need some input for elk hunt in colorado quick!!

[stick flipper]

Well my step-dad and I are going to colorado for elk this year and we have a little problem. We are both firefighters and with our schedules we have come up with 2 different possible times to go. Our original plan was to go sept. 11-18. The only problem we have is muzzleloader season is sept. 8-16. We are not sure how much pressure muzzleloader season gets. We also know we will have to wear 500 cu. in. of hunter orange. The other time we can go would be aug. 30- sept. 6. We are new to elk hunting and I would greatly appreciate any advise on which dates to go and what the benefit(s) would be by going at that time. I have been reading alot about elk, but I would really like to hear from guys who have experience with archery elk. We will be hunting in the SW part of Colorado near Durango.

Any info. would be greatly appreciated. We have to make up our minds on when to go very soon so we both can put in for the vacation times.


thank you,
Chris

[Whip]

I think it will depend on just how and where you plan to hunt.  Assuming you are talking about public land, will you camp at your vehicle and walk in each day?  Or can you backpack in far enough to get away from the crowds?  
If it were me, I would much prefer the later dates, but only if I could get back in far enough to leave the majority of hunters behind.  Otherwise, the earlier dates would be my choice.  The first time I ever elk hunted we hunted above Durango just before and into the first couple days of muzzleloader season. We hunted from a camp we could drive to and didn't see many elk at all.  If I did it again I would pack in at least a few miles.  We saw lots of sign, but very little was fresh - everything had been pushed back further.  
Good luck!  No matter what, you will have a great time - it is a beautiful area!

[just_a_hunter]

Those powder burners never bother me much. As a general rule in Colorado, "He who hunts the hardest, wins." At times, thier might appear to be a lot of people. Get off the road a couple miles, you'll notice the elk numbers go up, and the people numbers go down. Consult topo maps with a GPS to make sure you won't be hunting private lands. A lot of the land in Colorado is private, but not fenced or posted.

The only thing I think muzzle loader hunters hurt, is the ever so famous mentality of "I THINK I know how to bugle." The end result of that is herds of elk that won't talk. Archery hunters are just as guilty of this.

My advise is, throw the bugle in the trash can, and learn to use a cow call VERY MODESTLY.

Elk hunting is great in the middle of the day. Pack a lunch and hunt all day.

Don't get down on yourself. Your first year in a new area is usually spent "learning the ropes". Have fun, be carefull, and come hunt anytime you want. I think your origanal dates would be fine.

Todd

[Dave2old]

First and foremost, you do NOT have to wear orange during smoker season. It's a weird setup, where the guys with guns have to wear orange, and we can run around in camo, hoping not to get shot. But in fact, once into the woods, I rarely see a BP hunter in orange. On other points, I generally agree with Whip and Todd. Except I'd add ATVs to the problematic mix that comes with BP season. What we see a lot of around here at that time is big camps of nonresident hunters that return year after year. If there are 10 of them,they all put in for a BP license each year, and those who don't draw, hunt with compounds. They bring horses and ATVs and bugle from roads and motorized trails and are a tremendous disruption. So I'll say what I said just the other day on another elk thread, and got stung for, but I'll say it again because it's true and the sort of info I'd want in your place: find a forest road that runs alongside a wilderness area, or a roadless area with no motorized trails. That will allow you to walk away from the sound of motors and join up there with the elk. Sadly for us, BP week is generally the best overall time for bowhunting elk. I'd come then if you feel you can get away from the motorized mobs and their bugle pollution. If not, come during the earlier dates and the elk won't be as talkative, but they'll be relatively undisturbed. Heed the good advice to burn your bugle if you own one, and use cow calling only very discreetly. Average elevation for elk country around here is 9,000 to 11,000, and everywhere is steep. Have fun, dave

[sndmn11]

agree with dave, you, as a bow hunter, do not have to wear orange if you are hunting while muzzleloader season is open...if you feel like you know where the elk will be from looking at your maps and that those areas are places other hunters will overlook or not want to go you should be fine with the later date and probably take advantage of cooler temps and possibly more rut activity.  if you are that worried about the muzzleloaders you would also be fine at the earlier date.

[just_a_hunter]

Originally posted by Crowdog:
Why are you guys so scared of black powder hunters? It seems that this is all the talk, about the best hunting gouing on during the blackpowder season, and everyone is so scared of hunting around them. Last year, I hunted the whole two weeks of blackpowder season, and saw zero, zilch, nadda, blackpowder hunters.
And Dave, keep telling the guys to go in deep away from the roads, cause lasat season, we killed seven bulls within a mile of a major highway. And keep advising them against bugling and cow calling, cause we love it when we call from a road and the bulls go nuts. My daughters really like that. Good advice, keep it up. Crowdog

Colorado or New Mexico? You didn't specify. If in Colorado then good job. For every seven bulls killed, 100 are educated. Unless it's a low pressure hunt zone unlike what most of Colorado has to offer. Now I'm not calling you a liar. I'm just saying if in fact you were in Colorado, then your group of hunters are the exception instead of the rule.

