those types. Comes in handy just walking or trying to sneak in, elk make lots of sounds most times, if you break a branch or something in good spot then give a soft cow call.
Use your binos to scan the area in front of you in the timber, lots of times we've had bulls and other elk walk right in on us while sitting a trail and walking down one.
Those binos will help in locating elk in the dark timber, you'll be surprised how little they stand out in the trees.

[Patton]

Originally Posted by simek

Has anybody else been impressed with goHUNT's new mapping app? I'm a big fan.

I’m digging it. Last night I exported my pins out of OnX and imported into GoHunt. Very easy to do,m; the pins maintained their original name/label but obviously all the icons are now the exact same.

[SkipShot76]

Originally Posted by Patton

I’m digging it. Last night I exported my pins out of OnX and imported into GoHunt. Very easy to do,m; the pins maintained their original name/label but obviously all the icons are now the exact same.

Did you use OnX mobile app or web version to export? .KML or .GPX?

[PlanoDano]

Binos:
Early season: I usually carry 8x as much for scanning terrain and routes as anything.
Late season - past mid Oct. 12x and tripod

[justletmein]

Well I successfully nabbed a leftover Sept bear tag in my Elk unit so I guess I'm all in looking for berries and scrub oak now. I timed that CPW page perfectly and got through the load balancing ticker 4 minutes before leftovers opened up, made me wish I had a plan for some of those good quality Elk unit tags that were on the list as I would have had a chance at them.

[Pernell]

does goHunt work offline?

[JTeLarkin08]

Originally Posted by justletmein

Well I successfully nabbed a leftover Sept bear tag in my Elk unit so I guess I'm all in looking for berries and scrub oak now. I timed that CPW page perfectly and got through the load balancing ticker 4 minutes before leftovers opened up, made me wish I had a plan for some of those good quality Elk unit tags that were on the list as I would have had a chance at them.

I thought about trying to snag one but I’ll be completely honest I have no clue what my main otc unit will be. I may hunt 2-3 of them lol


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[Texans42]

Originally Posted by JTeLarkin08

I thought about trying to snag one but I’ll be completely honest I have no clue what my main otc unit will be. I may hunt 2-3 of them lol


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It’s a rifle tag, and usually the management zone is a group of units

[Texans42]

Originally Posted by Punkin

I doubt I'll be doing any filming but that's a good point I hadn't thought of.



Haha, I wish I could call Elk! Appreciate the vote of confidence though. It is something I intend to learn though as I don't want to always just be chasing cows.



Thank you to all for your feedback. I think y'all got me convinced to surpass the tripod, at least for my first trip, and just use the trek pole as needed. I'll be in unit 75/751 and from what I can tell so far, not many meadows to be found in the wilderness area which is where I plan to focus my efforts.

Big *** old burn on the west side.... google is a love hate. That timber can be much thicker or much thinner then it appears

[donpablo]

Sorry, I didn’t read through the whole thread to try and see if someone’s already answered but Colorado regs say:

EVIDENCE OF SEX IS: BUCK/BULL Head with antlers or horns attached To carcass; Testicle, scrotum or penis attached to carcass.

If you bone out the animal, how do you leave the skull attached to the carcass? Take the spinal column?

[Patton]

Originally Posted by SkipShot76

Did you use OnX mobile app or web version to export? .KML or .GPX?

Web version; .kml file.

[Texans42]

Originally Posted by donpablo

Sorry, I didn’t read through the whole thread to try and see if someone’s already answered but Colorado regs say:



If you bone out the animal, how do you leave the skull attached to the carcass? Take the spinal column?

In CO, You can’t, if you go to qtr they don’t care about antlers in an any bull unit. Leave twig and berries attached to meat(qtr or deboned), and you are Golden, don’t forget carcass tagging

[donpablo]

Originally Posted by Texans42

In CO, You can’t, if you go to qtr they don’t care about antlers in an any bull unit. Leave twig and berries attached to meat(qtr or deboned), and you are Golden, don’t forget carcass tagging

Could I leave them attached to the hide? I work extra hard to keep my meat clean and minimize hair. It would seem counter productive to toss a pair of nads in with it.

[SamSowell]

Originally Posted by donpablo

Could I leave them attached to the hide? I work extra hard to keep my meat clean and minimize hair. It would seem counter productive to toss a pair of nads in with it.

No

From CPW



Colorado law states that evidence of the sex must be naturally attached to a major portion of the meat. This means part of the skin must remain attached to the meat portion and to either the udder (cow/doe) or penis/testicles

[Texans42]

Originally Posted by donpablo

Could I leave them attached to the hide? I work extra hard to keep my meat clean and minimize hair. It would seem counter productive to toss a pair of nads in with it.

It can be attached to hide if hide is still on meat.

Honestly it’s doesn’t shed a lot of hair and if you where very surgical it doesn’t say twig berries have to have hide on them. So technically you could skin them out. The urethra is basically attached to qtr Under skin anyway.

[donpablo]

Originally Posted by Texans42

It can be attached to hide if hide is still on meat.

