co elk this year

[Glunt]

My #1 suggestion is go with the intent to kill an elk but with the expectation to have a great week in beautiful country working hard.  Killing elk isn't easy, killing them with a stick bow is pretty tough.  It's done all the time but the reality is most guys do not punch their tag.

That out of the way, eventhough its tough to tag out, its one of the funnest hunts a guy can do.

Once you settle on a "plan A" spot, have a "plan B" and "plan C" spot ready to go.  There is a whole bunch of great elk country out here that can have very few elk living in it at times.  

If you are backpacking, take your time getting to your spot.  You need your legs for the whole trip so don't burn them up getting a heavy load in. If you tag one and are alone, its quite an experience getting it out.

Be flexible.  I have backpacked into an area that wasn't so hot only find out the guys sleeping in comfy wall tents & campers at the trailhead were into some great hunting within 2 miles from the road.  

Be mentally prepared to stay optimistic.  Thats easy if you are into screaming bulls everyday, but it is darn tough after your 3rd or 4th day without seeing or hearing an elk.  

Get a good gps and learn it thoroughly. Also be prepared to find camp and the truck without a gps.

Plan on going again...its worse than crack.

[Chain2]

I am new to this ite but I have elk hunted in Wyoming and I am going again this fall. The lesson I learned is think abou the ounces. Remove as much weight as you can from what you are thinking of carrying. Depending on where you go, think of taking a water filter system, it is lighter to carry than water. Everything weighs twice as much over 6500'. Good Luck. If I could hunt only one thing the rest of my life it would be wapiti.

[Stick n' String]

I am a sea level flat-lander from South Texas. I made the decision to start elk hunting in about 2002 and have been at it every since. First and foremost, elk hunting is completely and totally different in virtually every way from whitetail hunting. If you are not in top shape, you will not only find your self unable to function well in the mountains but you will simply be miserable. If you are interested in doing a full-blown wilderness hunt, the mental aspect is as important as the physical. Count on being completely overwhelmed the first time out. I can recall sitting on a ridge in Colorado's Flat Top Wilderness on the first day of my first elk hunt and looking out over an entire basin system. It all looked good to me. It also looked huge and unmistakably daunting. Where was I to even begin? Time and familiarity with the country and elk habitat were the cure to that initial perplexity, and the knowledge I earned through toil, sweat, intense study and shoe leather allowed me to better "read" the country in precisely the same manner as a skilled angler learns to "read" the water. After all, 90% of the elk will occupy roughly 10% of the country. If you learn to find where those pockets are located, you will be "in" the elk. If you don't, you will find yourself on what amounts to a week long wilderness nature hike.

I would strongly recommend looking into a high elk density unit in which tags are relatively easy to acquire. I began hunting the Flattops in Colorado and that certainly fit the bill with what is heralded as the largest elk herd density in the US. Next, consider the fact that high elk density areas are generally heavily pressured areas. In my humble and informed opinion, getting away from the crowds (ie., the trail head access points) is one of the critical elements of success on public land. Using a credible drop camp outfitter allowed me to accomplish this task without shelling out a prohibitive amount of cash. A good drop camp outfitter will take you in to the backcountry along with your gear on horseback and deposit you in a previously erected cabin tent with cut wood, a camp stove and other amenities. That saves you time and adds to the comfort aspect of the hunt. It also allows you to wake up several miles or more from the guys who are having to drive to and hike in from the road. If you kill an elk, you simply radio the outfitter and they pick up your critter, usually the following day. That is huge. The drop camp outfitter can also offer useful tips and local knowledge that will substantially flatten the overall learning curve I mentioned above.

These days I generally back-pack hunt and do most of my scouting from topographical and satellite photos when hunting new country.It is more physically demanding, but I am now looking for better quality bulls. I managed to kill a 300 inch 6X on my last wilderness hunt in an OTC unit and the other two guys in our party, all experienced hands, had opportunities at P&Y class bulls. As successful as this approach is for me now, I would not recommend it to a newbie. It has taken me years to afford and acquire the proper gear and, more importantly, the knowledge of where to go and how to strategize my hunting.

As a side note, the Elk 101 site is a great source for beginner information. Don Laubach has a great book out called "Elk Talk" that covers the subject of elk behavior in detail. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation website also contains some great information. Read and study all you can.

Good luck! You will have a blast, regardless of how you approach the hunt or where you go. Send me a PM in the event you would like my recommendation for drop camp outfitters.

[Stick n' String]

As a side note, I did not actually arrow an elk until my third year hunting the same high-density elk country. As many of the posters indicated above; temper your expectations. The more you hunt elk and learn a particular habitat, the closer you will come to achieving a kill. Of course, I know of several first time elk hunters who killed bulls on the first day of their first hunt. I would not count on that kind of luck!

[Smithhammer]

Lots of great advice here. One thing I'll add - hunting elk is not like hunting deer. I don't just mean terrain, I mean strategy. There are times when you might be using an apparoach similar to how you would hunt deer, but there are also times when you must go after elk more aggressively - pursue bulls, make noise, flank and set up, etc. You can't always just sit and wait for the elk to come to you, in my experience. This tends to be a shift for most people who have only hunted deer previously.

