Here at Primal Pioneer, we aim to provide public land hunting resources to the everyday hunter. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t tag a trophy big game or fill your freezer on public lands.
You’ll find everything you need to plan and execute your public land hunt successfully. From preparation to gear, all broken down by wild game and location.
That’s right – we harvested that bull during our DIY OTC archery elk hunt on public lands in Colorado. And you can, too!
Public Land Elk Hunting Resources
Colorado is ripe with public hunting lands, and with their over the counter tag process, just about anyone can go on a public land elk hunt. But, it took us five years to tag our first bull elk and we learned a lot of lessons along the way.
From my first solo OTC public land elk hunt in 2018, to tagging a bull of a lifetime in 2022, it’s been a journey and our hope is to encourage anyone thinking about public land elk hunting to give it a try!
- DIY Archery Elk Hunt – Colorado is a prime destination for local and out-of-state elk hunters, with some of the most abundant herds of elk found in the US these days. Planning and executing your own DIY archery elk hunting in Colorado is easier than you think!
- Elk Hunting Seasons in Colorado – Familiarizing yourself with the Elk Hunting Seasons in Colorado can help you determine which Colorado elk hunting season is right for you. This simple post will help you know the times and dates of all the possible hunting times in Colorado to help plan your next public land elk hunt.
- 7 Tips for Hunting Elk on Public Land in Colorado – Check out these 7 Tips for Hunting Elk on Public Land in Colorado. Public land has its challenges; these tips will help you produce a successful hunt on these accessible lands.
- How to Prepare for Emergencies in Elk Hunting – Ready to learn How to Prepare for Emergencies in Elk Hunting? These simple tips will help you prepare for your public land elk hunt to keep yourself safe in the backcountry.
- November Elk Hunting in Colorado – Looking for some tips on November Elk Hunting in Colorado? Read this to find out all the details.
- Which Colorado Elk Hunting Season is Right for You? – There are a few things to consider when deciding which Colorado elk hunting season is right for you. We’ll run through the pros and cons of each Colorado elk season to help you decide which one fits your DIY Colorado elk hunt!
- 6 Resources for Planning your First DIY Colorado Public Land Elk Hunt – Planning your first DIY Colorado public land elk hunt can seem overwhelming at first. From knowing where and when to purchase your OTC elk tag to what gear for high-elevation hunting to how to pick your unit, if it’s your first DIY Colorado public land elk hunt it can seem like a daunting task. I’m sharing six recommended resources to help you start planning your first DIY Colorado elk hunt.
- 2018 Colorado OTC Elk Hunt – 2018 was the year of my first over-the-counter Colorado elk hunt. After months of planning and preparing, my first-ever Colorado over-the-counter elk hunt was one that I’ll never forget. There were many lessons learned and moments of celebration seeing my hard work and preparation pay off.
Gear Recommendations for Public Land Hunting
Throughout our experience as public land hunters, we’ve tried several pieces of technical equipment, gear, and clothing to improve our odds of being successful public land hunters. Below are some of our favorites that we’ve tried and reviewed.
- First Lite Sizing Review – This First Lite sizing review will help you understand how to get the best fit with First Lite’s technical hunting apparel. In this quick guide, we’ll take a look at First Lite’s range of sizes and review just how well they fit.
- How to Use onXmaps for Public Land Hunting – Hunting on public lands can be challenging, but you can successfully hunt on almost any public land with the right tools. Let’s break down how to use onXmaps for public land hunting.
- Best Mountain Hunting Clothes – Making sure you have the best mountain hunting clothes when you’re planning your backcountry hunt is crucial. The last thing you want in the middle of your hunt is uncomfortable and low-quality hunting clothes.
- Merino Wool for Hunting – Wearing merino wool for hunting is the perfect way to stay warm and dry so that you can focus on what you’re really out in the cold hoping to accomplish – bagging that big game animal to fill your freezer!
- My Honest Review of First Lite Technical Hunting Apparel – When choosing the right clothing for elk hunting, there are a ton of options, which is why I wanted to share my honest review of First Lite technical hunting apparel. I’ll break down the specific items I used during my archery Colorado elk hunt and how First Lite held up over the duration of the hunt.
Resources for Hunting Whitetail Deer on Public Land
- How to Scout Deer on Public Lands – Learn how to scout deer on public lands to experience a successful hunt. Public land hunting can be challenging, but it’s not impossible to fill your tag on public lands.