Johnnylw,
I'm hunting 2nd Season as well.
I picked out my spots using the Colorado Big Game atlas...
Colorado Hunting Atlas
Its sort of like Google earth, but it has overlays of GMUs, public/private land, forest service offices, etc.....Play around on this for a little while and some of your questions will be answered....New ones will be generated.
Also useful on this map tool is the Big game Pattern of Life overlays. Look at the Summer and Winter Elk Concentration of the GMU you want to go. Pick some spots that you feel promising. Write them down/pencil them in on a hard copy map.
Did a quick search on this Atlas....Look at the National forest thats in GMU 62/West of Montrose. Elk big game overlays show that its a pretty decent area. Also, decent migration corridores in GMU 65.
Also look at getting a National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map. This is useful in showing the terrain in greater detail as well as trails in the area. Also, you can do some table top planning. EXAMPLE:
206- Yosemite National Park, CA (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map): National Geographic Maps: 9781566952996: Amazon.com: Books
Colorado Atlas is useful too.
Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer: DeLorme Mapping Company: 9780975937402: Amazon.com: Books
Look at maps, look at terrain, consider weather conditions in the mountains of colorado during OCT, look at the ELK patterns of life according to the Colorado big game atlas.....
Draft up a list of questions....
example:
1) Where do most hunters go in this GMU during 2nd rifle season? (stay away from these areas)
2) Where are the elk hiding within this GMU during 2nd rifle season?
3) Is this road open during october?
4) What areas are hard for people to get to? (Go to these areas)
5) Can my car make it down this unimproved road?
6) Can I have a drop camp in this spot?
7) Can I have a camp fire?
8) Do i Need to make a bear bag for my camp site?
9) Is this stream running year round so I have a reliable water supply?
10) can i park my car here?
11) What are typical weather conditions for this area?
.........
Call the game warden for this GMU. You can get this from the colorado big game atlas....Just click on the nearest Colorado Parks and Wildlife Icon on the map for that GMU. A phone number for that office will show up. Call that and ask for elk information for that GMU....They will then give you the office or cell number for the Warden in charge of that area.
CDOW Area 18 Office/2300 South Townsend Ave/ Montrose, CO/970-252-6000
Once you get the Game Warden's Point of Contact...Just Before you call them...
Find a quite spot/Lay out all your maps/Colorado GMU reference/Colorado Atlas/Notes/Questions/Pen&paper
Call the warden, provide introductions, state why calling. Ask if they have any information on elk hunting in this GMU. If they answer any of your questions, cross them off. As the warden is giving their tips/information, you can quickly reference these areas on the maps you already have layed out. You may come up with additional questions as they are giving tips and you are looking at the map. Ask your questions that have not been answered.
Altitude in the national forest in GMU 62 in approx 2500 ft. Be aware of the altitude change from arkansas to colorado. Look up acute mountain sickness (AMS/Altitude sickness). Move slowly, drink water, take deep breaths. Go at spot and stalk pace to conserve energy. Bring water purification if you plan on water resupplying in the field. Tell game warden where your camp will be and when you plan on leaving.
regards
