A few buddies and I are heading out for our first elk hunt in Colorado we're considering the area around units 75- 751-77-771 but the more research I I'm not seeing much positive about the numbers of elk but a lot of people

I live and work in 75/751. I work for the forest service during the summer and see the majority of the forest during that time. Last year was my first year hunting here and I saw six other archery guys during the entire month.

I guess that's not bad considering the amount of land were you very far from the trail heads you used to acces the areas

What amount of time are you guys/gals dedicating to this hunt?

We didn't see a lot of other hunters around places there either, and didn't see a lot of elk either! Areas that usually produced elk in the past didn't have a lot of sign...

We will have 10 days from the time we get to whatever area we settle on going to

That's what Im hearing a lot not much sign or elk

That's what Im hearing a lot not much sign or elk

I was in elk 9 of 11 times. It was probably my best season yet. That all changed when the rifle season came and more hunters showed up and there were significantly less elk.

I was at the end of a forest service road. The road actually continues but it's closed to mechanized travel and butts up to the wilderness area.

I was out yesterday and practiced stalking on 60 elk. It was good to see them.

That definitely makes me feel better about hunting one of those areas

I've certainly not as much experience there as Justin, but one observation of the area is there are lots of ups and downs so work on the aerobics.

I'm mostly there during spring turkey season and there are plenty of elk where we hunt down lower. They will be up higher in the season.

We're still going over the maps trying to decide what trail head we want to start on it's definitely a lot more difficult to pick a spot then I ever thought it would be before actually planning the trip

There is a guy named Elknut on Bowsite that sells videos about calling and map reading. I highly recommend you get his videos, then use google earth to look for the areas he teaches and then make a decision on where to try to hunt. For elk in the early fall all I can say is go high and make sure you get in shape before you go.

Good Luck,

Rick

Get in shape. It's a TALL state. Not unusual to be hunting above 8500 ft. And, no matter how gogd of shape you are in, the first 2-3 days will be tough.

75/751 sir at an average of 8k. Most of the hunting you'll be doing will be at 10k. If you have any questions about the area or trails send me a pm and I can help out. There's roughly 750 miles of trails in the San Juan NF, last year we walked about 400 of them.

So far I've talked to at least ten guys about hunting here and most think they can move prett quick here. Cardio and a good dose of reality are your best friend. After a long drive to get here, take a day to rest and then go hunt. The lack of O2 will wear on you if you aren't careful.

Good luck with your hunt.

I appreciate all the info anything you guys can tell me will be much needed help

I disagree. Talk to the F&G guys. Lots of outfitters in those areas, and lots of weekend hunters from Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio and Farmington. We used to hunt the units hard, with limited success. Last year, on advice from friends, we'd drive for day hunts only to find no bugling bulls, no fresh sign, no rubs, and no elk. Most of the hunters from the surrounding areas are weekend hunters. Some very good hunters that actually hunt other units with better elk numbers...

I forgot to mention, it may be a good thing to get to camp a day or 2 before the hunt (no matter where you go in the mountains). Let your body get used to the altitude, because if you get altitude sickness you will not hunt at all.

If you go to Bowsite you can look up elk hunting in Colorado and get some good info there too.

Good Luck,

Rick

Find a wallow inaccesible to ATVS. Good luck.

I definitely don't have all the answers, I'm basing my info off of my s experience last year. There wasn't any bugling and there was some sign. I didn't see many hunters during archery, about ten total the whole month. I was out every night after work and every weekend. The areas I went too were easily accessible by anyone. I may have just been lucky. I didn't see hoards of people until the rifle seasons, and then it was crazy. I do know that the success rate is low here, about 10% for taking an elk, regardless of weapon choice. It's hard to beat the scenery though!

I'd really like to find an area that I can pack in a ways and set camp so hopefully I can avoid all the day hunters if possible I'm not against going to another area but I wouldn't know know where to start on picking one without knowing people who have been out to a certain gmu

I've bowhunted Colorado elk since 1992...over a dozen times total. The other years I was chasing them in other states.

We almost always camp at a trailhead or just along a road. This allows us to be flexible and drive to other areas in the unit. If you walk in and camp you're kind of stuck there.

The key to being successful is to hunt where the elk are. Sounds simplistic but its true. Elk aren't terribly difficult to hunt once you actually get into animals. Concentrate on east and north facing slopes and wet drainages. Cover a lot of ground until you find them. I like going the third or fourth week when the bulls are making noise. Makes finding them much easier.

Don't overcall...

Good luck.

FIRST hunt in Colorado 1993 taught me the meaning of GORETEX AND GOOD BOOTS.Carry a pistol too. I have not had to kill a bear but have come close on a Sow with cubs,,more Cats up there now and I fear them more than Bears.

