colorado unit 20 and 29

[Retterath]

has anyone ever hunting in unit 20 or 29 by the estes park area? Think I'm going to start applying for that unit, and suggestions. thanks for any input. i thinks its a tropy unit i think. i am new to the elk hunting and putting in for draw units, hunted lots of muleteer and whitetail, just thought it is time to start elk hunting. thanks for the help

 

[trkytrack2]

Some good bulls in both areas but access can be a nightmare....very limited.

 

[GOAT]

Yes, trkytrack2 is right. Nice bulls there but most are on private or in the park. I would not apply there unless you can scout extensively or hire an outfitter. JMHO.

 

[Retterath]

well that makes it easy to not apply there for a diy, thanks a lot guys.

 

[HiMtnHnter]

well that makes it easy to not apply there for a diy, thanks a lot guys.

Pretty good advice you've been given. Lots of people think that it's proximity to RMNP make unit 20 a slam dunk, when in reality, without up-to-date scouting (or an outfitter or lots of luck), and good knowledge of the area (public vs. private, access points, and MOST importantly, where the elk like to hang out), the hunts there can be tough. Elk are plentiful but their distribution is very localized. Many areas on public land hold very few elk. The private land is very fractured into small "mini-ranches" so access to hunt private land is almost non-existent for a hunter without connections or lots of money for an outfitter. The few outfitters who run in that area do reasonably well. For someone coming out of state DIY without knowledge of the area I would not recommend the unit.

 

[Retterath]

i talked to estate park outfitting and he said he was a 100% with gun hunts this last year, which is great but it will cost $5700. The guy was super nice and had lots of info to share, 3rd and 4th season usually takes two years to draw.

 

[jimss]

I live at the base of the mtns below 20 and it is everything but a slam dunk if you are hunting public land. If you take a look at the regs the elk get hunted from Sept archery through January. In most cases the elk tend to know right where the public/private boundaries lie. Obviously if you have access to private the hunting is likely MUCH better! You may want to check out Comanche Peak Outfitters. They have access to some great ranches with nice bulls.