Ok, Here's the deal. I would like to share camp with some other tradgangers this year if possible. What I would like to do is backpack into a wilderness area and set up a camp to share. I have only scouted this area on a map so I have no idea how good the hunting will be there. In 2008, there was 9% success for archery so there probably won't be elk around every tree, but there will be plenty of elbow room (lots and lots of trail-less acres). You have to apply (by the first of April) for this area but the last two years only about 1/4 of the tags available were applied for so everyone who puts in should draw an either-sex tag without needing preference points. I would set up the hunt for the last 2 weeks of the season but of-course, a feller could hunt there the entire season (8/28-9/26)if you want. I have backpacked quite a bit close to this area and the views are incredible and fishing has been good. Camp would probably be set up at about 10,000 ft. This is NOT a guided hunt. Everyone would be hunting on their own or could pair up if you wanted. I prefer to be on my own when I hunt, but also like to return to camp and have some company. You would be responsible for your own food and your own gear (tent, sleeping bag, etc.). If someone in the group gets an elk down, we would pitch in to help get it out to the trailhead. I do not want horses staying in camp (because of a bad experience hunting with a horse in the past-more time chasing the horse than chasing elk), but if someone wants to use a horse after the elk is down, that would be OK. I usually just cut it up and pack it out (usually 4 trips with a 50-60# pack and 5 trips if packing out a cape/antlers) with a frame pack. If you always wanted to do a DIY elk hunt but not sure how, this might be a good opportunity for you. I think I will limit this to less than 10 guys, so let me know here if you are for sure interested. Ask questions here and I'll answer so everyone can read the answers.
sounds like a blast but I am all ready committed for Wyoming this year. If this is a success and you do it again, let me know
That sounds awesome! Colorado is one of my most desired destinations, in fact I would move there if given the chance. Unfortunately right now is a bad time.
Be sure to take lots of pics! :)
What would the license and permit cost an out of state hunter?
I would like to go but can probably only do one week. How far back in?
PM'd you Doug.
Wayne
I would like to try a diy elk but would not be able to do this year.
Keep us posted and I will try to make next year if you do it again.
Thanks for offering this great opprotunity.
Tim
I might be interested in doing this hunt. What areas are you looking at? I bet you that we have some fellow Tradgangers that are familar with this area and may be able to shed some light on how suitable it is to plan a hunt there.
I might also have another tradgang friend from here in Central AR that would probably be game as well. (If he can stay away from the Twinkies and get himself in shape for a CO Elk Hunt??).
As Brian says how far in and I'd likr to also inquire as to how far from a meat locker or nearest town?
Brian, if you go, we could maybe even ride out together as Benton is about 4 hours from Tulsa?
I spent $4K+ a couple of years ago on a guided hunt in CO and never even pulled the string back. But last year I hunted with a few OR Tradgangers on a DIY. First day out I got a nice little bull. Now I frown on deer steaks, ELK is so delicious!
I guess I'm kinda a DIY guy now. Nice to have some control over your own hunting destiny and tempo. I also have a few other hunts scheduled and want to keep myself within my budget and not p-o my wifey too much.
:campfire:
if it was next year i would be on it
Doug, WOW what a great offer ! Alot of people think they have to spend $1000's for a guided hunt to have any luck. I have been to Colorado twice on my own and saw elk both trips and took a bull. I have seven points built up now so I'm looking at options soon ! This is a great offer and very tempting.
Bob
Hope you got my PM Doug. I'm definitely interested.
Wayne
Ya caught my attention for sure! I have a lot of irons in the fire at the moment, and possibly couldnt commit until I know more...I guess Im a "maybe".
Whether or not I can manage it, it is a fine offer you are making. I hope it all works out for the best and memories and meat are made.
Doug;
I am interested in this hunt.
I have gone on 2 unguided elk hunts in Wyoming. Me and one other TN boy. Huntin elk like they was whitetail. I ended up with a shot but did not connect.
I guess the first question is what area is this so's I can put in for the draw.
1) Which GMU should we apply for? What area?
2) How far do we hike in?
