Just ordered my Colorado elk tag for the second rifle season, 10/24-11/01. We'll be hunting in Unit 81. Anyone else going?

Dad and I are planning to head up to a different unit but haven't nailed down 2nd or 3rd rifle. More than likely it'll be 2nd. OTC tag here.

I've got a 2nd season bull elk and mule deer buck tag in GMU 67, a little further northwest from you in Saguache County.

Good luck.

Good luck!

Not sure if I am going to get up there or not. Unit 81 is pretty large. Any idea where you may be going? Good luck! It's been a good area.

We're going to be north of Chama, NM and east of Pagosa Springs. The second rifle season is from 10/24-11/01.

I know 78 really well, I grew up in it

Have been to that specific area a few times. Saw a good many animals, bears included. Also has gotten pretty crowded. One of the guys I hunted with there said the brush is pretty thick now. BoBo will know more specifics since that is where he grew up.

Unit 81 has been getting more and more crowded every year.

Now with a lot of OTC units now being draw units I fear it will be even more packed.

All the archery elk unit that went to draw had left over tags this years, I doubt much changes, they gave out absurd amount of tags

But wait and see how rifle season turns out.

In any case 81 has been getting more crowded for the last 5 years. Even the wilderness areas are seeing much more traffic

This is my second trip there for elk. The guys I hunt with have been going here for the last dozen years or so.

2&3 Rifle didn’t change still OTC for all those units. Only thing changed was Archery going to draw.

Good Luck!

Bobo I did not know that. I had heard all weapons in those units changed from OTC to draw

No that’s what the big stink was. They basically said Archery pressure was preventing conceptions.....

So they upped Bear tags and put those units on archery draw, but all the units had left over tags. I can see a slight decrease in pressure just based of guys like me that may run up there last minute, but not significant amount unless they decrease tags YoY.

I’m going... but not until 2022

Good luck. Love that part of the state. Almost put in for that same deer tag this year, but will wait until next year for dates.

If any of you guys are going to be in 77 or 78 during 2nd, and want to swap info, let me know. We have deer tags, but usually run in to elk on our hunts and can point someone towards them as we don’t buy elk tags.

Good Luck!

I’ll be up there in sept hunting bears.

GRINGO,

We normally hunt 67, but couldn't draw a tag or snag a landowner tag this year. I guess we will have to settle with an OTC this year. We normally hunt near the McDonough Reservoir and up Stagecoach. Good luck

Three of us will be headed to unit 68 on September 12th for a week. Hopefully the rut will be in full swing. First time elk hunting for all of us.

I am not a biologist but I would be ok with them going to draw across the board because of how crowded it has gotten.

I did notice a increase in bear tags that were issued