Elk Hunting In Colorado

[DeerSpotter]

I would like to go Elk hunting but I've never been, I would probably pull a tag over the counter in Colorado, Southern.  Most likely I would go for a cow tag, I wouldn't have any idea what I would do with large antlers !  OK OK, that is if I get one.

I would not want to go by myself, I guess I have to be honest my biggest fear is Bears !        
I have been nose to nose with a black bear in the boundary Waters, only took about 20 or 30 minutes to quit shaken !        but I came out OK.

But that's a lot different than a grizzly bear, but anyway.  I think the tags are 270.00 over-the-counter for bow for nonresidents.  I'm used to hunting in the Minnesota environment, I have all the camping gear, all the light stuff, I also have base camp timberline six man.  But that would be definitely a rock to tote.  I do have lighter tents, and equipment.

What would be your advice for first-timer, I have talked with some that have gone, in the same way, traveled there, hunted on public land, purchased tag over counter.  Also one of my bigger concerns, is carrying the meet out once you do get an animal down.  Again, never done that.  But there's no teacher like experience.  Advice please !

Thanks

Pastor Carl

[Featherbuster]

All i can say is start working out now!!!!

My problem on my first trip was the altitude.  I live at about 200 ft her in in MS and when I got up there, you start wondering were the heck they hide the oxygen.

[SCATTERSHOT]

As featherbuster said, the air is pretty thin here, but southern Colorado is some of the prettiest country you'll find anywhere. During bow season, you need to be prepared for just about any kind of weather, so think layers for clothing. Most days are warm, nights cool to cold, and even in August and September you can get snowed on.

No grizz in Colorado, and blackies won't bother you if you keep a clean camp.

If you get an elk down, remember that they are big animals, and you need to get the hide off right away and hang the meat to cool in the shade of a tree if you can't get it to town right away. Nighttime temps are pretty cool, so it's not as much of a problem.

Good luck!

[DeerSpotter]

Scattershot,

I purchased the first bow off this site from you, I got rid of it three weeks later, and got a custom, John McDonald, have also sold that, now I'm waiting on my "whip" that's the one I want to take to Colorado.  Maybe I do get a combination,elk & black bear,or elk or Whitetail, but they tell me that it is hard to do.  Some have gotten a combination license with Whitetail and elk, and it and fill either.

I would be disappointed if I didn't fill a tag, I used to live out in Colorado Southern Colorado a long time ago. Holy,Co.

The hardest thing would be knowing where to go, and getting there once I arrived in Colorado.  I would prefer to go with someone that is experienced, and has gone before.  That would be the best option.  I don't know if I'm being realistic or not.  But I guess you have to start somewhere.

Thanks

Pastor Carl

[BobCo 1965]

Getting in shape is a good idea. But don't worry about overdoing it. More then likely your lungs will give out long before your legs ever will. There is really no way to train safely for the elevation other then to be there for an extended period of time.

[DeerSpotter]

In 1970 I climbed Mt.Etna, Sicily, Italy, it's only 10,200 ft. it took us about seven half hours.  There the temperatures were from one extreme to another it was in March, toward evening it got really cold 17 dg, because there was snow on the top.  it was quite the experience.  we dressed for it and there is no problem but at the bottom wearing t-shirts.

any new experience in the mountains, he have to go slow, and injury their is more severe than elsewhere, just because a location.

thanks

pastor carl

[Orion]

Haven't checked recently, but I believe all non-resident deer and bear licenses are draw.

Why would you be disappointed if you didn't fill a/your tag?

[Steertalker]

Brokenarrow1,

Definitely need to get in shape as already mention and in that regard you cannot over prepare.  The better shape you're in the better your hunt.  Serious elk hunting is dynamic so be prepared to walk 10-15 miles daily.

And as mention before be prepared for any type of weather.