I'm definitely good to go in both those departments

As for weapons beyond the bow, here in CO I tent camp with my .44 Redhawk and a headlamp. If truck camping my 870 stoked with six 12 gauge 1.25 oz. slugs, the revolver, and a flashlight that'll light up the countryside like a headlight. Never had a reason to pull any weapon, ever, here in CO. WY, MT, and AK backcountry is another story.

Don't worry about the cats. If one wants you, you won't see it coming! :-)

Talk to your doctor about Diamox. It helps with the altitude sickness.

Definitely getting some good advice it's much appreciated

i live in salida, close to areas 86,82,681,68 (which are all "over the counter" tags as well). a hunting buddy of mine and i are setting up a base bow camp about 40 minutes out, about 10,000' elevation. we got into several elk last year in this area and only saw 1 other hunter the whole season, and he was just riding up the road on a 4 wheeler one evening. plenty of bugling bulls and good elk country. we would have no problem sharing base camp with you and pointing you in the right direction if that's something you're interested in. pm me if so and we can talk about it. good luck either way.

That's an offer that should be jumped on!

I've hunted that area (75) the past two years. There are many place you can go where there will be fewer hunters, but not many where the scenery will be better IMO.

"We almost always camp at a trailhead or just along a road. This allows us to be flexible and drive to other areas in the unit. If you walk in and camp you're kind of stuck there.

The key to being successful is to hunt where the elk are. Sounds simplistic but its true. Elk aren't terribly difficult to hunt once you actually get into animals. Concentrate on east and north facing slopes and wet drainages. Cover a lot of ground until you find them..."

Great advice right there. I camp near roads where I can get my vehicle, so I can be flexible and in case the weather turns to crap (and it will) I can get in my vehicle to stay warm and dry.

Last year I decided around June 1st that I was going to Colorado for elk. I put 2500 miles on my road bike between then and Sept. 1; basically a 27-mile round trip commute to work 4 days a week. No problems with altitude or exhaustion; I camped at 11,000' and slept like a baby each night.

I did two weeks alone and really enjoyed it; feel free to PM me with any specific questions.

I'm also planning my first diy trip elk hunting this year in southern Colorado, looking at unit 81,probably gonna be solo. One thing is for sure,it's gonna be a heck of an adventure! Good luck to everyone chasing those magnificent animals.

I am 70 now and live in Ks. From 76 to 2008 I lived in CO. I could tell ya a load of stuff but the best advice is to be in shape and by that I mean lung /leg strength. Up till 2002+ I was in in great hunting shape. Tell ya something bud "If you can't get to a herd of elk you probably aren't Going to get a elk." I jogged 14 miles a week and lived in Lafayette, CO. 2002 was # 12 bull and none sense. Jogging is the only way to prepare for an Elk hunt. Good luck which all Elk hunters need with a stick and string. And a scary sharp fixed broadhead. IMO

Good advice from rambo.

I'm 70 now too and with a leg injury it's gotten very difficult to do what needs to be done to properly hunt elk. Do it now boys and girls while in your prime.

Hey everyone first post ever- I live in the central mountains of CO. Been chasing elk with my longbow for 15 years. I live for it. I hike at least 1500 vert feet 3 days a week all year just to keep my legs and lungs dialed in for elk season. I hunt elk like this. 1. Locate with bugle. 2.Get as close as I can to the answer before I call again. 3.bugle again and keep bugling in the bulls face- the only time I use a cow call is to stop a bull for a shot. You have to pursue elk with a vengeance. Always have the wind in your favor. Hunt up in am down in pm. Rest on windy days. Go where you don't want to go that's where they are. Early season hunt in am - nap in midday and hunt again in pm. Later season you can hunt them all day. The steeper and darker timber- the better. Follow the rubs where they take you. Chase the herd and the cows will get tired then the bulls will meet the challenge. I only hunt in wilderness where there are un-buggered quality bulls. Use only mouth diagphram calls into a empty tube. Be in the best shape you can be when you get here- but there is really no substitute for hiking straight up with a pack at 10k. Oh yea- get some Meindl Denalis- best boot there is. Trust me I've tried them all.

Learn to recognize the signs of altitude sickness! Some folks can get it bad, and then the only real cure is going back down the hill. Bad cases are not something you can just sleep off.

Cardio is great if that's all you can do, but the best training for going up hills is...going up hills.

And, don't underestimate the size of an elk! They are waaaaay bigger than a deer. A solo pack out can turn into a bad situation if you're not mentally and physically prepared for it.

I've got a few buddies that are going with me but they are probably more clueless then I am lol so I'll at least have help if I accidentally get one down

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