Colorado elk 2007-maybe

[Benoli]

I've just about convinced my hunting partners to try a DIY this fall. I've heard some stories bout unit 771 and am looking to see if this might be an option. I'd like to stay in the southern part of the state and hike in about 2-5 miles to get some distance from the crowds. Any ideas would be welcome. Thanks

[Whip]

I don't know about 771 specifically, but I do know that in most units with decent populations if you can go in 2-5 miles you will definately leave most of the crowds behind.  With some research, talking to game & fish, etc. you should be able to narrow your focus to a particular drainage and find yourself in some great hunting.  Killing an elk can be another matter, but you will have a great time!  Best to be prepared though.  One of your toughest challenges will come if you do get one on the ground back in that far.  Make sure your plan includes how you are going to get one out.  Maybe arrange with a packer ahead of time or consider an outfitted drop camp.

[San Juan Slim]

What stories have you heard about 771.  Unit 771 does have elk during archery season, but it is better known for winter range and late season rifle hunts.  It has much less public land and public access than surrounding units like 75, 751, 77, and 78.  771 has a lot of Ute reservation land and private land in it and is generally lower elevation than the above mentioned units.  The good news is an over the counter license will work for all the units mentioned and 771.

Mike

[Benoli]

Thanks for the replies!

[Dave2old]

I agree with all these fellows; good advice. A little extra driving north of the border, will get you into real mountains and lot more elk. I'd try 77 or 75. 74 is also great. Whever you decide on, get some good maps and call the appropriate national forest office if you're uncertain. Search carefully for legal ATV trails in your area, and stay as far away from them as you can get. Nothing kills elk hunting faster, or ruins a "wilderness" adventure more thoroughly. The Rio Grande NF is particularly infected with these aboninations. Also, you don't need to go real high to find good elk numbers in Sept. Unless they're disturbed, you can find elk down around 7,000' in the oakbrush zone. But I don't care fore it aesthetically and there often are cattle. Aspen zone kicks in good about 8000 and runs up to 11 or so, and that's where I prefer to hunt and have found the most elk. One good way to really get away from folks is to hike on a trail until you're close to where you want to be, then follow a stream uphill another mile or so. Most hunters camp along and hunt from established trails. Bushwhacking a stream makes it easy to find your way back to the trail, and guarantees you water. It often rains early season. I'd come mid-Sept. or later. You'll love it. Dave

[Lost Arra]

Are atv's allowed in a Colorado wilderness area?

[wood slinger]

In wilderness area's nothing with a wheel is allowed. This includes bikes and game carts.

[Dave2old]

Wood slinger -- too bad that doesn't extend to wheeled arrow-launching devices!

[Dave2old]

Lost arra -- ironically, designated wilderness is often crowded, because that's where everyone thinks they need to go to get away from motors and crowds. But between outfitters and hunters with their own horses, and even a few sturdy backpackers, it can get crowded, at least along trails. The really best places for muscle-powered, pack-in quality hunters are "roadless areas" which generally are a bit lower than wilderness, but still high. Despite the name, these places have lots of motorized trails and illegal jeep roads, but just like "white men can't jump," motor men don't walk. So whether designated wilderness without motors, or roadless areas with motors in some places, or open public lands with roads (road camping, which I used to do a lot of before the ATVs took over all such places) ... you still need to walk. Look around from a high point and think -- "where's the last place around here I'd want to go." Go there, as that's where the elk will be. Figure 150 - 250 pounds of boned meat, plus antlers if any, and divide that by trips back and forth, and you have your limits established. Adventure begins where roads end! Dave

[Lost Arra]

Thanks Dave.

Does the presence of cattle move elk out of an area?

[Whip]

I don't think cattle have any effect at all.  I've hunted on a private ranch three different times, and there have always been cattle there.  The cattle are kind of wild, and will bust out and make a big racket if you spook them, so you have to pay attention and try to work around them if you are in an elk area.  And if it happens to be round up time the cowboys might stir things up for a day or so while they gather the herds, but I wouldn't worry about cattle and elk.  On the other hand, I had sheep in an area one year - didn't see much for elk on that trip!

[Dave2old]

The only study I've seen of animal displacement was done at Starkey elk research center in OR, and had to do with the influences of salt and mineral licks on elk. Not surprisingly, cattle displaced elk, and elk displaced deer in competition for this treat.

My field experience is similar to Whip's. Cattle and elk seem to sort of dodge around one another, though I have no doubt elk would use more of the habitat if the cattle weren't there. But listening to cows moo, having ranchers come and go and ranch roads everywhere, and cow pies and flies everywhere is not what I want from my elk hunts. Given the choice between more elk and cattle, or fewer elk and no cattle, I'll take the latter every time. Depends on what you're after from a hunt.