Elk hunting Colorado

[The Night Stalker]

Well, it is almost time again to apply for a preferance point for Colorado and plan for time off work. For those who have to drive several hours, who is planning on going and what weeks. Depending on the unit, the week you choose will determine how well you will do finding elk.
Do you try to go for the opener and hunt undisturbed animals or do you wait till they start to get more vocal.

[Pete McMiller]

Unless you can tell me what the weather is going to do on any given week, pick any one you want.  I've had them vocalize in every week of the season and also had them totally silent in every week.  We now go the first two weeks just because.  It does seem though that the best is the 4-6 days before muzzle loader season starts.

[PistolPete]

I like the last 2 weeks best; not only are they more likely to be vocal, but I find the intense hunting pressure (I only hunt OTC) makes them much more concentrated in very predictable places--where other people don't go. Too late, though, and the big bulls all get harems and don't want to play.

Pete

[Nuctech]

Going the week before muzzle loader season for deer and elk. I hunt in the south San Juans and have the best luck early rather than late. Last year we went the last week of archery and had very few opportunities and heard hardly any bugles. Could of been the weather though it was beautiful blue bird skies and got real warm the whole time. Awesome vacation and camping trip but horrible hunting.  Good luck to everyone on the mountain!
Gabe

[fnshtr]

I'm retired and if I have to go solo I will be there, in camp, on the mountain the day before season opens. I will stay until I tag out or when I lose my get up and go!

If I take anyone with me, I will hunt whatever weeks they want.

I prefer the week before ML although there are not many ML hunters in the area I hunt... at least not enough to bother my hunting.

Good luck all (got another 10 lbs. to lose)

[pumatrax]

the weather usually cools down the last couple of weeks of the season....so over the last 35 years of hunting here ; I prefer the latter part of the season...

[Sapcut]

Nuctech,  Unit 71, 74 San juans?

[The Night Stalker]

It is strange how it changes from year to year. It seems the few days before muzzleloader are the best for me in certain units.
Wayne, remember the first year we hunted together. The weather was great and all the bugling. Years like that seem magical.

[deerhunter_w]

Normally we go the first week of archery. We hunt a OTC unit with high pressure especially the first week of the season but I have always had good success 3 elk out of 5 years. We rarely here any bugling, so last year we decided to go the week of muzzleloader. The elk where hard to find and few and far between. It depends on the area you are planning to hunt and the hunting pressure in you area. I would love to go where they are vocal but no one in our group wants to change units. Maybe next year I'll have to take off and go with you Tim

Jeff

[fnshtr]

Yeah Tim, I remember it well. After the evening we had calling and hearing them right up until it was too dark to shoot... then Barry and I went up top the next morning and I got my first bull that evening... about 100 yards from where you and I were set up the evening before.

I wish you could have been with me in 2012 when I called in a beast of a bull. Last year was good too with a nice 6X just out of range circling downwind.

I'm anxious to get back up to 10,500 feet!

[lablover]

Third week of season OTC in the white river area. First year in Colorado so I'm just up for hearing them bugle and the remote chance at a shot. The high country just calls.

[Nuctech]

Sapcut,

      I have been hunting Units 80 and 81 the last couple of years. Had my best luck early on in the season. Seems to be pretty popular units with people from Texas. Everyone I have met while up in the mountains have been real pleasant so I don't mind seeing a few folks.
Gabe

[Sapcut]

I was in 81 two years ago around Conejos Peak and Timber lake. (I think that is 81)  Lots of 10 day old elk sign but too many people.  That was the last week.

[old_goat2]

Living here, if I was hunting OTC I'd hunt the early part before ML season, in draw units I like the later part because the weather is cooler and with as little pressure as the elk get from ML's in draw units, there isn't much difference early to late

[Paul Shirek]

We are planning on hunting unit 65 and will probably do it just before ML season. Anyone else hunt this unit???

[Nuctech]

Sapcut,

    That is exactly where I was 2 years ago but during second week of the season. We had awful weather, rain like I have never seen in the mountains. It hardly ever let up for a week straight. The elk hunting though was awesome. got into elk everyday. Had multiple bulls going nuts with bugling. I hope to get a repeat of that this year. I am going to a different area within those units.
Gabe

[The Night Stalker]

Paul, I hunted unit 65 twice about 10 years ago. You can email me.

[Lone archer]

Night Stalker, Fsnhtr, check your PM's, let's go hunting!

[Lazy J]

I live in the White River valley. I have to say that there is a huge difference from start of season to end of season. Pressure, weather, and water all are huge factors. If I had to pick, it would be the first week. The Bulls are still in bachelor groups and not as jumpy as they will be later. I help a couple ranchers guide and they tell their paid hunters to wait until later. The elk have been pushed down to the private lands by all the over zealous buglers in our ranks. If anyone needs advice for NW Colorado, send a PM.   Of course, this is just my opinion.

[monterey]

Concur with lazy J.

They don't have to be vocal to call them.  Hot cow calls before the rut gets going when bulls are interested and cows not so much.  They usually come in without making a sound.  More like calling coyotes.