11 Colorado points--where to go ?

Would like to setup a 2019 Colorado Elk hunt (rifle). Looking for an outfitter where 3 of us could utilize our 11 pref points. Any recommendations ?

Will have total of 13 points for 2019.

I've always heard the NW corner of CO was the most coveted for large bulls. Of course a 'honey hole' in any unit can be a prime spot.

The premier units in NW Corner of Colorado take 20+ points.....

White River Ntl forest. If I recall, the biggest elk herd in the state, actually in the US, is there. Look for it between Rifle and Meeker if I remember. I hunted once there in my youth. I remember the area up there was called the Flat Tops. Nice walking. Watch out for private land. I use a Garmin GPS with the Onyx CO SD card map to know where I'm at. Its a big area and I don't know any honey holes. You can always go out a few days early and scout around. Good luck.

I hunted Flat tops wilderness back in 2006 with Winterhawk Outfitters. They are no longer in business. But a great outfitter IMO.

Don't waste 11 points on the flat tops!

When I was there it was a 250 sq mile area of hunting. There were others there and no shots. Been doing a search and not coming up with much info for 11 points. We will have 12 when we apply in 2019 for a possible hunt.

Plenty of leftover bull tags for the flat top units no need to waste points!

Aviator said:

Plenty of leftover bull tags for the flat top units no need to waste points!

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Only problem it is way too late to setup a hunt and after driving 2k miles do want to go in blindly. Would rather pay an outfitter or cover all expenses of someone who has been there and looking to recover his expenses. Last time I was there was 2006 and splitting gas still cost us $425 each at $2/gal. Figure our best bet is 3 guys in a 4 door pickup,1 driving,1 sleeping in back and 1 keeping the driver company and rotate every couple hundred miles so we stay fresh. We drove straight through on the way back and it was 36 hrs for the 2k miles. There does not seem to be much in the way of areas needing 10-12 points. It is either a couple of points or alot of points.

milkie62 said:

There does not seem to be much in the way of areas needing 10-12 points. It is either a couple of points or alot of points

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You have discovered the same thing I have found. No middle ground for rifle hunts. Look up muzzleloader hunts you might find some lower point units.GMU 40?

milkie62 said:

Would like to setup a 2019 Colorado Elk hunt (rifle). Looking for an outfitter where 3 of us could utilize our 11 pref points. Any recommendations ?

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If I would ever hunt Colorado Beaver Creek outfitters seems to get the job done in NW Colorado. Imo I don't make an effort to hunt elk in Colorado simply because I can go to Wyoming every year with the special tag if I want to or every 3 years with the cheaper tag and hunt the rut September 20th with a rifle and get 300 to 370 bulls every year with the 2 outfitters I use. I used to live in Colorado so many people there during elk season not even funny.

We did put in for 1st wyoming points this year. How is the pricing with the outfitters you use in Wyoming ?

milkie62 said:

We did put in for 1st wyoming points this year. How is the pricing with the outfitters you use in Wyoming ?

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Well depends how big you want and how much you guys want to spend. Trophy mountain outfitters is a good group of guys cost is 4900 per person with them and the granite camp is an awesome experience. If a guided named Landon is there he knows how to get it done. I'll attach the pic of the bull I took with them this year right at 300 inches give or take. The size can vary in this camp alot my buddy shot a smaller 5x5 the was one bigger didn't see that bull until I was setting up on my bull. 13 miles and 3 hours horse back in to camp. The owner of liberty gun safes hunts with these guys every year he was in our camp in granite for elk and every 3rd year I believe he combos deer and elk. I shot my bull here at 650 yards my friends was at 285. You want the opener on Sept 26th no other time as this is the tail of the rut.

Yellowstone Outfitters is really good as well but a really long horse back riding in to camp 8 hours in and it's 28 miles and a 1 mile from Yellowstone park borderline.
They consistently take bulls 320 to 350 and a few above that to 370 or so. Cost is 6000 per person. I have a group of 4 of us going in 2021. The guy that owns trophy mountain used to guide for Yellowstone. Here you can get in and hunt earlier opener is Sept 20th better rut conditions.