I've hunted elk in Colorado all my life. I'm nearing the end of my time as a hunter. Hunting has really changed over the years. Just a couple years ago I was sitting on a high point on some land of my cousin just glassing around. The surrounding ranch had been sub divided and sold in smaller properties. As I glassed it looked like a Denver Broncos ball game there was so much orange. I did spot a nice bunch of elk on some property the hunters probably didn't have permission to hunt on. The elk were moving right toward me. As I waited and watched these elk I saw them get comfortable on a property of about 40 acres, move into the pinion/juniper woods and just stay there. They knew those hunters wouldn't go on that property and knew it would be a bad move to move off the property during daylight so they just hung out there until late and then I don't know where they went. Elk and deer can hide in the pinion timber very well. You may spot an elk as it walks across a small opening and then never see an elk again. Go to that spot and there are elk tracks everywhere. Watching the elk I have learned how to move in that type of timber the same as they do. Never skyline yourself and always walk next to a tree or brush never out away from it. Always break up you outline. You don't have to go to the ends of the earth to find elk in Colorado as many videos will say you need to. You can find elk there but as I got older I found ways to locate elk without expending so much energy. Elk don't like snow where I live so they will always be near the edge of it. When it snows up high they travel lower to where grazing is easier and as the snow melts they move back up as the edge of the snow gets higher. Where I live you can count on this and plan a hunt accordingly. Elk are very aware of people because we are all around them. Almost anywhere I hunt I can hear a highway or a railroad so the animals certainly can. They do not run from an automobile if the auto keeps moving but if it stops they will move away. If someone gets out of the auto they will run away. If you can figure out the area you will be able to figure how the elk operate in that area. Food, water, and safety from humans seems to be what they look for.

I hear golfing is way more exciting than hunting elk in CO. Everybody do that

Awesome video. Thanks for taking time to break down some basics for us new guys. Specifically liked the moments where you switched between topo modes to discuss general terrain, terms and tips for elk travel. Keep the content a comin. 👍🏼

This Okie with dreams of hunting elk in some not so flat places in the next couple years learned a lot. Thanks!

There are no elk in Colorado!! 😁

Comin to NM this year?! Heck yes guys!!!!

North facing slopes in Colorado often called Dark Timber 😉

Awesome video! Looking forward to use some of these tips here in Arizona!

I have never hunted such flat looking country on the topo.... is that what I'm doing wrong? Hahaha always good content good luck this year!

I think you could learn from Randy Newberg an Cory Jacobson about only putting out hunt plans for hard to draw elite areas. You guys are pros why not put out there your hunt plans. Really frustrating to work on a hunt plan for months an then have Pros put it out for everyone an you know people are going to flock to anything you put out. Still a fan but man my heart sank with this video.

Thanks kody, you given me some great insight as to using more of onX

Who went to OnX to see if you could find where he was looking? It only makes sense to e-scout an OTC rifle unit to throw people off. Well played Kody.

Awesome stuff guys!! How much are you paying attention to hunter success and bull/cow ratio or bull kill size?

Can't wait to see your next land of the free

Ive been an elite onx member for years. I wish the desktop version wasnt so laggy. I wish theyd fix it. Been thinking about trying basemap because id rather be e scouting on my computer rather than my cell.

Thank you for dropping knowledge.

See yall there on September 13th. Coming from Florida be there 2 weeks hopefully to redeem my misses last year.

1. 100% guaranteed you're going to have beetle kill/blow downs. 2. The the topo lines lie. It's worse when you get there. Good luck and I can't wait till opening day. I'll be occupying somewhere in CO 2 mill. public acres. 😁🏹

cant wait till September elk season ill be in the elk woods enjoying the great out doors in hope of filling the freezer have a tag to unit 77 should be a good one

looks fun for sure,i live in that area just for your info to the west of you is useally busy and lots of people and campers,but maybe they can run them over to you guys lol

Hunted this exact spot last year. LOTS of hunters and outfitters. Even a horse trail not shown on the map pretty close to your road marker.

Great explanations!

Hope to see yall in NM good luck

I thought scouting was putting eyes on elk.Then go for them. But nice to see the lay of the land

Solid info for a September hunt. Do you have any vids for us November OTC peasants?

i have not been thinking about anything besides archery season

This is very informative. Thank you! Why the focus on North slopes?… Is it because you are anticipating a north wind? Thanks

Dang it fellas I know this spot well. Looks like I’ll be moving to the next one.

Maybe instead of blowing up my hunting spot you could use RMNP or some other non-huntable area to demonstrate?

Can you use your OTC elk tags in any public unit? I assumed you were limited to certain units with purchase tags?

In the beers with bro’s with the guys from onX didn’t they say something about 3D being a possibility in the near future?

How funny I was actually scouting this same exact area on BaseMaps for my Elk hunt. It's only 149 miles from me. I've used onXmaps and BaseMaps and personally BaseMaps is alot better, more user friendly and alot clearer images, they don't fade out on you when you zoom in like onXmaps does. So I have to say, It's Elk, not elks, and finding Elk in the parks i assume you mean meadow or open area. After spending 11 years as an 0311 I can't wait to walk all over God's green earth to fill my bull tag. I'll be using the hunting pressure to my advantage by going the other direction lol all you whitetail hunters from back east, I'd advise you to start working on your cardio.

I've hunted the area in Colorado that you showed since 1993. It is a draw area nowadays.I agree that golfing is much more exciting than elk hunting in Colorado

Scouting tip #1 look were all social media hunters are and stay far away from all the yahoos.

I found an area where I can clearly see a two track or a hiking trail of sort on OnX & Google Maps but they don't indicate it as such. What could this mean? Thanks!

Would some of this info also apply to elk hunting in eastern kentucky?

Can this strategy also be applied to first rifle,

Have you ever tried Gaia? I have been using Gaia and debating on if I should move to onX but have never used it.

Scouting? What's that. I thought the elk are where you find them..

It’d be nice to have satellite imaging that is less than 1 year old to see all that beetle kill.

Are you going to do a video on Oregon?

Okay BRO nation, I don't know if this question has ever been asked/ or answered. And I know it off topic of this video. But... Is it possible to bugle when you wear dentures or don't have teeth? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

So funny story I’m planning my first otc elk hunt this year (during their 2nd rifle season). Looked at what I thought was a pretty decent area. Sure enough your video is close as shit lol I’m screwed. Maybe I’ll get lucky on a drawing next year lmao

lol buncha dudes going to hunt those nobs this fall. They look good tho

The IPA is really distracting. Gross.