Colorado Elk info needed

[TomBow]

Howdy!
I may have the opportunity to elk bow-hunt in Southwestern Colorado this fall. What I need is any information from anyone who has elk hunted before, elk hunted in Colorado or elk hunted in this area. We will be not far from Mesa Verde and need ideas on what zone to hunt, possible spots to go etc. This will be an unguided hunt and I have never elk hunted before. Any information that you'd be willing to provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance and Best of Luck to you and yours on your hunts.

Thank you,
TomBow
[email protected]

[Jim Bob]

Tombow

Hope you can make it out for your bow hunt. Have never hunted that part of the state before but might be able to find some info for you.

Normally hunt during Muzzleloading season which is the towards the end of Archery season. The weather is awesome that time of year. It's also the start of the rut. Do you have a Cow or Bull tag? Have called in a couple of Bulls, and had them come crashing down thru the woods, never got a shot but it made the whole trip worthwhile.

Best of luck!

[TomBow]

Man, it's gotta be a heart stopper when Mr. Bull comes runnin' down to you! It's gonna be great just to go there and see the country side, bringing home an elk will be a bonus to it all.
It looks like we are not going to make the trip to Colorado this year. I have relatives/connections in northern Iowa and we are probably gonna end up hunting there, if we get picked for Non-Res. Tags. These will run us about $300 because you have to buy the regular small game hunting licence in addition to the deer license. It's a little cheaper overall so Colorado is gonna have to wait till next year. But PLEASE keep the tips and info coming, gotta get the file going so we can get it all nailed down for 2004. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. Good Luck on your hunts!

[BLACKJACK]

The one tip I have is that if you're archery hunting, get there before the muzzleloaders hunt, the elk really get spooked after being shot at from 50-100 yards, and then you're trying to get that 20 yard shot! And when you think that you're in shape, go run another 5 miles! Those mountains will kick your a$$! It gets to the point where you don't want to go downhill and lose the altitude that you've gained.

Get good maps and a reliable GPS. We didn't have GPS's and it limits how far you go in a day, you're afraid of going into the next drainage and getting lost.

Have fun! Its big beautiful country!

[This message has been edited by BLACKJACK (edited 05-27-2003).]

[Guest]

Listen to BlackJack. Get in shape, then start getting in SHAPE! Start drinking lots of water a week or so before you go and then a ton when you get there (will help you adjust to altitude) You will probably be in 8000-10,000 feet. You should not have to go up to tree line till rifle season. Memorize landmarks! But then remember when storms come up (which they will) you may not see 20 feet in front of you, you will be in the clouds. GPS is a must of course. Picture hauling your worst deer through the forest........now, multiply by 4, add 10,000 feet of elevation, and have to drag the quarters up a mountain. If you bag a big one, I would bring a $100 bill for someone with a horse or 4 wheeler to get yer animal back to camp, if you dont have these items. When sit around camp at night, listen for the herds buggle if you are close enough, what a sound! Oh yea, if you are below .......lets say 8000 feet, watch for rattle snakes! South West will have em for sure, they taste pretty good if ya can kill one, also fun to brag about eating one......haha. I envy ya. Its the only thing I liked about colorado when I lived there.............elk hunting that is, the fishing sucked!

[TomBow]

Gotta love that big country! I'm fishing in the same boat with you all, have been to Montana once when I was a wee lad and Wyoming once just after high school. Still have vivid memories of both trips. It'll be great just to be there and shootin' an elk with my bow, heck, that would be just fine, even seeing a few near bow range will probably make my adrenalin pump blow up!!
Again, thanks a billion-million for the info and suggestions. It looks like we'll be planning on next year for Colorado, need the time anyway to make sure all the prep gets done right, including getting myself in more reasonable shape.

Best of Luck at all ya'll!! Ah, only 3 more days 'till the wife and I hit Canada, CAIN'T WAIT!!!!

[Labby]

Been going to South Central Colorado the past 3 years on teh first Rifle season. The on tip I would have for you is to hunt with a partner first for Safety reasons second it makes calling much easier. Use the cow call. If you get on to come in have your partner back off a hundred or so yards away from the Bull. This usually gets him to come out so you can close the gap to get a shot. It worked for us last year and my partner shot a 320 bull on public land at 40 yards. We have always seen alot of animals in this area but this fellow was the biggest I have seen. Good luck I am already counting down thill we hunt this year.
PS there is nothing wrong with taking a cow also. Great tablefare and still a tropy in my book. Get in shape it is a lot of work. Elk hunting is more of a head game then any hunt I have been on. Remember you can hunt for 10 days and feel like you were hit by a truck but it only takes a few seconds and it could happen.