Southern CO elk

[ScottinPA]

Last year I was able to take my first elk in MT.  My wife and kids liked the meat so much she gave me the okay to try again this year.  This week a friend asked if I'd like to go with them to South Fork CO for elk.  They stay in cabins, drive to trail head, hunt dark to dark, and head back to the cabins.  They hunted it last year and shot one bull for 5 guys.  All wheelie bow shooters.
I see the elevation is almost 2x what I dealt with in MT. They split up at the trailhead and hunt in pairs.  I'll probably go solo.Anything else I should know about the area?

[BWallace10327]

Bears are thick in this part of the state.  I've never had any issues, but I've walked up on 2 (<20 yards) and seen many others farther off in the 2 years I've lived here while I've only seen 1 under 100 yards while hunting or fishing in other parts of the state throughout my life.  I love seeing them, just not real close.  Unless your hunting on a private ranch, I wouldn't get my elk hunting inspiration from TV shows either.

[joe ashton]

Beautiful area.

[ScottinPA]

Brent - I don't have high aspirations.  Looking to shoot a fair bull or even a cow.  Sounds like it might be worth getting a bear tag too.

[Doc Nock]

Sent you a PM instead of an email, Scott.

Good luck but be careful. You've come too far to tempt fate unnecessarily!

[Matty]

Do you know which side of 160 you'll be on?

[Homebru]

I do love the South Fork area.  Do understand that driving to / from the trailhead and hiking in each day burns a significant amount of hunting time.  Other than that, go for it
homebru

[ScottinPA]

Matty - I don't have all the specifics yet but I think the west side of 160.

Homebru - Yep, understood.  Did the same last year in MT.  Makes for a long day doing the hiking to/from in the dark.

Anybody know if this area gets hunted hard?  Looks like there's relatively easy access.

Brent - I assumed you meant black bears but sound like gizz may be an issue.

[BWallace10327]

Yes, black bears, animals that still deserve caution and respect, but not paranoia. Grizzlies aren't supposed to live in Colorado any more, but if I wanted to try to find one I'd look in the Weminuche Wilderness.  I don't worry about a mythical grizzy getting me though, the odds are on par with lightning strikes, maybe even less.

[sagebrush]

Pretty steep so be in shape. There are a lot of hunters in the area. There are also a lot of elk. If you go in far enough you will leave everyone behind.

[Matty]

I hunted the south side a few years back. We saw a few elk. Not a ton. But of all the places I've hunted here. The least amount of hunters over the course of a month. Steep terrain for sure. But quite a bit was accessible.

[Spookinelk]

My only advice would be to find access into good areas that are not close by any of the trailheads. I live in the area and some of the trailheads can look like a rodeo during elk season. You'll find elk closer to the road if you figure out ways to get to good areas away from the popular trailheads. I've done a lot of hunting in 78 and 80 and the hunting pressure can be rough but there are places to get away from the crowds. Look for north faces at 10-12 k with water close by away from the trailheads and you will probably find some elk to chase.

[saltwatertom]

Get a Hubba Hubba tent or a Tarp Tent and spend the night out with them ( the elk ) to get a jump on the action and increase your odds of success.
Just an idea.
I love hunting in Colorado.