I am interested in going on a backpacking style, DIY elk hunting archery hunt this next hunting season up in Colorado and was wondering if anyone had any advice on what unit(s) to try (over the counter tags). Also, has anyone been on this type of trip recently? Know of good units that hold good numbers of elk and don't have a ton of hunters? Thanks for the help!
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CDOW website will show you all kinds of info regarding number of hunters and success rates. I've hunted in GMU's 54 & 55. I believe these units no longer offer OTC for archery but I dont think they had enough request to fill the quotas so you could still buy OTC last year. -
I am planning a hunt like that, two things you will need!!!! Be in the best shape of your life, and maximum strength bear spray.Comment
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I went last year on a solo DIY archery hunt. It was a blast but it is also difficult! I saw one elk on public land he eventually came in to about 40 yards but was obscured by trees so I didn't get a shot.Originally posted by cb4128 View Post
There are a few things I think I learned. One is that I am not gonna be afraid to change entire drainages. I say I think I learned that because deer hunting has taught me that if you are in good habitat and not seeing deer they are there you just have to hunt harder. I was hearing some bugles after dark closeby and seeing sign, but the elk seemed to be nocturnal where I was. I met a guy that had arrowed one a few drainages over and he was seeing lots more than me. Further complicating things, on my way out I met a guy that says he arrowed a 5x5 (he had pics) in 2010 in the non-wilderness area not to far from the road (I spent most of my time a couple miles inside a wilderness area).
This is one thing I KNOW. No matter how good of shape you are in, you will wish you are in better shape. I think I am pretty fit and the air at 11,000 feet seemed mighty thin..... g
Another thing I KNOW that is a corollary to the first thing. When you get finished packing your backpack go through and remove about half the stuff you have. Next year I am gonna have a knife, my hunting tags, ultra lightweight shelter & bag, my weapon and a couple meals.
Elk are all over Colorado. Any of the high country wilderness units have'em and fewer hunters but just because they are there does not mean they are easy to find, at least in the daylight.Comment
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If you are willing to pack in a long ways and all up hill to the destination, then I can give you a spot that will put you out of the loop from most hunters and holds a lot of elk and some monsters, at least a few years ago they did. Not easy to get there and not easy to get an elk out unless you hire someone with pack animals. Huge area and great hunting. OTC tags also.Comment
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This is what I want to do. I do not mind hiking in 3-6 miles. Not sure I want to go in much father than 6 miles....2 miles up there feels like 10.Originally posted by Mudslinger View Post
I have one good spot thats about 3-4 miles in. If interested send me a PM.Comment
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Will be watching the advice here. Me and a buddy are planning to attempt this hunt this year. We have had a group go to new Mexico on a cow/ rifle hunt four 4 years in a row and have had 100% success each year. That was the minor leagues, ready to go to the majors! Keep the advice coming o wise ones!Comment
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My brother and I are going to do the same and already started to look at unit 70, 71,711, 75 and 751. Basically the lower San Juan National forest. If anyone has hunted those units and know where to start it would be much appreciated.
Here is an article that I found...
Elk On The Fringes How to find Colorado's biggest over-the-counter bulls
The three areas it points out is White River, Routt and San Juan. Of course this article looks a little old and could be out of date.Last edited by dtu11; 01-12-2012, 05:44 PM.Comment
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I'll be watching this as well. Want to do this before I get too old.
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Anyone interested in 751 or in the Wimenuche Wilderness and just south of Unit 76, I have the info. Been there for over 20 years.Comment
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Mudslinger, those units have OTC archery? Your avatar come from there?Comment
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in shape yes, bear spray for Colorado no. consider hiring an outfitter to do a drop camp. not too expensive and can help get you in and out of an area.Comment
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OTC tags in Unit 751. My bull came from a private HF ranch NW of Gunnison. I have seen plenty of bulls in Unit 751 that size and bigger. Great bull to cow ratio in that unit the last time I was there.Comment
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We would consider hunting in 751. My brother and I were trying to decide on one of those units in that area and it was all dependent on the info we could dig up. That would be awesome if we were to get some info on one of those!Comment
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I talked to a guy at the Colorado Dept of Wildlife office in Delores abt 2 years ago and he said that a lot of nice bulls are killed in a drainage called Rough Canyon which is East of Rico. He said there was a reason the drainage had that name but if you were tough enough to hunt there the odds were good that you would not be bothered by many other hunters and you might get a change at a monster.
I have a niece that lives near Walsenburg and her husbands brother killed one that scored 370 with a rifle during their rifle season a couple of months back. He was hunting somewhere between Walsenburg and LaVeta.
WayneComment
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