3) How far to nearest town? Meat processor?
4) License cost for non-resident?
5) Any additional fees? (permits, req. stamps)
6) What would be the limit on number of hunters?
That seems to summarize the questions asked so far.
Thanks!
Wayne
OK, let's see:
1. The GMU is #7 for the Rawah Wilderness area. This tag allows you to hunt in 5 different GMUs in northern Colorado but the wilderness area is in unit 7. The reason I picked this area is because it's really pretty there and there's lots of land for folks to find their own honey hole. I do want to make it clear that I will just be scouting it this year and hopefully can get over there to scout/take pictures through the summer. It may take some time to figure the elk out there so if you want a guaranteed shot at an elk, this is not the trip for you. But, if adventure and connecting with other tradgangers is what you're hunting, this could be it.
2. My initial thought is to set up camp 5 miles in and then if someone finds a spot that looks better to camp/hunt out of, they can bivy but still have the main camp to come back to for fellowship and story swapping.
3. The nearest town is Laramie Wyo. I'm not sure if Wyoming has a carcass restriction for transport of meat from a "Chronic Wasting" unit (which unit 7 is) so Fort Collins, Co. might be the best place to take meat for processing. It's about a 2 hour drive from the trailhead to Ft. Collins which has several meat processors. I don't know anything about shipping meat so I'll let you guys do your own research on that.
4. Non-resident elk licenses cost $549 and is either-sex. Cows or calves are legal. Bulls in this unit must be a 4 point or better or a brow tine of at least 5". Deer are $329. Bear is $254. Small game is $56. Deer and elk tags would need to be applied for in early April. Bear is over-the-counter with caps and go on sale sometime in July (and they sold out fairly quickly for this area last year). Small game is over the counter (buy it at any license agent in Colorado).
5. Colorado has no additional license fees to hunt big game but they do require a hunter's education certificate so get that if you don't have it yet. Other state's certificates are fine and either the firearms hunter's ed. or the bowhunter's ed. will work for an archery tag.
6. I would like to stick with no more than about 10 hunters in camp @ one time, but I can be flexible since it seems like people's schedules will probably allow them to hunt at different times and some will not be able to hunt for 2 weeks. I'm hoping this will be a great hunt in the spirit of the Fred Bear/Glenn St. Charles Little Delta Hunts.
If you know you want to do this, PM me and I'll keep a list based on who responds first and then make a reserve list in case someone backs out. Even if you PMed me already, do it again if you are a "for sure put me on the list", just so I make sure and get everyone on that wants to be on. Thanks. Doug
Once I get the group all figured out, I will get everyone's e-mail address and send additional information about applying for licenses and other details, but if you have another question not already covered, feel free to ask here too.
Doug,
any chance of shipping gear out and getting picked up in Denver?
I took my first elk in this unit back in the 70's when I attended CSU in Fort Collins. It really is some great scenery and the hunting is good also. I still go back frequently, but I'm now hunting a unit that requires preference points and has older elk on average.
I've done many of these DIY hunts and they are great, but one word of caution. If you're going to set up base camp 5 miles back at that altitude, I think it's imperative that you only take guys in great shape and are known not to have a problem with altitude. The thing that has wrecked more of my hunts in a similar circumstance has been guys unprepared for the physical demands of the hunt. We've had to take more than one guy to a hospital because they got sick as a dog - usually from altitude. We've also had guys pull muscles, be unable to pack out their elk and many other pain-in-the-butt problems. Anyone of these problems usually ruins at least one day of hunting for someone who has to help them out. And there are precious few hunting days on a trip like this. We are now very particular about who goes on our hunts. There are many guys who want to do this type of hunt and don't realize they're not capable. We now screen them, making sure they at least appear to be able to handle the hunt.
Matt, no, you would be on your own on that stuff. I will be hunting.
