DIY OTC Colorado Elk hunt?

Anyone ever do one of these hunts? I'm trying to decide if I should do one of these hunts, or continue saving for a guided hunt. The price point on the DIY OTC hunts is appealing, but It seems like the success percentages of these hunts are less than 30%.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Look like 2 threads down from yours

If you are looking for a guaranteed kill, than OTC is not for you. Of the last two years hunts from this forum no one killed an elk, but we had a good time! Then I went to a private ranch near Dallas and shot an elk from the ranch managers truck so I could have some meat. Would I love to go on a 5-7 day guided hunt with luxury cabin, great food, and a 85% chance at a trophy bull? Heck yeah! But the $6,000 low end for that type of hunt is way out of my budget. With my OTC hunt, tag, all in (and the private ranch kill of a cow elk) I was less than $2k. Will be even less this year as I have most of the gear needed (I do need to upgrade some)

I have hunted elk a loongg time, IMO, it comes down to what you plan on doing. If it is a "bucket list" hunt, then the expense of hunting private land with an outfitter (many also hunt BLM, state and federal lands as well), then the expense may be worth it, if expense isn't an issue, it may also be your way to go each year. The odds are higher, but much also depends on time of year (season conditions), rainfall, current weather, outfitters lands/leases/ style and location. For the highest percentage, I'd find an outfitter that also has private land to work with. I have friends that have done both, one in particular that can afford to use an outfitter every year for himself, family and clients, they probably run around 80% on opportunity.

DIY, of course is cheaper, you have to deal with the learning curve, more hunters generally, all the "trouble shooting" and most of the things your guide/outfitter would deal with (including all the frustration at times), but at a cheaper price point. For me it is worth every cent DIY, figuring things out and getting it done, comes with a ton of satisfaction.

If you have the cash and it is likely a one, or 2 time deal, then a good, reputable outfitter is probably the way to go. If you want to go yearly , as in making a tradition, then IMO DIY is a blast with a couple good buds, or by yourself.

There is also the option of just hiring to be "drop camped" basically a outfitter will take you into good country and then it is DIY from there, this can be much cheaper than a full guide service.

Just my thoughts anyway.

Thanks for the feedback.

I would like to add to it, make sure outfitter has PL option also. Private land is great but less the 6k acres can be very limiting on a species that can migrate 10 miles a day or more.

I'm planning on my first trip elk hunting this year and looking to diy with otc tags 2nd or 3rd rifle season. I'd like to make it a yearly trip so the first trip killing an elk will just be a bonus. I'll be taking horses so I figure there will be alot of time scouting and trying to learn the area for the years ahead.

I may break away from the group this year and try to find some less hospitable places to find elk

more "inhospitable" than your trek down the mountain last year?

Umm I am okay with parts except for the blind fall of the rock.


That was not my finest decision making...

You remember the river we walked down to? Just cross it and the little strip of public land through the private. Lots of elk up there and all the inhospitable you heart can desire.

I was thinking that would be a good spot this year, and yes it seems VERY inhospitable.

If that is the stream I'm thinking of, great fly fishing too, but tight in places.

Should be some shimmering aspen along it too.

That is, in fact, right where we discovered those particular trees.

i have hunted CO. and NM not as much as some, but enough to know if you are going to hunt where the going is easy so is every other tom, dick,harry and geroge fox. That is on Public land

This can sure be frustrating, but usually by day 3, most are too sore, hungover, out of ammo, out of ATV fuel, or in a casino....... You have to use that "onslaught" to your advantage if you can.

If you are going to lay around camp one day, be sure to keep some bacon on a low fire. This enhances you chance of a shot at yogi.

We had elk run right thru our camp one year

Wise words.

There was about 3 groups of hunters camped north of the Colorado river East of Buford years ago at end of jeep tail and the second morning a guy in another camp left camp 30 minutes after sun up and had walked about 20 yards down jeep trail when a big bull crossed road about 50 yards in front of him. Killed the bull 10" off of road and talk about packing one out being a easy job.I remember it was a big 7 by 7 and thinking back it had to score a least 350, talk about out house luck.