Ultimate Guide to Colorado Elk Hunting with Urge2Hunt

Ready for your next adventure of a lifetime? When you prepare for your Colorado elk hunt, it is key to realize just how diverse the terrain is throughout the state, giving you an unforgettable pursuit. Urge2Hunt is your personal hunting consultant that gives you over 35 years of experience setting up hunters like you with the guides you need for ultimate success.

We offer top tier guided hunts on private lands throughout the United States, especially in premier locations across Colorado. Discover why Colorado gives a truly unique experience for your elk hunt so you can be prepared for this amazing experience.

Why Colorado Is a Premier Elk Hunting Destination

Colorado offers hunters some of the best elk hunting in the western states due to the diverse and challenging terrain, with large populations of elk. With dense forests, rugged canyons, and high-altitude meadows, the Rocky Mountains provide an ideal environment for elk habitats across the state.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife data estimates that there are nearly 300,000 elk throughout the state, giving you access to large herds of elk in several game management areas. Elk are even more prevalent in the western portions of the state that gives you direct access to their migration routes, where cuts through the Rockies offer predictable sightings on a regular basis in the fall months.

Urge2Hunt can link you with guides who offer the flexibility you need based on your availability during rifle season in November. Elk hunts on private land in Colorado offer a unique chance to access managed land areas with high elk density areas without the worry of competing with public land access.

Urge2Hunt has built a vast network of partners utilizing trusted and vetted outfitters that are intimately familiar with the hunting areas you’ll be accessing. Combine the thrill of the hunt with the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains and you’re guaranteed to be planning for next year’s hunt before this hunt is over.

Urge2Hunt Advantage: Guaranteed Tags & Private Land Access

Booking with Urge2Hunt for your Colorado elk hunt means that you are guaranteed an elk tag for Colorado’s hunting season. This eliminates any uncertainty with trying to draw a tag from public lotteries.

Landowner tags are considered guaranteed and are available with the private ranch partnerships that Urge2Hunt uses. These are long-standing established relationships you are accessing, giving you land and a tag to better plan your trip instead of worrying that your public use tag falls through. These private land partnerships offer less disturbance of the elk herds, better sighting opportunities, and avoiding the competition of public crowds.

Bull vs. Cow Elk Hunts in Colorado

Bull elk hunts are aimed at mature males with large antlers, sometimes larger than 300-inch spreads. Hunting bulls demands more patience because bulls are much more elusive during their time of rut. Cow elk hunts are targeting female elk and offer a different experience.

Hunting females gives a much greater chance of success due to their larger herd and generally less skittish behaviors. If this is your first time hunting elk, then a female cow hunt is your best chance at success. Cows also have upwards of 200 pounds of venison after harvesting. Urge2Hunt currently has trips planned for both bull and cow hunts in Colorado this year.

The choice depends on your goals: bulls for the adrenaline of the chase and potential wall-hangers, cows for reliable harvests and family provisioning. Both contribute to population management, as Colorado's wildlife officials set quotas to maintain balance.

Guided Hunt Logistics: What to Expect

Urge2Hunt offers guided cow elk rifle hunts in Colorado. This three-day hunt takes place in December and January, and you will be driven out to where the cow elks are generally located. You will then stalk and hunt your cow, and afterwards your guide will field dress the elk for you and bring it back to your truck.

Draw Tags, OTC, and Landowner Tag Options

Colorado's tag system includes draw tags, requiring applications by early April for limited-entry units with high demand. Success depends on preference points accumulated over years, favoring those with prior applications.

Over the counter (OTC) tags offer immediate availability for archery, second, and third rifle seasons in select units, ideal for spontaneous plans but with more public pressure. For the cow hunt, you will utilize draw tags. For the bull hunts, you will have over the counter tags. Urge2Hunt simplifies this by handling arrangements, so you focus on the hunt rather than bureaucracy.

Hunting Gear, Lodging & Field Dressing

You will need to dress for winter conditions in high elevation areas. The Rocky Mountains are cold and snowy in the winter months, so proper planning is critical to your overall success. You will need a rifle with a solid scope that is zeroed correctly for potentially longer distance shots.

Waterproof boots and warm socks are also a must in these conditions. In most cases, your outfitters will supply any additional items you may need such as decoys or calls. Lodging accommodations will vary by hunting package. Currently, you will provide your own lodging and food for the cow elk hunt at a nearby motel to the hunting grounds.

For the bull elk hunt, you will pack in by horseback to a hunting camp that has sleeping accommodations, albeit rustic. All you need to bring is food, a sleeping bag, and your hunting gear. Field dressing will occur immediately and will be done by the outfitters for you.

How Urge2Hunt Designs Your Hunt Experience

Urge2Hunt is your hunt facilitator. We work with our private land partners and outfitters to provide an amazing hunting experience for you. We connect you with the best guides to ensure your cow or bull elk hunts are a truly unique experience. We will work with you to better understand your needs and limitations, such as physical abilities to withstand the travel to the remote locations for these private land hunts.

With our decades of experience, Urge2Hunt will ensure you get the most out of your hunting trip. Our support covers the logistics, getting your hunting tags, gear recommendation, and travel advice. Once you arrive on location, your Colorado guide will lead you to where the hunt takes place. With their intimate knowledge of the area, land, and elk herds on the property, you’ll have insider access to the best spots for a successful trip.

Tips to Maximize Your Elk Hunting Success

Physical preparation is key to these Colorado hunts. Since the elevation is so high, upwards of 8000 feet, arriving early to acclimate is critical. Build your endurance by practicing hiking with your full pack before you get on location.

Be prepared for erratic and sudden weather pattern shifts by monitoring the weather reports. Because of this, bring enough clothing layers to comfortably be outdoors in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

When you arrive on the private land, listen to your guides, as they are the subject matter experts while there. They know the land, the movement patterns of the elk, and how to safely navigate the terrain and shifting weather.

Ready to Book Your Colorado Elk Hunt?

Now that you know what to expect, booking your next Colorado elk hunt with Urge2Hunt is simple. Head to https://www.urge2hunt.com/ and fill out the online form to get the process started. Once you do, the team at Urge2Hunt will get in contact with you to consult with you and get the process started so that you can have a truly memorable elk hunting experience.