Well, yesterday at 30 minutes past sunset the Colorado bow season ended. I did not get an elk, bear nor turkey this year. In fact I did not even see an elk in the last 15 days of hunting.... Now, mind you, I would not say the season was "unsuccessful". Because it was very successful....!
I was blessed to be up there in Elk country 21 days and camped out at 10,000ft 15 nights. The fall colors were amazing. Cold nights and warm days. The only day I got rained on my Asbell wool kept me warm. I saw lots of elk early in the season, and I had one very close encounter with a bull. Too close in fact, he walked right under my stand. Even though at one point I could easily have spit on the 6X6, he was never in a position to get a good clean kill shot.. I also had 5, that is 5, close encounters with BEARS. 3 at about 30 yards and 2 around 15 yards or less. That will get your heart rate up...
Joe
Ps. My wife said, "I'm glad it's over because You're not looking to good." .. Well, I've got 10 months, 3 weeks, 4 days and one sunrise to get rested up and then Elk season starts all over again!.
well i guess its good luck for next year then sad ya did not get anything this time. :(
Good attitude, Joe.
Three weeks straight of hunting in no doubt some of the finest country to be found IS very satisfying. Take the good and run with it.
That's right, there's next year...
Can you hunt with a bow during gun season in Colorado?
i hear ya man, was thinking just the other day standing in cabelas how sad it was that it was already over. almost brings a tear to my eye...
Sounds lie a great season to me!!
Hi Joe,
I'm right there with ya'. Hard to believe it's over already, I also did not kill an Elk this year. Did have several close encounters with bugling Bulls.
I feel blessed to have spent 16 days total in the high country chasing critters and enjoying the fall scenery.
Now to get ready for next year..!..
I've been there many times...
But it's been years since I hunted Colorado.
Maybe one day I will enjoy the high country again.
Count your blessings, I know you do..
I know just how you feel. I just got home from a 5 day guided elk hunt and NEVER saw a single elk.
Oh well, there is always next year!
Bisch
Sounds like it was a great experience, though!
No doubt about it. Colorado needs a longer season.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
I know just how you feel. I just got home from a 5 day guided elk hunt and NEVER saw a single elk.
Oh well, there is always next year!
Bisch
wow that sounds like a terrible guided hunt experience!
Never saw an Elk Wooooooo.
Good attitude on next year but... yikes.
The Guides tip would be "Find me some Elk :knothead: "
Hi Panzer, you asked if we can use a bow in the gun season? the answer is yes, if you have a rifle season license.....but...in Colorado you can only hunt a specific big game animal in one season... (some exceptions of course). So if you have a bow license that's it for the year :(
Sorry to hear you didn't get anything Joe. Best of luck next year!
15 days seems like a long time at the beginning but it seems over in only a few.I don't want to count how many days till I can do it again.It will just bum me out.
That is a great attitude to have. I am sure many lessons were learned for next year.
Colorado is in a great part of the country for you to hunt other game in neighboring states too. season is only over if you choose to quit hunting. :)
You always have a good attitude about your hunting. That's great! It sounds like you had some great experiences though.
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Best of luck to you next season. You were successful this year, It's not the kill, it's the thrill of the chase.
At my age I don't care if I get one or not but I'm am still sad when the season ends. I usually go up hiking looking for mtn goats or the occasional late bugling elk just to hear that sound one more time in the fall ... When I have a season like yours Joe I'm a pretty happy guy just to see a few and hear some bugling.
Best to ya for next year !
Yeah, I was fortunate to be able to do a DIY hunt once with a buddy in the northern mgmt zone near WY...had one close encounter with a rag horn and did not get a chance to draw my bow. Neither one was able to have a kill, however, it was one of my most fulfilling hunting experiences I had. Oh, and one other thing, our base camp was surounded by three mountains, one was Flat Top forget the second one, but the middle is named, Iron Mtn!
JL :archer2:
That much time in the field is always a success! I still only have tag soup in my frezzer.
Sounds like a real good time. You could go chase some coyotes.
I just got back from my elk hunt. 15 days without seeing, hearing, or smelling an elk, so I can relate. I enjoy being in the mountains as much as anybody, but 15 days of seeing no elk is very frustrating, although I know how fortunate those of us who get to live in elk country are.
Luckily, whitetails and turkeys lie ahead, so there are lots of days of fun hunting in the near future.
Joe..do you think the drought had an effect on your hunting...I feel like it did over here and I know we don't hunt too far apart from each other...no elk for me either..Doug in Westcliffe CO.
Joe part of me feels bad for you ! Wow. . . three weeks. Some day. . . maye next year, I wanna do that.
I am seriously glad that you feel it was a success, in spite of no kills. I love my time outdoors and can hardly stand the wait until I am able to spend more than a week at a time.
ChuckC
I hear ya, it was the same for us! First time since I've been in Colorado that I did not pass or draw my bow on an elk! Went as long as a week without even seeing an elk, normally its daily or at worst every other day. Me and my dad did fill our bear and deer tags. Going to get a turkey this weekend then waiting for my doe tag and predators to open!
Ok thanks Joe.
This is what I love about being part of Trad Gang.... it is not about the kill, but more about the experience and then sharing it with others. Thanks for sharing your outing with us and good luck for next year. I hope to make it out West someday for an Elk hunt!