Flattops Wilderness Area - Colorado

[kkruse]

Has anyone ever hunted in the Flattops Wilderness area (Whit River NF) for elk? I am searching for a new area and have wanted to give it a shot. I have heard it can be pretty rugged without horses. I'm mainly looking for a great place to get away, see a few animals and have a realistic chance at filling my tag. Not necessarily looking for a trophy with this hung.

I haven't had a chance to get up there but hopefully I'll be taking a scouting trip this summer/early fall and possibly hunting up there next fall. Does anyone know a good access point? I've been studying a few maps and it looks like the Marvine Peaks area seems promising but I've also heard things about coming in from Yampa. What is the hunting pressure like during the rifle season?

I'm not trying to steal anyone's honey hole, just looking for a little nugget of info to get me started. Thanks a lot for any help!

 

[miller1]

we were out there last year and spent a couple days in the stillwater reservoir area, loaded with hunters and hikers, then the end of the week the muzzy season guys started showing up with horse trailers, nice area but to mant people around the reservoir area, im sure there alot less hunted areas tho.

 

[eye in sky]

I have hunted unit 26 in the Flat Tops. There are a lot of hunters during the rifle seasons. But just like most everywhere else, if you get 3 miles from the road you'll see game. And just like most places it is weather dependant on how much ground you'll have to cover. Hope for a good snow to get the animals out of the backcountry. It's definitely a good area, you will have to work to get away from the crowds but there are animals there. I have seen some dandy mule deer bucks.

 

[elkmtngear]

There are a lot of elk in the Flat Tops. There are also a lot of hunters in many areas. The animals will hole up in big, dark timber patches under pressure, unless forced out by weather or other circumstances. Some of the Outfitters I know will post hunters along a ridge during rifle season, and take horses into the dark timber, to try to drive the elk out into the open parks. It can be tough, but if you are willing to get way back into the backcountry, away from the bulk of the hunting pressure, you can easily be successful.

Best of Luck,
Jeff

 

[Liv2HntBigBullz]

The White River herd is a big, big herd! With that said, the Flat Tops have one of the highest outfitter concentrations in the state and it gets hunted hard! IMO you have a ton of other places in the state that will offer you better opportunities to get into elk during the rifle season. I would start to focus elsewhere to a place that is not as popular but might not have a lot of game. However, if your heart is set on the Flat Tops get in there and get away from the people in order to find the elk in there. Hunt hard and away from the crowds and you can likely find yourself some elk.

 

[kkruse]

Thanks everyone for the responses. It has deffinately helped. It sounds like it would be a tough hunt, and to have a good chance I'll have to get way back in there. But that's the point of it all right! Anyway - thanks for the help!!

 

[riorod]

It will be a long hike from trailhead to Marvine peaks. All wilderness there. Horse or foot only, and lots of outfitters.
The county road from Yampa to Meeker goes over two passes (Dunkley and Ripple Creek) through Rhoutt NF & White River NF.
You will find campgrounds, lakes, turnouts, and plenty of hunters along the way. No matter where you camp you will run into other hunters. We have seen elk every time we go.
Pay attention to the weather.