Solo Archery Elk Hunt DIY OTC Colorado Public Land 10 Days Backcountry

Join me on my first ever elk hunt. I drive from Georgia to an OTC unit in Colorado. I Backpack in solo and live out of my pack and truck for 10 days in the rockies. Things get hairy: mountain lion encounters, elk encounters and much more. If you enjoy out of state solo hunts hit the subscribe!

[@gregorykemp2511]

As someone who lives in Colorado (Colorado Springs area) i can appreciate the fact that you pointed out that not matter how "in shape" someone is, the mountains always win. I train year round for archery elk season and it never seems to get easier.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Yea the deadfall, elevation and pack weight make things difficult for us easterners! Always trying to increase my fitness but it’s tough no matter what in the Rockies.

[@okydok7895]

Thanks for honoring the Lord... and, as you know so well... He certainly honored you w many encounters and indescribable moments! Super video. Loved it. Thank you for all the effort and time you put into video!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. God is good and really blessed me with an adventure on this trip.

[@haroldbleemel8537]

Dude, you were on elk so you did what half the people who go out never do! It's beautiful country. God has truly made some magnificent scenery for us. You'll learn from that and bag one I bet next season! Stay strong in your faith! Good luck!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Thanks so much for the kind words. It was truly an incredible experience all around. Elk or no elk the adventure and scenery was worth it! It’ll happen when the time is right and I’m enjoying the journey. Swinging for Montana this year.

[@mervjb809]

I really liked your video. I've been to CO several times, bowhunting for elk. I never got one, and I'm afraid it's too late. (71 yrs old). I love the fact that you have a personal relationship with God! There is something about nature that really cements my belief in Him. I'm also afraid I'd have been blasting that cat. That had to be scary. God bless you, and I hope you connect with a big bull soon!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Thanks! Yea it’s tough hunting. God’s fingerprints are strong in the Rockies! I enjoyed it and am sure with continued effort things will eventually pan out. Shots were close to being fired. Glad everything worked out and I didn’t have to. Only had 7 in the clip. Thanks for watching!

[@supa5523]

Good thing about solo over the counter Colorado you're never really completely alone.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Definitely can be a blessing and a curse

[@grantbrendemuhl794]

Thanks for making this video. Not the crazy entertaining trophy elk hunt that you see all over KZbin but a realistic experience of a first time DIY hunt. Exactly what I was looking for! Best of luck this fall!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Best of luck to you as well.

[@wesleybussey]

Solo drive cross country after night shift. Rock on amigo!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Yes sir! A grand time

[@tysoileau]

Great video! This year will be my first elk hunt. Doing DIY Colorado otc archery. Seeing someone do it for the first time puts it into perspective which I’m thankful to see. Enjoyed the content!

[@mikemcgee6810]

Awesome video! Really enjoyed the story about the mountain lions and glad that you survived the encounter to share it! I just bought a 10mm for my back up. I just drew my first tag for Archery & I’m pumped! This will be my 3rd season. Maybe 3 times a charm 🙏. I’m 55 and let me tell you, Colorado kicks my ass every year. I had a nice bull elk come down the mountain out of the aspens my first year and was on top of me before I could get the draw. He stared me down & I could not move until he bolted back up the mountain. I hunted him hard for 3 days and discovered his bedding area and jumped him twice. The whole experience was awesome not to mention that I had a bear get within 40 yds of me. My advice to you is always carry a garmin inreach mini for an emergency and look into hammocking as an alternative to your tent. It’s a game changer!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Sounds like some great experiences! I think it usually takes several years to finally get it done unless a lot of things go your way the first time. Learn, rinse and repeat. The mountain lions were quite the adventure. I love hammocking and sleep great in my eno system but with the weather and temperatures being so variable I like the security and added insulation of a tent and pad. Right now my tent setup and hammock setup are the same weight. Definitely not opposed to trying it again. I’ll probably bring both to Montana this year 👍🏼

[@mikemcgee6810]

