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Post by beermanbrian on Dec 30, 2014 12:57:38 GMT -5
I am in the process of setting up my first DIY elk hunt in Colorado. I am going public OTC archery. Buying a preference point. I am not concerned about trophy bulls. Although if I saw one I would not hesitate to go after. I would be extremely tickled with a nice cow.
I would love to hear any pointers that someone with experience would have for a beginner. I know it is difficult. I know you must be in shape. I know you need to get away from crowd. These are all givens and subjects I do not need to hear about.
I would love to hear from anyone that has been and doesn't mind sharing what units they have hunted and a little about their experience in those units.
Thanks in advance.
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Post by swilk on Dec 30, 2014 13:32:06 GMT -5
Have you decided on a unit yet? Do that and get all the maps you can get your hands on. A good GPS....have some locations in mind longbefore you ever step foot in the unit.
Don't assume further from the roads is always better....my one and only archery bull came less than 1/2 mile from the road.
Good boots are a must.
A range of good clothing....could be hot. Could be cold. Could rain. Could snow. Be prepared for anything and everything.
Taking a quad or hunting only on foot?
Tent camping or some sort of trailer / camper?
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Dec 30, 2014 14:31:16 GMT -5
^ This.. Also, a Colorado chip from OnXmaps. They show unit boundaries, public/private land, even landowner names in case you need to get ahold of a landowner to track a critter on their land. I have one for each state I hunt, and wouldn't go on a hunt again without 'em.
When you're checking out your maps, look for areas that may be difficult to get into. This could be because of elevation change, creek crossings, etc. Lots of people would rather walk a mile in on a trail, rather than climb 1000' or wade a creek. When I was in Wyoming this fall, I camped along the road, but up against a creek at the bottom of a steep slope. All I had to do was wade the creek, climb the mountain, and was into elk less than 1/4 mile from the road.
How much time are you dedicating to the hunt? The last week of archery will probably get you the most rutting activity, and the muzzleloader hunters will have cleared out by then.
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Post by beermanbrian on Dec 30, 2014 20:57:46 GMT -5
Thank you both for the replies. Much appreciated. I have not decided on a unit yet and I do plan on getting all maps I can get. I have read some reviews on the chips for GPS and some complaints on them are that they are not always up to date but I will look into further.
We were planning on hitting mid September after all the early activity. I know this can be adouble edged sword because the early hunters can push elk around and into private land. I hadn't thought about waiting towards the end of bow season. Is this a fairly productive time? I have yet to dive into harvest rates in specific units. I plan on that over the next month or so.
We plan on being mostly on foot and using truck as a base camp with the possibility of setting up camp for the night deeper in if needbe.
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Post by esshup on Dec 31, 2014 7:47:14 GMT -5
How many days are you budgeting for the hunt? Since you said you are buying a preference point, I'm assuming you're planning on hunting in 2016?
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Dec 31, 2014 9:22:11 GMT -5
Thank you both for the replies. Much appreciated. I have not decided on a unit yet and I do plan on getting all maps I can get. I have read some reviews on the chips for GPS and some complaints on them are that they are not always up to date but I will look into further. We were planning on hitting mid September after all the early activity. I know this can be adouble edged sword because the early hunters can push elk around and into private land. I hadn't thought about waiting towards the end of bow season. Is this a fairly productive time? I have yet to dive into harvest rates in specific units. I plan on that over the next month or so. We plan on being mostly on foot and using truck as a base camp with the possibility of setting up camp for the night deeper in if needbe. Usually, rut activity picks up towards the end of September. This should make it easier to find the elk due to bugling. Depending on how much pressure the elk get, they may or may not respond to calling during this time. It looks like archery season runs 8/29-9/27 this year, and muzzleloader is from 9/12-9/20. I hunted the first week of October this year, and they were still bugling pretty good. If it were me, I think I'd go the last week. If you haven't checked out the CPW website yet, the hunt planner section of their page is very helpful. Once you get a unit narrowed down, call out there and talk to a biologist. A lot of the time, they can help point you in the right direction. |
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Post by beermanbrian on Dec 31, 2014 11:36:53 GMT -5
Lawrence county Hunter,
I read your post on your Wyoming hunt. Props to you.
What can I expect as far as amount of hunters if I plan for tail end of archery? Obviously I will have to deal with other hunters on public land and I have to do my homework on spots. Does there tend to be less hunters around that time than early on?
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Dec 31, 2014 12:38:59 GMT -5
There will probaly be more archery hunters that last week, but with muzzleloader season being over probably fewer guys overall. Just how much pressure will depend on the individual area. I wouldn't worry too much about the hunting pressure though, just have several spots identified before you get out there so you'll have multiple back-up plans.
