Questions for planning first elk/deer hunt 2013-Colorado

[cohunter14]

I agree with a lot of what TrophyHunter said. All areas are going to have "a lot" of hunters. It is a matter of separating yourself from them to be successful. I have hunted for years in one of the most "crowded" units in the state, but I get off the road approximately one mile up a very steep mountain, and all of a sudden you do not see any other hunters. Amazing how that works!

No matter what unit you pick, spend a lot of time studying topos and google earth, find ways to separate yourself from other hunters (as the elk also do), and you will give yourself a good chance at being successful.

[jakes10mm]

Good thread. I'm going out to CO in 2nd season with a band of hunters for our first Elk hunt. We opted to get our feet wet with an outfitter rather than trying it on our own. We originally scheduled 3rd Rifle season but changed to 2nd. Driving force, outfitter said 3rd season could find us at the ranch riding out to hunt instead of camping at the high camp. We were looking for the total outdoors experience and switched to 2nd rifle...hope we didn't make a poor decision.

The outfitters upper camp is approximately 10k', hopefully this will separate us from the roadside hunters. We were told to be prepared for a 1/2-day horseback ride from the trail head to base camp.

[etisll40]

What does it cost to go on a guided hunt, I think I'd like to go that way the first time around. Where does one get that type of information? Any help, I can also be emailed at eftills@yahoo.com Anywhere in the US or Alaska is open for me. I wouldn't mind being with several other hunters and a guide too.

[Topgun 30-06]

Just google "guided elk hunts" and start reading.

[Boman]

Shoot me a pm if you like. Ive hunted unit 25 for many years. I can point you in the right direction.

[sjhp44mag]

The Colorado DOW website used to post numbers of animals taken, number of hunters per unit and predicted animal movents. Should be a useful research tool. Definitely the rougher the terrain, the fewer the hunters, but not necessarily more animals. A lot depends on the weather. The warmer it is the higher up they will stay.

[TrophyHunter_colorado]

What about all the elk that live at 4500 to 5000be feet down in the cedars? They are there all year long. Just saying this to have people realize that to be successful in Colorado on elk including good sized bulls you have got to think outside the norm. I bet over 500,000 hunters read that elk univeesity stuff on the cdow website.