[Wacko_One]

New here, so let's see if I get this right.
I fully agree with the above comment about addiction. I've been going to CO for the last ten years, sometimes 2 or 3 trips. One of the early decisions should be DIY or guided. I have always done DIY, backpack hunts.  My area was easy to pick because I knew someone in the area that owned a ranch near National Forest and he reported seeing a lot of elk there.  My cost is usually around $1000-$1200.  That's tags, food, and fuel.  You can split fuel if you go with a few others.  The advice on getting is shape is good.  Also, learn what you can about elk vocalization.  Most of the hunting videos aren't good for that, but there are some others videos out there with real information in them.  Have a good map of the area you want to hunt, and any alternatives.  Plan for the maximum number of days you can hunt, seven is too short. The unit I hunt, and others I have researched, have about a 14% success rate-realize you may spend that time and money without bringing home meat. BUT, it's definitely worth going.

[4dogs]

PM sent.

[fnshtr]

It IS addictive. I hunted Montana once and Colorado 3 times before connecting. I went on drop camp hunts the first two times in Colorado and learned a lot. It was on my first DIY pack in wilderness hunt in 2010 that I killed my first elk (a 4X5).

All of the above advice is good. Having a buddy or (better yet) two with you will make it a safer, more successful trip.

Have fun!

[Smithhammer]

Oh, and don't believe the Primos videos - 9 times out of 10, calling should be kept to a minimum, if at all.

As other have said, it will get under your skin. I'm already dreaming about next season. As I drove home today, there were a dozen wapiti on the hillside behind my house...

[awbowman]

For what it's worth, I went on my first Colorado elk hunt this past September with three friends.  I think the two things I learned most of all were:

1) You cannot underestimate the need for CARDIO training.   It's even more important IMO than strength training.  WE hunted early and high (about 10,500', usually approaching 11,000').  I dropped 20#s and was able to lug a 45# pack three miles up and down 30' hills without breaking a sweat, and I did some strength training also. I had a very rough time with the hunt (10 days).  I cannot stress enough mental preparedness also. The mental part of the hunt is harder than the physical.   Not so much the hunting, but had we killed, it would have been the two most miserable days of my life packing it out WITH THREE OTHER PEOPLE.  Coming from 30' above sea level had a lot to do with it, but I wish I would have concentrated on cardio more than strength training.  Go SLOW the first couple of days, let the binos do your walking.  BTW I'm 51.

Secondly, do not underestimate the importance of studying topo and aerial maps.  We picked a place with elk, but they were very hard to get to, VERY HARD!  We had a great time, but the physical exhaustion of hunting very rugged country,  getting rained, sleeted, or snowed on EVERY DAY for 10 days, and sleeping in a tent was draining beyond belief.

Not trying to discourage you, but let having fun and enjoying the experience govern the first couple of times you go.  There is time to kill an elk.  I myself wouldn't have missed it for the world.

[TJK68]

This is a very good thread, as I am planning the same thing as you with a couple of buddies. The only advantage I have is that I know a guy that lives out there and works on gas wells in some remote areas. He drives around all day checking wells and said he could put us in the Elk. I am getting very excited as he hunts alot himself and says he will even take a couple days off and hunt with us and do some calling for us. I am not sure of the area, still in the planning phase, but I am sure looking forward to going. Thanks for the advice guys.
Tom

[DKdc]

Lots of good stuff here. DONT WEAR COTTON the weather in the high country can change in a hurry. Look for the steep and deep on topos and google earth. I generally hunt uphill. Learn how to bone out meat. I never carry any bones. You dont necessarily need to go on a back packing trip> look on topos and find areas that have 1000ft of steep vert and then bench. Less than a 1000 and and it is likely to get some pressure. Later in the season is better for animals talking, the last week is usually best for me. I have a spot where if the elk dont see any pressure they will continually do the same things due to terrain. I hunt at tree line where the elk can be above timberline at night, rut and feed on grass and willows, then head back to the trees first thing in the morning. I am mostly an ambush hunter. PM me if this doesnt make sense take care DK

[Joshua Long]

I am taking notes.  I just moved to CO from OH.  I plan on muleys first to start out learning the area.  I need to get in mountain shape for sure.  Then elk for me.  A lot for a rollin' hill Ohio boy to adjust to (tree stands and whitetails).

[Homebru]

I'm gonna add a couple more comments.  Why?  Read the thread.  Until you've done this, it's hard to express how this hunting can "grab hold of you".  I haven't done it long but I've been bitten.

It's largely a mental game.  You have to hunt hard and SMART.

The hunt and country is beautiful.  Enjoy yourself.

Have Plan A and Plan B.  Remember what that takes.  If you want to be "off the beaten path" expect a days travel from the truck.  Call that 6 miles.   You want to give yourself 2 days hunting from that site,as an example.  No elk?  Move on.  But, that's a day back to the trailhead.  One day in.  Two days hunting.  One day back to the trailhead.  Still counting?  You're 4 days in and no elk.  Plan for this (4 days per plan) and life is good (minimum hunt of 8 days plus one day flying on each end for a total of 10 day hunt for a "plan B" hunt and you're okay) and life is good.  Don't plan for those 10 days and a "plan B" hunt sucks.

