Battlement Reservoirs/Haystack Mountain Colorado

[Kschneider002]

We are planning an archery hunt to unit 42 this year in hopes of finding a new elk spot. Spent the last 20 years hunting in unit 15, but our honey hole has become overun with hunters, so it is time to venture to a new spot. Anyone have any experience hunting this area? Not looking for anyone's secret spot, just hoping to hear if the area is worth pursuing. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

[Lonnie]

What state

[Swede]

Kschneider002, welcome to the forum. I am sorry I don't think I can help you with information on your requested areas. Probably someone here can. Best wishes on your hunt.

[baddaddy]

Kschneider002,
That area should be good as well as the area around McCurry reservior. Haven't hunted that specific area but will be not too far from it this year.

[baja600]

I used to hunt the Battlement/Haystack.\/ Houston Mtn are back in 1987-1994. We did a drop camp with Cache Creek Outfitters for all those years. It was prime elk country back then, with access only by horseback, or a 6 mile hike from the base camp at Doghead Mtn to Houston Mtn. Our camp was at 10,500 ft and about one mile north of North Mamms Peak along the Ute trail.

Our camp on Houston Mtn would be about two miles due east of Haystack Mtn separated by Cache Creek itself. If you check Google Earth the country now is dotted with gas well pads and probably road access points to what was once prime and almost primitive hunting. We took many many bulls out of that area, the last being a very nice bull of mine in 1994.

Haystack Mtn itself is very hard to hunt because its just a big flatop mtn with nothing but rocks, not even trees on it...the reservoir is west and north of the mtn and has beautiful cutthroats, and heavy timber perfect for slow black timber stalking. You will still be at 10,000 feet so heads up for weather.

I wanted to go back there again sometime until I saw Google Earth, and decided not to destroy the memories of that pristine country that I have