Str8Arrow, Yep, I'm planning on just lettin' 'em die back there if they can't get out on their own...just kidding. Seriously though, he's right. If your thinking about this trip, Get in shape and then get in better shape. If you're over-weight, here's your motivation to loose that weight. If you are over-weight and out of shape by Sept, you can hunt elk, but you shouldn't try THIS hunt. You will need to hunt lower and easier country. Drink a ton of water, eat high energy snacks (while here) and if possible, get out here a few days early and stay at about 5,000 ft. for a few days if you are from a low altitude. It usually takes about 3-4 days to get your body used to the altitude. Being in shape will help with the hiking, but won't help with the altitude. More on that later.
OK, the list looks like this:
Michael Pfander- Arizona
Brian Blair- Oklahoma
Scott Carpenter and Barry Buckley- Arkansas
Phil Floyd- Tennessee
Looks like a good mix so far. Should be fun.
TTT
OK, now Matt Fowler- PA is on the list.
4 more spots open right now.
I'm planning on elk hunting this year and this sounds good. Have to check with my partner and get back to you.
Terry
I've never hunted Elk, but it is something that I want to do.
I have a couple of questions and forgive my ignorance.
What kind of weather would I have to be prepared for in camp and while hunting? I need to determine what gear I'd have to buy, and how much that'd cost me. Money is an issue.
As a total novice when it comes to Elk hunting, can I educate myself and learn enough about Elk and hunting techniques between now and the season to be a competent hunter. I don't want a guarentee that I'll make meat, but I don't want this to simply be a hiking trip as beautiful as it would be.
Anyone that is in need of help on altitude problems you schould try altitude adjust it is amazing stuff I took it last year and had no problems with altitude at all I stayed at 9600 ft and hiked to over 11000 with no affect from altitude. The trip before that I went on a elk trip in the lake city area and had some affect from altitude but this time no problem thanks to altitude adjust. Widow
Sounds like a great trip! I have cut my teeth on many a Backwoods Colorado elk hunts and allways came back a better educated hunter!! I just hate having to learn a new area and I bivyed into most of them in the past. Lately I have been paying a tresspass fee ($1200-1500.00) to folks with large amounts of land (25,000 acres and more) and had much better luck with elk sightings, shot opportunities, and many bear sightings. Heck I even bivied into two different places drainages last year and took a nice 5 X 5 on the 4th day of my hunt. Yes I am going back this year as I cannot get enough of the great Rocky Mtn Elk! Good luck guys!
Bartcanoe, we will probably be camping at about 9,500-10,000 feet elevation so it will be cold in the mornings/evenings (probably down to about freezing), but during the day it should be up to 60s or 70s. Sept. is a beautiful time to be in the high country. I recommend a 0 degree sleeping bag-synthetic or goose down but with down you have to keep it dry. Most years, we get short-lived afternoon thunderstorms but sometimes, we'll get a storm that moves in for a few days and camps out so some sort of rain gear will be necessary. You can go as high-tech or low tech as you can afford. I like wool and then a poncho for afternoon showers, but I also have a Gore-Tex jacket in case it rains a lot. Hope this helps.
As to whether you can learn enough to hunt elk effectively, I've hunted elk since 1986 and still consider myself a novice. I learn something new about elk every year and just when I think I've got a sure-fire way to take an elk every year, they change their "pattern" and aren't where they should be. That's what makes elk hunting so challenging, frustrating, fun, and incredibly rewarding if you can get one on the ground, esp. on a public land DIY hunt.
OK, the latest list goes like this (in no particular order):
Brian Blair-Pennsylvania
Barry Buckley-Arkansas
Scott Carpenter-Arkansas
Phil Floyd-Tennesee
Michael Pfander-Arizona
Matt Fowler-PA
Darren Shue-PA
Darren Bowers-PA
2 more spots left. You guys on the list, let me know if you need to drop off. Seems like there is a lot of interest and there will be a reserve list. Thanks. Doug
Doug,
Since this don't seem like anyones honeyhole, could you post the trailhead location? I'd like to look at the topography.
Matt, I will PM you.
OK, we have our 10 guys in 2 days!
