Aug. 30 - Sep. 8 2020 CO Archery Elk GMU 31 / 21 / 22, 62 / 65, or 81 / 80

[hikeswithbow]

Hello all,

I am new to the forum and looking for some advice on areas of the state of Colorado to look at for a hunt Aug. 30 - Sep. 8 (2020) for Archery Elk. The season starts Sep. 2nd - we plan to scout three days, hunt six days, and go home.

I have been looking at GMUs 31/21/22, 62/65, 81/80 and I can't make my mind up. The statistics on all these GMUs seem decent.

I do not expect you to send me coordinates to your favorite spot, but I do have some information in Idaho I could offer in trade, or maybe even a whitetail hunt on our ranch for the right information.

I have no boots-on-the-ground elk hunting experience in Colorado, so even a vague report on the quality of these areas would be a big help.

Which GMU would you hunt out of 31, 21, 22, 62, 65, 81, and 80?

Thank You and Happy Hunting,

hikeswithbow

 

[bwlacy]

What kind of terrain do you want to see? A lot of 22 looks like a desert, not many trees.

65 is beautiful.

 

[hikeswithbow]

Beautiful is nice! I had started off looking at 22 based on success rate, the amount of public land and such, but it does look quite dry.

65 does appear to be a nice unit. I assume the pressure is above average for that reason?

 

[hikeswithbow]

I should also say we are in good enough shape that we are prepared to pack in a few miles in reasonably rough country if needed to find elk.

 

[mlgc20]

I hunted 22 last year for first rifle. It is very dry. The bigger issue is that what water there is, is located on private land. 31 seems to have a similar situation. But, the general success rate is higher than 21 and 22. I had access to private land in 22 and it was still pretty rough going.

 

[hikeswithbow]

I appreciate the information. The more and more research I have done on 22 the negative comments I have found. 22 definitely is sounding very difficult to hunt successfully.

 

[Elktaco]

62

 

[hikeswithbow]

62

Thank you for weighing in! What about 62 makes it a winner in your eyes?

 

[bwlacy]

 

[bwlacy]

Top pic unit 65, bottom pic unit 22.

Quite a contrast in aesthetics. Totally different environment.

 

[Big_Country09]

Hunted 22 last year. First year elk for me. It’s dessert type terrain. However I will say that you might want pay attention to the roads because 90% of them are locked. There was one road open into the BLM section we hunted and from there we had to drive with OnX open to find trails/roads. Oil companies own majority around there. Saw a bunch of elk but were held up on the oil companies land.

 

[mylsuhat]

Where are you from @hikeswithbow ?

 

[hikeswithbow]

Top pic unit 65, bottom pic unit 22.

Quite a contrast in aesthetics. Totally different environment.

Satellite imagery of 22 does look like the moon after a 10 year drought doesn’t it?

 

[hikeswithbow]

Hunted 22 last year. First year elk for me. It’s dessert type terrain. However I will say that you might want pay attention to the roads because 90% of them are locked. There was one road open into the BLM section we hunted and from there we had to drive with OnX open to find trails/roads. Oil companies own majority around there. Saw a bunch of elk but were held up on the oil companies land.

That doesn’t sound idea. I’m familiar with struggling just to find access, and it really takes away from the hunt.

 

[hikeswithbow]

Where are you from @hikeswithbow ?

I’m from Oklahoma sir!

 

[mylsuhat]

I’m from Oklahoma sir!

I love OK! I hunt whitetails out in Beckham County.

I should also say we are in good enough shape that we are prepared to pack in a few miles in reasonably rough country if needed to find elk.

Coming from an in-shape, 30 year old who lives at sea level (you have a slight advantage here).. rough country kicks your ass

But don't let that scare you! Get at it

 

[hikeswithbow]

I love OK! I hunt whitetails out in Beckham County.



Coming from an in-shape, 30 year old who lives at sea level (you have a slight advantage here).. rough country kicks your ass

But don't let that scare you! Get at it

Nice! We hunt primarily in Osage county in northern Oklahoma.

 

[hikeswithbow]

Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about units 80 and 81?

62 & 65 seem to have gotten a fair bit of praise, and nobody seems to like 22 and the surrounding area.

 

[bwlacy]

80 and 81 should be a shorter drive for you from OK.

 

[hikeswithbow]

80 and 81 should be a shorter drive for you from OK.

That is something to consider. 80 & 81 look to be <10hr, while 62 & 65 might be 12-13hr.

I am worried that every Okie and Texan might have the same idea about 80 & 81 though.