Coming from South Carolina for a OTC elk hunt this coming Sept. Looking for general unit/area recommendations. Not new to elk hunting, just new to CO. Not looking for GPS coordinates and know this is a taboo post. Any information is appreciated. Been looking at Sarvis, West Elk wilderness, Uncompahgre, Routt to name a few.

Is this your first trip to Colorado Nick?

Good luck with that, we used to have a good spot that we rarely saw another hunter. Them days are long gone people everywhere! 

I hunt the Rio Grande national forest. Over the years I've found a few secluded water holes that seem to attract some elk. I'll be headed out the first week of September. I'm counting down the days!

They all have elk, pick one and then pick it apart in the maps and try to find the spot nobody else is, lot of times that means not entering the woods at a trailhead. Elk numbers are way down from when I moved here fifteen years ago and elk hunter numbers are way up.

Quote from: Papajack on June 15, 2021, 07:35:14 PM
Is this your first trip to Colorado Nick?

Not my first time to CO, first time hunting it though. Grew up in UT, am use to the mountains. I've spent hours already picking apart said areas. Without any preseason scouting, I am having a hard time picking a spot/area. Sounds like I might need to throw a dart at the map and put the boots on.

Nothing beats boots on the ground scouting. I've been hunting the area I hunt for over 20 years and I have about 4 places that I've found over the years that usually hold a few elk. Good luck on your hunt, hope to see some pictures!

Finding access is one of the toughest parts in CO

  With as dry as it is this year, I would look at the maps and find all the water holes then start checking them for good activity. I'll bet when you find where they are watering you will find the elk nearby.