Camo In The Mountains?

[Dhook]

I got drawn this year to go after an elk during the bowhunting season. I'm getting pretty pumped up buying the gear for the trip, but i've got a question. now, I'm a pretty avid deer hunter in Minnesota and Wisconsin,, would i need different camo out in the mountains? I have plenty of hardwoods HD but when researching maps of the area i'm going to be hunting it seems like things are more brown and tan out there. Would i be alright with the camo i have or should I get something different? What camo do you guys use out elk hunting.. ohh yeah, i will be hunting the north central part of the state.

thanks for any advise.

Dusty

[Nate McVey]

Dusty, I use the Seclusion 3D pattern for elk, but you will be ok with your hardwoods,unless you are hunting in a lot of sagebrush. The timber our there is very dark so most patterns blend in very well. If you are in the market for new camo, try the Dickies CamoWest pattern. One of the guys in my elk camp has taken an animal every year with millitary style camo, if that tells you anything. Good Luck!

[Dhook]

Thanks for the infor shiner, yeah that seclusion 3D is pretty nice. I just bought a day pack in that camo for out there. i might have to look into the Dickies westcamo. Thanks agian for the info.

[Lund4Fish]

I archery hunted elk and deer all over those mountains in a variety of camo clothing, including military design and even just some plad hunting shirts from time to time and did well. I wouldn't buy new camo, just for the trip, unless you really are just itching to drop some $$. Like with any big game it's more the movement than the camo design that will give you away. You'll find you can generally get away with a little more (movement & noise) hunting mule deer and elk than those flighty whitetails you're used to hunting. What area, or town are you hunting near? I've hunted all over that region you mentioned and may be able to give you some information that might help.

[Dhook]

Thanks for the info Lund, I will be hunting just north of Estes park, In the mummy range (unit 19). I was hoping to be hunting unit 20 but got drawn for my second choice. either way i think it is going to be a blast to get out hunting in the mountains for a week. I've noticed in the past few years that there is a low success rate in unit 19, but seeing that it is butted up to Rocky Mnt. National Park i believe that i should have a legitimate chance at a good bull.

One more question for those that have bow hunted elk out there. At what point in the hunt do you stop telling yourself that you are only going to shoot a bull and go after a cow or bull what ever walks by first? i will be out there for 8 days, which is hopefully enough time to ave a good shot at an elk (bull or cow).

Thanks again for the replys.

Dusty

[Lund4Fish]

I did hunt unit 19 one time, many years ago and spent a fair amount of time in that area. You'll find there is a lot of private land in that unit, so hopefully you've done your homework and located some public land to to hunt. There are some good "sleeper" spots in there with some nice bulls. I once saw 2, 7x7's together in that unit, but unfortunately they were on some private property we had to drive through to get to the area we were hunting, so we never did get to go after them. Early in the season the elk are a little less spooky, but later in the season they tend to be bugling more, so it's a toss up as to when is the "best" time to go. That time of year if you can find some water, feed and elk wallows, the elk usually aren't to far away. Once you "find" the elk and hopefully don't run them into the next county, you can generally get close enough to 1 animal per day as a rule for a shot. Hard to say how long to hold out for that bull, it generally works out to be about 1 day to long. Remember any elk with a bow is a pretty good trophy! One thing I'd stress though is only take a full broadside shot or a slightly quartering away shot where you can be sure to hit both lungs or the heart. You'll be amazed at how tough those elk can be to kill with anything less than a perfect shot. As for me and past experience with the elk, I switched over to all blade, cut on contact broadheads. Elk have a thick and tough hide compared to deer and you need all the penetration you can get. I hunted deer with the chisel point broadheads for years and always shot through them, but when using them on elk was dissapointed with the penetration. I'm sure others will disagree with that statement, but that's the way it worked out for me. FYI-For future hunts there are several areas over on the West slope that have higher numbers of elk and don't require drawing a permit to hunt. Let me know if your interested and I'll suggest some areas if Unit 19 doesn't work out. Good luck and have fun!

[Dhook]

Very good info Lund, Thanks. I still have a lot of preparation that needs to be done before the hunt so I'm sure i will have more questions for you or anyone else.

Thanks again for all the help.

[00rowe]

We are hunting unit 19 early rifle season, if you don't mind sharing a little info after your hunt, I'd appeciate it. We plan on hunting in the trap lake area.

Mike

[Dhook]

Will do Mike. We leave in a week and a half, and i still have many things to get ready. But i can't wait to get out in Gods Country.

[00rowe]

Good luck!! I still have over a month, can't wait.

[traveler]

Just another camo thought...after a couple bow seasons in WY/CO, I ended up buying camo better suited to the mountains, which for me is much greener/darker than the camo I use here in MN. If you have early/late season camo, go with a greener, leafier pattern for Sept. in the mountains.

[Doop]

Lund--

I have been researching some areas to hunt and would obviously like to get in area that is a non-draw area with decent #'s of elk. I have a buddy in Denver who is a non-hunter and says he has a guy who could get me on elk...lol...i'm not sure how far that will go though. I would be interested in hearing what you had to say about different areas of Colorado.

[email protected]

Thanks!

[Lund4Fish]

In general for archery hunting elk in the Northwest part of the state, you might take a look at the area north of Steamboat Springs (Unit 14 I believe?,Farwell Mtn., Diamond Park, east of Hahn's peak, etc.)There's a good number of elk in the area and lots of public ground to hunt. It also butts up to the Zirkel wilderness area if you want to really get back in and up high. This is a beautiful area to be in too! North of Waldon up on Independence Mtn. can be good, but sometimes it's hit & miss up there too. West of Eagle and North of Wolcott can be pretty good too. I don't have my CO game map available right now, but I think the Eagle area is Unit 36. There is also good elk hunting and plenty of public land north of Durango that I've seen quite a few elk in. West of Gunnison has always been pretty good too and has lots of public land and good numbers of elk.

[Nate McVey]

Quote:

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West of Eagle and North of Wolcott can be pretty good too. I don't have my CO game map available right now, but I think the Eagle area is Unit 36

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35/36 encompass Eagle, it is almost split down the middle. 36 covers North of Vail and Avon. 37 gets into Grand County a bit. We have hunted in 36 and it is a decent area, but then again with the largest elk herd in the country, you'll be able to find them almost anywhere.