I hunted it with Felix this year the first week, and again at the end of the season. We hunted in some off the wall over the counter areas and had a tough time getting into some. We moved out of one area because there was no sign, old or new. I got into a herd and spooked them in the second area, south of eagle. It was very dry and the elk were holding during the day right at treeline under a snow field. It was on private property (old mining claims) so I didn't try to follow up there as the boundaries seem to be disputed with the forest service. They seem to like water at the end of the summer, to keep cool. One problem was when Labor Day weekend came up the elk were definitely not bugling, but the great influx of weekend hunters started bugling all over the place, answering each others calls and such. We left.
I and another hunter returned at the end of the season on some BLM property north of Eagle on a tip from a hunter at RMSG. There was a ton of sign there, back past were the average person would hike to. I mean sign everywhere, tore up ground and all that, but they were gone, driven onto private property adjacent to the BLM I assume. The sign was somewhat fresh but had been snowed on lightly the night before and smelled a little stale. Usually you can smell their breath when their still around if the wind is calm. I can anyway. This area was very wet with numerous seeps and springs, and I think it is kind of like a spa for them. Good spot, but gets hunted hard, do to the reports from the early-bird successful hunters.
On an unrelated note, I think the Grand Mesa Bowmen are putting on the state Vegas 450 in Eagle today which a few of us trad guys still shoot in. I decided not to go again, because the lighting is poor and it can be difficult shooting with all those wheel guys. No offense intended.
Topic: White River National Forest (Read 516 times)
