Colorado Elk hunt questions....help a brother out!

[bttsj1]

The best advice I've heard so far besides the obvious of being in the best possible physical shape you can be in. Is you better have at least a couple backup areas to hunt, especially if you go the last couple weeks(which I prefer also). The reason is the elk may have already been pushed out of the area, it happens, it happened to me.
We hunted unit 71 the last 10 days of the season and this was our fate. The tracks were there like previous years but it wasn't fresh and our encounters went way down. We did a spike camp but about a quarter mile from us there was some guys in a drop camp that had spent about $1750 and the elk were gone but they were stuck there all week.
The spike camp was very difficult, so difficult I may have lost a couple of my hunting buddys for next year. Good luck!

[Airborne]

Be careful about private land in Colorado!  Some of the better hunting is public land bordering private--but be sure you know where you are.  A trespass ticket in Colorado could mean losing your hunting rights in 40 states for up to 5 years!

[NancyVTAS]

Divide Creek area south of Silt, over the counter-8-9000 feet elevation- not terrible terrain.

[Nala]

Like almost every one of you, I have thought many times about how great it would be to try an Elk hunt.  I think the only way I could manage it would be on horseback.  I didn't know that people would rent you a horse for your hunt.  That is something to keep in mind for the future.

Nalajr

[Tav]

Please keep in mind that horses require babysitting every morning before you mount up and every night before supper.  They can be as much of a liability as an asset.  If you have never ridden, or know something about horses, then I recommend not renting them.  It's better to not see elk then to be in a rodeo in the back country.  

My experience is If a guy is willing to walk ONE mile from roads and a main trail, you can get away from 95% of the hunters and get into elk (if you are in elk country).  Walk one more mile and you can be alone most days.

I hope all of you guys seriously try to make it happen.  Don't wait another year.  Elk hunting will be a spiritual experience worth every penny if you are smart and safe.  And you don't have to be wealthy.  You can do it out of a tent on a forest road.  Good luck.

[Mike Bolin]

To bring this back to the top.........I made up my wish list for this Christmas and it is filled with Elk stuff. The main things I am putting together right now is my arrow/broadhead combo.
I am getting some 100 gr. brass insert that are tapered for a glue on broadhead and some r.w. 200 gr. Grizzlies for a total of 300 gr. up front. Mounted on woodgrain Vapor 3000s, I should be right at 610 gr total arrow weight.
I am a big fan of 3 blade heads and have had good luck with Snuffers, Woodsmans and this season, VPA Terminators. That being said, due to some nerve damage issues in my neck and shoulder, the doctors have told me to stay under 55#. My Timberhawk is 54# at my draw, so to maximize my penetration I am going with the the Grizzly heads.
I really do believe that planning a trip and putting together your gear is a big part of the fun!
Mike

[Matty]

I dont know I kind of have a debbie downer attitude abouit public land. I always see more hunters than animals and I have hunted many units over the past years.  Not only that when you have a heard located you can bet that someone else has located that same heard.  this year I got on a couple good screamers at night.  when i headed back in the morning I ran into 4 guys all trad hunters. telling me to get out of here they have been huinting this area for 45 years yadda yadda yadda. I was not being disrespectful at all I just moved around the mountain in a different way.  Still it gets OLD being a resident I'm very willing to pay for private land just to get away from all the foot traffic, jeeps, atv's and territorial hunters.  I know a guy who was hunting near a wallow who got into a huge fight with some other guy who claimed he'd been hunting thaty same wallow for years....It's just unfortunate what it has become.

[DXH]

not to hijack the thread, but goes along with it...what are items that need to be included with the packs..ie are essential for a week or so diy hunt for elk?

[Txnrog]

Mike, since you're asking at the right time, I would suggest putting in for the draw. There are a couple units you can have at least a 50/50 shot of getting into without any points. Will help manage the hunter numbers. Honestly, I have not had as many of the issues some mentioned about crowding - and I hunt OTC units for the most part. The key is to find a spot on your own, if somebody tells you about a spot, they've probably told several other folks. There are some spots that consistantly hold elk, and attract hunters year after year, but with a little leg work, you can get away from them.

As mentioned above, unless you are well experienced with horses, I wouldn't rent them, but I would make arrangements with a packer - get a SPOT or Sat phone (a good idea anyway), and use that to contact them. You can then make the call on whether or not to use the packer, but it certainly gives you a larger range you can hunt.

[Mike Bolin]

Thanks for the responses!

Txnrog-appreciate the suggestion on the sat phone and the packer!

Mike

[slivrslingr]

Pick up a copy of Cameron Hanes' book "Backcountry Bowhunting", it covers most of the practical issues, what to bring, tactics, setting up a packer, etc.

[dan ferguson]

Mike, you hunted with me for turkeys in NE, last year until a blizard was coming, give me a call, I went this year and will help you all I can,

[BradLantz]

I hunted Colorado often in the 1990's - 12-14 trips I imagine or more. I was pretty successful - though the 2 years I trad hunted I did not kill animals ( I missed a large 6x6 first year)

I backpack hunted or used llamas in wilderness areas. incredible country - addictive.

Worry about being in shape/condition first and foremost. Then plan your hunt accordingly.

Me? I am planning a solo hunt in 2011, like I use to do when I was 20 years younger (I'm 41 now)

I plan to hike/run/bike my way into shape these next 10 months and do it.

I will likely Colorado hunt - where I'm not certain yet. I am going light this time too - semi-bivy style even.


You CAN do it yourself, you don't need to pay guides. Get in good condition, and GO.

I am going to get a SPOT I imagine, a safegaurd that will make my wife happy  

PM or email at [email protected]

I'll tell you everything I know