Honestly it’s doesn’t shed a lot of hair and if you where very surgical it doesn’t say twig berries have to have hide on them. So technically you could skin them out. The urethra is basically attached to qtr Under skin anyway.

I guess that’s true. Thanks.

[Felix40]

It’s also possible to skin the sack and leave the nuts attached to the quarter. You don’t want to mess it up and cut them off but if you take a few seconds you can have skin/hair free proof of sex still attached.

[TildenHunter]

If anyone is looking for a last minute hunt! It is a great ranch and I can't wait to go back.
https://discussions.texasbowhunter.c...d.php?t=776768

[Sackett]

Originally Posted by donpablo

Could I leave them attached to the hide? I work extra hard to keep my meat clean and minimize hair. It would seem counter productive to toss a pair of nads in with it.

We simply leave them attached to a hind quarter and skin them out. Make Rocky Mountain Oysters when you get home, it's good luck for next year!

[donpablo]

Originally Posted by Sackett

We simply leave them attached to a hind quarter and skin them out. Make Rocky Mountain Oysters when you get home, it's good luck for next year!

Reminds me of that episode:

Joe Rogan Meets Tyrone Biggums on “Fear Factor� - Chappelle’s Show - YouTube

[JTeLarkin08]

Well I bought a OTC elk tag today.. I should be hunting with the Born and Raised guys for 5-6 days in early September and then Ill head back up solo end of season if we dont kill one..

[Bill]

Slide the jewels into a big ziplock baggie and tape/tie it so it doesn’t fall off.


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[Sackett]

Originally Posted by Bill

Slide the jewels into a big ziplock baggie and tape/tie it so it doesn’t fall off.


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Big No! You CAN NOT remove proof of sex, then put them in a bag to reattach.

[7sdad]

Correct, they must be attached.


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[jds247]

He probably means to keep the hair off the meat. Put the jewels in a bag and tie it off. Leaving it attached to the hind quarter.

[makotex]

Originally Posted by JTeLarkin08

Well I bought a OTC elk tag today.. I should be hunting with the Born and Raised guys for 5-6 days in early September and then Ill head back up solo end of season if we dont kill one..

Nice! Pretty cool opportunity there.

[simek]

FYI to those who drew a NM tag.

https://www.governor.state.nm.us/wp-...r-2020-056.pdf

Good luck!

[Hockley]

Originally Posted by simek

FYI to those who drew a NM tag.

https://www.governor.state.nm.us/wp-...r-2020-056.pdf

Good luck!

We went to NM two weeks ago. I called the forest service office and they said that they consider you’re time alone in the National Forest being in quarantine.

[justletmein]

Originally Posted by Hockley

We went to NM two weeks ago. I called the forest service office and they said that they consider you’re time alone in the National Forest being in quarantine.

Yeah I was gonna say, camping in a tent in the middle of nowhere is quite the ideal quarantine.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Sackett

Big No! You CAN NOT remove proof of sex, then put them in a bag to reattach.

Slide the baggie over it’s nuts and zip tie/ electrical tape above testes to close open end of baggie is so the meat does not get contaminated.

Did I say to cut them off and put in a bag?

Here’s the idea- TBH is a family friendly site.






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[donpablo]

I can’t help but wonder. Who’s killing cows but substituting a fresh bull head/skull to trick the game warden into thinking it’s a bull? Makes no sense to me why you’d have to do this.

[Sackett]

Originally Posted by donpablo

I can’t help but wonder. Who’s killing cows but substituting a fresh bull head/skull to trick the game warden into thinking it’s a bull? Makes no sense to me why you’d have to do this.

A lot of things don't make sense in Colorado.

[Sackett]

Originally Posted by Bill

Slide the baggie over it’s nuts and zip tie/ electrical tape above testes to close open end of baggie is so the meat does not get contaminated.

Did I say to cut them off and put in a bag?



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No, but someone who's inexperienced and never read regs might have taken it that way. Just wanted to make that very clear. I'm sure you know what you're doing

[wytex]

You would be surprised what folks try to pull. They can also tell what species the meat is from if you have some hair attached. Some may shoot a moose thinking it's a cow elk, happens more than you think. Heck a military guy shot a cow moose last fall and told the guy who happened across him dressing it he poached it because he can't draw a moose tag.
Skin out the nads and leave them attached, udder on a cow or one "lip" if you know what I mean. It doesn't affect the meat.

[JTeLarkin08]

Originally Posted by Sackett

A lot of things don't make sense in Colorado.

Such as the 80% let off rule. Glad my elite is 75-90% on the sticker lol. They will have to have a scale to give me a ticket. Can’t just go off the position of the stops since everything changes when you add and take twist out of the strings and cables. I wonder if anyone has ever actually gotten a ticket for it.


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[justletmein]

Originally Posted by donpablo

I can’t help but wonder. Who’s killing cows but substituting a fresh bull head/skull to trick the game warden into thinking it’s a bull? Makes no sense to me why you’d have to do this.

It happens, locals will pay for one tag and capitalize getting more meat from it. Sure doesn't seem too likely to us but think of East Texas and suddenly it's understandable. Lol