Well this is the year for me. Im going to co for elk come hell or highwater. What i need from you all is everything else. Where to go what to bring how much money and any other advice. Hopefully i will jave a few pthwr people with me familiar with the game, but regardless om going. Probably otc tags but im still kist planning and getting in shape.

Thats an adventure I wish I was on. My dad and his friends used to go (10 years straight) and do it themselves, a 2-3 week hunt on the mountain. One day I will follow in his footsteps.
I wish all the luck and a safe trip.

David:

First step is to go the the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) website and download the elk statistics for each big game hunt unit.  There are data on success ratios, number of tags available, probablity of drawing a tag, etc.  Use this information to narrow the field a bit in terms of areas that sound best to you.  Then come back with some more specific questions.

I hunted the White River National Forest unit 12 and 23. Its a OTC tag. Give yourself plenty of time and get back off the roads ! Plenty of elk but lots of hunters close to roads. Just remember elk are large animals to pack out.

Adrian is spot-on.  CO is the easiest state IMO for someone without previous experience to bowhunt for elk.  

Getting in shape is critical regardless of where you hunt.  You will walk for miles over lots of fallen timber with your gear.  Believe me it's not just walking up and down hills with a load on your back!  The number one issue most hunters have in hunting the West for the first time has to do with good footwear and proper conditioning.  Get the very best hunting/hiking boots you can possibly afford well before you go and hike lotsand lots of miles in them well before you go out West accordingly.

Allow yourself a day or two to climatize yourself to the area and the altitude before you do a lot any hunting or hiking there.  While you are doing this, shoot your bow.  The thin air and spacious area really plays tricks on your ability to judge distances.  

This is also a great time to do some research on your designated hunting area and your quarry.  Get out your glass and do some serious scouting.  Try to pattern what the elk are doing well before going after them.  Talk to the other hunters in the area to find out what's happening with the elk and the various predators out there.  

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the time you have out there it likely won't be the last elk or Western trip you make afterwards!

Most any gear will do if you are camping at the truck. If you want to pack in and go after remote wilderness area elk (no ATV areas) its gonna take some better (more expensive!) gear. Don't let it bluff you out of going though. A good,lightweight sleeping bag and pad are a must,You could get by with a tarp as tent if money is tight, but the quality bag is a must. Better get one rated for 0 degree, 20 deg at the very least.You can get by with a canteen cup stove and fuel tablets for cooking, its light, and cheap. Gatorade bottles are good enough for water bottles. go on youtube and lookup "ultralight camping" or "DIY backpacking gear", lots of neat ideas from folks that have been there and done that.

Pardon the interruption: Unit 12 is not OTC except on private land

The last time I went, We did OTC tags. We hunted the  Blanco River Basin area. Drove up the National Forest road until we hit the 8,000 foot point and pulled off the road where we found a large flat spot and set up camp. Our daily walk was 1-1/2 miles in and then out, twice a day. Like was said before. Get in shape, and it will still take a few day to acclimate. Words of advice. Be prepared to pack out a horse size animal over multiple trips. Keep your camp clean and trash kept away from camp and preferably tied up high suspended. There are bears in them there woods. We had one visit us nightly to make sure the habachi was licked clean.    

Physical conditioning?  I like to think of it as stepping from one soup can to another, two steps at a time (think basement steps), with a pack on, moving as slowly as you can.  

As stated above, it's NOT just walking up and down hills with a pack on.  You've got plenty of timber / weeds / rocks to step over and you can't just clod along when you're in the company of elk.

Of course, if you're hunting from roads and following trails, it can be a bit easier but you've ultimately got to get "off the beaten path" no matter what you're doing....and you're always gonna have rocks and timber to step over.

Here's some context.  I have a college buddy that's financially doing well.  He has Mt Everest on his "bucket list" and he's not one to back down from his "wild ideas" (and he has the money to climb Everest).  He spent 7 days with me and a small group backpacking in and he's amended his bucket list to "base camp" on Everest.  He also runs sprint triathlons for entertainment and exercise.  He's in good shape.

Also, it's a mental game.  Each year I find myself next to a stream telling myself "I make a better trout fisherman than an elk hunter".  But, I push on and enjoy the hunt.....and I'm usually planning the next hunt before I'm home.

