Your pick diy CO unit

[bow82]

Whats everybody's favorite DIY pack in unit? My nephew are planning to come in a few years and just starting out. It will take us some time to gather all the necessary gear and some of the unnecessary crap we will end up not using. HA!

We will most likely be archery hunting as we already have bows and neither of us own a rifle bigger than my .222. Will be easier to set them up for elk than buy a rifle we wont use again. Also that much more rewarding if we get a chance to harvest an elk. Going into this as any elk will be a trophy for us.

I'm 34 he is 19 and we are in decent shape and will train as best we can for the mountains. Live in So. IL where we only have big hills.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. As I move farther into the planning I am sure I will post more on specific things. I'm already scouring the topics that have been posted for info.

Thanks again!

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

Your not going to get specific for units to hunt. Elk hunting takes a lot of effort. The amount of time put into a hunt let alone the scouting, Internet scout, and getting in shape takes a lot of time and energy. No one wants to give that up. Almost every otc unit will give you an opportunity to get into elk it's just finding them.

My advice is to look at the hunting statistics by unit. Then look at the terrain in the unit to see if you are in enough physical shape to hunt it. Google Earth and the Colorado atlas can really help you to pick an area.

Things you need to be doing is study elk behavior all of elknuts dvds are gold. Buy the dvds and playbook read and watch them as much as possible. Practice with elk calls a lot. Start working out now. Legs and core are the most important. A long with building up your lungs. Run a lot and do hill sprints. Whatever your pack weight is going to be, build up to about 20 to 30 lbs or more over that. Start off low in weight and miles and build up from there.

A lot of people with a lot more experience then me will answer a lot your questions about setups, how to hunt, gear and ext... This is the best site to learn from for sure.

If your in search for a pack I have one for sale just haven't put it in the classified yet. I decided to upgrade. It's a eberlestock dragonfly with a duffle.

[bow82]

Your not going to get specific for units to hunt. Elk hunting takes a lot of effort. The amount of time put into a hunt let alone the scouting, Internet scout, and getting in shape takes a lot of time and energy. No one wants to give that up. Almost every otc unit will give you an opportunity to get into elk it's just finding them.

My advice is to look at the hunting statistics by unit. Then look at the terrain in the unit to see if you are in enough physical shape to hunt it. Google Earth and the Colorado atlas can really help you to pick an area.

Things you need to be doing is study elk behavior all of elknuts dvds are gold. Buy the dvds and playbook read and watch them as much as possible. Practice with elk calls a lot. Start working out now. Legs and core are the most important. A long with building up your lungs. Run a lot and do hill sprints. Whatever your pack weight is going to be, build up to about 20 to 30 lbs or more over that. Start off low in weight and miles and build up from there.

A lot of people with a lot more experience then me will answer a lot your questions about setups, how to hunt, gear and ext... This is the best site to learn from for sure.

If your in search for a pack I have one for sale just haven't put it in the classified yet. I decided to upgrade. It's a eberlestock dragonfly with a duffle.

So on the Colorado Atlas should i be looking at the summer or winter ranges and concentration areas?
I should add that I was a guide in Texas and I understand the hard work this will entail and I look forward to that just as much as the hunt! I just have no idea about elk and have caught the bug baaaaad!

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

The summer area is going to be the closest to where they will be come archery season. Pressure from hunters plays a big role in where they will be. Look for heavy timbered north facing slopes(bedding), water and meadows. Also if hunting pressure is high steep slopes hold elk as well.

[Gypsumreaper]

Do as much of ur homework as you can, everyone here is very helpful, but most want to see you do your homework before giving out information. Narrow down some areas through homework, start with OTC units, statistics, terrain, and herd numbers. The eastmans Mrs section can help with terrain and all that kind of stuff. I will say that even though you guided in Texas no offense but this is completely different, as a guide myself in Colorado it is nothing like other types of hunting. I have a client who hunts east coast white tails constantly and he thought he was ready, the elk terrain and hunting blew his mind. It was both physical and mental.

Check summer ranges, google earth, and read back in the forums here for other people's hunts, where they were what they saw.
I'd say narrow yourself down to 5 units and then focus on those, you've got a few years so you can really get some good info on your 5 units. Everything you need for statistics, herd numbers and all that is on the DOW website.


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[bow82]

Thank you. I was looking at the stats and then checking the map for the ranges and one that had some bull harvests for archery wasn't in what the map had for their summer range and it threw me off for a second. I know it's it going to be exact. We won't have the chance to do any on the foot scouting until our hunt begins so I will do my best over the internet and then once I'm zeroed in on an area I will try some phone calls to some locals if possible.


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[oldnovice]

One thing to remember is that these summer and winter concentrations change from year to year depending on weather and forage. The biologist told me that these are averages for normal years. We haven't had a normal year for several years. The migration routes are from tagged GPS collars on animals.

[bow82]

So that would explain the discrepancy of the stats that I saw. Do they update the atlas each year?


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[bow82]

Do as much of ur homework as you can, everyone here is very helpful, but most want to see you do your homework before giving out information. Narrow down some areas through homework, start with OTC units, statistics, terrain, and herd numbers. The eastmans Mrs section can help with terrain and all that kind of stuff. I will say that even though you guided in Texas no offense but this is completely different, as a guide myself in Colorado it is nothing like other types of hunting. I have a client who hunts east coast white tails constantly and he thought he was ready, the elk terrain and hunting blew his mind. It was both physical and mental.

