Questions: 1st Time Elk Hunt 2015 DIY Colorado GMU 47

[bobbyspang]

I am planning for the 2015 OTC Archery Season in Colorado's GMU 47 and have been doing my research and trying to figure out as much as I possibly can, so I at least feel somewhat prepared for my first ever elk hunt out west!! I grew up hunting whitetail and hogs in Texas and moved to the Midwest (Illinois) about 12 years ago and continue to hunt big whitetails. I've always dreamed of elk hunting, but never thought I would ever have the chance. After reading an article from soleadventure.com, I realized it is possible to do a DIY over-the-counter elk hunt, so my brother and I have decided to head out in 2015 to Colorado in unit 47. We have decided to backpack in about 5 miles and hunt from 7-9 days staying to the southern part of the unit. The one main issue we are having is deciding when to go!! With my brothers work schedule, we have 2 options.

The first being from Sept 5th-15th. which would not only be early but also include Labor Day weekend and opening weekend of muzzleloader season.

The second is Sept. 16-25 which would be later and only include the end of muzzleloader season but probably closer to the prime time of the rut.

Any information on this unit would be helpful, but my main question is: What is the better time in this unit, early prior to the pressure of muzzleloader season, or later after muzzleloader is over and the rut is ramping up?

 

[Semperfidelis97]

I would definitely choose the 16-25 there will be rut activity earlier, but it tends to intensify in my experience towards the end of September. Another thing to consider is meat care, if you are planning on being 5 miles in it could be quite a few hours before you get an elk processed, and out on your back. Heat is a big issue if you are not proficient at boning an animal study what you can, getting that meat off of the bone will help it cool as well as make less trips for you, and your partner. Another tip, leave the hoochie momma at home if you are going to call do yourself a favor, and start working with reeds now, you are able to produce much different sounds with reeds that can mimick what elk really sound like.

 

[ew2642]

Just fyi, it looks like the early season rifle hunters and muzzleloaders may be hunting together this year. If so, it may be a little crowded that week.

 

[bobbyspang]

Thanks for the comments! I have already been practicing with diaphragm calls and can cow call and bugle pretty good for a beginner. I haven't gotten an open reed call yet but was planning to try the matriarch.

How does the high elevation of this unit (9500'-12400') affect the elk movement. Should I concentrate on the timberline elevations or look more at the dark timber at a certain elevation? Any help would be great! Thanks.

 

[lucky guy]

Sounds like a great trip! One thing that caught my eye is that you live in Ill. and you're going to backpack 5 miles in and back and forth to get meat out at 9500' - 12000' elevation. Don't underestimate the potential effects of that much altitude without time to acclimate. I hunt and ski fair amount up to 5000-7000 feet, and I'd have to work up to what you're thinking about. Might consider building some altitude training into your plan.

 

[SansSouci]

September 16-25.

Have you figured out how you're going to move 2 bulls out five miles? Elk are huge.


Best of luck.

 

[Elkfitness]

I do this type of trip twice a year. Plan on at least a full day to get the meat out. I've had several epic 36 hr pack outs. Use creeks, low spots, other cool spots to keep meet cool. I can say this for the pack out part. Treat it like an endurance event. Keep drinking fluids and eating energy bars during the pack outs. The most rewarding part of these trips for me is sitting that last load on the truck with the antlers. I solo hunt and my wife always says I look like someone with the worst hangover when I get back (but I am always happy inside!)

 

[Elkfitness]

As for timing, there are two schools of thought. Go early and go high. The Bulls may be quiet, but they have not been pressured as much and are still in the "summer" range. OR go the last week and hit the Bulls when they are more vocal. Both can be great!

 

[MWScott72]

Sept. 16-25 hands down! If you never thought you'd go elk hunting, you need to go when they are bugling and tearing the woods up. It will keep you wanting to come back for more! It is surreal to put it lightly.

