colorado public land hunt help

Goebeler · 11-01-09, 10:35 AM

My father and I have been talking about doing a public land elk hunt in Colorado. We have done a few guided trips over the years and now want to do one on our own. We live in Illinois so we are not sure where to focus on location wise. I like the idea of the White River NF cause of the population, but am not set on location.

We have most gear, an RV, and atvs if needed for help if we actually get an animal. There would be three of us total. My older brother would be the third hunter.

We are not trophy hunters. We don't need to focus on the world record elk. Simply hope to see some and have the chance to take one.

Any help that can be offered would be great. We are thinking of making a summer trip out to scout areas.

Goebs

Fly Rod · 11-01-09, 02:23 PM

My $.02?

You can lots of your discovery at home. I always start with a call to fish and wildlife. I don't ask "where should I go?" I say "I am considering hunting xyz drainage or mountain, how are elk populations during the season I hunt?" Another good question is about hunting pressure in the area.

I then buy the mapping software for the state. Study it well and think like an elk. Use arial photos of the area to confirm plant species and density. Use this knowledge to plan three areas to scout. Get out and check all three areas and go from there.

I used this process to find my current honey hole. I pinned the spot on the maps before I ever stepped foot in the wilderness.

Good luck!

Goebeler · 11-01-09, 08:01 PM

My fear with this part of the precess is that I will do all of the study work and show up to five groups looking at the same area...
But I like the advice of calling the f and wl. I am just not real sure what area to trarget and or avoid. I know folks don't want to give up spots. Thats not what I am looking for. Just feedback as to how to go about beginning the process to find that honey hole. I know of a few but getting an animal out might actually kill us.

My father told me to look for private spots for lease. I figured that would be crazy money and at that point I can just do a guided hunt.

Fly Rod · 11-01-09, 09:19 PM

I totally understand your fear about showing up and finding other people in your area. On public land it is always possible. This year we had two guys walk right through our first set up of the morning. We still killed a bull in the afternoon

The only way to be sure you don't run into people is to hunt private property. There are ranchers who lease hunting rights to individuals vs guides. The difficulty will be in finding one that does not over book or over sell his property. For the distance you are traveling it is something to consider.

JMHO

Goebeler · 11-02-09, 10:02 AM

Running into folks isn't the biggest concern, I just don't want to get to my happy place and then have a family of atv's cruiser by and waive as they go deeper into the area. I think I might find a target area and then attempt to find locals to help me locate a site to base out of.
I spent a few hours with google earth and actually learned quite a bit. I actually was able to find the location I tagged my first elk many years back near aspen.
Are tags over the counter in your area? Or are you on a draw system? Thinking I should look at areas that are over the counter just to make that part of ligfe easy. I know that creates the possibility of even more human traffic, but hopefully some homework on location will shrink the overall amount of folks there...

Goebs

Atoyot1031 · 11-02-09, 10:44 AM

I hunt the White River NF exclusively for elk. That's just because it's my backyard.

Are you planning on hunting bulls, cows, or both? Here are a couple suggestions:

Hunt the first rifle season (assuming you are a rifle hunter). This season is not a combined season. There are no deer hunters out, and it is relatively short, 5 days. It's also just on the backside of the rut. The most important thing about it is that there are only a fraction of the hunters that go out for 2nd season, so it will be less crowded.
Castle Creek, Maroon Creek, Difficult Creek, the Upper Hunter Creek valley, and the Upper Roaring Fork (Independence Pass) are all good areas to hunt with relatively fewer hunters than the flat tops, Kobe Park, and the Thompson Creek areas.
You won't need your ATVs in any of those areas, nor will you run into anyone on them for the most part. If you are in areas where there are ATVs, move, the elk won't be there.

Let me know if you decide to hunt up this way, I'd be more than happy to give you some more details as you plan your trip.

Nick

Goebeler · 11-02-09, 08:09 PM

Nick,
Couple things... definetely first if possible to get tags, looking for bulls first, then cow if no bulls are option. You know how that thought process goes. But guessing bulls due to tag and first season. We like the less crowded part.
I love the idea of Indep. Pass area cause I know it a bit from my visits to Aspen.

Would rather not be near atvs for obvious reasons, but have them if the need is there. I basically think they are only a negative for hunting. My opinion based on the way I like to hunt. Others can use them, it's a personal choice.

We did a few trips years ago just over the pass outside of Redstone. Great place to hunt. I would be open to any help you might have. Tips, lists, cool spots, etc.

I am headed to Aspen December 2 through the 6th. Chateau Roaring Fork. If you are local, I'd love to buy you some beers and talk shop. Cooper Street, or Billy's as it is now called. We should be sitting in Bentleys around 1 on Wednesday. Traditional lunch spot for day 1 of our skiing trip.

I am anxious to come up with a plan so I can get my father on board. He is super cool and in great shape. But I need to be smart about how and where we hunt so as to not get he and I in trouble.

Much appreciated input. I am off to google earth the areas you mentioned.

Goebs

Atoyot1031 · 11-03-09, 01:12 PM

FYI, there are also a number of either sex tags available for some of those areas (471 especially) for the 1st and 4th seasons.

Drop me a PM before you get here this December. I'd be more than happy to stop in and say hello.

To answer your question as to if I'm a local, my haunt was the Red Onion, although I've ventured to Cooper St. a couple times (I met my wife there believe it or not, and she has a full mouth of teeth

).

I used to manage Chateau Roaring Fork for a few years. I work out of Snowmass Village now. Anywho, give me a shout and we'll swap contact info for when you are in town. I might even be able to make it out for a few turns if the weather is nice. I'm a little picky about my ski days.

Goebeler · 11-04-09, 10:50 AM

Nick,
Shot you a pm.

Goebs