what is the best wilderness area in Colorado ?

[ncelkhtr]

me and my buddy went on our first elk hunt last year. He was able to kill bull by winning a paper, rock, scissor game while the animal was at 60yrds to see who got the shot. We are going back this year but trying to hunt a different area because of the crowds. We are looking for a wilderness we can hunt, backpacking in for a few days at a time and hunting.  Just looking for the best wilderness with the most elk, and unpressured elk. Like I said this is only my second year so I'm not trophy hunting, just looking to get a bull on the ground. We were looking at the Flat Tops and in the South Meeker units, but its a draw hunt, DOW said we have a %60 chance of drawing there with 0 points. What do you think of that area ? and thoughts on otc like holy cross, weminuche, ect.. we bow hunt. thanks

 

[buckykm1]

Pretty much any over the counter unit in CO is going to have a fair amount of hunters. IMHO, that is just part of hunting a State with OTC tags.

Kevin

 

[Kmbingham92]

You cannot go wrong with the Flattops. Several places to go and plenty of elk but you will run into others just about anywhere you go unless you pack in a few miles.

 

[wapiti_will]

wish i could say there was a perfect wilderness area.  the northern wilderness areas like zirkel, sarvis creek, and flat tops will have a healthy population of elk, but also a lot of hunters.  holy cross, raggeds, west elk, weminuche can be good and it can be easier to get back in there and away from other hunters, but with smaller elk populations you'll need to log more miles to get on top of the elk.  i spent my first few years spending time in several different wilderness areas until I found the perfect spot away from other hunters and in the elk.  you'll probably need to do the same in order to find what you're looking for.  good luck.

 

[Big Tex]

Love wilderness hunting, because it is a way to cut the wheat from the chaff and get into less pressured elk.  Even in the wilderness though you'll need to look deep and steep to truely get away from the crowds...After you've found a spot you think looks promising, I'd suggest calling some of the local packers/outfitters to see where they are setting up hunting camps to make sure you don't end up in the same far away drainage as an outfitter camp.  Good luck.

 

[eric bailey]

These replies are very helpful to me as a first-time hunter thinking about where to go.  I am sure you're right, Will, that I will need to try them all.  You didn't mention Maroon Bells/Snowmass wilderness and I wanted to ask why. Too many non-hunters? 

I was thinking of heading up Avalanche creek off the Crystal river to get away from the crowds.  Or, looking for deer in the avalanche chutes up around Conundrum creek (though there are a TON of hikers in there).  But, maybe I should just look at another unit with less traffic?

 

[bluewine]

There are only 3 things you absolutely need to know...from there; do your homework and follow your gut:


1. Elk are where you find them...and in Colorado, that's just about everywhere. (no really).


2. Any elk is a trophy.


3. 80% rule:  80% of hunters are within a mile of the road....so be prepared to cover some ground and get a little deeper.


Someone previous stated OTC = a lot of hunters...If you walk, you will find what you're looking for.  If I had to choose a "best" I couldn't.


Just get out in an area with good herd populations and you'll find your own paradise...i promise.

 

[TeamDeath28611]

Anyone have any info on the Flat Tops Wilderness?

 

[indianw]

I have had great luck hunting in the Flattops the past 3 years never hunted Elk before that, I back pack solo about 5 to 8 miles the last 2 years I have taken a nice 6 point and last year a big 4 point I have seen a lot of Elk. last year at base camp people were not seeing anything saying it was to dry where i hunted all the water holes were full up high 9600 to 10000ft. while hauling my elk out I seen elk as close as half mile from the truck so not sure if they even leave camp.

 

[coloelko]

This will be my fist year up in the flat tops. I took a hike up there a few weeks ago and looks very promising. Packing in with some coworkers. Should be a good time.

 

[Septemberluvr]

I hunt CO wilderness areas exclusively for archery.  Which is the best?? The one you find that has lots of elk and few hunters!!  It's never the exact same place year by year in my experience.  Seems where we found elk the year prior is void if elk the following year.  That's been the trend the past 3 years.  Fortunately we're usually able to track them down within a few short miles (and over a few ridges!) and get into them.  Good luck in your search, good remote country is harder and harder to find.

 

[KBar70]

The very best of luck Coloelko;keep us posted as to how you get on and which unit you end up hunting

 

[coloelko]

Well we saw elk, but didn't connect. We went up to the flat tops wilderness area in unit 231. Back packed in about 3 miles and camped for 5 nights.  :-X that's all I can say since it's my friends secret spot

 

[Dean Clement]

Well said, "Bluewine"!