Colorado elk

[j yenney]

A good gps is a wonderful tool when it comes to elk hunting in the rut. Take plenty of spare batteries and mark lots of spots. Make sure not to over call, even on private the elk are getting call shy. (they roam alot).
Good luck

[strick9]

Definitely lay off the brews and walk as much as possible ,, squats help.. that is where I hurt the most and remember to range.. they are bigger than whitetails and seem closer than they are ,, Tums for altitude sickness,,I heard as it offsets the acids in your blood that accumulate at alt.You really need good or better optics, anything below Leoupolds low end will frustrate you.

[Overspined]

tums is strictly for the stomach and does not do anything for the blood. the only cure for altitude sickness is to move down in elevation. some are just more susceptible to it than others. it takes about two days for newbys to get "used to it", but it takes the average flatlander 2 weeks to truly acclimate. your body will begin to produce more red blood cells to carry oxygen to make up for the "thin air", which is really just less atmospheric pressure so you have to breath harder using more diaphram muscles to get the same amount of lung filling. always get in shape, and then pace yourself and you will have a great time. don't be afraid of the terrain, my father couldn't believe the terrain I took him through this past season and within a couple of days he was a mountain goat with a fake hip...it's all about getting in shape and attitude. good luck to you!

[elkbow]

elk hunting is similar to turkey hunting,some use a bugle to locate,move in as close as possible and cow call,watch the bugle,it tends to push the herd bull away and with him the satellites.lot of pressure by that time regardless,work as a team,use a caller about a 100yds back to manuver the bull to a shooter.be in shape,depending on heat and rainfall wallows are good anytime you can find a good one,mornings thru late afternoon,my opinion.

[elkbow]

oh yea,don't hunt beyond your conditioning,alot of times these animals are a lot lower in elevation than your led to believe.we hunted the priest gulch area a couple years ago and everyone told us to go high,they were low.this is only my opinion through a lot of trial and error,look mid mountain and black timber for bedding and staging first and they'll cross that canyon either for water or to go to graze,have fun and take lots of pictures.

[BradLantz]

longbowben   Abe and Sons are good calls. I like the sounds I can make with my Mac Daddy bugle

You need to be in shape - cardio and conditioned to hiking both imo. Running a few miles a day coupled with hiking with your boots and pack will get you well into where you need to be.

Where you going ? Altitude ? Serious mtns or ? Everywhere is different. Me ? I hunt high, dark timber and terribly steep stuff that outfittees stay out of.

Me and another guy are going 3rd week. I'm drawing a muzz tag and he's shooting his recurve. We'll be backpacking in, trying to stay 35 pounds or lighter in out packs. 4-5 miles from the truck in a wilderness area. Its going to be tough - dinky tent, jetboil and rehydratable Mountain House meals, wearing same clothes about every day .... but its all worth it to get some bulls bugling and taking a nice one.


I've killed several bulls, have hunted elk 10-12 times I guess .... all backpacking or using llamas in wilderness areas. PM me with any questions you got ( I hunt southern COlorado )

[Chris EdS]

I haven't hunted elk in the Rockies, but I camp in the Sierra's every summer at about 7,800' elevation.  Stay hydrated for the altitude sickness.  I also use a couple of "Emergen-C" in my water on the way in to the mountains.  If you can arrive a day or two ahead of your hunt it helps you to acclimate as well.

[longbowben]

Bradlantz thanks i will try the calls.Our base camp is at 9500 ft,the area we are hunting was found hunting with a guide,he tould some friends how to access this area.They have done excelent in this area without seeing other people area 71 by Montrose.Someone said leave the brews alone thats going to be hard.

[Dave2old]

This is a regularly recycling thread, but always fun and worthwhile, and this time full of good advice. Get away from the mobs and esp. the motors. Do not bugle, ever, and cow call sparingly and quietly (works good to calm 'em down and even bring 'em back after a shot and/or hit). Always hunt uphill unless you're a young bull. This year one friend and I (he 59, me 61) packed out 3 elk almost effortlessly, as it was all level or downhill. I'm not sure I'd agree with the last week as the best time, although it can be great. By then the big herds are formed with lots of bugling and almost constant movement. If you can keep up with them, hour after hour, don't do any calling, and are good enough to stay on 'em undetected even when the wind is unfavorable, you might pick off a satellite. I prefer the second week in Sept. (unfortunatetly, black powder weed) when the animals are still scattered and bulls are bugling and wallowing and you more easily stalk the bugles. Ambush hunting is good then too. No matter, it's all fun. dave