Invest in a good pair of binoculars.  Spend lots of time glassing and let your eyes do 90% of the work.  If you can try to learn how to do a little bit of calling....mostly cow calling.  But don't get carried away with it.  Calling can easily be overdone and abused if you don't know what you're doing.  When in doubt don't pull it out!!!

I strongly recommend you purchase an either sex tag.  You're just as likely to have a close encounter with a bull as you are with a cow.

Lastly....at a minimum I would hire an outfitter to haul you in and drop you off for a week.  Take advantage of their knowledge and have them put you in elk country!  Not every drainage has elk.  Being new at and not being familiar with the country you could spend a week up there without so much as seeing a fresh track much less an actual elk.  Believe me...it's hard to stay motivated when you're not seeing anything.  That country can take it out of ya in hurry.

And I don't care what anyone says....it's just wiser to go with a partner.  You're gonna need help anyway if you are successful.

Brett

[kadbow]

Deer tags are all draw and their are no whitetails in SW Colorado.  Plenty of mulies though.  I think a cow tag for your first time out is a good idea.  Just think of it as a scouting/hunting trip.  Pull out a forest service map, pick some areas, and stay mobile enough to check out multiple areas if you are seeing no animals or sign.  Get off the roads to hunt and you will likely get into elk.  Then next year you will have a better idea of what you are getting into and can really hunt.  Just enjoy the season and the scenery and learn what you can.  Although, if you buy a cow tag you know you will see some good bulls.

[Lost Arra]

According to Colorado Game and Fish stats it looks like about 85-88% of bowhunters don't fill their elk tag.

Half of that successful 12-15% is probably a group of locals and outfitters who fill their tag almost every year. So that puts us DIY out-of-staters at about 6-8% success.

With all the preparation, planning and backpacking effort it takes to hunt those critters I would never consider not getting an either sex tag.

[Whip]

Great points Lost Arra.  If a person would be disappointed without filling a tag, going elk hunting is setting themself up for disappointment.  Odds are very low for a DIY on public land.  With experience and plenty of time to hunt it can be done, but elk hunting is much more about being there than it is about filling a tag.  
I also agree on the either sex tag.  In six years of chasing elk around the mountains I have had more opportunities (all but one unfullfilled) with bulls than I ever had with cows.  Not having antlers doesn't make them pushovers!  It's pretty much guaranteed that if you only have a tag for one sex in your pocket you will only have a chance at the opposite sex.

[DeerSpotter]

I appreciate all the help, and as far as equipment goes I do have some of the best equipment.  The binoculars I have are really decent and waterproof, my eyes don't get tired from glassing, and I will take your devices spend the extra money for either sex tag.

I'll make my decision about the July, rather to know go or not.  The one thing that would make it a know go, would be not to have anyone else go along with me.  I do not want not that country by myself for the first time.

You're right about being dropped in, I have looked at different services anywhere from $2500 - $4500, they dropped you in and also carry out your elk.  But I have been kind of a do-it-yourselfer on most of my hunting.

My second choice would be to hunt deep in the boundary Waters in my own state.  For one of the big boys, maybe a 14 or 12 pointer.  I've been going to the boundary Waters for the past 12 years, and purposely going into places that nobody else wants to go into.  Where you most of the time see Beaver and oter, and an occasional moose.

I really do appreciate all the help on this web site.  I've never found a more refreshing place to come and talk about things, and get all kinds of advice, even when you ask dumb questions !

And I do like the confidence of Loat Arra, first you tell me the percentages and how low they are and then use a make sure you get in either sex tag !  That's great ! Confidence ! Confidence! Confidence !

And you right, even if I don't fill a tag I will fill a heart with lifetime memories.

Pastor Carl

[ShadeMt]

My biggest piece of advise would be make sure you have the proper arrangements made before you get an animal down.  Arrange to have a local outfitter on call if you get an animal down and as packing it out on your back might not be feasible.  Also, be sure to have a meat locker lined up as well so that you have somewhere to cool the meat down as archery season can be warm.  Too many first time elk hunters don't plan ahead in that respect and when they are looking at a couple of hundred pound animal on the ground they are ill prepared.

