colorado diy elk hunts

[huntnaddict]

Hey guys, I am looking at doing my first solo hunt and I'm running into some questions. First, as this is my first time should I hunt from a camp by the road and maybe spike out from there if I find elk or would I be burning alot of time traveling ? I have been looking at GMU 053, and 444 and am wondering what kind of pressure they gets ? Another thing is communications in the areas. My wife is worried that I could get in over my head or get hurt and not have a way to communicate. I am 47 and in fairly good shape and have hunted the west elk wilderness a couple times before with friends but going solo can be intimidating. My job limits my times to go west so if I miss this year I won't be able to go again for 4-5 years. I'm not opposed to sharing a camp with someone and helping each other out if that's an option.

 

[OZapo1986]

Hey there! I haven't hunted 53 so I can't comment much on it. I hunted 444 last year during 2nd rifle and am going back this year. Cell service in 444 is non existent unless on top of a peak and then its spotty still. There were quite a few hunters for the first 3 days of the season last year but dropped significantly during the week. There will be 5 in our group this year, 2 will only be there for 3 days, and we will base camp next to the road. For at least the first 2 days half of us will be spike camping about 5-6 miles from the road. If you decide on 444 and are planning on hunting 2nd rifle your welcome to join our group. Send me a PM if your interested.

 

[huntnaddict]

Thanks for the invite. I have never brought a gun out with me, I will be out for the first two weeks of the archery season. One of these years I will go out for a rifle hunt. Good luck and if I find end up in 444 and get any good info I will be sure to pass it along to you.

 

[DirtyMo85]

Hello All,


I hunted 444 in 2016. Wanted to see if you guys are still around and trade some information and hear some stories, hopefully success!! Look forward to hearing back. We hunted Redtable/Mt Thomas area 2nd rifle]

 

[COLOelkman]

Not sure which season you are talking about?  I've hunted 444 from bow season thru 3rd season.  In general, I've hunted near Crooked Creek Pass and there's no cell signal near there as you'd need to go relatively close to Eagle to get a signal.  There's lots of places along the roads to camp however you will also find lots of people camped and hunting off the roads.  If you've looked at the stats, it's not a great area for elk if you're not familiar with the area however there are certainly elk around but quite a few hunters for all the seasons but some years the crowds haven't been real bad.  Like normal, it you get away from the roads at least an hour or more, you'll find less hunters.  Solo is a lot of work if you get an elk but in general, it's certainly not drastic terrain relatively speaking.  My suggestion would be to consider road camping until you get familiar with some areas but if you can hike in, in the dark an hour or two before sunrise, you should get away from most of the hunters.  I don't see too many people hiking back in the dark which is what I also do.  In and out via headlamp!  Good luck!