Colorado Backcountry Elk hunting info

[coyote2]

I am thinking of going to Colorado Elk hunting this fall looking for some info on spots to go in a over the counter tag unit I am planing on a 10 day hunt I would like to pack in 15-20 miles doing a hardcore bivwack hunt also what time of the seson do you guys think would be best is it better to do this hunt the frist part of the season or later when the Elk are rutting more any info would be great thanks,Jared<><

[PV]

Wilderness Area


I prefer the end of the season others the beginning.

[Ryan Bahn]

Before you plan a hardcore bivy hunt I would try to get your feet wet first. Find an area with no atv access and learn that area well. We are going to Wyoming for our second year(hopefully) and we will be hitting it hard but now we have a year under us and we will be prepared physically. Two guys running a marathon and others running a half. Also equiptment is very important for what you want to do. Good light equipt. is expensive. I would say around the 10-20th is best for elk activity. And remember you may not have to go hardcore last year the elk were within 2 miles of our trailhead. Good luck

[Matty]

Last 2 weeks are the best, Remember thought, Packing out an elk 15-20 miles after Bivy hunting is no easy task.   You dont have to go that far either.  OTC tag spots are more accessible as well But not productive..Thats why we have draw areas.  I would apply for draw first if you dont get it do with OTC then atleast you get points

[joe ashton]

Hi  Mattys got a good point packing a 600# animal 15 miles would be hidious. The fisrt Elk I carried out 2 miles took 5 trips. I've since learned to bone out but that is still three round trips or more.

That said I'd look around Del norte Lost of elk and lots of country and BEAUTIFUL. unit 80

[Missouri Sherpa]

Why 15-20 miles?  Some units (probably most units) you will never be 15 miles from a trailhead somewhere.  Unless you have a spot picked out I would think twice about that distance.  I have been in units where 7 miles round trip would be an all day deal getting a load of meat out.  I use horses and 8-10 miles is plenty far in for my base camp and I hunt 1-3 miles from there.  While I prefer the middle two weeks of season I usually end up going the first two weeks.  First week is more likely to be too hot.  Last week more chances of getting dumped on by a big snow.  You can get dumped on any week, I have seen snow just about every other year during the first week, once over 18 inches.  That could put a damper on a bivy hunt in a hurry.  Third week of season has the muzzleloader hunters but I doubt you will see very many even 8-10 miles in.  10 days is a long time to bivy.  Seems to me like most people that hunt that way will spend 2-3 days out and then come in to resupply. which would be awfully tough if you are 20 miles in.

[jct]

15-20 miles ? Are you certain about that? Whats your plan if you get one ? A wrangler lined up I hope. There is no way to get an elk out from that deep without a serious plan, especially in bow season. It's gonna take you the better part of 3 days in and out (1.5 in and 1.5 out) to get to your hunting area much less hunt, much less pack one out if you luck upon one. No offense and nothing personal but please reconsider for the sake of the elk. Hell now that I think about it if you had cell phone service (doubtfull) and had a wrangler, in bow season by the time he got your call and got there the meat would be lost almost for certain. Try 6 or 7 miles at most please, maybe closer to get your feet wet.

[coyote2]

Ok guys this will not be my frist elk hunt so I do have a pretty good idea of what I am in for I have been on hunts where I have had to hunt 5-6 miles from camp to get in to elk then at the end of the day go all that way back to camp may I suould have said that I am prepared to go in that far if I do not have to go that far to get in to elk I won't that would be comon sense and I have packed out elk befor so I know what that takes and I have thought of a packer to pack in and to get out the elk the last thing I want is to go through all the work and get a elk and not have any meatI am also know that I can not carry 10 days worth of food on my back and I will have to come out to resupply this is not something that I just thought of last night after watching Eastmans TV

[JimB]

If you don't have it,you should get Cameron Hanes' book.