You really need to consider how you're going to get animals out though. Just hiking at the altitudes you're talking about is hard for people that live at 4500-5000 feet here in the west. If you throw 100 pounds of elk on your back and have to make several of these type of pack outs to get an animal to the truck, you are literally going to kill yourself. I would suggest you look in the area for someone that you could hire to pack an animal out. I've packed 6 elk out - 5 on my back. Furthest in was about 3.5 miles and those pack outs are the most grueling I have endured...and they were all cows and calves. My one bull was packed out on a horse last year. We were only about a mile from the road but were a mile down in the canyon. If we had had to pack that bull up and out of there...NO FUN!! Don't underestimate the size of elk - they always get the last laugh. You will walk up to it, if you are lucky enough to get one, and literally say to yourself "what in the world have I done????"

 

[Elkfitness]

I remember my first elk. I was by myself and had only hunted deer to that point. It was a good bull. I quartered the one side, went to flip him over and almost couldn't do it! Flipping the bull, and trying to get the head around at the same time. I was a self taught newbie at that time. I remember taking a step back after the first fail, before finally getting home flipped it's a blast though, so get out there and enjoy it!!

 

[bobbyspang]

One quick question.....Is it acceptable to email the biologists from the units to ask questions??

@Elkfitness...I agree that the more work you have to put in and the more challenging the hunt, the greater the reward!!

Thanks for all the advise from everyone.

 

[MWScott72]

Absolutely! Make sure you put in a call and talk to the warden for your unit too. The more people you can talk to, the better. They probably won't give you an "X" on where to hunt, but can and do provide valuable insight into helping you determine that.

 

[sheephunter]

One quick question.....Is it acceptable to email the biologists from the units to ask questions??

@Elkfitness...I agree that the more work you have to put in and the more challenging the hunt, the greater the reward!!

Thanks for all the advise from everyone.

I talk to USFS/DOW people every year and I feel like I always get good info from them. They really want you to do well and have a good hunt. I think an important part of the equation is to contact them now, and not 2 days before application deadline after they've been inundated with requests.

 

[sheephunter]

...and I forgot to add, I always try to make an effort to contact the people that gave me advice after the hunt, even if I wasn't successful. They seem to really appreciate the feedback.

 

[Slugz]

Congrats and welcome to Colorado. Here's my 2 sense, so take it for what its worth. I also was a later in September archery guy but have changed my opinion over the past few years to go early. Once again, this doesn't apply to all areas, but it applies to mine so I suspect it happen in others. The 80 % solution is the animals will tend to rut in the 7500-9500' range. That being said when I hunt Aug till beginning of muzzleloader I find the animals towards 9500, not pressured at all, lots of bulls moving and easily coming in to only cow cows. The big ones are still a little high and feeding but beginning to search and move out of their summer feeding patterns. The no pressure thing was key for me. If a mistake was made, scent, wind or other I knew I made it and could make the correction not to blow them out of the valley or drainage. Closer to Sep 13th the bugles picked up, weather dependent. Muzzleloader till the end of the month, more bugles, harder to close on the herd bull but plenty of activity. Muzzleloader season definitely pushed them to another drainage and lower. No doubt about that. I archery hunt high to low. Once again just some more info to consider. As far as getting meat out I bulid an elevated deck over a small creek and put my quarters on it. No spoilage at all.

 

[bobbyspang]

Just an update....I did contact the biologist for the area I am going to be hunting and he did give me a little information on the general area. Are there any other resources that could be contacted other than a biologist?

Also, I had a question for anyone that has hunted wilderness areas: What is the best way (other than feet on the ground scouting) to determine if a creek is crossable on foot? I looked at the USGS water discharge tables but it only gives a flow and nothing about how deep the creeks are. Just curious if there was anything on that. thanks.

 

[crzy_cntryby]

Bobby, from what I know of the area (know 15 better), the creeks are all easily crossable. What will give you trouble are the boggs and thick brush. Think moose country. I've had bull moose in moderate bow range every year almost by accident.

 

[crzy_cntryby]

Bobby, I screwed up. I was thinking of area 27. Sorry for the bad info.

 

[bobbyspang]

No problem, thanks for at least trying to help.