Colorado UNIT 18

[Triton16]

Looking at unit 18 for a 2018 archery hunt. Troublesome basin. Can anyone shed some light on this area. This will be my very first elk/mule deer hunt.. what is the area like. Is it heavily hunted, ect... this will be a diy hunt going to pack in set camp. 6-7 day hunt

 

[yooper89]

18 is pretty heavily hunted, with a 5% success rate over the last 5 years. Good luck

 

[adamds22]

I've hunted 18 the last 4 years now both archery and rifle as I have a cabin off of Granby lake so it is pretty convenient for me. Every year I have been on elk but have yet to get one, 18 is definitely a heavy hunted area as its close to Denver but you can definitely get on elk. The troublesome area is a good area, you can get away from the road warriors there but plan on hiking your butt off and likely running into camps.

 

[alaska76]

That place gets hunted hard throughout rifle season; stands to reason cause elk are there. Last time I was in there the tree laps were horrendous, dang pine beetle kill hit that area of CO hard. Last SEPT likely resulted in even more on the ground, as winds were clocked gusting at 100+mph.


PRO: Less hunters
CON: Tough going

 

[Vanniek71]

I've hunted this unit for 3 years in a row.

Year 1 I had no clue and probably shouldn't have been out there, but I had to dive in - Bugles all over the place and a few sightings but nothing super close for a good shot, did get to draw back on 2 cows, but they smelled me and took off.

Year 2 - Called in 2 cows to about 80 yards in one area and the wind switched on me...cya elk. Later that day had a draw on a cow at 30 yards - waiting for a clear shot and the Heavens opened up and rained so hard on me I lost sight of her and she disappeared.

Year 3 - Bugles all over the place on opening weekend and the week after. Saw 2 Moose wandering by and TONS of signs of elk, called in a bull to about 200 yards or so and again wind switched and he must have smelled me. This last weekend went out and the elk noise was non existent. No bulges, nothing. Still signs though. Then managed to run in to 2 decent sized bull moose that were walking together and play fighting. Got trapped for a solid 45 mins because I didn't want to spook them and get smooshed. Got some cool video though!

Anyways - they are out there, just a lot of hunters in my area and they seemed to move off this last weekend. Probably all hanging out in Estes Park laughing at the hunters.......