Not trying to be a downer, trying to be a realist and helpful.  I live here and if I don't plan 10 days to hunt elk, I only get "plan A".  It takes 10 days for a "plan B" hunt.....unless you're hunting from a truck......which is fine.......it works........just THINK about your hunt and expectations FIRST.

Elk hunting is liken turkey hunting on major steroids with really big hills.  It gets under your skin.  It's fun, but even more fun if you get a chance to think it through and plan ahead.

Hope this helps.  I'm getting excited by typing.  Can you tell?
homebru

[ShadeMt]

Homebru makes many good points about getting way back in "off the beaten path".   It is real easy to look at topos and aerials to forumulate a hunt plan that might be way over your physical abilities.  In reality it can be a recipe for frustration and discouragement.  After 13 years of elk hunting I prefer to backpack hunt off the beaten path, but for a first trip I would try to tag along with some experienced elk hunter in a proven area or look at an area that will enable you to "get your feet wet" with some moderate terrain so as to not get overwhelmed.

[Wacko_One]

If going with one or more buddies, be sure you can all get along for that amount of time. It's one thing to hang out with them for an evening, and another to live with them for 10 days. I live near you and drive every year with one other person, 16 hours from home to mountain. Lively conversation can make the drive easier. Know how to handle one of your group wanting to leave early-tagged out, homesick, physically beat-up, whatever else.
If you pack in and kill an elk late in your hunt, make sure it's OK to show back up home or work a day or two later than you planned. Buy a small game tag. Grouse are fun to chase and pretty good eating. A breast feather on dental string makes a good wind indicator.

[Over&Under]

Originally posted by Glunt:
My #1 suggestion is go with the intent to kill an elk but with the expectation to have a great week in beautiful country working hard.  Killing elk isn't easy, killing them with a stick bow is pretty tough.  It's done all the time but the reality is most guys do not punch their tag.

That out of the way, eventhough its tough to tag out, its one of the funnest hunts a guy can do.

Once you settle on a "plan A" spot, have a "plan B" and "plan C" spot ready to go.  There is a whole bunch of great elk country out here that can have very few elk living in it at times.  

If you are backpacking, take your time getting to your spot.  You need your legs for the whole trip so don't burn them up getting a heavy load in. If you tag one and are alone, its quite an experience getting it out.

Be flexible.  I have backpacked into an area that wasn't so hot only find out the guys sleeping in comfy wall tents & campers at the trailhead were into some great hunting within 2 miles from the road.  

Be mentally prepared to stay optimistic.  Thats easy if you are into screaming bulls everyday, but it is darn tough after your 3rd or 4th day without seeing or hearing an elk.  

Get a good gps and learn it thoroughly. Also be prepared to find camp and the truck without a gps.

Plan on going again...its worse than crack.

Well stated indeed!!  Exactly what I would have said if Glunt had not beat me to it!

[jhg]

Originally posted by randy grider:
Most any gear will do if you are camping at the truck....

My suggestion is to plan your hunt using the truck basecamp method. And don't think you can't find plenty of deep, remote and hard to reach country doing it. You can easily. It all depends on you and your skills/fitness.

One benefit of using  this method is it frees you up to make some mistakes. As you learn your area first hand and in following years you can amend how much (or if) you use a truck base.

Also, IMO, this is the absolute cheapest way to DIY hunt from out of state. As suggested, it lets you use gear that may not fly on a hike in camp. It allows you to buy groceries that can be had at the typical store. It allows you to acquire bivy gear over time. Being young, you WILL want to bivy some of the time at some point.

Do not underestimate calorie intake. Figure out your own meals to be 1)easy to prepare and 2)provide lots of carbos and protein.

Research "SteriPen" and water filters. Do not acquire Giardia as part of your trips "story".

***Learn about sport drink mixes. A real bonus to have for the wilderness athlete/hunter and even a deal saver if you push yourself hard physically.

And bring a good dose of patience. It takes a lot of time/effort to learn an area well. It takes seasons, so don't feel bad if where you hunt, or how, is not the most effective.

***Don't buy into the cotton is what I use and never had a problem advice either. It can get very cold with sleet, rain and snow (for days in some years) even during archery season and if you take a chance using gear that won't keep you warm while its wet you will then be sorry.

Rock on!


Joshua

[jhg]

BTW, if you plan to hunt wilderness areas or big country:

know your compass skills cold.

Even if you use a GPS. You MUST be able to navigate while in the dark, exhausted, mentally tired, using map and a compass. (In case the GPS fails).

[Matty]

Some great points here but one that can never be over stated. Get in Great Cardio Health and have Strong STABLE legs. The last few years here the weather has been WARM 80's warm with cold over nights / frost in the am. hours so prepare for ALL weather conditions.  And be optimistic but realize elk hunting is NOT like watching a Primos Video. Sleeping in a tent on the floor is energy zapping on its own Much less all the hiking.  Lastly hunting Public land OTC units you will be seeing more hunters than wild life.  It's just the nature of the sport. Do your homework and good luck!!