Colockum quality elk rifle tag 328 329

[rivercoug]

Hey all, I lucked out and drew the colockum quality elk rifle tag this year. I've been spending lots of time up there and really like the Swift Creek/Boulder Creek side and also spent some time up in the burns on the Reecer Creek/Table Mountain side. I'll be taking many trips up there between now and the hunt which starts Oct. 22. If anybody has any tips or other areas where I should spend some time, I'd love to hear from you. I want to give the animals up there the respect they are due by putting in miles on the boots. I'm also happy to share any information I get from going up there on where I'm seeing animals and where I'm not. Currently I'm not seeing a lot of fresh sign up there. I did see a small group of elk on the backside of the 3521 last week but that's about it. Wondering if the majority of the elk move out in the winter towards the East by the windmills and then move back in the fall? I know there are still elk in there in places, but with the weather, they are likely in the deep cool draws. Thanks all and appreciate you taking the time to read this.

[vandeman17]

Welcome to the site. Tell us a little about yourself in the introduction thread.

That should be a fun hunt. There are elk in there but like you said, they are in places with good cover, water and feed.

[Rainier10]

Congrats on the tag.  At that time of the year they are going to be running solo is my guess, off the beaten path and just holed up in a good spot with cover, food and water.  There will be enough hunters up there that you should be able to ask them where they are seeing the bulls.  Everyone with a general tag will be seeing big bulls at 30 yards, it's just the way it goes.

Good luck on the hunt and please follow up with a story after the hunt.

[rivercoug]

Thanks Vandeman and Rainier. And I just put a post in the intro page about myself, thanks for the advice on doing that.

[NOCK NOCK]

Welcome to the site. Tell us a little about yourself in the introduction thread.

That should be a fun hunt. There are elk in there but like you said, they are in places with good cover, water and feed.

 
Welcome, I drew one of the archery permits.  Got a bunch of cams out but still a couple weeks out from checking them. Have not seen a ton of sign, but they are there, just spread out, Colockum is a huge area.
I also know that the herd size is down from where it was a few years ago. Keep after it and you will find em

[Rainier10]

Thanks Vandeman and Rainier. And I just put a post in the intro page about myself, thanks for the advice on doing that.

I just replied to that one.  Click on the link in that, join the Virtual Campfire and I will move your intro thread in the VC so you will get more views.

[rivercoug]

Thanks NOCK NOCK, it is a lot of country to explore for sure. I was up there 2 days ago and it was warm. Only thing I ran into was a baby coyote in the timber. Looks like the elk had a party on the upper side of Swift creek but could have been a few weeks old. Let's keep in touch and I'll let you know what I see as I keep exploring.

[rivercoug]

Thanks Rainier, I joined the virtual campfire!

[teanawayslayer]

Thanks NOCK NOCK, it is a lot of country to explore for sure. I was up there 2 days ago and it was warm. Only thing I ran into was a baby coyote in the timber. Looks like the elk had a party on the upper side of Swift creek but could have been a few weeks old. Let's keep in touch and I'll let you know what I see as I keep exploring.

elk all over that canyon. Get to a good glassing spot first thing in the morning and there’s no reason you shouldn’t see them all over.

[bowhunterforever]

Welcome to site and congrats drawing a great tag Good luck

[C-Money]

Great tag!! Been wanting it for soooo long! Especially the year I spent a bit of time watching the "Colockum Hug Monster" Ohh how I wanted a tag to go in after him...and a nice fellow that drew got him.

[PlateauNDN]

The hug monster!!! Wow, who could forget the ensuing tale that followed that thread.

[Gentrys]

I was along the powerlines of Colockum road on July 2nd and saw over 100 head.  All cows and calves.  Good to see so many calves.
You're in for a great hunt! Enjoy as that's like a once in a lifetime draw anymore.

[rivercoug]

I was along the powerlines of Colockum road on July 2nd and saw over 100 head.  All cows and calves.  Good to see so many calves.
You're in for a great hunt! Enjoy as that's like a once in a lifetime draw anymore.

Thanks Gentrys! Definitely good to see a lot of calves for the next generations.

[coachcw]

congrats on a great tag . dont shoot the first bull you see !

[rivercoug]

congrats on a great tag . dont shoot the first bull you see !

Thanks Coach! It will be hard to hold out as I tend to get nervous, but with all the scouting I'll be doing, I hope to get my confidence up with the area to know that there are lots of good ones in there.

[Duckhunter14]

Congrats on the tag. You should have a great hunt! Shoot me a PM and we can talk more.

Clint

[coachcw]

that tag is worth eatring to find the right bull.

[throttlejocky20]

Cant wait to see the pics

[ian_padron]

My buddy had that tag in 2016 and shot a 360" bull on the 2nd to last day. He was after a bull that was pretty close to the 400 mark but he lived in an absolute HOLE. If you remember, it rained for about a week straight in October that year and the road going up Colockum pass was basically a muddy water slide.

I spend way too much time in the Colockum early in the year shed/turkey hunting, feel free to shoot me a PM and I'll get you headed in the right direction. That's always my 1st choice for quality elk. I've seen at least 3 bulls in those units that would tape out North of 375".

Getting away from the roads and into the lower reaches of the canyons is how you find the big boys back there.

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

[rivercoug]

My buddy had that tag in 2016 and shot a 360" bull on the 2nd to last day. He was after a bull that was pretty close to the 400 mark but he lived in an absolute HOLE. If you remember, it rained for about a week straight in October that year and the road going up Colockum pass was basically a muddy water slide.

I spend way too much time in the Colockum early in the year shed/turkey hunting, feel free to shoot me a PM and I'll get you headed in the right direction. That's always my 1st choice for quality elk. I've seen at least 3 bulls in those units that would tape out North of 375".

Getting away from the roads and into the lower reaches of the canyons is how you find the big boys back there.

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

Awesome I appreciate the info Ian! Im headed up there again Monday or Tuesday to set some cameras. I’ll PM you also...