First Colorado Elk hunt.....tips please!!

[EMTCustoms]

Hey Guys!
I have been reading along here for a while now and trying to soak in as much info as I can, but thought I might as well ask the experts.

But first, I will give you the whole situation. I am organizing a self-guided Colorado Elk (and Mule deer) hunt for 2015. There are 7 of us going. 4 of us are in our 30's and 40's, but we have 3 members that this could very well be their one and only chance to hunt Elk as they are a bit older. We are all experienced whitetail hunters, but never went for Elk before. We will be hunting in GMU 71 and 74 in the 2nd rifle season and staying at the Circle K ranch near Dolores. I want to make this as good of a trip as I can for my father and the other older guys. Any legal bull would be a trophy to us, so we aren't waiting for a 6x6. I have gone through the "Elk university" on the CO DNR website and spoke with the DNR to gain as much knowledge as I can, but it is always best to learn from the guys that are out in the field hunting. We have topo maps and will only have a day or 2 prior to the season for scouting. We will have 2 4x4 trucks there, so we should be able to use most of the roads.(?)

Is there anything that I should do or stay away from? Anything that I absolutely need to bring that I might not think of? Any tips or tricks? Any secret areas in 71 or 74 that are good for Elk? Anything else that I should know to make this a memorable time for my family hunting trip? Ideas about how many hunters per group? What to look for to find the Elk? The older guys probably need to walk as little as possible, but the younger guys can walk whatever is required.

Any and all information will be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks guys!

[under H2O hunter]

Being that you guys hunt whitetail I would recommend that you guys get proficient at shooting at 200 to 400 yards. I would also prepare yourself for steeper terrain. Get a back pack and fill it with bricks and walk around ideally walk a stair master. Really study google earth or caltopo as much as you can. Elk and mule deer don't fallow the same paths consistently like whitetail so be ready to switch to plans B,C,D, and so on. I highly recommend you get good comfortable boots and wear them in properly, a very sharp knife like a havalon, and layer your clothes the weather can be anywhere from negative numbers to 80 degrees and sometimes you can have both extremes in the same day. Good luck and ask questions.

[EMTCustoms]

I plan to do as much 200+ yard shooting as possible this summer to get my 300 ready for the trip. I will invest in a good knife and quality boots. I live in SC and we have some mountain hiking trails around here, so I was planning on getting in shape by hiking them alot. Caltopo is an awesome site, thanks for the information!

[one_elk]

Sounds like a great adventure, and it’s cool you are taking your dad. Certainly there are a lot of things you can do in advance to prepare for your trip and I am sure you have learned a significant amount going through “Elk University” and some of what I might have to say below may have already been covered but then again I guess redundancy isn’t always a bad thing. I imagine one of the most significant challenges you and your group will face is dealing with the change in elevation and differences in terrain…while doing some hiking in the hills of SC is a good idea I agree with “underh20” that consistently getting on a stair master or a tread mill with a pack for extended periods of time is a great idea. The elevation factor will be big so getting here as early as possible can be very beneficial also dealing with the change in elevation watch your alcohol intake but drink lots of water….I would get Xmaps (http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/) chip for your GPS and just as a disclaimer I have nothing to do with any company I my suggest just a satisfied customer….I would also make sure I had up to date Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (if you are going to hunting on BLM lands). If there is any chance any of you can make it out this summer it would make your fall hunting trip much easier from a number of aspects. Figuring out accessibility to “elky” areas how you want to hunt (ie. spot and stalk, hunt from a tree stand, still hunt etc) prior to your trip will certainly increase your chances of harvesting an elk. Oops, I see that this may actually be a guided hunt? Which I am sure will also be a good time but may make some of what I said above not a concern. Anyway hope you guys have a great trip..

[EMTCustoms]

Thanks for the tips. My family takes pride in the do-it-yourself hunts. We may not always bag an animal, but we did it all ourselves and the memories are what makes for good trophies for us. I am going to ask all the guys to get on the stair climber and get off the couch all summer. The knowledge of you experienced Elk hunters is so valuable to us, so thanks again for sharing. I can't wait to make some Colorado memories with my family!

[ElkNut1]

Agree with one_elk, consider the GPS Mapping chips available, my son & I have been using the Trax Maps SD Card that goes into your GPS -- http://www.koutdoorproducts.com/ -- Too, they are a Sponsor here & worth checking out the link I've provided. We've had no issues with them & are extremely accurate!

ElkNut1

[EMTCustoms]

We were planning on picking up a few of the Garmin Rhino units with the Topo maps. Would it be better to get the non-topo units and get the Trax maps? Or is there a better GPS/2-way combo?

[easeup]

you already found this site which contains the straightest and most useful information on elk hunting.

there is a great brewpub in Delores...just down the road from the K.

[Kirsch]

We were planning on picking up a few of the Garmin Rhino units with the Topo maps. Would it be better to get the non-topo units and get the Trax maps? Or is there a better GPS/2-way combo?

If you get some Rinos, first make sure they accept a memory card. Virtually all of them do with the exception of the lowest priced entry model. Topo is up to you. The Garmins come with 100K topo. Elevation lines are going to typically be ever 100-200 feet of elevation. In real steep mountains, maybe this is OK, but typically this is not detailed enough. The TRAX map have a 100K and 24K topo layer. When you are zoomed out farther, it shows 100K and as you zoom in, it turns into 24K topo so your elevation changes are now every 20-40 ft. The topo on the TRAX map is going to be a lot more detailed but it will only be for the state you purchase the TRAX map for. What I tell people is if you can get a "T" version for the same price or a few dollars more than get it. If not, you will be using the topo in the TRAX map anyway as it is going to overlay and not show the Garmin topo anyway.