Dave was just giving good, quality advise on hunting elk to give a FIRST TIME elk hunter the best odds. We don't have to agree with his ethical standards to deny this. What he says is good advise.

Elk hunting isn't near as easy as you make it sound. Niether is calling.

With all due respect,

Todd

[T. Downing]

I didn't see any blackpowder hunters last year either and  one of the best days of the hunt was opening day of muzzleloader season. But, I try my hardest to get as far away from other hunters and find undisturbed elk. That being said, to each his own. If your idea of a quality elk hunting experience is being in the backcountry, then have a wonderful time. If its hunting bulls a mile from the road, and you love it, have a wonderful time. I always believed that advice is really someones opinion and you have the choice to take or leave it. My OPINION of a quality elk hunt is one that occurs far away from any ATV or any other modern machinery (except planes). I want to see the sun rise in absolute silence. I don't want to see another person, other  than my hunting partners. Stickflipper, if you like my opinion, you can definately find this type of experience down in the southwestern part of the state. No one is right or wrong, its all about what type of experience you desire. Sorry for getting sidetracked, I loathe sarcasm. Everyone great advice/opinions, I appreciate what all of you have to offer. T

[Dave2old]

Crowdog -- Your reaction to my honest and best and well-meant advice to a new elk hunter asking for advice, reminds me of why I quit stickbow.com. So, your experiences have differed from mine. Why does that challenge you to try and make my advice look foolish? Why not just say, "My experieces hunting elk in CO have differed from Dave's" and then lay out your best honest advice ... rather than sarcasm and what amounts to ridicule. I frankly don't give a hoot how you hunt, or how many elk you've killed or how close to a highway (does the sound of big rigs in the background make the experience richer for you?). True trad hunting is the farthest thing from a contest. True trad spirit is the antithesis of childish competition. You'd be a happy camper over at stickbow. Dave

[Whip]

I would imagine there are places you can find elk that are very accessable if you know where they are.  Smaller overlooked spots can be golden if other hunters pass them by.  Wherever the elk can find to hang out without being pressured can certainly work.  But for most people that don't live there and don't know the little honey holes that can be difficult. Finding those kinds of secret spots can take up more time than an out of state hunter can afford.

My own experiences have shown me that if a bunch of hunters are in the area it doesn't take long for the elk to get bumped a few times and head a couple drainages back away from the road.  Hiking 2 or 3 miles in the dark every morning and evening is really tough hunting.  

My preference and advice would be to get back in at least that far with a spike camp and spend a  night or two at a time in a spike camp.  Make arrangements ahead of time for someone with horses that can pack out an animal for you if need be, and then rent a sattelite phone to call the packer if you get an animal on the ground.

An outfitted drop camp can be a very good way to get back in to some more undisturbed hunting.  Private land unguided hunts are difficult to find but can be very good if you find the right set up.

[Slasher]

Neet thread... keep it up... I'm outta whack for this year, but pinching pennies and trying to be ready fer '08... Plus have a buddy whose still using training wheels, but wanting to go out and shoot the sticks.... Think we'll be ready next fall!!!

[adg120383]

Just a heads up on CO elk.  You dont have to go far to find them!  If you want some info shoot me a pm.

[just_a_hunter]

Originally posted by Crowdog:
Advice for the first time elk hunter? Then why not tell then what it's like to pack out bulls when you're seven miles in? About the 40 and 50 pound packs, and the 70 pound cape, not including the horns? Advice?
Horses? Love horses, but lets be honest here. Tell them about watering them at 4:oo in the morning, or having to have a guy stay in camp to keep them from tangling their ropes, or places where they lay down on you cause the area to to steep or rugged. Having to cut downed trees out of the way, or having to go five miles out of your way cause it's easier on the horses. Or having to find them if they get loose at night. Advice for the first time elk hunter?
Last fall, and for the past five seasons, we've killed bulls that everyone else is driving by, or walking past in the dark to get to a better place. Sorry to say, but I like getting to bulls on ATV's, less meat wasted cause you're to far in to pack it all out. Yea, and not so dirty or full of hair. Yes, I've seen the meat brought in to the butchers, sorry.
We hunt the wilderness not to get away from outfitters or other hunters, but just to get away. You need time, and not just five days. When you're in seven miles, it'll take you two to thre days for just one elk, then you're equipment. Before you give advice, find out if they can handle the hunt, then give advice.
Any one, at any time, can kill a bull. You just gotta be in the right place at the right time. no matter if you're next to a road or miles into the back country, right place, right time. Crowdog

It's hard to argue with somebody of your mental state. (I'm not saying you are dumb, I'm just saying you are very head strong in what you believe in. Opinionated (sp), I believe is the word I'm looking for. And thats not all a bad thing.) You have some valid points, and all should be considered.

I'm just going to say, like i said before, " ELK HUNTING ISN'T AS EASY AS YOU MAKE IT SOUND. NIETHER IS CALLING." And I'm going to add this to my origanal post. " NOT EVEN CLOSE!" Also, I'd like to add this again, " Unless, you're hunting a low pressure zone. (For instance, most of New Mexico.)

Good luck this year everybody.

Todd