I have hunted CO several years but never during the later rifle seasons. Will the elk be in the same areas or will the be pushed down low on to private ranches because of weather or hunters or both. Are there public land opps? Is there any chance at a bull or would I be better off just buying a cow tag? I have hunted with a bow and bp units 211, 22,21,30,67,54 are there any opps on the eastern general units.

Some guys are affaid to hunt elk out west with a bow because they think they need to be shooting hundereds of yards, I have found the opposite to be true during the bugle. Its not a matter of yardage but rather a mattter of how much brush is between you. Will pushed animals running shots and long distance be the norm, what can a guy expect, will it be a zoo?
You havent seen hunting pressure till youve hunted wisconsin!!! or the west with half the state filled with guys from wisconsin!

Alot of the units get pretty heavy pressure by 2nd and 3rd season they have been hunted pretty hard. Having gone through several season including BP and Archery, they usually are in the nastiest steepest stuff they can find OR on private or hard to get to areas. Keep in mind that last year only 23% of the tags were filled if you looked at all seasons and methods. Granted this counted archery which is lower than rifle, but dont consider of cow tag as a gimmie.

Also keep in mind that you cannt buy an OTC Cow tag, would have to be a leftover tag. Check the website to see whats available still for those units.
http://wildlife.state.co.us/LeftoverLicense.htm

Many factors will determine where you find elk. Weather, snow depth, hunting pressure, cover, food/water source availablity, migration, etc. In general, later in the season you won't find them above tree line, BUT if the snow depths aren't deep and the weather is fair, they could still be high up the mountain. Sometimes, pressure will move them up and sometimes it will move them down. If there is private land near that has little to no hunting pressure, they will move there soon after the first season. Not all elk have that luxury though.
Where you hunt by the third season will be dictated by snow levels and depths. Some areas will be a zoo, ya gotta get away from the roads/trails. Even just 1 mile will get you away from a lot of hunters. Look into areas that require 1 or 2 preference points, and plan on hunting every other year. By doing this, you'll get away from the zoo atmosphere greatly. There's always a chance at a bull, better chance at a cow, BUT you know how that can be, if ya have a cow tag, you'll see bulls, and visa-versa!

Hunting the archery season is a blast, especially if you get into cold weather and bugling bulls. Nothing beats sitting and listening to bugling bulls, with scenery that is to die for. In most areas in CO., the bugling is really just getting cranked up, due to the cooler snowy weather. Last weekend in the area I am hunting, once we located a herd, it was incredible action.

2nd- 9 days is better than 6 days

/\/\/\ LOL!! that is so true...