Considering DIY Colorado Elk next year...HELP!

[threeunder]

Pretty well convinced myself to give it a whirl next year.  But I really need some guidance.  Everything from what to pack...to how to hunt...to GMU's to consider.
Trophy bulls are not what we are after.  We want the elk hunting experience with a legitimate chance at an elk (even a cow).
Any help would be appreciated.  If you don't feel comfortable posting openly, please PM me with it.
Thanks
Ken

[Lost Arra]

Here's a good place to start:

 http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/PlanYourHunt/Pages/PlanYourHunt.aspx

[threeunder]

Thanks LA.  I'm wearin' the state site out...LOL...really impressed with all the information they have posted there.
Make's Virginia's website look pretty anemic.
Ken

[perry f.]

I have done a few, are you planning on packing in or hunting from the trail head? Big difference in supplies for each. My first years seemed like I had a big pack frame and then bought a different day pack every year. Finally broke down and bought an eberlestock just one pack. Little big for a day pack, but with internal frame there's no need to go back and fetch your pack frame. Just wish I'd bought it sooner and saved myself several hundred dollars. I honestly believe this pack will last me ten years or more. I've had it for four years and have packed out several game animals.

[rastaman]

Click here  

Here's a good thread to help you out..

[oldgrouch]

Can you spend time scouting before season?
If not, pick a unit around Montrose/Delta area.
Several have easy access, close to town and over the counter tags.

Be prepared to get away from the roads, burn some boot soles.

If truck camping, take your normal equipment/supplies.

Several large coolers for camp ice and meat. Water jugs for 3-5 gallons per day per person.

At higher elevations during bow season day temps can be quite warm, nights down in the 20's.

GOOD, BROKEN IN BOOTS!

Compass, GPS and good maps.

Good basic first aid kit. Pain relievers. Many , many wet wipes.

Don't know your physical condition but, some folks have a rough time at high elevation. Me, no big deal, my brother bad headaches. You have to drink a lot of water and take it slow.

and on and on....

[Bel007]

Here are two great threads.

I just got back from my first DIY elk hunt in CO.  Spent 18 months researching and aquiring gear, reading as much as I could get my hands on, and asking lots of questions.

I did not get everything right, the learning curve is rather steep.  But I had a great time and can't wait to get out there again next year with the knowledge I gained from my rookie season.

  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=106621  

  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=059344

[Geezer]

Start exercising ... start slow ... one to two miles a week .... progress up to one mile every third day .... when your body starts to feel good then start to run with a plastic bag over your head!  

That'll make it feel like 10,000 feet.      

OK, I'll be serious...send me a PM and we can begin talking about where to hunt in Colorado.  I'll leave the gear list to all the other good folks here in TradGang.

[two4hooking]

Just sent you an email with some information.

Greg

[britt]

Pick a wilderness area so you can get away from atv's.

[Tom Leemans]

Swim some laps to build up endurance. Don't forget to make sure you're ready for ANY weather.

[threeunder]

Thanks for all the input so far.  I'm taking notes dilligently...LOL

[skilonbw]

I think that once you have a hunting area picked out to try scout as much as you can digitally and then get the 7.5 minute topo paper to put private boundaries and other important field markers on. As to which unit you will have to decide on that. Then decide if you are going to car camp or backpack hunt. Once that is decided you can narrow your options on what you need to pack and go from there.

[Hoofhearted]

good info

[Hoofhearted]

beginning to plan on for me and my dad for next year too.  seems that the hardest part is trying to decide which GMU to head to -- then which week to hunt.  Seems to me that once you have that figured out, you can begin to narrow down the "area" you want to hunt.  would love to be able to plan more than a week since it will take at least 2 days to get out there and 2 more to get back.  would like a few scouting days to get accustomed and figure out where we would like to concentrate the hunting at instead of using 3 to 4 days of the hunt scouting and only one or 2 actually hunting.  done that bear hunting the mountians here in GA and it usually doesn't turn out with a bear to take home.

[Squaretoparcher]

Ken: This year , and next, the season ends earlier than usual in Colorado (which effects the rut). I hunted the SW of Colorado, and it was as dry as I've seen in 12 years.  No nuts or berries and no standing water in all the favorite spots. The Elk were scattered and few and far between for my group of 5.  Outside of a passed shot on a cow (not much bigger than a calf) we had no shots. Lows at night in the high 30's, daytime highs in the 80's! No rain for the nearly two weeks, and we hunted hard. I would keep an eye on the precipitation forecast wherever you go in Colorado, sepecially in the over-the-counter areas. If the drought continues, AND you have a short season, I would wait, especially, if you're traveling from Virginia; my friends came from Pa.

[beyondmyken]

I think the hardest part for a flatlander like those of us east of the Mississippi is getting the right mindset on how far/steep it is often necessary to go to find elk, ie away from a road or where ATVs can't go,  across a canyon, etc..   If you get an elk a mile away from camp, that could be 9 miles of going back and forth if you were the only one hauling out the elk quarters and headgear.  I once shot an elk that was only 1/2 mile from camp as the crow flies, but was a 2 hour one way hike with a hindquarter on my back.  If you are in a group and one person gets an elk in the am, then the rest of the day is pretty much used up if everyone helps haul out the elk.

[Glunt]

Check next years CO season.  It was scheduled to end early due to normal calender process, but that would have put muzzleloader in the last week instead of the third week so I believe it has been modified so we actually have late Sept ending next year.

I personally like the first week or the last week.  The first week you can find elk lots of places not too far away from access.  Not much bugling, hot, and busy are the drawbacks usually.

The last week is usually more vocal, cooler weather, and a little less busy.  The drawback is 3 weeks of previous pressure including muzzleloader, and many bigger bulls have cows so eventhough they sound off, they aren't looking for company.

I like the last week, especially on public over the counter hunts because I can at least find elk due to bugling a bit easier.  Another plus is the aspens turning.

Everything I just listed is just general, on a given year, the weather, temps, pressure, and bugling can always flow differently.

[threeunder]

Hey guys...thanks for the info.  I'm sifting through the links sent and PMs...Truly, truly appreciate it.
Ken