Elk Hunting in Colorado- Schminter Guns
DColorado makes the top elk hunting state with its elk population reaching half a million. If you also want to visit it for hunting down this coveted animal, make sure to complete initial prepping. This article is your complete guide for hunting elk in Colorado with seasons, top places, license information, and elk recipes.
Colorado Elk Hunting
Elk hunting is among the best big game experiences one can ever have. That is why, seasoned as well as beginner hunters spent great chunk of money and travel millions of miles just to get a chance to bring down this beast. If you are also one of those big game lovers. You need to make sure that all such efforts must assure you a kill.
Colorado is also a place where your chances of success are much higher as compared to any other country. With the elk population reaching half a million, Colorado takes pride at having largest concentration of elks in the U.S. while other countries issue OTC tags in hundreds, Colorado offer them in thousands. Also, no matter if you are a rifle of bow hunter, everyone gets a chance to hunt down this majestic animal. Thinking of Colorado as your next hunting destination? Make sure to check this guide to enjoy greatest elk hunting opportunities.
Schminter Guns have listed down everything you need to know about elk hunting in Colorado. From seasons, costs, licensing, best palaces, equipment and elk recipes, we have got you covered! So, let’s find out how you can enjoy your Colorado Elk hunting game to the fullest!
Colorado Elk Hunting Seasons
This year, the archery elk hunting season starts from August 31 and ends in September 29, 2019. Those who want to enjoy muzzleloader elk hunting in Colorado can do so from September 14-22. While there are three elk hunting seasons for rifle hunting with duration of 5,9 and 9 days respectively. The dates for rifle elk hunting seasons are:
– Rifle season 1: October 12 – 16
– Rifle season 2: October 19 – 27
– Rifle season 3: November 2 – 10
Top Places for Elk Hunting in Colorado
With more than 250,000 elks within its territory, Colorado has lots of best places with many elk hunting opportunities. It’s a fact that deeper you go into the wilderness, more will be the chances of a successful hunt. So, it’s really important to hit the right spots in order to bring the meat home.
For example, Steamboat Springs is a mountainous territory that offer great hunting opportunities especially during the summer season. This place is also best for those who want to enjoy scouting along with the big game. Another best place Northwest of Gypsum which has open plains where elk live in herds. This attribute makes it easier to hunt the big bull even if you are new to the game.
Similarly, if you are an experienced hunter and want to pursue challenging game, try visiting west of Salida. It’s a mountainous region with a lot of public land and you need to be a good hiker to hunt there. Woodland Park is also a good elk hunting place for those who want to enjoy the beautiful scenery wile hunting. For this reason, this place makes the favorite spot of many big game hunters.
How to Get a License to Hunt Elk in Colorado
In order to get Colorado elk hunting license, you should complete an online Colorado hunter education course which costs $24.50. After that the elk hunting license can be purchased from Colorado parks and Wildlife website or from an approved provider. The price of Antlered or either-sex elk is $660 while the cost of Antlerless elk license is $495 for non-residents. Also, you are also required to pay a $10 habitat stamp when applying for the first license.
Best Guns for Colorado Elk Hunting
Elks are big and tough animals even four to five times bigger than deer. So, you need to make sure that the firearm you are using is worthy enough to get that beast down. That’s why, your gun must have qualities of long-range shooting with accurate bullet placement. One great option is Browning BLR Lightweight 81 which is 40 inches long and perfect for mountainous terrains. Another option is Savage Arms Model 111FCNS which is a lightweight rifle with .30-06 caliber. The gun is handy and also have a high accuracy when it comes to shoot down a big elk. Similarly, Benelli R1 .338 is also a good choice for beginners. This rifle offers long-range accuracy and minimum recoil.
Bottom line is, you will find plenty of lists for best elk hunting guns but not all work for everybody. So, it is important to select the one which matches you own needs and shooting style.
Best Bows for Elk Hunting
Elk hunting is hard and for some, it becomes even harder with bow elk hunting. But the amazing experience of hunting down an elk with a bow and arrow is worth the effort. First of all, you need a big and heavy bow with highest accuracy penetration. Also, the draw energy needs to be maximum to make sure a kill. A bow with 60-70 lbs. draw weight is a good fit with an accuracy of 40+ yards shooting. Some bow options to consider for elk hunting include Mathews Triax, iGlow 55lb and Hoyt Carbon Defiant.
Elk Recipe – Grilled Elk with Chanterelle Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 minced onion
- 1 ½ lbs. sliced chanterelle
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- 3 lbs. Elk tenderloin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cook onions in butter for 5 minutes until soft then add mushrooms and 1/3 cup water. Bring it to boil then cover and cook for 5-7 minutes on low flame to soften the mushrooms. After that, add sugar, soy sauce, salt and pepper and cook for a minute to melt the sugar.
Dissolve cornstarch in 2 tablespoon cold water and add it to the mushrooms. Cook for few minutes until the sauce thickens.
Season the meat with salt and pepper and grill it over a pre heat grill until brown. Then transfer it to cutting board after getting cold. Cut the meat into slices and arrange it over the mushroom sauce in the serving platter. Garnish with parsley.