colonel bob

[7t9cobra]

Anyone on here hunt the colonel bob area? Ive been wanting to do a back country hunt for a long time, but work and the lack of a dedicated partner have kept me from doing anything. Colonel bob is the closest to me and i love that area. I would like to do a September trip  year. Im not a fan of beaten paths which is why I'd like to do a back country hunt. It drives me crazy when im driving to my favorite hunting area and i see truck after truck. Plus i like an adventure and always come home with cool stories even when i dont see what im hunting for.

[Solohunter84]

I am assuming you meant a september trip next year haha.  I am near you and also lack a decent hunting partner. plus anyone willing to really hike before hunting.  What were you thinking of hunting for up there?  I am pretty new to hunting and am learning the areas.  I have hiked a lot and have been told that colonel bob was a great hike.  would that be a high country hunt for buck? I am not afraid of a nice hike and pack out

[snowpack]

Col Bob was supposed to have a lot of work done to open up the trails.  Still some trees down from the 07 windstorm.  they had to get permission to take in chain saws and now are planning to take in explosives to clear rootwads from the trails.  When the fed government reopens might check with the ranger station about trail updates.

[bankwalker]

I spent a decent amount of time this spring in there scouting for deer/beer/elk and it wasn't very promising for deer. I had planned on getting in there for the high hunt this year. But the brutal reality was last spring/summer it was impossible to get away from people no matter where I hiked into.
I did see a few bucks out of one drainage. And a few elk in the adjacent drainage. Worth my time to hunt had I got the time away from work this last high hunt 

I spend more time in the steep stuff hunting bears. Hardly see much as far as deer for as much time as I spend in the area. 

[bmccalister]

My first high mountain deer hunt was in the Colonel Bob Wilderness. I would recommend stay away from the trails. People traveling the trails keep the animals away. We had some luck in the Gibson Creek drainage. You will have to get high. If you are looking for elk this is a good area especially up high close to the park boundary. We saw lots of elk sign during our hunt. I never did make it up to the top but if you do get away from where people camp and hike. Look for alpine meadows and look for deer beaded at the base of the rock outcroppings.

[pd]

This is a great thread.  I spent some time up there this year scouting. 

But then left, and went elsewhere.  I would be happy to talk.  Send me a message.

[7t9cobra]

Thanks for the info! Im not sure what i want to hunt for. Any big game, archery or modern. I would imagine starting modern would be better until i learn more about the area. Neither myself or my dad has had a blacktail worthy of a headmount so thats one of my goals. We havent put in the scouting time. Hes not committed enough. I figure if i can do any good out there, that maybe it will motivate him to take his out of work for a while.