Colorado unit 12 Elk

[Wapiti_Hunter]

Hey everyone, I hope archery is going well for you all and are getting into some good bucks and bulls!

This year for first season rifle, I will be heading up to unit 12 for a bull elk. I know it is heavily hunted and easily accessed but circumstances put me here for my first hunt in this unit. I have researched a lot with phone calls, forums, google earth and boots. Some of what I found is that sleepy cat peak is easily accessed and seems to get a lot of pressure, same goes with horse ridge and salt park. Does anyone have ideas for me to look into? I understand I probly won't be getting a 7x7 because of pressure and how heavily hunted the unit is. I'm looking for meat on this hunt and a little less hunting pressure from weekend warriors, outfitters, and the like.

Thank you for your thoughts and good luck to everyone out there this year!

 

[Work2hunt]

You, me, a few others from here, and the rest of our 7000 best friends will all be there. Given the 5000 bull and 2000 cow tags given for this hunt in the 12 units available there won't me much for untouched area.

You are correct that there is a FS road that runs west to east along the south side of sleepy cat. I've been on that road and in a 4 wheel drive rig it is not too bad to traverse, there are some bad spots and lots of rocks so be careful. And there will be people.

I take it you are going DIY. Horses? Anyone else? I'm sure you've heard it all before......get off the main roads, the farther from a road or trail head the better. Any thing within a half mile of a road or trail that can be accessed by ATV or vehicle will get plenty of pressure. There is a lot of elk in this area but a lot of hunters, too.

I've spoken to several of the biologists in the area and that is pretty much the story they all give. That and we don't manage for quality but quantity and shoot the first legal bull you see.

 

[Wapiti_Hunter]

I've heard the same from biologists. This will be DIY with no horses, just strong thighs! It just seems like you here about the same 4 or 5 places everytime you ask, so there must be SOMEWHERE where guys are not going (or holding back for obvious reasons).

 

[Granby guy]

I wouldn't say it was all easily accessed and there are pockets that will hold a lot of elk

 

[Wapiti_Hunter]

That's what I'm trying to figure out, a general area that's not overrun with people. nothing specific, just some ideas

 

[Granby guy]

Pm me when you get a chance

 

[James Patterson]

I was up on Dead Horse loop and around to Long Park this weekend then up to Wall lake up from Trappers Lake scouting around a bit and didn't see or hear anything. Was told by a few people the rut will be later this year probably. This is my first year trying this (hunted another area for the past 15 years over on Gore pass) area out and I wanted to get a feel for the terrain. The 4wd trails were tough coming in and out of Dead Horse but back in a couple miles not bad. We are planning to take horses in 2nd rifle season and i'm not afraid of putting on the miles and packing a camp back in but I'm not sure how far back I will need to be past Pagoda Lake to get away from most of the hunters. Anyone have any recommendations or advice? Coming from Missouri and I can use all the help anyone would be willing to give. I don't expect anyone to give up there secrets, just some advice on what I might expect as far as pressure and how far I need to be in to get away from it.

 

[Granby guy]

The bull



I can tell you that we were up there this weekend and the bulls were screaming their heads off. We called in 6 bulls to 60 yards but then they all hung up

 

[Work2hunt]

Pm me when you get a chance and we can trade notes.

 

[FlaFlatlander]

Wapiti_Hunter I too am going to 12 for first rifle season and in doing what research I can have been looking at some of the same areas you mentioned. Seams like those same areas keep coming up so I imagine they will also have lots of people. I purchased on of the GPS maps that show private and BLM land and am going to try and hit some of the edges in areas that look like they don't have any easy access. Also will be backpacking in so plan on moving till I find some sign. I am a newbie in the elk hunting so not sure this is the right strategy but that's what I am going with. Best of luck to you, Kill a bigun!

 

[Edub]

Wapiti, i sent you a PM with my email address. Email me and i will tell you where they are behind every tree.

 

[DevilDog82]

Hey everyone! I hope all of you had a great season or are about to have a great season! I was fortunate to get a cow in Unit 12 last year during 4th season, but I am really setting my sites on getting away from the crowds and maybe crossing paths with a Bull Elk. I've heard some great tips and confidence on here, so does anyone have some tips on Unit 12? I am also looking at Sleepy Cat peak and Horse Ridge to begin my scouting and try to find some signs around that area. How does this area fair during 3rd season? Will this area be a pumpkin patch during this time?

Thank you all! PM me and I will gladly share any notes that I can.

 

[kmansour]

Greetings Fellow Hunters,

I am new to this forum. Please share any good information for CO Units 12 - second season Youth Elk hunt. We have never hunted that area before and would appreciate any hints on specific areas that are away from 4 wheelers and ATVs.

Thanks
Kmansour

 

[DevilDog82]

Colorado 3rd rifle season

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[Gr8bawana]

There are big bulls right next to that big white rock.

 

[luckynv]

There are big bulls right next to that big white rock.

You know the big white rock next to the pine tree!!! Good luck and God bless