Need Unit advice for DIY Elk in CO

[rackpack]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to head to Colorado this September for a DIY archery elk hunt. Considering areas like GMU 71-Lizzard head wilderness between delores peak or navajo lake or unit 43 near the maroon bells/conundrum springs or lastly, GMU 24 in the Flattops near Trappers Lake. Any advice on best chances for a decent hunt where I'm in Elk. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I know advice is sacred.

 

[Musket Man]

Welcome to EF! Would you introduce and tell us a bit about yourself? If you hunt 43 hunt the west side of the unit.

 

[rackpack]

Hello Musket Man,

I'm a longtime bow hunter and prefer Archery over a rifle. I'm an avid outdoorsman and have been in other states & provinces many times doing archery bear hunts or boundary water fishing/backpacking trips. I've been to Colorado many times unfortunately not for hunting. I was supposed to go drop camp style 2 years ago near the roaring fork area when my two others hunters backed out. To say the least i'm anxious about getting my boots in the woods and I respect everyones' experiences and advice. I'm looking to find an area first off where there are elk and not a ton of pressure so that's why I"m looking into Wilderness areas. Trying to make up my mind on which units incase I need to apply for the draw April 1. Anyone can PM me with their advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[Musket Man]

The LE units are generally better then OTC because they usually have less pressure. I did get into elk a few times in 43 but if you decide on it you will want to stay away from conundrum springs and the Aspen side. Lots of hikers in that area and not many animals. I did see some on the other side of the unit south of Carbondale but i was hunting deer.

 

[rackpack]

Thanks MM. Do you have any experience in GMU 24 in the Flattop Wilderness area?

 

[Musket Man]

No but I hear it is a little easier going country then 43. You have to be careful of how many hikers and recreational use some of those areas get. Aspen side of 43 is bad for that and I think flattops get a good amount too.

 

[Work2hunt]

I spoke with the biologist from 24 about a high country deer hunt I'm investigating and although he didn't have great things to say about the deer hunting he said it was better elk country. I didn't ask him about the elk so I don't have much for details but I'd give him a call or shoot him an email to talk to him about the elk in that area.


Shoot me a pm if you need the biologists info.

 

[swmoelk]

Wilderness areas are a big draw because everyone can see a giant roadless area on a map. They're difficult to find but there are big chunks of NF with few to no roads but it takes time to find them. If you can locate them you will find less nonhunting pressure. Just my $.02

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[marcusvdk]

Welcome to the forum rackpack lots of good guys on here. They will help if they can. Mm has given yeah some good info ao far

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[hunt4duck]

Flattops has lots of elk, but I'd stay away from the Trappers Lake area, especially early season bow, lots of hikers still there too. You can get away from them but don't plan on being too close to that lake. Area is extremely crowded during rifle seasons and so I never hunt it, but during archery you can get back a few miles and have plenty of space. PM me if you'd like.

 

[Retterath]

i was also checking into unit 24 and found out that there are a lot of outfitters in that area,with lots of drop camps so you might want to check that out a little also. I'm also trying to also narrow a unit down for otc tag. It seem like all the otc units have lots of people hunting it but need to get off the roads is what i have been finding out but also you have to remember that the farther you get back and the tougher the terrain its going to be a ton of work getting that elk out and plus during archery season its going most likely be warm, just a few things i have found out trying to find a unit to hunt. good luck and welcome to the forum