2023 Colorado Elk Adventure

I just returned from my 2023 Colorado Elk hunt. While unsuccessful, we had an awesome adventure and I was able to put my new Tundra through its first offroad test. I must say that the 4x4 system impressed the hell out of me. I used every feature it offered on the trip. There were a few spots where I even had to engage the rear locker. The tech is way smarter than I am when it comes to application of power and when to use it. We got into some pretty ugly mud way up high after the snow started to melt. For a minute I thought I needed to break out the chains, but with the new shoes and crawl control, we walked right through it.

The only issue I had (other than self imposed scratches) was the departure angle got me on one particular tight spot where I needed to cross a dried out stream bed. I was on two wheels there for a few seconds and then caught my new Amp Research bed step and it did some rearranging of my rear bumper. I wanted to black out those silver panels anyhow....

I have done a lot of out west hunting trips in everything from a crappy Chevy Trail Blazer to my buddy's 2017 4 Runner and have to say this new truck was top tier when it comes to getting dirty. The pictures really don't do justice to the awesomeness of the terrain (they never do).

 

What part of Colorado were you in?

I didn't elk hunt this year for the first time in over 40 years. We had extreme winter kill in Colorado, especially in the NW part of the state. It just didn't feel right to me.

Matt

 

I hunted Unit 22. Just south of Meeker. It was just below the winter kill zone. We saw elk for sure. I finally got on a good herd bull on the last hour of the last day. Too bad it was 900 yards out. I just needed one more day. Hopefully we draw next year.

 

I am hooked. This was my second trip there from Michigan. I have done many trips to other western states and I really enjoy Colorado.

 

One other thing I forgot to mention was that I got an intermittent trans oil temp alarm when crawling through all of that mud. Only blinked on twice and went away quickly. Probably just worked it too hard myself before switching it to crawl control.

 

Always wanted to do a Elk Bowhunt! (or even rifle!) Would love to test my browning on one!

 

As a native of Colorado who has hunted my entire life (61 years), I've become disgusted with the way my state whores out the elk to unlimited non-resident hunters. OTC areas have become a joke, with most of them having far more hunters than elk. Archery success rate will be less than 10% for all hunters statewide this year. The fact that our Parks and Wildlife Division didn't limit tags in some of the worst winter kill areas should be criminal.

Colorado needs to go to a statewide limited draw system for elk with a 75/25% resident/nonresdent split. The days of Colorado being every hunter's "plan B" if they don't draw in other states, needs to end. I'll gladly pay 4 times more for a resident tag, if it results in fewer hunters and a better quality hunt.

End rant.

 

I heard that same theme in cafes around Meeker. It sucks because as a flatlander we really love having access to the mountains, but I totally get the OTC. Frankly I was shocked last year when I did the OTC archery hunt, how few elk I saw vs how many hunters there were. This year I drew first rifle, with only 450 tags total for the entire zone. Something like that for archery would be a great compromise. It would take a few years for it to change the herd dynamic though. At $780 for a non-res tag I am not sure I would be behind that 4x increase though!!!

 

I'm not advocating for non-resident tags to increase 4X. I think you guys pay enough already. On the other hand, resident tags are ridiculously cheap at $62. I'd gladly pay $250 if it meant fewer hunters and better hunting.

The number of archery elk hunters in Colorado has more than doubled since 2002, while the elk herd has diminished. There has been more non-resident archery elk hunters than residents each year since 2019. The internet and modern hunting apps, like OnX, have eliminated any secret "honey holes". Spots I used to hunt, and not see another hunter for a week, get hammered now.

Somethings gotta give. The current trajectory of hunting in Colorado will result in exactly what the anti-hunting wolf-lovers want....the elimination of hunting all together.

 

Just another liberal state that has mismanaged the resource. Almost as bad as out here in Commifornia and the deer population that they have completely destroyed.

 

It's California 2.0. You get out of the coastal cities and the capital, and a much larger percentage of the people are not mindless sheep. We are getting the wolf intro enema currently, grizzlies are apparently next. And it's an important topic, because the urban cowards are working hard to try and take hunting away.

 

I hunted farther south. Old sign everywhere. We hiked at 9k' up to the tree line over and through extremely dense deadfall to several small meadows full of luscious green grass only to find ancient sign. No elk anywhere. The herds we did find, it's like they're using OnX, too...they knew exactly where the private lands were. Even smaller 200 acre plots in the middle of a national forest. Hahaha.

If it makes you CO residents feel any better, I'm not interested in doing OTC ever again. The places they gave OTC hunters were atrocious. Loads of people, mountain bikes, noisy dirt bikes, etc. I have better ways to spend a few grand.

@grnwdjsn My truck did awesome as well. Put a small lift on 'er and some skinny 35s (285/75R18) and never drag that hitch again

 

I was just southeast of you guys, we hunt in between New Castle and Buford. We didn’t see anything, just a handful of tracks in the snow

 

My Boss’s kid just got his first Elk last week around Kremmling. Boss is super happy, probably happier than the kid lol

Glad to see this sort of content, love to see the trucks put to work

 

You obviously haven't looked into the costs for private land hunting lately. Most ranches that I'm aware of are going for over $5K. Some of the better ranches are closer to $10K. Of course those are outfitted hunts. Private land DIY hunts for a trespassing fee only are a thing of the past, for the most part.

Matt

 

Exact same for me and I also stopped fishing here too. I live here (Colorado) and was born here. Twenty plus years ago Colorado was my Montana. My Montana was mid 60's in Billings - hunting and fishing was enjoyable and rewarding. Even Montana has now begun to become Colorado. Good memories. Now it time for another cup of coffee. Take care and be safe.

 

We saw lots of dirty, empty truck beds on our way out of Colorado at the end of archery season. The single truck we saw that had a couple of elk racks in the bed was perfectly clean, looked like it had just been detailed even. The guys in it were wearing button down shirts and looked like they were coming from a business meeting.

My hunting partner and I looked at each other and nearly said at the same time, "those guys definitely paid an outfitter."

 

I've maintained for years that the commercialization and capitalization of hunting will ultimately be its downfall. The truth is, the average Joe hunter is getting priced out of quality hunting. That's the single biggest reason recruitment of young hunters is dropping. I have younger friends who have pretty much given up on hunting due to lack of affordable hunting access. It pains me.

 

I only fish selected spots anymore or hit the tail waters in the winter. Hell I was even flyfishing for Carp because it’s so damn fun (and there weren’t 20 guys frothing the same 100 yards of spooked fish). Hit the off seasons and backcountry and it’s still pretty ok but all the famous places I avoid. But for all intents and purposes, the Colorado I was born in is long gone and it’s never coming back.

 

Agreed, sadly. It's worse than just the hunting and fishing climate. I've had family out there for 35 years. Aside from people flooding the state from CA (or maybe even as a result of it), the drugs and gang violence is awful. There are homeless people in Tennessee, too, but man it hits different when you see kids fresh out of high school digging through the trashcan in front of a hotel or sleeping against the wall of a Target. I can't believe how many young homeless drug addicts I've seen in CO over the last several years.

 

speaking of record mounts == have you ever stopped in Beaver UT at the Conoco station? They have, or had, the State Record Elk mount on their wall along with a half dozen other mounts that are unbelievable. Worth a stop for that if no gas needed.

on a side note - know of any shops that will expand a 3 inch od to 3 inch id (409 exhaust pipe). Seems like no one local want to do anything without an appointment. A two minute job that no one is interested in. Ugh.