Hunting Elk, Deer and Bear
Contributors to this thread:Colorado
From: TheColoradoOutdoors
19-Apr-18
I have been thinking lately about hunting at the same time for multiple species. Who lives in Colorado knows about OTC bear. What do you guys think about hunting for elk and bear at the same time? Same with deer, if I win a deer tag for archery should I grab both OTC elk and OTC bear.What are your thoughts on this? In the unit that I hunt, there are both elk and deer and of course bears. I am going to be hunting in the oak brush so maybe that fact will help with a decision or some tips. Another thing is that I won't be able to make multiple trips because the unit is way to far away for that so I am planning to just do a one-week long trip. Thanks to everyone and I hope to see some good ideas and thoughts.
From: sisabdulax
19-Apr-18
If your here and ya can afford it why not. This way if you say kill the first day of a 2 week hunt your not done. But the flip side in having the extra tags is ya wont see anything!!! lol
From: Destroyer350
19-Apr-18
I would definitely pick up a bear tag if you can. I try to get one every year during elk season just in case I see one. I don't typically go out there looking for bears but I will usually run into a couple hiking through marshy areas or creeks.
From: Paul@thefort
19-Apr-18
you may see a bear, you may just stumble upon a bear within bow range while elk hunting. I was intentionally hunting bear and called this one in using a predator call sounding like a fawn in distress.
From: Surfbow
19-Apr-18
I buy a bear tag to ensure I don't bump into any bears while hunting elk and deer, it works about 90% of the time...
From: Ned
19-Apr-18
My first day elk hunting in Colorado a few years back , I was walking back to camp along a lake trail in a misty rain, when out of nowhere a large blackie decided to join me on the trail. I’ve hunted and killed bear, I knew this one was big. He got on the trail and started walking right toward me at 30 yards. I had no tag though, so I yelled at it and it thankfully ran off. Great memory though.
From: Paul@thefort
19-Apr-18
So let put things in perspective. Ie, Harvests of bear, deer and elk by bow and arrow. While you will see that a few on this site saw bears, there are a lot more that have not seen or even killed a bear. I am not saying, do not purchase all three tags, just be prepared not to see or kill anything. Fun trying anyway.
Bears. Boars 117 Sows 75 Total 192 7% success
Deer Bucks 2375 Does 688 Total 3,086 26% success
Elk Bulls 3935 Cows 1430 Total 5505 12% success
From: JLeMieux
20-Apr-18
I've seen very bears over the years elk hunting with the exception of the last 2. I have seen several in the area we hunt now, and have had 1-2 in bow range each year. I've been tempted to buy a tag but I don't want to lose a day or half day of trying to get my first elk because I'm packing out a bear.
From: cnelk
20-Apr-18
We see bears each fall while hunting elk. Sometimes they come running in to check out my cow calls
From: Jaquomo
20-Apr-18
A bear tag is just a little more expensive than a can of good bear spray, and is almost as effective. :-O
From: ColoBull
20-Apr-18
Ditto to all of the above.
From: Highway Star
20-Apr-18
Every year I carry a bear tag while hunting elk. Two years I shot a bear, one before the elk and one after. This year I hope to have a deer tag also. Priority elk, deer, bear. If I shoot another bear I might be getting a divorce. She says the hides are too expensive to deal with.
Scott
From: TheColoradoOutdoors
23-Apr-18
Alright, thanks to you all who replied so I am probably going to get as many tags as I can! Thanks.