Give unit 76 a try; it will take you about 4-5 years to draw for archery. I live down here in the San Juans and know for sure that we have a lot of elk. I got my bull last year by hunting down from a trail. 99% of all hunters would have looked down and said no way. We bugled up top and had 5 bulls answer us. Don’t count on them coming to you like on the videos. We just bugle to locate and then cow call to cover any sound we make in trying to get close. An old friend gave me the best advice on hunting elk a few years back and it’s very simple. “You have to hunt where the elk are” don’t set up an elaborate camp; get by on less so you can move. Archery tags here are pretty liberal in units here and if you’re not seeing tons of fresh sign with 10-20 elk a day keep moving looking for a better spot. I think a big reason for such low success is most hunters pick one spot and stay for the entire time even if they don’t see any sign. If you want to do that you better bring a good book and your fishing rod because all your doing is camping with a bow.

Hope this helps.

One thing I learned from a friend who has a very nice 6x7 in his garage, archery season is usually 4 weeks long out here but trying to time the rutt is hit or miss. If you are shoehorned into a particular date (rather than being able to come out say 3 days at a time for 3 or 4 outings across the season) you may or may not have much success calling them in. Then you are down to stalk and walk.

One of my sidelines is preceptor for students at the University of Wyoming. My most recent student was on the way to an exam last fall when his buddy called to say that he had located an huge herd of elk complete with several good bulls in the mountains near the interstate out of Laramie. Blayne said he took that test faster than any in his life. He immediately drove out to the elk herd location. His buddy had shot a good 325 B & C bull. A few minutes later Blayne hit a 350 class bull with his .338 so they spent the day hauling out the two elk. He even passed the exam to boot. What a day.

I apply in many western states every year for elk among other animals. I don't even consider Colorado. There management philosophy is purely driven by giving as many people a chance at hunting as possible. As mentioned by bloggers above; success rates are extremely low; worst in all the west.

If you are looking for a quality hunt I would choose New Mexico or Idaho because they do not have a preference or points system. 20% of new mexico's elk tags go to out of state hunters. Another 20% go to outfitters. You actually have a decent chance of drawing a tag for a quality hunt.

got our elk 5 years runnin in southwest colorado!!!! leave the atv at home and bring yer hiking boots boys they aint on the road!!!

locate an active wallow and set up a stand on it