@@HuntSoloPublic I bought a Warbonnet with an underquilt & tarp cover. Combine that with a Sitka sleeping bag and my Sitka Aerolite. There’s no way that I will get cold. I do have a question for you, because this is my main concern for hunting alone. How the hell are we gonna get that big bastard back to the truck?🤣 I’ve watched all the Cliff Gray videos and ton more on the gutless method and how to pack it out but I’m afraid I would not pass the endurance test. I’m thinking it might be best to call some locals with mules but I would love to hear your thoughts.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

@@mikemcgee6810 Yea I think it will be the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. I currently strength train and run 3-4 times a week. I have a ton of detail on my instagram page about certain workouts and my preparation. Yes the gutless method and quartering and packing until it’s all back to the coolers is the plan. It can be done solo but won’t be easy!

[@larrynorton1894]

Been there done that. Proud of your hard work. Success will come. I never was successful bow hunting but had many beautiful experiences. No cats thank goodness.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Awesome, I’ll keep at it!

[@shaynehall9172]

Great video, thank you for sharing! You earned my subscription at "spend some time in God's word". The most important weight in your pack sir!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

@@shaynehall9172 won’t leave the truck without it! Thanks for the support.

[@lukesturgeon341]

Thanks for making this video. I wish you would've gotten an opportunity to shoot a bull but I appreciate all the inside info you gave on just the daily struggle of this hunt. Best of luck on future hunts

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Thanks man, honesty is the best policy and it seems most hunts are 99% a grind with hopefully that 1% being target animal acquired. I like to show the whole story, highs and lows. I appreciate the kind words and thanks for watching.

[@Paul-i2s]

Experience is the best teacher

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Absolutely

[@victor.randolph]

I had a close encounter with a couple mountain lions early in the morning in the Mojave Desert during opening day. That feeling and memory never go away. Glad you made it out! Mine was about 50 yards. Can’t imagine 10 yards!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

I think back on the encounter often as well and it’s a different kind of fight or flight mode for sure, especially at night! Glad we both made it to enjoy another day out there.

[@WhatismanPodcast]

Great video brother!!! Thanks for sharing this story! 👏🏽 keep grinding.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

@@WhatismanPodcast appreciate it!

[@GunDwags]

Enjoyed your video. I just got back Elk hunting in NM a few weeks ago. 24 hr drive from GA. Love western hunts.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Glad you enjoyed it. I grew up a big eastern whitetail hunter but over the years getting to do a few western trips has me sold.

[@jessegarcia576]

Great video. Loved it

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Thank you!

[@tbjinvestments]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. I did my first elk hunt solo last season, Wyoming General. I ended up flying in and getting a rental, but if I did it over, I''d #1 hunt longer and #2 drive my own vehicle. I had a similar experience with mountain lions, but nowhere near as close.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Awesome, I’m sure it was a fun trip. You can bring a lot of different gear for different situations when you drive which is nice. Those cats are no joke! Good luck next time.

[@cjharv2]

Cool Video, I love Colorado. I am going back this year for my third hunt since 2019. I actually drew a muzzleloader tag this year

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Thanks for watching. Good luck!

[@MrMikebrunk7]

Thanks for the video.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

@@MrMikebrunk7 Yessir 👍🏼

[@HuntersInsight]

Nice Video! nice to see well prepared individuals go out backcountry. That camera gear ads ALOT of extra weight. Great work!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Thank you! And thanks for watching. Yes the camera stuff is heavy but I forget the extra weight later when I get to relive the experience! Definitely worth it.

[@HeavenerConstruction]

Great video, well produced, enjoyed it. Crazy to think about being hunted by two mountain lions. I had no idea what kind of shape you had to be in for this type of Hunt. Impressive and looking forward to the killshot!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Thanks for watching! It'll be great when it all comes together.

[@mervinhershberger7284]

Great experience! Tough hunt solo for sure ! Looking forward to this fall ! Planning a DIY hunt with three other guys it will be their first and my third trip out !!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Awesome! Best of luck to y’all. Beautiful country out there.

