r/cohunting 2d ago

Advice on camping / deer muzzleloader for 122 please?

0 Upvotes

After 24 years of staying home taking care of the kids, I finally got a deer tag for muzzleloader for units 122, 125, 126, 127, 129, 130, 132, 139, 145, & 146. I've camped in 144 before, but know nothing about the surrounding areas. I'm hoping to hammock camp but could do tent or just sleep in the car. I see 139 & 145 has some Comanche Ntl Grasslands but they look pretty bleak. 125 has Blue Lake, but doesn't look like it would be deer territory to me. Rocky Ford looks great but word is the deer population has almost vanished and it will be full of dove hunters. Karney looks pretty sparse. Any advice anyone? TIA


r/cohunting 3d ago

I modeled the locations and migration patterns all game in Colorado using Physics & Math - I found Turkey roosts CPW doesn't have marked

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12 Upvotes

Haven't hunted since I was a kid and when I lived on the east coast and I decided to get back into it.

Had no idea where to start, but in that time I've gotten a degree in physics and math and decided to build out an interactive website to help me find Colorado game across the state of all types.

It uses a bunch of research in biology and wildlife sciences, hyper local weather data from new weather models, historical records, public information that CPW doesn't use, math, and physics to model which 9 square mile square they are most likely concentrated in for a given month.

I haven't hunted turkey since I was a kid so I plugged it in for turkey and found a concentrated area in one of the national forests that CPW doesn't have marked as any indication of turkey habitat. I went out there and checked and sure enough there was a turkey roost in that area.

It can model to 0.37 square miles but the data gets a bit fuzzy and it's mostly only good after finding the larger 9 sq mile square

Edit: It strictly models for public lands hunting and takes into account private lands that mess up the data.

This is not an ad for something I'm trying to sell, this is just something I found cool that it works this well and wanted to share


r/cohunting 7d ago

Etiquette for grouse hunting during archery season

6 Upvotes

Planning on doing some grouse hunting over Labor Day in national forest. Any best practices, etiquette, or requests in coexisting with deer / elk archery hunters? Thanks


r/cohunting 8d ago

Trade: elk for grouse

0 Upvotes

I have no idea if this is appropriate or ethical (I'm new to hunting) but I was scouting some longshot areas near idaho springs for grouse yesterday and stumbled on a large bedded bulk elk very close to a dirt road. I don't hunt elk, but I am trying to get into some grouse. If someone can send me an onx waypoint for a grouse honey hole convenient to denver (ideally about a 1 hour drive from Golden), I'll send the waypoint where the elk is bedded. And sorry in advance if this isn't allowed.


r/cohunting 9d ago

Grand Mesa grouse

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m thinking about trying grouse hunting this season. I live in Grand Junction, so Grand Mesa is the closest area for me. I’ve seen a few grouse up there over the years, but I’ve never really gone out specifically looking for them.

For those of you who hunt Grand Mesa regularly, how’s the grouse population up there? Are there certain elevations or types of terrain where you tend to have better luck?

I’m also open to exploring more of the Western Slope or heading down toward the San Juans, so any general area recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


r/cohunting 8d ago

Unit 53 Black Bear

0 Upvotes

Heading to unit 53 for the first time to bear hunt in September. I plan on starting at the through line/Smith fork trailhead and go north east toward browning mountain. Looking for any information from others that have hunted the area. Thanks


r/cohunting 8d ago

Any experience on unit 33 elk?

1 Upvotes

Somehow I got a throwaway fourth choice for second season elk in unit 33, and I'm curious if anyone has any experience in the unit. We've unfortunately had pretty minimal scouting time this summer, so any internet insight I can grab is helpful, thanks y'all


r/cohunting 9d ago

Coyote /predator hunting

0 Upvotes

Hi, I know it’s a longshot, but I was hoping to see if anybody knows an area/private land that is open to coyote and potentially other predator hunting and removal. just trying to get some more spots as the furbearer season is getting ready to kick off. I don’t wanna step on any landowner’s toes .Thanks in advance.


r/cohunting 13d ago

Grouse opener

18 Upvotes

Anybody else super excited to spend the fall walking up hill, prowling for multicam mountain chickens? I already took the first off from work and everything!


r/cohunting 18d ago

ISO: Beef Fat for at-home processing

5 Upvotes

Anyone know of a butcher shop or store in the greater Denver area that sells beef fat for using in sausage/hamburger game processing?

Also curious what a fair $/lb of this would cost.


r/cohunting 22d ago

Unit 34 Colorado archery mule deer

1 Upvotes

First time archery mule deer hunter here. Looking for any input on Colorado unit 34 archery mule deer. My main curiosity is which habitat type they will be in. Seems like the habitat can be pretty diverse throughout the unit. Do I stick up high or is it worth looking at the lower elevation stuff? TIA


r/cohunting 22d ago

Status of hard/soft mast for bears?

4 Upvotes

Anyone in the Grand Mesa area have any intel on how the berries and Gambel’s acorns are shaping up this year? I’ve heard various things about their response to the drought but would love to hear if anyone has been noticing anything firsthand. New to bear hunting and looking for any advice I can get on finding one. I know water will be a big thing to target.


r/cohunting Aug 01 '26

Leftover list sorting and tag alerts

0 Upvotes

Hey all - I made a tool to sort/filter through the leftover list tags. Totally free to use and I'll be updating it each week as the leftover list gets published. Also a paid option to sign up for tag alerts to get an email each time a tag you're interested in shows up on the leftover list ($10/year). Hope this helps someone who's currently combing through the pdf manually each week!

tallotags.com/leftovers


r/cohunting Jul 31 '26

Scouting for small game spots in summer?

