First time elk hunt need help

[300_whisper]

I was laughing at Jack O'Connell, not your beloved 270, I just assumed he meant Jack O'Conner.

I caught that lol. I wasn’t going to say anything. You guys are funny.

 

[jds holler]

I'd also mention that if you are at all inclined, bow hunting is a great way to hunt elks, and maybe the best way to put yourself close to a rutting bull. No, I've not yet killed one that way, but I've been close, and don't feel cheated because I didn't close the deal. jd

 

[L.Sherm]

Dont take this wrong but being in shape at sea level is different at 5,000-7,000ft or above

 

[300_whisper]

@jds holler I’m not a bow hunter. I went one time, and it just pissed me off. Hahaha

@L.Sherm my buddy is actually a hiker and moutain climbing type dude. He has all these certificates about these mountains he’s climbed around the world. No idea what that’s about.

I run a ton, and have been at elevation for several months at a time through my career. That is a good point though. I need to figure out a more endurance type work out. Right now I’m being a meat head and lifting a lot.

 

[284winner]

Dont take this wrong but being in shape at sea level is different at 5,000-7,000ft or above

It is but after about 2 days in those elevations, an in shape hunter will adjust fast. May even get altitude sickness the first day or two but that will go away too.

 

[284winner]

@jds holler I’m not a bow hunter. I went one time, and it just pissed me off. Hahaha

@L.Sherm my buddy is actually a hiker and moutain climbing type dude. He has all these certificates about these mountains he’s climbed around the world. No idea what that’s about.

I run a ton, and have been at elevation for several months at a time through my career. That is a good point though. I need to figure out a more endurance type work out. Right now I’m being a meat head and lifting a lot.

If you'll have a pack on during your mountain navigation, wear it when you do your workouts at home. Jog with it and walk inclines with it. Same weight you'll be packing in the mountains. Be advised to buy excellent boots also. Bring lots of moleskin for blisters as they are common. Don't kid yourself, weight training is very good for your endurance and carrying loads.

 

[Evan]

I don't like hunting in Colorado, but there are more elk in Colorado than all other states combined

That may be true, but they aren't in the common draw areas. They're clever and seem to get deep in away from the hunters by the time the season opens. Unless you have permission to hunt on private land or draw a primo area, you're more than likely going to spend a lot of time looking without finding elk in Colorado. Also expect tough terrain in Colorado. If you can't handle thousands of feet of gain in a day, then you're limiting your chances; your elk could be just over the next ridge and you've gotta be fit enough to cross the valley and climb the ridge in a reasonably quick manner to find out.

30-06 all the way. Classic elk gun.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

not me mixed up my Jacks was one off !!!

I aint touchin that one

 

[284winner]

That may be true, but they aren't in the common draw areas. They're clever and seem to get deep in away from the hunters by the time the season opens. Unless you have permission to hunt on private land or draw a primo area, you're more than likely going to spend a lot of time looking without finding elk in Colorado. Also expect tough terrain in Colorado. If you can't handle thousands of feet of gain in a day, then you're limiting your chances; your elk could be just over the next ridge and you've gotta be fit enough to cross the valley and climb the ridge in a reasonably quick manner to find out.

30-06 all the way. Classic elk gun.

Colorado does have more elk than any other state and yes they have draw areas on public land that's high pressure and even tho high numbers of elk, very pressured elk. You'll need to find elk in that scenario so over the next mountain and into a draw three times is the case many times BUT if you have an outfitter in Colorado, it's a different game. They have private access, or horses to make public land a dream to hunt.

 

[th82457]

For sure put in for preference points at least in Wyoming & Colorado. Even a point or two may open up the possibility of an either sex tag or a desirable muzzleloader tag or private land tag. Colorado rules will change for 2020 - but current rules place muzzleloader season roughly during the last two weeks of September - rut timing. 100 to 150 yards is not out of the question with a good load in a muzzleloader. It could be longer - but Colorado requires no optics, no sabots & loose powder. We found using a good rear peep site with Thor bullets & Blackhorn 209 powder really made an accurate combo. As noted above - especially for 1st time elk hunters - enlisting a guide for a drop camp pack-into prime country can get you away from the crowds for less than a fully guided hunt. They usually provide a horse pack-in & out several miles along with a tent camp, cots, wood stove, etc. Then you are on your own to hunt on foot. Another option is to pay a trespass fee to gain access to private land that may see less hunting pressure. Wherever you go, elk require security cover & food. Find both and few hunters and you should see elk. Good luck - but beware elk hunting gets in your blood and may become a regular habit !

 

[oldroper]

For sure put in for preference points at least in Wyoming & Colorado. Even a point or two may open up the possibility of an either sex tag or a desirable muzzleloader tag or private land tag. Colorado rules will change for 2020 - but current rules place muzzleloader season roughly during the last two weeks of September - rut timing. 100 to 150 yards is not out of the question with a good load in a muzzleloader. It could be longer - but Colorado requires no optics, no sabots & loose powder. We found using a good rear peep site with Thor bullets & Blackhorn 209 powder really made an accurate combo. As noted above - especially for 1st time elk hunters - enlisting a guide for a drop camp pack-into prime country can get you away from the crowds for less than a fully guided hunt. They usually provide a horse pack-in & out several miles along with a tent camp, cots, wood stove, etc. Then you are on your own to hunt on foot. Another option is to pay a trespass fee to gain access to private land that may see less hunting pressure. Wherever you go, elk require security cover & food. Find both and few hunters and you should see elk. Good luck - but beware elk hunting gets in your blood and may become a regular habit !

