Colorado Unit 14 First Rifle

[Kansasity]

Colorado Unit 14 First Rifle
My cousins and I put in for a first rifle elk tag, hopefully we get drawn. Was wondering about decent camping spots? How are the forest service roads? We are planning on staying just east of Clark up in the sticks in our wall tents. Any help would be great. I read about a lot of blowdowns and burns in the areas but those posts were from 2009. I would imagine a lot has changed in 8 years. Thanks Mike.

 

[LCH]

Have you ever been there before? I've never hunted it, but have driven through. It's a beautiful area, and I've wanted to get out there for a hunt for quite a while now.

 

[CODAK]

There are plenty of places to camp on Seedhouse. You're going to find them up high, 9500-11000 feet in the thick steep stuff. If you are lucky you may hear a bugle or two... Just be over prepared and make sure you have a water filter. Seen plenty of people back in there unplanned without a source of water... Pack outs from the Zirkels are very unforgiving, yet very satisfying

 

[Kansasity]

We are taking those life straws for water filters in our packs. I put in for a cow tag and so did one of my cousins, the third cousin put in for a bull tag. I'm just after meat and Mother Nature. Would love the large rack but not a lot of big bulls in there. This is my second elk hunt and I just want some meat for the freezer. We talked to the wildlife biologist out there for that area and he said we could find elk at all elevations, just gotta put the time in to find them. He said everyone goes straight up to the top of the mountains and that pushes the elk around everywhere.

 

[CODAK]

Ya the biggest issue is people in the Zirkels do just that.. hike around all day and never see any elk. There are a lot of pockets that aren't hardly ever traveled to that they seem to seek shelter in. Find em and you'll have an easy tag out! It's definitely easier said then done, because most of these areas have a lot of up and steep to get to

 

[Kansasity]

I'm hoping from reading the statistics of the amount of hunters in the first rifle season compared to each other rifle season, there won't be near as many people there.

 

[Collins]

I've hunted unit 14 the last 6 years with my bow, usually the 2nd or 3rd week in September. Every time in the Zirkel Wilderness. I can say that it's hunted hard during September, but have never rifle hunted there. Considering first rifle is a draw, it shouldn't be too bad for pressure. We have always hiked into the wilderness 3-6 miles from a trailhead and set up shop for a week. We've had encounters with multiple bulls every year. It's awesome country, and I think if I had a rifle in my hand I would have filled my bull tag every time. Get yourself into some deep drainages, well off the pack trails, and you will probably have some action. This area actually holds some pretty nice bulls, even though it's one of the more popular areas in the state.

 

[Kansasity]

Well it's official! We are going to unit 14 on the limited license Cow elk tag. Ive heard about the crowds and been to Unit 55 on a otc hunt. Literally saw maybe 5 guys all 7 days I was there. Can't wait to try somewhere new. Looks like I'm gonna wear out google earth on my computer!!!