First time elk hunting in Colorado

[gonehunting]

It's getting near, I leave for Colorado in 11 days to hunt the 2nd elk season. I have never hunted elk, nor even been to Colorado before. It will be a D.I.Y hunt and I was wondering if anyone has some last minute advice. I have been doing my research for quite awhile now and I am getting there a few days early to scout, but that only goes so far. I will be hunting North East of Meeker and any advice would be HIGHLY appreciated. Either on elk hunting or on Colorado, I am all ears.

Thank you,

 

[COHunter]

Get as far from the road as possible, you will be crowded, and take the first legal bull you see cause we don't let them get big here

 

[BDB]

I'm headed for my first hunting trip to CO also. I'm in first rifle season, north west of Montrose, and leave in 6 days. Good luck on your trip. Sorry I can't be of much help on either the CO part or the elk part, I have only elk hunted once last year, this will be trip #2.

The only advice I can give is they are BIG and getting them out of the woods is a chore, so be prepared !!!! Not like dropping a blacktail in CA

 

[foulshot]

I'll be up in the northern part of the state above Steamboat for 2nd rifle. My first time, but I'm going with my Uncle who is a resident. He should have the trailer set up by the time I get there on the 15th! Looking forward to packing out some meat.

COHunter, still no call from the job market.

Got a couple more in the works though.

 

[One Track]

Hunt downwind. Have fun.

 

[dirtpoor]

Bring a cow call and use it every once in a while when you are walking around and making unavoidable noise, if they don't smell you it may confuse them long enough for you to check them out, the cowcall also work's well on mule deer if they bust you but don't smell you, it seem's to calm them down.

 

[Haary]

Find a good place to glass the area. THEN make a plan on how to approach them. Simple but beats the heck out of wandering aimlessly hoping to stumble upon one.

 

[jaketos]

I live in NW colorado and meeker is a great place to start for deer or elk the cow call from above will work great. hunt the thickest nastiest stuff you can find. cow call once in a while and get away from the crowds if at all possible elk arent like deer and just brush up when pressured, they leave and leave in a hurry. get up high and glass if that is more your style that will work too. just remember that just because they are big and blonde that they cant hide and are easy to see. good luck

 

[bob2003cat]

:toast-yellow: I live in north central WV, going to area 55, 10-28 first time for elk in colorado 3rd rifle season. Can't wait!!!! Leaving in 17 days,GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gonehunting]

Thanks for all the advice guys. This will probably be the last time that I will get a chance at the computer before I head out. Leaving early so I can do some scouting. Getting up high and glassing is definetly my style. I can already imagine it will be quite crowded. But like anywhere, usually the more hiking in you do, the less crowded it gets. well, I will be sure to post how it goes when I get back.

Good luck hunting everyone!!!!!

 

[Colorado Bob]

Get where you want to be before 45 minutes before 1st light. Stay out to dark. Forget about camp fires & BS sessions around it. You'll be dog-tired when you get back. Get some supper--then hit the rack. So you can get up at 4 AM & hike in again 3 miles to the clearing you want to hunt.

Use your binco's. Always be looking for sign on your way. If you find sign headed to the dark timber----get to the edge of the timber & find an opening to wait until dark. Then be back ther before 1st the next morning. I've never had much luck in still hunting the dark timber.

Find the steepest, nastiest, h ell hole-----probably elk in it. Good Luck