Check summer ranges, google earth, and read back in the forums here for other people's hunts, where they were what they saw.
I'd say narrow yourself down to 5 units and then focus on those, you've got a few years so you can really get some good info on your 5 units. Everything you need for statistics, herd numbers and all that is on the DOW website.


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The reference to being a guide was just that I understand that it's not all cherry pies and cream puffs. In no way was I trying to compare the two. I look forward to the homework and the conditioning. I put in countless hours on my whitetail property and it's only 100 acres. I can't even imagine what I will encounter in the mountains but I am so looking forward to it. I will be researching how to train for it as best I can. It's still all going to be different as I don't have any mountains in my back yard. Thank you for the advice on the 5 units. I have started my own checklist of things to get done. Later this week as I get it filled out more I may post it to let all of you see where I'm at.


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[WapitiTalk1]

Sounds like you have the right mindset for your hunt prep, and, realize that there is a learning curve that comes with branching out to a new big game animal. Elk are certainly a unique target and require those who pursue them to develop a special (mental and physical) skill set. Remote scouting, area selection (with target areas A, B, C, and even D locked down in case the first option(s) don't pan out for whatever reason), weapon proficiency, proper gear, and conditioning are a handful of those necessary skills needed for success. Now, as much as these things can determine success for failure, one of the most important skills to learn/develop is to study ones prey and gain an understanding of why and when they do what they do. It is paramount that you understand elk behavior/mannerisms and their vocalizations. This last skill is what seems to take hunters the longest to master. If at all possible, go to the elk and hang with them a few times before you actually hunt them! This may be easier said than done when one has to travel far to hunt elk but it can be done with a few long weekend mini vacations with the family . It is extremely important to maximize success during elk encounters by understanding their vocalization, and, knowing how to make decent basic elk noises yourself when needed! This last skill can be researched and learned very well by grabbing some of Elknut's products. He is in mine and many hunter's minds, the premier source for understanding what those big galoots are saying (desiring, needing, warning, challenging, etc.). To give you a little taste of what Mr. Elknut has to offer, check out his Tips and Clips section above. Best of luck on your path to Wapiti hunting! RJ

[T.B.]

I am really looking forward to following this thread. I'm thinking it might give hunters like myself (8 elk trips several good encounters but zero elk) that last bit of info or edge that I'm lacking . Could be that a lot of us are stuck in a rut and might glean something from a new elk hunters enthusiasm and questions

[Indian Summer]

I'd say hunt the unit all the way to the north. It's called Wyoming. You mentioned that it will be a couple years until you go. Start buying points now and you'll get a guaranteed license for half the price. There is no OTC tag in Colorado that will give you the opportunity at quality and quantity with minimal competition that a General Wyoming license will.

[js80138]

Bow82 what part of Southern Illinois. I've gotten to know Lincoln over the past 18 years. You may get different opinions of where the elk are after this year. It was in the 80's at 10,500 all the way through September in the Unit I hunted archery. As many have said previously hang around here for a while and your certain to pick up a tip and sometimes you may even learn something about hunting.

[bow82]

I'm about 45 minutes south of Effingham where I-57 and I-70 intersect. Johnsonville is the town. Population 63


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[oldnovice]

So that would explain the discrepancy of the stats that I saw. Do they update the atlas each year?


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According to the biologist, the data in the atlas is an average over the years. It can vary quite a bit from year to year but on average isw a good starting point.

[njdoxie]

I have a client who hunts east coast white tails constantly and he thought he was ready, the elk terrain and hunting blew his mind.

That is hilarious

[njdoxie]

I'd say hunt the unit all the way to the north. It's called Wyoming. You mentioned that it will be a couple years until you go. Start buying points now and you'll get a guaranteed license for half the price. There is no OTC tag in Colorado that will give you the opportunity at quality and quantity with minimal competition that a General Wyoming license will.

^^^^^ this 100%, CO is very crowded

[CurlyTail]

First of all, I am not sure you should do a backpack hunt. It is very strenuous, and you put all your eggs in one basket. You are committed to your first choice area.

Consider hunting from a road base camp so you can drive or use your ATV to access different areas within a 30 min. drive. That way you can move 15 miles to a new area with more Elk or less Hunters using modern mechanized vehicles rather than your own 2 feet.

Maybe backpack in a couple of miles your second year, once you have located a decent spot. Or do a 1 night overnight Bivy from your base camp.

The Colorado Hunt Atlas is your best source for Elk distribution (summer range) and motor vehicle use maps

Be aware that statistics are somewhat meaningless. I hunt a GMU that is terrible by any statistical analysis, yet we have found a spot that we see Elk almost daily, and have punched our tags 4 years in a row. The key is to find the Elk in any unit. There are no "bad" units if they have a herd of Elk. I would recommend avoiding units with very high elevations and a lot of alpine terrain, as it is very difficult to train for this altitude and terrain. There are plenty of Elk lower.

Look for units with large burns in the last 15 years. Elk love burns, humans do not. Find road less areas in you unit of choice, and hunt drainages that do not contain a main trail. You should be bushwacking a good bit of the time you are elk hunting. Look for good terrain that requires a river or stream crossing and no established trailhead to access a great area. These small impediments deter other hunters. One of my favorite spots is just off a blacktop highway - it requires a small stream crossing, then a steep 300 yard ascent, and the Elk pay no attention to that highway and nobody ever goes there.

Just pick a unit and go for it

Think of this as a multi year process, and as you learn your area, your success will grow. No DIY short cuts.

[njdoxie]

^^^^^ good info, even for veteran hunters