Muzzleloader elk Co this year is Sept 14-22nd and archery is from Aug31-Sept29th.

Muzzleloader has always been 9 day season beside elk tag you can draw deer/bear tag.

https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/H...Big-Game-Season-Structure-Dates-2015-2019.pdf

 

[Sekora]

If you go the outfitter route, do your research. I did a drop camp hunt in 2017 and thought we'd be really far into the public land and in the elk. That was not the case. We were a little over a mile from the parking lot camped very close to the main trail. There were very few elk around. 7 to be exact. 1 nocturnal bull we jumped while walking out in the dark, and a group of a spike, and 5 cows. Between the hunters at the main camp and the drop camps, I think there was approximately 30 total. 3 bulls were killed. I got the feeling before the hunt we were not in a good area by talking to the outfitter but we were already booked and I knew anything was possible as long as I was in the woods. It ended up being an expensive camping trip for me but I enjoyed it and can't wait to go back. I will go to a different area though and do more research, have a lighter rifle, and a warmer sleeping bag.

 

[rockrat]

I have read that an aspirin (one) will help with the altitude sickness. I believe it is supposed to thin the blood a bit and help with circulation

 

[spencerhenry]

acclimation as I remember it is about 1000' per day to be fully aclimated.

As a Colorado resident of 32 years, I would suggest hunting a state other than Colorado. While I have no experience hunting other states, it seems that the concensus is that Colorado has the most pressure. But, you can show up here and buy a tag, just don't expect quality animals and a quality hunt where anyone can show up and hunt.

 

[oldhoward]

HI, not to change the subject but you could do a South Africa hunt for several animals for the cost of an elk hunt in the USA. If your interested check out African hunting . com. Just a thought not trying to change your mind.

 

[284winner]

acclimation as I remember it is about 1000' per day to be fully aclimated.

As a Colorado resident of 32 years, I would suggest hunting a state other than Colorado. While I have no experience hunting other states, it seems that the concensus is that Colorado has the most pressure. But, you can show up here and buy a tag, just don't expect quality animals and a quality hunt where anyone can show up and hunt.

You are pretty accurate on that point. I'm not a resident and it took me 5 years to find the sweet spot in the wilderness area I hunt. The first 4 years were scouting trips basically. I mean I had an opportunity to kill on a couple of the hunts but cows only. Wanted a bull so waited. I ate 4 tags before killing bull elk. The key is getting where the elk live and stay just outside that zone and walk in from a spike camp. My base camp was at the parking area and my spike camp was 4.7 miles into the mountain about 3/4 mile from the elk area. We found elk most years just under treeline(8500-9500') Once we found Wallows, Rubs and good elk sign daily, we were finally ecstatic. Just takes time unless you go outfitted.

 

[FeMan]

One option you might consider is buying a landowner tag. Some are unit-wide, some private land only, and in some states they can be for multiple seasons. If you research and pay for a good one, you could have a great hunt and forgo the guide costs and public land circus. Some LO tags are stupid expensive, but others (like cow tags) can be reasonably priced. If you are interested in landowner tags, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada have some good opportunities.

As was mentioned above, coming out in a general season and fighting the crowds without knowing the area can be a low-odds scenario and very frustrating. I cow hunt in Colorado in a unit I know very well. I know where I am going and start hiking in at 2 am. I usually see a minimum of 200 cows at dawn and am tagged out by sun up. After 9 am, I never see another elk and I am 5 miles from the road (packing meat all day). You sound like you have the determination to do it, but without knowing exactly what to do you would be sweating in vain in my area. Hunting on the right private land can be awesome.

One other personal rule I use for big game is I limit my range to the point where the bullet energy (in ft-lbs) drops below 3-times the animals live weight (in lbs.). It depends on the bullet, but I like to have 1,800 to 2,000 fps of retained velocity as well to ensure expansion. If you can shoot beyond 300 yards and meet those numbers, I wouldn't necessarily limit yourself. Where I hunt elk it is wide open sage for the most part and it is tough to get that close.

Anyway, my opinions. Hope that helps.

 

[spencerhenry]

You are pretty accurate on that point. I'm not a resident and it took me 5 years to find the sweet spot in the wilderness area I hunt. The first 4 years were scouting trips basically. I mean I had an opportunity to kill on a couple of the hunts but cows only. Wanted a bull so waited. I ate 4 tags before killing bull elk. The key is getting where the elk live and stay just outside that zone and walk in from a spike camp. My base camp was at the parking area and my spike camp was 4.7 miles into the mountain about 3/4 mile from the elk area. We found elk most years just under treeline(8500-9500') Once we found Wallows, Rubs and good elk sign daily, we were finally ecstatic. Just takes time unless you go outfitted.

Treeline around here is 12,100. 8500 to 9500 is considered lower country. Hell, I live at 8400.

 

[284winner]

Where we hunted it was 10.5k. We traded deer and elk tracks for mountain goat tracks. Even saw some while we hunted. Pretty cool stuff. Never looked into a tag for goats or even if the are huntable in Co.

 

[Devin Wiggett]

I have done many back country fly in hunts in Idaho with varied success, but always enjoyed the experience. The aircraft can give you access into wilderness areas, then backpack to your destination. We would usually set up a tent at the airstrip and store extra gear in case it was needed. Check with some of the charter services in Mccall, Cascade, and Salmon they are also a wealth of knowledge in regards to the areas to hunt.
Reintroducing the Wolves has definitely changed some of the areas, so do your homework.