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To respond to some of the questions that have been mentioned in previous posts, here you go--

From Bowhunter:
I have not seen his maps and imagine that the areas they show as being a good area are still quite large and cover a lot of ground.

Actually, they show areas down to about an acre or two in size.

From cohunter 14:

We all know that the majority of hunters do not venture very far from roads

Very true.

From Still Hunter:

That way I can get a feel for how the map helped in different seasons.

My maps are not based on seasons. They are based on elk habitat. I have never made the claim that you will find elk in the areas I designate as hot spots. What I will claim is that you will find optimal elk habitat. Look around these areas and figure out why you are more than likely to find elk in one of these places. I made these maps to be a learning tool to help others.

From iccyman001:

Reading maps and using a compass is a lost art.

Could not agree more.

From cnelk (aka Brad):

Upon researching the data on the map, I have now discovered 2 or 3 places that I have over-looked in the past that I will be checking out.

That is my plan. Introduce new areas to people in an area that they thought they already knew really well or just introduce new people to an area that they have never hunted.

From Still Hunter:

I think i\'ll get the one that shows the whole unit

My suggestion--do not order a printed map of the entire GMU. You will lose way too much detail. Instead, order one of my GMU DVDs. These will have all the PDF files of the entire GMU at 1:48,000 and give you enough detail to zero in on where you want to hunt. Then order a map or two.

From cohunter14:

Great report Brad! A question for Mike: is it possible that someone could end up ordering a map of a certain area and it doesn\'t have hot spots, or was Brad\'s a one-off sort of deal? Just curious. I think someone could end up disappointed if they order a map and there are zero hot spots. Wouldn\'t that mean \'hunt elsewhere and buy a different map?


Yes, it is very possible. If you are interested in hunting BLM lands, I do not have good data for those areas. In Brad\'s case, it was more of a result of the parameters that I use to define a \"Hot Spot\". There is actually no difference between the hot spots and the primary forage areas other than the distance from roads with the exception of a few other minor factors thrown into the mix.

cnelk:

Im not sure if an entire GMU would be the map to get, unless its pretty small.

Agree.
 
I love maps, and it sounds like these maps would be great fun to look at. I don\'t hunt Colorado, but when I finally burn my points, I\'ll be purchasing some.

Putting a puzzle together is a lot easier when you can see all the pieces, and seeing things like forage and how they map out would be great.

Are you going to consider mapping other states? (Like the big square one north of Colorado, perhaps? :think: )
 
Mike............You misunderstood what I was saying. I understand your maps aren\'t showing where elk are, but just showing good areas for them to feed and hang out.

My plan is to hunt rifle season this year, and muzzleloader season next year. How well a forage area works will change with the seasons, and hunting pressure. What works in the early season might be worthless in a later season from hunting pressure and weather.

So, by hunting two different seasons for two different years. I can get a feel for how well the info on the map works, and pass it on. My muzzleloader hunt is during bow season. That should help the bow hunters on this forum. Which I believe are the majority here. This will be for unit 55 which i\'ve never hunted before. So, i\'m simulating a new hunter coming to Colorado to hunt.


The other map will be for my unit which is 481. I know the unit very well, and can just look at the map to see how well someone would do using it. I live in this unit, have hunted it since 1954, and scout it most of the year. I feel I know all there is to know about it, but i\'ll be pleasantly surprised if your map shows me a new area to hunt. You show 21 hot spots. Lets see if i\'ve found them all. ;)
 
\"Deertick\" said:
Are you going to consider mapping other states? (Like the big square one north of Colorado, perhaps? :think: )

Wyoming will be the next state. Hoping to have it completed within a month or two.
 
\"Still Hunter\" said:
Mike............You misunderstood what I was saying. I understand your maps aren\'t showing where elk are, but just showing good areas for them to feed and hang out.

Sorry Still Hunter. I went back and read my post and did not intend for it to come across the way it was perceived. I was not implying that you were saying all you had to do was go stand in one of the hot spots and the elk would come trotting up to you. Also, I would be very interested in your feedback on 481 if you decide to purchase a map.
 
\"StartMyHunt\" said:
http://startmyhunt.com/digital-elk-hunting-hot-spots/

Thanks for posting that Mike, I somehow missed that earlier. One more question for you: are all of the hot spots on public land? Or do you put all eligible hot spots on there, regardless of private or public land?
 
\"cohunter14\" said:
\"StartMyHunt\" said:
http://startmyhunt.com/digital-elk-hunting-hot-spots/

Thanks for posting that Mike, I somehow missed that earlier. One more question for you: are all of the hot spots on public land? Or do you put all eligible hot spots on there, regardless of private or public land?

The majority are on public land, specifically USFS lands. However, there are some cases where the data spills over onto private, BLM, and state lands. If you are hunting private, state or BLM lands, contact me before ordering so I can check your area to let you know what is available.
 
\"StartMyHunt\" said:
Wyoming will be the next state. Hoping to have it completed within a month or two.

Um ... can you wait until October, maybe? :problem:

Just kidding, of course! It will be good to see, I think, if what I look for is what the data say to look for.
 
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