2 just signed up:
Bob Brundage- Tennessee
Bret Shaw- Missouri
Now I'll start a reserve list but I think I'll keep that just to about 5 guys so I can keep track of everyone easier. If you missed out on the first 10, don't loose heart. Several have said that they are a "maybe" so get on the reserve list now and a spot could open up for you. Doug
I need a few guys e-mail addresses so I will be able to send out informational e-mails to the group:
Scott Carpenter
Darren Shue
Darren Bowers
You guys don't have your e-mails on your tradgang profile so please e-mail them to me @ estesarcher@aol.com
Everyone else, please look at your e-mail address on your profile and make sure it is correct. Thanks.
I will probably wait to send the first e-mail until I add the reserve list to the e-mail group so that I can keep track of getting everyone the information that they need. Doug
Doug sent you a E-mail
OK, we now have 3 on the reserve list and these are in order:
1.David Bartlet-N. Carolina
2.Wayne Boone- W. Virginia
3.Tim Antoine- N. Carolina
WOW, I had no idea I would get this kind of response. I have 2 more spots available on the reserve list and then I'll close it down. Doug
Put me on the list. If worst comes to worst us guys on reserve could still go... Unit 7 or one of the other close units is a really big place I'm guessing??? Anyone near Va. want to share a ride??? We need to get an equipment list going too???
Alright Thomas (String Cutter). You are # 4 on the reserve list. Yeah, that would be great to do a second camp somewhere in the area for guys who won't fit in our camp. If that happens, keep in mind that if a unit 7 tag is drawn, it includes units 7,8,9,19,191 so there's lots of land there. Doug
Doug,
Here is Scott Carpernter's - alan_carpenter72032@yahoo.com
Thanks much,
Barry
Thanks Barry.
Everyone else on the fence:
I just have one more spot for the reserve list so PM me now if interested. Doug
Nice job Doug. You guys are in for a great time no matter the outcome! Mike
Hey Doug,
Now I'm curious. Was on the phone with CDOW and pokin' around on the net and this seems like a promising area. Why so many tags left over?
What is the min. bow weight in CO?? How much are tags??
Thomas,
It's 35#. Pretty unbelievable.
Wayne
Tom, I live in the most NW county of North Carolina. I have been out to Colorada on wilderness hunts twice. I have my gear already, my cid #, etc. Drawing takes place on first week of April I believe. I have preference points saved and looking forward to going back. You have to travel down route 81 and you can ride with me. I have a diesal 4door dually and riding together would be a great idea. I overprepared the first time I went for sure. Anybody else when it is all said and done can ride also.
The biggest thing I can tell newbies is be prepared mentally and physically. The gear list is a good idea. I like my Kifaru stuff.
Now that's good to see. :bigsmyl:
I'd love to get down there myself. You probably don't even have wolves... yet...
String Cutter, I listed prices for tags (elk,deer,bear,small game)on the first page of this thread.
This trip sounds awesome, if I didn't hunt out my backdoor I would sign up for sure. A buddy I work with hunts up there, and always comes back with great stories. Be prepared for close elk and bugles.
only 7 months, you low landers had better start working out. Also be prepared for altitude sickness, read up on it, or ask one of the Colorado folk about it. Don't ruin a trip due to HAPE.
I am excited to hear the stories and see pics.
The altitude sickness is real bad stuff. I got it the first time when I slept at about 11000 ft. My second trip, I was prepared. I read and learned alot from sheep hunter articles. I took diamox the second trip and increase the O2 carrying capacity of my blood. It worked really well.
Thanks Herdbull, actually, I was inspired to do this partly because of reading your new book. I just finished it. It's been a few years since I have done a backpack hunt into a wilderness area and wanted to share the experience with others. Reading about your adventures inspired me. Anyone who hasn't read Mike's book, "One With The Wilderness", should give it a look. A good read!
Dang, wish I could go! Just not sure due to finances and some family stuff.
I went in 09. We were supposed to go to this area and hike in 5 miles. My cousin, who has hunted it often, said we didn't need to draw because it never sells out. He went to get our tags the first day the leftovers were available and they were already sold out. So, my advice is put in for the draw!
My cousin's description of this area is that he always sees elk, just has had difficulty getting shots.