[@steveneddy9492]

Always best to have rain tarp at quick access and rope. Tarp up in two minutes in storm is nice to stay Dry

[@HuntSoloPublic]

I did have one but left a lot of stuff at the truck to cut weight. I had camp and everything else on my back so the rain gear did the trick.

[@xziang]

With that being your first hunt ANY elk would be doable. The cow with a nice shooting lane would have been a no brainer for me! Lucky to have had the shot opportunity tbh. Understand why you didn't take the shot but shot opportunities don't always come around especially with the bow!

[@richsmith8096]

Over the counter tags for elk bow season in Co are not either sex, dude could not had shot the cow legally, in a draw unit the tags are either sex with a few being able to harvest a spike!

[@xziang]

@@richsmith8096 Yes there are OTC either sex tags for bow. Plus a lot of areas have a 4pt restriction on one side. This year the either sex tag or the AO tag license is the same price for NR. Pending which unit you hunt best to just buy the Either Sex. Sure about the NO either sex tag for OTC archery?

[@Trapper50cal]

Gatorade, tylenol, coffee. No scent towel bath every morning. Call less than you think you should. If you're going to bugle, sound like a challenging juvenile satellite bull. Pisses the bigger bulls off. From Durango, CO 😉

[@HuntSoloPublic]

@@Trapper50cal Yea less seems to be more these days. Appreciate the input 👍🏼

[@Trapper50cal]

@@HuntSoloPublic Multiple times I've seen hunters call in other hunters by calling indiscriminately and way too frequently. On Public land these elk see a lot more pressure so they are onto the hunter's tactics and are wary of too much noise. I will say though, solo is the hardest because you can't have a caller set up behind the hunter and call the elk through the silent hunter. During my solo hunting, I've stalled out well inside the last 75 yards or so many times.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

@@Trapper50cal Yea that seems to be the struggle. I’ll be going earlier this year to MT so will do more spot and stalk. Will use calls sparingly. I’m sure it will be a challenge like CO but hopefully I’ll get a crack at a bull 🤞

[@deanbrantley]

Nuclear plant east of Atl. We can be far apart. Vogel? My first year doing OTC also and you’re right about so much The maps don’t do it justice and the people are everywhere. Not sure I’ll do CO again. I needed to cut my teeth also but I’m setting my sights on some different states. Nice video

[@deanbrantley]

@@HuntSoloPublic and I may do CO again, i started collecting prefrence points. I feel like applying what I learned this year will really help me close the gap next year in every aspect from driving/flying to scouting to sleeping pad choices. The learning curve was steep. I grew up toward SRS in NA area. Live about an hour north now.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Yea I think the more you learn about an area and go back to it the higher your odds of success are. Western hunting is a whole nother beast.

[@billyyang1330]

I am proud of you with the courage to hunt solo. I can't physically do it and especially with mountain lions around too. But don't give up on the elk hunt yet. We go there from California to hunt with our rifles and we normally are successful in the draw units.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

It is definitely a challenge and I like the solitude. The lions were a once in a lifetime experience more than likely and hopefully! My tag was archery only so I'm back to deer and bear back east but am definitely daydreaming about my next elk hunt!

[@ZTACKOUTDOORS]

Did my first Co OTC hunt in 2020...man did I feel like death for the first two days since I have never been at elevation. Getting your ass beat is an understatement. Going back this fall finally and been working out for the past year. Fingers crossed it helps a tad. Awesome vid! Just subbed.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Awesome thanks! Yea it’s no joke. I train year round and it helped but the Rocky’s still smoked me. Good luck and hopefully the prior experience helps you tag one 🤞🏼

[@ZTACKOUTDOORS]

@@HuntSoloPublic yeah fingers crossed!