The TRAX map is going to help you with public land/private land information, topo, hunting units, lakes, rivers, roads, trails, wilderness areas, sections, and more. It will allow you to hunt with confidence vs wondering if you are where you should be. Another critical factor of a TRAX map that doesn't exist on virtually any other map is the map is layered. This will allow the hunter or outdoorsman to turn on the features they want and turn off the features they don't. You can turn off land, water, topo, roads, trails, etc. Any of the major feature types can be turned off and on. Topo is great but at times gets in the way and makes the other elements harder to see or read, so you can turn it off and on with a TRAX map.

Another huge factor for TRAX maps is we have the 8 state TRAXWest package that includes ND, MT, WY, CO, UT, AZ, NV, and NM all on one mapset. You can buy the states individually or if you need a few of the states in the package, go with the TRAXWest package. It is a great value. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly via any of the contact information on my signature. Have a great hunt.

[Elkduds]

There are a set of state-employed experts @ CPW called Hunt Planners. #303 297-1192. If you didn't aready.
The state's excellent hunting website has very good big game mapping software: cpw.state.co.us/bg/atlas
Altitude is a killer, literally. Each in your party should talk w Dr. about this, there are Rx and other potions that can really help you tolerate the effects of altitude. Those do not replace conditioning, you cannot be too well conditioned. You will all have your butts kicked by the terrain and altitude, expect it. Hydrate or die. Sharply limit alcohol.
Consider a hunting area that allows access to lower/gentler and higher/more severe terrain. The people @ the ranch where you are staying should have good intel on the surrounding areas.
Check out the possibility of hunting Lone Mesa State Park, contact CPW about that.
Apply for some cow tags, odds of coming home w a few hundred #s of elk meat are better w some cow tags in the group.
Adjust your expectations to emphasize a great trip and new adventures, w a possibility of harvesting elk.


2013 Elk Hunters and Percent Success for Second Rifle Seasons


Unit 71 Antlered: Hunters 717, 14 % Success. Antlerless: Hunters 108, 28% Success

Unit 74 Antlered: Hunters 403, 15% Success. Antlerless: Hunters 97, 25% Success

These stats are from the CPW/big game/statistics website.

Good luck

[EMTCustoms]

I have hiked the Incan trail in Peru and several volcanoes in South America. Altitude has never been a problem for me, but I will definitely pass along the info to the other guys.

Thanks to you guys, I now have a ton of great info and I plan to use it to the best of my ability. I expanded my list for Santa to now include boots, knives, a Garmin Rino 650 and the Trax map. I also will ask all the guys to get on an all summer fitness plan to get in better shape.

Thanks again, it is awesome to get the info from the people that know!

[Sg542]

Seasoned elk hunter here

Listen up grasshopper

I'll go in point form
Elk aren't like white tails
There heard animals and there will be a lead cow and tail cow they are the sentries
Elk also use and live right in with the white tails .
If you find the cows stay with them a herd bull will come .
Play your wind harder than you do with white tails
Bulls go down to the valley bottoms at night and up in the morning around 9 am up hill
Big Bulls don't like to see there shadows / hunt the shadows and rain
Hunt the 2. Moons in sept and the 2 in oct
Don't bull call
Just random cow calf
Stay very hidden the cows will see you

[under H2O hunter]

Seasoned elk hunter here

Bulls go down to the valley bottoms at night and up in the morning around 9 am up hill

Don't bull call

I disagree with a few of your points. And I to am a very skilled seasoned elk hunter as well.

Bulls don't always go to the bottom at night and back up during the day. Elk will tend to travel to water and feed and head to cover to rest during the heat of the day. Feed and water can also be above you. Or on the same elevation. They tend to travel down hill for food and water because of the thermals which give them protection as they travel. Same goes for returning to cover to rest.

To Bull call or not to bull call is a matter of personal preference but I would caution anyone to give this type of advice. Why remove a tool from your tool box? Doesn't make sense to me. I can understand that using bull calls is something you struggle with in your area. However I am huge advocate of bugling. I am very successful with bugling. If you only cow call you are most likely to call cows and small rag type bulls in more then calling in a mature animal. This again is a personal preference. Everyone has their own ideas of a quality animal. Bugling at the right time can allow you to make your future decisions much easier then just randomly making soft cow sounds.

[mmcan]

Just wondering how you did on you hunt to GMU 71. I just bought a place that is minutes from the access road to the SJNF, and am starting to look at topo maps and gather info. Hoping to base camp out of my place but have a drop camp set up. Any info you care to share is appreciated!

[ak32]

I think one of the hardest things about elk hunting are finding the elk. That is probably 90% of the battle. You can scout all season and hike into drainages and know where they are part of the season, but as soon as the season starts they may not be there. Elk are much different than whitetail in that elk can migrate across mountains and into other drainages overnight. Whitetail tend to stick around the same general area most of their lives. So when you get to your unit and setup camp, get to a good vantage point and glass early in the morning/evening to find the general area where the elk are feeding/bedding, then formulate your plan to get to them.

During 2nd rifle you'll be at the whims of the weather and hunter pressure since it's an OTC tag.

Also like others have said, get used to hiking hills. The altitude will also make it tougher, but you'll adjust after a few days.