2016 FIRST EVER ELK HUNT

[hunter17ryan]

A group of us from Kentucky are planning our first ever ell hunting trip to Colorado.  I am a big archery hunter but the group wants to rifle hunt instead.  It's looking like we will be giving it a try in the 3rd season OTC.  I myself have been stuck in looking at maps and everything around the Durango and Gunnison areas.  If possible could anybody give any pointers or information about them areas or any other part of the state would be very appreciated.  Thanks

 

[underH2oHunter]

They are very steep beautiful areas. With lots of public land that is crawling with lots of hunters.  I am sure this not the information you were hoping to get however its the truth.  I totally understand your need to get as much information about an area as possible however its usually best if you make your requests to a specific drainage or mountain.  Asking the question about a large area like Gunnison or Durango is like saying "Hey I have a sharp pain in my head should I get a brain surgeon or a Tylenol to remedy it?"
Just because your rifle hunting doesn't say much about how you'll be hunting.  Are you looking to get away from people? If so perhaps a wilderness hunt would be best.  If your group is not in shape or can handle packing out elk then you may want to look at area that are in the National Forest or BLM land that have 4 wheel drive trails and camping spots that you can drive your vehicles to and from or even use a 4 wheeler.  Are you planning on walking or sitting all day.  Areas that have large openings where you can use your optics and sit require patience.  If you don't have those patience then still hunting your way through dark timber.  I can give you this little gem of advice.  3rd rifle season the bull elk will be off the rut and looking to recover so they will be in the nastiest darkest timber looking to put some weight back on before the winter.  If you are looking to take a bull elk then I would hunt the areas that give those elk the best possible chance of relaxing and recovering without being disturbed.  If you're looking for a freezer filler then you should look at small open parks that are on benches that have cover and water with in 1/4 to 1/2 mile of one another yet have limited access from vehicles and people.    Elk hunting is not difficult if you understand what to look for.  Being your first hunt I don't expect you to understand how elk move.  Elk are everywhere in the Colorado Mountains.  Its what those elk do when hunting season and pressure rolls around.  They learn to move into areas that people are not.  So the steeper and rougher the terrain the better chance you'll have of locating them there.  Best of luck.

 

[hunter17ryan]

Thanks for the info that you have given.  Our group is in pretty decent shape and should have no problem packing elk out and or walking all day to find them if lucky enough to.  As far as sitting and being patient we are all whitetail hunters and log many hours in the stand so waiting a glassing shouldn't be a problem either.  I am open on hunting any way that's gives us a chance.  I myself have logged several hours online just doing whatever kind of scouting I can from that.  I personally like GMU 74 either Weminuche or Hermosa Creek Wilderness but that's just me looking over google earth and hunt stats.  As far as what kind of elk we are looking for is honestly I'd say first legal bull not going to be to picky on my first hunt.  If I've read correctly I believe OTC is bull only.  Thanks again for the input you have given me.

 

[underH2oHunter]

You are correct that OTC is for Bulls only which in most cases is 4 points on one side or a 5 in brow tine.  Now The two wilderness areas that you mentioned hold elk.  The bull numbers are down in those areas but don't get discouraged.  If you have several people hunting perhaps one or two of you could put in for cow tags and you guys can pair up.  There are lots of cow elk in those wilderness areas.  I have spent a little time in weminuche and there are certainly some excellent country and elk.  It being your first hunt my suggestion is to be patient.  Use your optics and figure out what the elk are doing and where they are headed. Elk are somewhat like whitetail in that they can be patterned however they will not be as predictable as whitetail in that they won't use the exact paths and travel ways as frequent.  If you observe an elk in the morning in an opening you might want to hunt that opening say later in the evening or perhaps the fallowing morning but thats about it.  The time of year you are hunting will have lots of other hunters out and about unless you really get off the beaten path.  But you don't have to go miles off the path to find elk... Elk will be close to roads and what not if lots of people are back in the wilderness and not hunting close to the roads.  Then again they could be miles back if there is lots of pressure close to the roads.  So learn to read your situations and go with your gut.  If you feel a place looks "ELK E " then give it a shot.  Lots of guys will tell you to play the wind and yes I am one of those guys however with a rifle wind is not necessarily as big a factor as it is with a bow.  But do pay attention to your thermals as much as you can.  If you're working some dark timber and you can only see 75 yards or less then your scent becomes a factor more so then hunting over a wide open park that you can shoot 300 plus yards..  As far as being in shape goes this is always a funny topic as I am not the type that thinks you need to be top physical shape however if you're not in physical shape you better be damn smart at knowing what the elk are gonna do.  The better shape you are in, the better your hunt will be.  Trust me when I say that altitude is no joke so get used to it ASAP if you can and always be drinking water.  Even when its cold...  Colorado weather that time of year is funny it can be anything from blizzard conditions to shorts and T shirts.  So plan accordingly.... Last have fun.  Elk hunting is a blast and something I spend a whole lot of time doing.  Last year I spent 63 straight days doing it.  But if you're not having fun with it then change something up.. Don't focus on getting one as much as focusing on learning something.  Weather its your first year your 30th year there is always something you can take away from every situation and hunt. Those are moments are whats valuable because they will teach you something you can use later.
Have fun and Enjoy what ever happens.

 

[hunter17ryan]

Thank you again for all you help and information.  I appreciate it very much.

 

[buglelk]

hunter17ryan,


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