Colorado Elk hunting advice
 

I'm looking into an elk hunt next fall in CO, and we buying OTC bull license. What I need to know is a good area with alot of public land to hunt.

Unit 55 has lots of public land. Enjoy the other 2000 hunters that will be there with you.

You might want to apply for a draw license for some unit that is not too tough, and if you fail to draw you will get a preference point and can check the box to have them send you an OTC license. Check the draw odds at their website for easy units. http://wildlife.state.co.us/Pages/Home.aspx

Be advised that there is a good reason that some units are easy draws (difficult access, etc.). All of the open units that I have ever seen have been a real zoo, with an orange coat on every ridge.

What weapon,bow,muzzleloader or rifle. Are you capable/willing
To hike in a mile or two from the nearest road before you start
Hunting? Can you quarter and pack out a 5-6 hundred pound
Animal from that far back in? If you answer no to either
Question or your weapon of choice isn't a bow--- build a few
Points and draw a unit or you'll most likely be disappointed.

You should definately look into applying for a 1st season rifle elk tag. Many of them are either sex and can be drawn with 0 points. If you don't draw, then you can get the tag the next year for sure. You could then hunt the unit in the second season to get familar with the unit. But the 1st rifle is king for elk for several reasons. They are generally still in rut, no deer hunters, and limited tags (no OTC).

As far as a recommendation for a specific unit: Any unit in the western 1/2 of the state will generally hold elk. Look at the link provided in an earlier post and specifically for two stats: How many points to draw and hunter success. Find a unit that can be drawn with 0-1 points with good hunter success and you have probably found a good spot to go. Then check and find out for sure that it has plenty of public land.

If you want some general areas that you can get away from roads where there are elk: Flat tops wilderness, maroon bells wilderness, west elk wilderness, wimenuche wilderness, san juan wilderness, Holy Cross wilderness.....
Here is a link: http://www.coloradowilderness.com/wildpages/map.html

How do the areas east of Durango and near the New Mexico border hunt?

Lots of private land and Ute reservation near New Mexico

Hunt 1st season where there are no ATV's which usually means a wilderness area.

How tough are the bull and cow tags to draw in that area for the first rifle season?

Depends on the unit. First link will show you unit maps. Put in unit 75 to get you started. Second link will tell you how many points to draw:

http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/...MUnitMaps.aspx

http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/...tatistics.aspx