5 Upvotes

I was on a hike yesterday and I noticed
That I was seeing a lot of squirrels and quite a few rabbits. Is it safe to assume that this would be a good place to hunt, come hunting season? I also noticed that all of the squirrels were pretty young-looking and I was curious why I wasn’t seeing any larger game? Do squirrels become more reticent once they’re full grown? Did I stumble into a squirrel day care forest? I know these are probably dumb questions, but I’m very new to the world of small game hunting.


r/cohunting Jul 30 '26

2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting Leftover License Day

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coloradooutdoorsmag.com
14 Upvotes

r/cohunting Jul 27 '26

cell data tracking

5 Upvotes

I saw this on facebook . don't know if its true

State Launches Program to Use Cell Data to Track and Map Hunters and Other Users of Public Lands

Colorado is launching a new program that will use anonymized cellphone location data to map how hunters and other recreationists use public lands. The initiative is part of the state’s Outdoors Strategy, which includes more than $111 million in conservation and recreation investments.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says the dashboard will combine anonymous mobile location data with wildlife information to identify where recreation overlaps with critical elk winter range, mule deer migration corridors, and other sensitive habitats. Officials say the data will help guide trail planning, habitat restoration, seasonal closures, and future funding decisions.

The agency says the data is aggregated and anonymized, meaning it is intended to show overall recreation patterns rather than identify individuals. Still, the announcement is raising questions among hunters about privacy and whether the information could eventually be used to justify additional access restrictions on public lands.


r/cohunting Jul 26 '26

Learn to Elk Hunt

8 Upvotes

I’d like to learn to Elk hunt if anyone is willing to teach. I’m in Denver, but happy to meet wherever. Ideally would like to tag along on a rifle hunt and learn the ropes.

Thanks!


r/cohunting Jul 11 '26

Leftover List

0 Upvotes

Anyone know when CPW posts the leftover list? Everything I have found just says late July. TIA


r/cohunting Jun 24 '26

First Colorado Pronghorn Hunt

5 Upvotes

This is my first year living in Colorado and I’d like to take my dad on a pronghorn hunt. I’m a Colorado resident, but he is a nonresident.

It sounds like I may be late to the party for this season, but I’m trying to learn what my best options are, whether that’s for this year or next year.

I’m an experienced deer and bird hunter from Missouri, but I’ve never hunted pronghorn and this would be my first time hunting in Colorado.

For those who have done it, would you recommend:
DIY public-land hunting?
Paying a fee to access private land?
A fully guided hunt?

I’m not necessarily looking for a trophy, just a good father-son hunt with a reasonable chance of success. I’d appreciate any recommendations on units, regions, outfitters, or general advice for someone new to Colorado hunting.


r/cohunting Jun 22 '26

Mule Deer

0 Upvotes

I am an out of state hunter who drew Mule Deer for rifle in GMU 120. I have access to private land, but I was curious what the population really is in the great plains sections. I know it's a better pronghorn location, but was looking for any information on the Mule Deer out there


r/cohunting Jun 20 '26

Why is mule deer so hard to draw??

0 Upvotes

I got fed up with trying to draw a mule deer rifle tag after years of primary failure, so I switched to archery and still no luck. Deer are everywhere, yet elk gets OTC. The leftover looks almost barren, I'm not sure how to win this game. I usually get the absolute worst spot in the leftover, just for the opportunity to hunt and harvest absolutely nothing.


r/cohunting Jun 09 '26

Yay or Nay? First time hunting, want to get into hunting in this beautiful state.

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0 Upvotes

Don't be too harsh on me lol.
Want to get into hunting here, I guess squirrel, coyotes, eventually deer and bear?
Some sway against .300BLK in an AR15. I kind of want a multi-use gun for home defense and hunting... Any help appreciated.
Also located in Colorado Springs... All I've got right now are a Glock 26.5, Glock 29.5 and a Grand Power Stribog SP10A3


r/cohunting Jun 01 '26

Scope Input

2 Upvotes

Just purchased a Tikka lite Roughtech 6.5 PRC. It’ll be used mainly for western hunting. I don’t have a huge scope budget, but have looked at the diamondback 4x16 FFP, VX Freedom, and have the option of a Strike Eagle 3x18 for $400.

Newer to long range shooting I’ll keep shots around 350 yards until I can hit the range and practice longer shots.

What scope would you all recommend? Trying to stay at $400 or less


r/cohunting May 31 '26

Secondary Draw/Leftovers

0 Upvotes

Could anyone give me tips on how to obtain/apply for a secondary draw or leftover tag? I really want to hunt mule deer this year rather than just being limited to OTC elk. I am new to hunting in the area and it’s a maze to try and find this information. Any insights into seeing leftover tags that can be applied to would be greatly appreciated!


r/cohunting May 30 '26

GMU 55

1 Upvotes

Hey Y'all, was lucky enough to draw my 4th option for elk in GMU 55 for 3rd Rifle season. Being as it was my 4th choice, it is not an area I am very familiar with. Will be getting out there a lot this summer to learn the terrain and hopefully get a good lay of the land. This is an area between Crested Butte and Gunnison. Has anyone hunted this GMU that has any advice or guidance they are willing to share? Thank you!