CO cow unit 33

[canyonbandit]

Just got back from 60 day on the ocean and my buddy tells me we got cow tags for unit 33 in co. Wondering if anyone has hunted this zone . Our hunt starts nov 2nd and I've never hunted elk. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mtnsammy]

You will be just 30-40 miles south of me hunting. Here are a couple of links. On the map you can see the herd movement if you play with it a bit. Look for food cover water like all hunting. If nothing else look for the large groups of hunters camping trailside. This will get you close to the game too. Best of luck. Hopefully I will be loaded with elk and on my way home by then. I got 1st rifle starting the 13th of Oct. If I am skunked I will probably go again for 2nd rifle with an OTC tag. They seem to be plentiful each year in my hunt zone.

[url]http://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/huntingatlas/index.aspx?keyword=gmu&value=33

http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/ElkHuntingUniversity/Pages/ElkUniversity2011.aspx[/URL]

 

[Aught-SixGuy]

Good luck! If you put in the time and boot leather you'll find elk. Check benches on north-facing slopes and pockets of dark timber.

 

[jackrabbit]

I used to hunt that unit every year, a while back. Go straight up the main forest road north of Silt toward Triangle Park (meadow). Huge herd up there at 9k, with good gravel road and flat top mountain area. You will have a lot of company, but that is because there are a lot of elk. Temps can be well below freezing, so be prepared -- I could not get into my 4x4 one morning because the door latch buttons were frozen!!!

And carry chains and avoid the idiots who don't have chains and in a panic they all head down the hill in the early morning before the newly fallen snow has a chance to melt!!! What a circus I've witnessed!!

 

[Bossbrott]

Always amazes me when it starts snowing!!!Every yahoo on the hillside flips out and decides to hop behind the wheel, WTF? For heavens sake, youve got the time off work, icechests loaded with food, and perfect weather happening, dont leave and cause an accident. Wait it out, and when it lets up, go bag mr big. Snow just makes it that much more interesting.

 

[mtnsammy]

Agreed, the elk are easier to track in the snow and all the hunters running for level ground scare the elk into open areas. We found elk movement right after snow stopped and there wasn't a hunter in sight. Last year one group actually had elk sleeping right outside their tent while they were smoking cigars and drinking exotic rum. One went out to water the plants and scared the herd off. And to think I work hard every year to get a glimps of elk.

If you need chains I will be packing extras to make an extra buck. Some flatlanders make it too easy. I will be in a good Ford 4X4 with chains available all around. I live in the snow and live for the snow. This year I am hoping and praying for heavy snow. I will sit it out and even get another OTC tag if needed.

From what I have seen from Rifle you will be in the snow regardless for an hours drive on the interstate when it does snow. Why rush for the bottom of the hill? The cold temps are a bit of a pain. I use layers and avoid the sweat. Once you sweat it takes forever to warm up. Ponchos or trash bags when it slurries and hunker down till it starts to ease up. No one needs to move as the elk will probably also hunker down. Look for fresh tracks and take your game.

 

[canyonbandit]

Thanks everyone for the much needed help

 

[jefmart]

Re 33

Still looking for info?
If so, email me at jefmart_2000@yahoo.com