Colorado gmu 12

[Pasteve]

The first rifle season I'm headed to unit 12. This will be my first elk hunt and I looking to chat with someone with experience in the eastern portion of the unit to confirm I'm on the right path. Is anyone will to pm?

[dlnwohio]

Pm sent

[saddlesore]

Be sure to take your own parking spot. It gets a tad crowded

[cohunter14]

Be sure to take your own parking spot. It gets a tad crowded

With it being a first season tag, you should be fine. Second and third season can get crowded for sure, just like many areas around there.

[phall]

12 gets a lot of attention for multiple reasons. Firts its not otc for archery or muzzleloader. Second the over reported so called "largest elk herd". Ive never rifle hunted there but i do draw a archery tag every 3-4 years. The eastern part of 12 is some rough and steep terrain. There is also about 10-12yr old burn that is near impenetrable with blow downs everywhere. The area you are describing has also become home to a nice large herd of missouri hunters that seem to hunt every year with a herd of mules. Using multiple camping sites. Last time i was in i also found 3 stashed camps hidden in blow downs. There is mutiple outfitters and local wall tent camps set up in area for archery and muzzle loader. I would only expect it to get busier as otc rifle season begins. The last problem ive run into during archery and muzzleloader is people with otc tags sneaking over into 12 from bordering otc units. Its pretty much like all of colorado find escape routes, remote areas, and be mobile. Also seek out unhunted pockets. There are elk to be had but they are pressured and in tune with their environment, and use their instincts and knowledge of terrain to avoid hunters. Think outside the box. Dont get frustrated expecting to be alone in the wilderness of colorado. Find ways to use other hunters to your advantage.

[saddlesore]

I'm not from Missouri, but I hunt it with my herd of mules in ML season.

[bald9eagle]

My father in law hunted the Flattops a lot. The last elk he got there he waited till everyone headed out and he went the other way to the public land boundary. Caught a decent 6x6 that got pushed by all the folks going in.

[MoGreen]

My father in law hunted the Flattops a lot. The last elk he got there he waited till everyone headed out and he went the other way to the public land boundary. Caught a decent 6x6 that got pushed by all the folks going in.

Yeah, what he said.