Take my advice for what it's worth.  
homebru

Good info guys. Ive hit up co's website a few times a week and have been stewing. I want the deep woods elk myself. Of im goong im getting away. Im planning on 10 days total as well. The conditioning is already on the way. Im heavy now, but have done trialthalons and lots of soccer in the past, but mothing at altitude.

Seems to me there was a very good post on here a few years ago that was a full "text" book of numerous posts on how to plan and carry out a mt. hunt (I think elk).  Maybe someone else can remember.

Dan- still in KS!

I live in Rifle, CO and am able to draw an archery tag for area 33 and the southern parts of 23 and 24 every year. My hunting buddy from N.Y draws about 50% of the time.All these areas (and area 12) are all draw units for archery.Good luck on your elk quest. I've been chasing them for 30 years. The anticipation and excitement never changes. I feel blessed to live here.

I have lived in Durango my whole life most the units around here are over the counter. The elk are pretty scarce right now, in my opinion but anyone can get a tag for 74 75 751 and a few others around here. Let me know if I can help.
DK

I went on my first elk hunt this past fall.  Spent 500+ for a either sex tag. I'm lucky and my dad lives in colorado so he can do his homework on where to go . He did a lot of scouting before I got out there. Needless to say I didnt know what I was getting my self into.  I Alwayse  dreamed of elk hunting. We did it the right way but the hard way. We packed in a long way 4 miles from the truck. It took us like 4 hours with 60lbs of gear a piece to get to our camp site. We wanted to get away from all the other hunters. Once we got back there it was worth it but extremely grueling. I got lucky and shot a bull on the 4th day. So imagine packing that bull out and our camp. Again extremely grueling . I want to do this again I love the west and love elk hunting but I will be wiser next ime and rent horses to help carry our gear and your meat if you kill one. I am someone who can't hunt around other hunters so hunting close to the truck is not a option for me. So getting way back there is key. Elk hunting is awesome . Not trying to ster you away from it.  Just telling you to be prepared

Don't do it or You will get addicted I know I am a elkahololic I need a meeting. I have hunted CO every time except one they are out of state friendly. I have been doing packin hunts the last two years and I love them I walk about 8 miles a day and loose 10lbs during my hunts. The best thing I did for myself to get ready is two things GET A GOOD PACK it is worth every penny. Second put about 40lbs in it and hike about 4 miles two uphill and 2 downhill 2 to 3 times a week and if you like jogging have at it also. I found this has been the best thing I have done to get ready get your body use to having weight one it and walking. The other advise I have is to take alitude ajustment they have a web sight it is herbs and IT WORKS would not leave home without it. As far as shooting practice at longer distances 30 plus I use med weight arrows 517gr with woodsman elites at 174fps and have no fear it will do the job. If you would like to talk about it or want some gear advice from what I have used and found out just pm me I would like to help a future Elkaholic.    Widow

O and by the way you can do a diy elk hunt for 1000 to 1200 dollars just put back 100 a month and you can go every year I plan going every year until I get to old to do it.   Widow

DVS I'm in the same boat you are! I just got the OK from my wife to get a CO cow elk tag. I'm not sure where I'm going, when, or how but I"M GOING! I'll be watching this thread closely.    

And then john sends me this like the wait isnt gonna be hard enough! Haha  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=107590;p=3

I have been hunting elk for almost twenty years and have a few things to consider:
1. I live at 6000 ft. In elevation. I see people at this altitude get altitude sickness. Double that andI locals get it! If you plan on hiking way back in give yourself a day or two to acclimate or you could hike in and find yourself hardly able to get out of bed for two days.
2. If you have a good four wheel drive truck, you can get far into areas and then hike in a couple of miles each day planning circular routes. This will let you cover a lot of the back country ground to find elk and you canhunt different drainages every day and explore. Lots to find out here besides just the animals. Plus can make for a more enjoyable camp. And you can look at the map and move camp much easier.
3. Keep in mind that cell service is real spotty at best out here. If you are carrying your camp 8 miles back in and get hurt, the littlest thing can turn into life or death because no easy access to get to EMS.
4. Remeber if you get a elk down way back in there, you have to get it, you, and your camp back out. It could take up to 6 or 8 trips to get it all out. That's a lot of miles!
5. Cameron Haynes trains year round and lives in the country and he says it difficult!
Not trying to discourage you, just want to get you thinking.
Good luck and God Bless! And anyone can pm me if they want to discuss some areas to go or ask any questions. I am by no means perfect at this but I have quite a bit of experience.

You may also want to read this thread to.


http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=059344#000000