Scenario-What would you Do?

[rackpack]

Hey fellas, Let me run this situation past you and see what your opinion would be of what to do. I'm backing packing in for an archery elk hunt from one of the trailhead sites in Colorado. I found out and confirmed that the area where I'm looking to go will have a drop camp from an outfitter about 1 mile from where we intended to hunt. They will have 4 archery hunters in their camp and a total of two in my camp. The Drop camp borders between units and I know where the outfitter placed his camp they can't hunt behind the camp because that will put his hunters in the wrong GMU so they will be hunting towards our direction. I know anytime you walk-in to public ground you can always see other hunters. Just wanna hear your experiences with similar situations. Thanks in advance.

Do you either:

A.) completely search for a new spot

B.) stay there and hope they push animals to you

C.) Stay near there and just try to put a bit more distance between camps.

 

[kidoggy]

not knowing the country you will be hunting ,I can honestly say ,I do not have a clue as to what I would do'

might be worth talking to the folks in the other camp and see what they plan to do and act accordingly

 

[dirtclod Az.]

Good advice.get to know other hunters and purhaps work together to benefit both parties.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Sounds like you know the area and have hunted it before. I would probably hunt it further away from the drop camp. There is a definite advantage knowing the country.

 

[dru.bishop73]

Are you certain that they will be using that drop camp at the same time you plan to be there?

I think I would absolutely have a good plan B (and C, and D). Odds are, those 4 hunters using the drop camp are not going to wander very far from that location, and they wont be mobile so no ability to relocate. So, i would expect they are going to pressure any animals out of that immediate area by about day 3 or 4, and the elk will stay out of there until they leave.

Anyway, can still be a good hunting area for you, but I'd be prepared to move on quickly to my next spot based on the conditions you find back there.

Sent from my SM-G610F using Tapatalk

 

[CODAK]

C. The outfitter doesn't go there for no reason. If he goes there with 4 ppl.... there are definitely elk within that area. They will push em around being that many hunters, just be ready on the shadow

 

[rackpack]

I am certain and have it confirmed now with multiple sources including the outfitter. I know the outfitter may not always tell you the truth but I kinda put him on the spot to let him know that I would be hunting the same area and wanted to be fair to his party and also mine so everyone has a good experience. When I phrased it like that he knew I was serious and confirmed 4 archery hunters will be in that camp during the same time I'm there. The only advantage would be is that I would technically already be in that area for 1.5 days before their outfitter would drop them off.

 

[rackpack]

Thanks Colorado Cowboy. I'm familiar with the area but never as much as I would like to. Especially, when there's lots more miles between us. Hard to run out on a weekend or two and do a pre-season scouting trip at my distance.

 

[Slugz]

I am certain and have it confirmed now with multiple sources including the outfitter. I know the outfitter may not always tell you the truth but I kinda put him on the spot to let him know that I would be hunting the same area and wanted to be fair to his party and also mine so everyone has a good experience. When I phrased it like that he knew I was serious and confirmed 4 archery hunters will be in that camp during the same time I'm there. The only advantage would be is that I would technically already be in that area for 1.5 days before their outfitter would drop them off.

I think that's a great idea.

 

[rackpack]

Thanks Codak. I figured the same thing that there must be a few animals in the area. What makes it tuff is that it is located right on the border between units so the drop camp hunters can't hunt North to help spread out so everyone will be hunting the same direction/area. I would also assume with 4 hunters they will split up and cover more ground in groups of two and run a caller/shooter sequence. (assumption on my part anyway..........That's what I would do)

 

[rackpack]

Thanks Slugz!

 

[go_deep]

I'd just go hunt. I do however always have a plan B, and C. Because you never know.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Sounds like you know the area and have hunted it before. I would probably hunt it further away from the drop camp. There is a definite advantage knowing the country.

I agree with CC here. Be ready for the outfitter to give you greef tho.

 

[Dos Perros]

Camp in a discrete spot, travel well, and they won?t even notice you there. And, odds are, you?re going to end up moving to find animals anyway. So I wouldn?t worry about it.

 

[mallardsx2]

I'd just go hunt. I do however always have a plan B, and C. Because you never know.

X2.

No sense in fretting about it. Spend that time hunting and getting up earlier to fill your tag.

 

[JimP]

I agree with the others, just go hunt. Who knows the other hunters may hike out in a different direction than you are.

This is the thing about public land hunting, no one hunter has more right to it than the other hunter. How would you feel if you got packed into a area and then the next day had a few more hunters show up a quarter mile away and started to hunt where you wanted to?

 

[DanPickar]

Depends on how much country is there to spread out in. If there is plenty of good elk habitat, then spread out and out hunt them.

 

[Catahoula12]

I would agree with the others in this thread. Get to where you want to be long before anyone else. If it means leaving camp way before sunup then get on it. Mostly, hunt them up and enjoy your experience. Nothing like being in elk during the rut!! Good luck!!