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Kinda crazy for me to ask for advice here but over the years I've read posts from several folks who have come out to hunt in Colorado. My family put in as a group and got 3 either sex elk tags for GMU 18. We really wanted to turn in at least one of them but I missed the deadline to do so. I'm looking for any advice ya'll might have for me. Mostly just sharing that we actually got drawn.

I know a guy that has family there. He lived in Boulder. His day hers family live there now and says it’s too expensive and down right so WTH in f compared to when he and the family lived there years ago. Said it’s a lost cause for the most part.

Which season?

1st rifle. I think the rut will be over, but we'll see. Riding up this weekend to do a bit of scouting.

I shot a bull bugling and chasing cows in 1st rifle back in 2020. I think it was on oct 10

Sweet, maybe we'll get lucky.

There should still be some rut action in first rifle. I'll be in another unit for that season. I passed through 18 last summer. Beautiful country and Lake Granby is gorgeous. Looked to be a lot of pine beetles and deadfall. Will be tough country to navigate, but that also could be beneficial.
There's some decent info online about 18 with a Google search.

hate to be that guy but a elk is made to bowhunt not snipe with a rifle.be like shoitin a turkey with a rifle.
call him up and stab him with a sharp stick. way more fun

Back when I first started watching hunting shows some years ago I viewed an Elk hunting episode, the guide calls in a really nice Bull elk to about 40 yds, the hunter throws up and kapow,,, elk goes about 20 yds runs in circles about three times and drops dead.. I saw other elk hunting shows ,about the same outcome, I was like if it's that easy to call in and kill an elk then I shouldn't run into a problem. Even though it seems kind of a cheap shot killing elk this way I thought of how I hunt whitetail and it isn't much different , so I would still rifle hunt them. Admittedly though I'd say way more exciting to kill em with a stick...

I can tell you from first hand experience, elk are not hard to call in during the rut but getting a shot with a bow is still another story. Besides, most states archery seasons coincide with the rut so yes, archery hunting them is much more fun.

Nothing is easy about an OTC heavily pressured public land unit. Ist season should be a little better odds and less pressure, but odds are still low and you'll definitely have to work for one. What you see on the shows is generally not reality in places like unit 18.

Heck I was thinking this is where this thread was headed




https://www.rmef.org/media/anti-hun...ers-in-two-potential-ballot-initiatives/

I can appreciate what you are saying. This trip ain't about a 'pure' or 'challenging' hunting experience. I want some meat in the freezer. I'll start hunting with ball bearings and a sling shot once I'm stocked up with meat and am ready for a challenge.