Drew my first elk tag for unit 74 Co. I'm from Louisiana and this will be my first western hunt so any info on gear / tactics / or the area would greatly be appreciated. I will be hunting 1st season rifle on the Hermosa Creek Trail Head just above Durango. I've been reading and researching tons but this is a total diff. type of hunting as I mainly still hunt whitetail and duck hunt. Not sure what to expect so any and all advise will be greatful.
Colorado unit 74 1st rifle season elk
- Thread starter Josie
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ShtrRdy
Well-Known Member
Due to the higher altitude, you should try to arrive a few days before opening day to get acclimated to the thinner air. You can use the time to do some scouting around. The weather typically is nice fall weather but you need to plan for a snowstorm because it can happen.
Between now and then get ahold of a topo map of the area and study it. Try to identify areas off the road and trail to investigate.
Between now and then get ahold of a topo map of the area and study it. Try to identify areas off the road and trail to investigate.
screech
Well-Known Member
If it's anything like Idaho look for the worst possible place to pack an elk out of that's off the beaten path and look there. Also make sure your in the best shape you can be and learn to be patient, find good glassing spots and let spotting scopes do a lot of the walking for you. Not much help but I promise good glass will save a lot of tread on you hiking boots and you have a better chance of actually killing the elk you find then when you just stumble into them they smell you and disappear
Been lot of active around units 74/741 with chemical spill @ Animas River from mine at Silverton and they finally open river to boating.
First season is only 5 days and it's either sex tag and your only going to have hunters that drew that tag so not going to get lot of pressure to move elk.
My wife has cousins in Durango and Hermosa Creek Trial is well know.
https://www.durangoutdoors.com/trails/hermosa-creek-trail.htm
https://www.durangoutdoors.com/trails/hermosa-creek-trail-map.htm
First season is only 5 days and it's either sex tag and your only going to have hunters that drew that tag so not going to get lot of pressure to move elk.
My wife has cousins in Durango and Hermosa Creek Trial is well know.
https://www.durangoutdoors.com/trails/hermosa-creek-trail.htm
https://www.durangoutdoors.com/trails/hermosa-creek-trail-map.htm
Laelkhunter
Well-Known Member
What part of La. you live in?
