Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: sirmissalot on October 05, 2011, 02:32:52 PM
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Hey guys, has anyone on here done a DIY Colorado archery elk hunt?
I'm thinking about doing one next year. My second choice would be Wyoming, but I'm building up my points there again and don't want to burn any up, and Colorado has a lot of good things going for it as far as elk goes.
Me and a couple of my friends are just starting to think about it. I did a hunt for archery elk in wyoming last year and it was an absolute blast, we were on elk every day, morning and night, heard more bugles than I could even come close to counting on every hunt. Some of you guys may even be interested in coming along. We are all hardcore and would probably do it backpack style, with a main camp somewhere by the vehicles.
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Hunted unit 21(about 20 miles out of Rangely) last year , was going to be a 10 day trip but got cut short due to partners health. The first morning we called in a nice bull, then nothing for a couple of days , then we had to head home.
Would i do it again?? yes but would want to check out other areas.
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I'm in the same position as you. I've been wanting to go to Colorado for years, just haven't been able to nail it down and get enough guys that can get the time off or afford it. I would be game for sure. Don't know much about it, but my neighbor goes every year and hunts public land. Is it a over the counter deal? or drawing? (i guess i can look it up online too)
Backpacking in would be an experience like none other. PM me if you want.
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I've hunted Colorado twice. Both times in Unit 12, it took 2 points to get drawn then but that was ten years ago. The area I hunted was BLM land on top, surrounded by private hunting ranches in the bottom. There were more elk than I've ever seen.... It was some of the best hunting I've ever been a part of. There is a few large bulls in there (pushing 300") but most of them small 5 points "ranch bulls". We rented horses from a local outfitter and packed in about 6 or so miles. Its alot of work taking care of the horses for 10 days but they made it nice when we got an elk down. Colorado manages their elk for quantity vs. quallity, but when your on elk all day-every day its a blast. Hope your able to go, it will be a trip you'll never forget. Good Luck :tup:
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we are doing a otc rifle 2nd season. colorado has a lot of elk.
the thing we did is apply 1 season and got a point but are still going otc I think you can do the same with archery. look in to the nw corner
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I'm in the same position as you. I've been wanting to go to Colorado for years, just haven't been able to nail it down and get enough guys that can get the time off or afford it. I would be game for sure. Don't know much about it, but my neighbor goes every year and hunts public land. Is it a over the counter deal? or drawing? (i guess i can look it up online too)
Backpacking in would be an experience like none other. PM me if you want.
There are a ton of areas in Colorado that are over the counter tags, I would try and draw a tag for a better unit and if I didn't draw I would just hunt over the counter. I've always had the same problem of no one with any money or being able to get time off, along with most guys don't want to give up hunting here in our own state, but once you experience GOOD elk hunting, especially with a bow, you won't even think about hunting around here.
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I've hunted a great deal in Colorado. Mainly in the southwestern portion of the state. There are many good units to hunt in. Do you have time to scout the area in the summer prior to your hunt? It's difficult to be successful without knowing the general area you intend to hunt. Is this a trophy hunt? That will help narrow down the units you may want or can hunt. Maps can help but only so much. Colorado has a great big game dvd that provides a ton of info and is a good investment. What shape are in you in? This is high country and the terrain can be tough. I took a friend from back east on a hunt and he could barely function due to altitude sickness. He got better after a couple days but it was costly in terms of time.
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This wouldn't at all be a trophy hunt, just looking to get in on some better action than I can find around here in Washington. The reason I bow hunt is because its more action packed and exciting (especially when the bulls are talking) but lately my hunts here in my own state its been tough to get in on elk, at least not compared to how it is in other states. I would be able to make one scouting trip in the summer, maybe 2 depending on how much fish killing I want to do. I'm in decent enough shape, the high country hunting doesn't bother me a bit thats mostly what I do other than lowland hunting in behind closed gates. Altitude doesn't bother me, my hunt in Wyoming last year our camp was at 9,000 and we hunted at 10-11,000. That air sure is a lot thinner than down here at about 500ft!