I will say that on my hunt, there were guys camped about every 1/2 mile along the road, and tons of people running the roads in trucks, quads, and UTVs, but I never saw another person while I was actually out hunting (except for a couple guys over on private). A lot of guys stick to the roads because they are either afraid of getting lost, or don't want to pack an elk out.
One thing pretty funny, is opening day I jumped a nice bull out of a pine thicket and he took off up toward the road. He stopped about 30 yards from the road in the timber, and a truck full of hunters came rolling along, peering out their windows for game. The elk froze, and the hunters just rolled on past and never saw him. After they were past, he went on across the road and out of sight.
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Post by beermanbrian on Dec 31, 2014 14:56:49 GMT -5
This is good info. Appreciate it.
I'm not going to be too worried about getting lost and with my partner I'm sure we will be able to pack out.
I'm sure I might have a few more questions in the coming weeks and months. Thanks.
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Post by esshup on Dec 31, 2014 19:43:08 GMT -5
I hunted the Greys River area for Mulies in 2009. DIY I can't remember when the season opened, but I think it was Sept. 1. We got there the day before season opened.
We camped at 7,000' elevation right next to the Greys River in a primitive campground and hunted up to 10,000'. It was unseasonably hot, with daytime temps in the upper 80's to low 90's. At night we had temps below freezing. We didn't see another hunter the 4-5 days we were there, (there was one other in the campground, but they pulled a moose tag) and the elk that were in the area were laying low due to the heat. We'd hear bugling at night, but as soon as the sun got high enough that it was getting light out (before actual sunrise) the elk were headed back to the dark timber where it was cooler. We only saw Elk once, for a brief moment, then they disappeared. We never heard a bugle during the day the whole time we were there. While there might be more people hunting because of being closer to the rut, I think the end of the month would be better for more elk activity. Get there a few days early if you can to get acclimated to the altitude. Maybe I'm just outta shape, but I don't think anything can prepare you completely for the thin air.
Another thing, drink more water than you think you need. My buddy didn't and he had severe leg cramps the first night that kept him up most of the night. I was drinking around 4+ liters of water a day.
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Post by HuntMeister on Jan 1, 2015 8:42:02 GMT -5
esshup, we were really close by in 09! I too was there for Muleys in '09. We were in the Salt River Range section of the Greys River area. Thunderstorms every day, really odd weather according to the locals we talked to.
Unlike your experience, we had Elk bugling just about every night and morning around camp.
To the OP...get there as early as you can before the hunt starts and get to elevation so that you can acclimate. That will make life so much easier on you. Usually after about a week and a half of being in higher elevations it feels like my body is finally getting adjusted to it. Drink water even when you are not thirsty, just drink lots of water and avoid soft drinks and alcohol. Make sure you have a good pair of sunglasses in case you encounter snow, those headaches are bad trust me.
I never venture to CO with archery gear so I cannot offer any specifics about that season. I can tell you that the area north of Craig, CO. which is part of the Routt NF has one of the largest herds in CO. I hunted Elk in the area called Bears Ears Peak, GMU4 IIRC. Terrain is not too steep and deep compared to other places I have been out west. Lots of dark timber that the Elk will likely be in due to the warmer temps typically encountered in the early seasons.
Good luck and keep us posted on your trip.
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Post by esshup on Jan 1, 2015 13:46:54 GMT -5
esshup, we were really close by in 09! I too was there for Muleys in '09. We were in the Salt River Range section of the Greys River area. Thunderstorms every day, really odd weather according to the locals we talked to. Unlike your experience, we had Elk bugling just about every night and morning around camp. Small world!! Google Earth - Moose Flats Campground, Wyoming. That's where we camped. There were Elk bugling in the upper elevations to the SW of the campground. |
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Mar 2, 2015 11:25:31 GMT -5
This is good info. Appreciate it. I'm not going to be too worried about getting lost and with my partner I'm sure we will be able to pack out. I'm sure I might have a few more questions in the coming weeks and months. Thanks. Don't know if you were planning on trying to draw a deer tag also, but the deadline for either a tag or points application is coming up 4/7. I put in for a point for deer this year. |
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Post by beermanbrian on Mar 3, 2015 12:08:37 GMT -5
This is good info. Appreciate it. I'm not going to be too worried about getting lost and with my partner I'm sure we will be able to pack out. I'm sure I might have a few more questions in the coming weeks and months. Thanks. Don't know if you were planning on trying to draw a deer tag also, but the deadline for either a tag or points application is coming up 4/7. I put in for a point for deer this year. Yes. I'm going to put in for points. |
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