Pretty new hunter in Colorado

[COEngineer]

You just have to put in the time. Don't overthink it, but pay attention. If you are in the woods from dawn to dusk for a week every year, you will learn some of the critters' habits and start getting a feel for where you should be and when. If you drive around in a truck from noon to 2pm and then sit around camp complaining, "There just aren't any elk around," then it will take you a lot more years to notch a tag.

 

[Jasher]

Start in the wintering areas. The elk started migration back in second season. There was a ton of snow and really cold temps before third season. Hunt close to the private land. Hunters will have pushed the elk to areas with low pressure. You might only get 20 minutes of legal light to make something happen. Be there way before daylight and stay until you are out of daylight. They like to take the same path from bedding areas to feeding areas. You will have to catch them either on the way up or down. For as big as they are they can disappear very easy.