[@Roundy-Up-Hunting]

Heck yea. Cuttos. Respect.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Appreciate the kind words

[@ronaldirvineII]

Great video man. Way to get out there and learn and put in the effort. Also good for you for trying to make youtube videos. Its awesome to see people set goals and get after it. But I just have a question to all the commenters saying God this and the lord that. " if it turns out that there is other life forms (aliens)out in the galaxy, then what does that do for the Bible/God theory for you guys" and no not asking this to be negative or rude or start drama in any way. I believe in spirits/ angels (people who passed away and now look over us). I've always been curious to see what a believers thoughts are on it or how do they feel about.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Here are my thoughts. The Christian beliefs and Bible beliefs in general boil down to faith. Putting your trust in something that you haven’t seen physically. The Bible doesn’t cover every topic we face in this life. No one has all of the answers and there is plenty of mystery to wonder about. I won’t try and convince you of anything as I think it’s important for us to seek truth out ourselves. I do know that my conscience condemns me and the Bible describes our sinful condition perfectly. The only relief I’ve found for this chronic condition and only way per the Bible to be right with a just and holy God is through saving faith in Jesus and the work he did on our behalf. Sin is the cause of every pain in this broken world and I find taking part in Gods redemptive plan for this world is the only fulfilling path I’ve ever pursued. It’s not easy and the road is narrow that leads to life but you aren’t on your own. If you haven’t read the Bible or don’t like to read check out Daily Audio Bible podcast. It’s a pastor out of Tennessee that reads through the Bible in a year and provides powerful commentary on tough passages. If you’re genuinely interested this would be a great place to start. I’d be glad to talk more or pray for you if you have any requests.

[@xxgunnery]

Great video dude! How did you know you were going to be able to get an OTC tag? Is it guaranteed they will be available in some areas?

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Thanks! Yea an OTC tag is good in any OTC units. You can look it up in the regs or on GoHunt to see which units are OTC.

[@philbow6374]

Put in For New Mexico! It’s a better state for elk than colorado, I know I live here.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Sounds good, I'll have to start putting in for it!

[@richsmith8096]

Glad you didn’t harvest a cow with an OTC tag! 😂

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Why is that?

[@Mossman4u2]

Come again, my friend.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

I’m sure I’ll be back eventually. Great hunt and beautiful state.

[@darrenhill4406]

did you draw Montana?

[@HuntSoloPublic]

@@darrenhill4406 I did. Elk/deer combo

[@darrenhill4406]

@@HuntSoloPublic Im from SC and have hunted MT for 22 years. Hit me up if you need any info.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

@@darrenhill4406 that’s awesome, I’ve got a few spots scouted out but those wildfires might throw a wrench if they keep spreading. Shoot me a DM on instagram.

[@christopherhendrix6562]

Hatch or vogtle?

[@HuntSoloPublic]

@@christopherhendrix6562 SRS

[@christopherhendrix6562]

Im from se ga and work for gpc thats why i asked. I’ve been to co and new mexico. That elevation ain’t no joke!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

@@christopherhendrix6562 Oh cool, small world! Yea that elevation is a rude awakening for us easterners 😂

[@jacktritten608]

Do you need a small game tag to hunt the birds?

[@HuntSoloPublic]

I think you do need small game license for sage grouse

[@supa5523]

You need a small game license to purchase the elk tag

[@devildog6107]

Great job. Keep grinding and you will be rewarded with the greatest feeling in the world.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

That's the plan!

[@RockyMtnWay_406]

And CO wants to get rid of all cat hunting. Go figure.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

@@RockyMtnWay_406 turning into the next California

[@cr250racer09]

Get yourself some BRCC

[@philbow6374]

If you need information I have it.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Appreciate it

[@westelkhunts1974]

You showed too much! I know exactly where you at, in my back yard!

[@HuntSoloPublic]

If that’s your back yard sell me some property!

[@westelkhunts1974]

@@HuntSoloPublic it’s called mine for a reason😘

[@danielwexler-th9ie]

Awesome video man! I am going hunting this upcoming season in Colorado Springs. Thank you for the awesome content.

[@HuntSoloPublic]

Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching! Good luck on your upcoming hunt 👍🏼