[Steertalker]

BrokenArrow1,

If you are remotely thinking of doing a drop camp(which I highly recommend at a minimum), don't wait til the last minute to make arrangements.  You need to start getting your ducks in a row now.  Furthermore, $2500-$4500 for a drop camp is ridiculous.  I know where you can get it done for $1600 and the wall tent and cooking gear are provided.  And I guarantee you it's definitely in the middle of elk country.  

Also you will need a minimum of 4 large coolers to get your elk back to Minnesota.  They sell dry ice at the Wal-Mart in Durango.

Brett

[DeerSpotter]

For that $1600, do they haul the elk out for you ?  Looks like I'm have to do some research.  $4500 on up to about $5,800, is guided service.  With that service you are almost always guaranteed to see elk, they don't exactly come out and say they guarantee you one.  And I don't want that kind of a trip.  Anybody can plunk down an enormous amount of money, and get themselves game.  It may be OK for some, but that's just not me.  I've worked hard for what I get, and I want to keep it that way.  God has been good to me, and I have enjoyed all my hunts because of Him.  And I don't want to change it.

I'll have to do some research and get on the ball ! If I really want to be ready by September.

Pastor Carl

[acolobowhunter]

All over the counter tags for archery are either sex.  Now if you shoot a bull, you can buy a second cow license only.

I have hunter here all my life ( archery only).  I have never hunter the southern part of the state, always the northern portion.  My advice coming into a new state and new area - but a good topo map and bring along your GPS.  If you get a topo map, get it with meters instead of Long and Lat.  Then switch your GPS to meters.  A lot easier to find your way points on the map using meters.
Need anything else just send me a note.

[DeerSpotter]

I thank all of you for your advice, I have had numerous e-mails and PM's that all have been very helpful.  But I have to go to work, well so to speak I work in a " archery shop " sometimes it's work, sometimes it's play.

More later

Pastor Carl

[Strutter]

"All over the counter tags for archery are either sex."

This is not true.  I buy a OTC cow tag for archery each time I go to CO to hunt.  They are about half the price of the either sex tag.  You can buy the cow tag, the either sex tag or the bull tag OTC.  Either sex and bull tag costs 500 bucks or so and the cow tag is 250 give or take a few dollars.

Rob

[Steertalker]

For that $1600, do they haul the elk out for you ?

Of course they do!!!

 

Looks like I'm have to do some research. $4500 on up to about $5,800, is guided service.

I know an excellent guide service that provides a fully guided package for #3500.  They'll work as hard as you want to work.  It's important to know, they can only work as hard as you can.  You are the weak link!!!  And don't think for a minute you are going to out work your guide...if he's worth his salt.

 

With that service you are almost always guaranteed to see elk......

I don't care what you pay...there are never any guarantees.  There are any number of factors that can determine whether or not you see any elk.....even when you're right in the middle of them.

 

Anybody can plunk down an enormous amount of money, and get themselves game. It may be OK for some, but that's just not me. I've worked hard for what I get, and I want to keep it that way.

Don't think for one minute it's a slam dunk just because you hired a guide.  It is absolutely no different than going by yourself except for the fact that the guide just took the guess work of whether or not your in the right place out of the equation.  You still have to hump the mountains, you still have to glass the mountainsides.  You still have to get on the elk.  And you still have to make the shot when and [if] the momemt of truth arrives.  It ain't no easy task...guide or no guide.

Hunting with guide, especially if you are inexperienced, is a win win experience for you.  You have the pleasure of his company or a week.  You can pick his brain and will learn in a week what would normally take you years to figure out on your own.  And if you are lucky enough to score you are going to be thanking Jesus for his help.  You said you wanted a companion.  Why [not] a guide.  Not to mention you'll probably make a life long friend if you treat him right.

Just my honest opinion,

Brett

[DeerSpotter]

Well said  !

Pastor Carl