Elk hunting start. Snake river NF and flat top wilderness in colorado

[bubba19]

Can anyone give me a starting point for elk in the white river NF and flat top wilderness in colorado. I'm going to go and hunt this area 2nd or 3rd season. which season is better and how hard soes it get hunted. If i have to packin where would you start. this will be my first elk hunt.

Thank you

 

[buffybr]

I haven't been in NW Colorado for 35 years, but when I lived there the Flat tops wilderness was in the Routt and the White River NFs. When did it change to the Snake River NF?

 

[k_rad]

Also Arapaho NF near Kremling

 

[outdoorsman35]

flattops

the flattops are loaded with elk. i am assuming you are rifle hunting a bull? one thing you might want to consider if you haven't already is how you are going to get your meat out? Don't think you can pack it all out on your back in an afternoon if it is far in.

there will probably be tons of hunters if you are hunting close to a road or outside the no ATV area. if you hike in where you can't have an ATV and camp then you will probably get an elk for sure. trouble is getting it out. if you rent horses or bring them it is the way to go.

you might want to go where elk will be pushed by other hunters or where other hunters aren't

good luck!

 

[bubba19]

I don't know why i always call it snake river. I mean white river. Thank you for the info. Me and my brother are going out there this season for elk.It will be the 2nd or 3rd season. We are looking into packing in for a few days. Our goal is to find a hunting area that we can go to year after year. Im looking for a trail head to get me started. We are also looking at Deer hunting in that area if drawn. Thank to all...

 

[goindeep]

By the 3rd rifle season most of the high country won't be accessible. If you want to try backpacking for elk try the 2nd season and prepare for winter conditions.

 

[COHunter]

By the 3rd rifle season most of the high country won't be accessible. If you want to try backpacking for elk try the 2nd season and prepare for winter conditions.

During the last 5 years, 2nd season has gotten the snow and the 3rd season has been hot and dry in the Northwest part of the state LOL!

Somebody call Al Gore so we can figure this one out :lol bashing sign:

 

[goindeep]

Yeah I hear ya! It's hard to predict anything that has to do with weather and animals. My buddy nearly go stuck up there one year during the archery season, They got 18 inches of snow in september.