Denver Advice

[nolanjs55@gmail.com]

ok so i will be real cautious with this post....i know it may ruffle some feathers.

I just posted a review of my hunt in southern colorado unit 70...i left places and names of where i hunt blank. I did not harvest an elk and i really want to get out a few more times before archery season ends. I am quite capable of reading a topo map etc and "scouting" where i want to hunt. However because i live in denver co and work in parker co my time off is limited. I was hoping a few people might be willing to PM me or fill me in on a good place to start that is within a 2hr drive.

My goal is to try and carve out 2-3 more days and leave after work mid to late sept. I have like 5 units unmanned but not sure what would be a good idea, i keep going back in forth. Most of the spots I've "scouted" show summer range for elk but the elk herd #s are very low and archery success rates posted are in the 5-8% range.

any help is welcome. Please PM me, I'm happy to discuss my hunt in unit 70 in private to some degree as well as help out any fellow hunters in the fly fishing world as i guide and manage a fly shop here in denver.

[BRazz]

Hey I'm in Denver too. Always love getting out, even if it's just a morning (I've done lots of 3 am wakeups over the years, and drive about 1.5-2 hours, hike another 1-2 hours, and hunt for just a half day). These days are exhausting but I've gotten into elk a number of times. Couple suggestions would be units 28, 37, and 371. They can be crowded but people are pretty uncreative usually... I've hiked into some trails in the Williams Fork Mountains, and after a mile or two I'll fork off the trail and bushwhack my way up to 10k-12k. Rarely see people up there and have a decent shot at seeing elk. The Eagle's Nest Wilderness is another favorite of mine. I've also tried over and again up by Ute Pass and seen elk - but not many. Another place I've always wanted to try is over by Montezuma (there are lots of drainages over there worth checking out) but I've never actually done it during archery season. Oh and I also really like Vasquez Peak and Bills Peak. PM me if you want some more specifics I'm happy to share.

[powderhogg01]

I hunt otc units all within an hour of denver. I do not live in denver, I despise it and most of its residents who come up to the mountain and litter and shoot and drink and shoot and litter some more. (not saying thats you) I hunt just about EVERY day so if your keen on a meet up some time get at me on the PM and we can work something out. I have been into good signs just have not flung an arrow yet, waiting on the right moment so as not to suffer the same sleepless nights you have suffered.

[BRazz]

I hunt otc units all within an hour of denver. I do not live in denver, I despise it and most of its residents who come up to the mountain and litter and shoot and drink and shoot and litter some more. (not saying thats you)

Wrong place for my response, I know, but I can't resist. Every time I camp or hunt - EVERY SINGLE TIME - I am picking up litter and shells and other people's messes. These folks are often from the city or out of state buy they are also very often from the small towns in the mountains. I know because I've camped nearby lots of disrespectful mess-makers in the summers, and all types of people are out there... So easy on your generalizations there buddy.

[powderhogg01]

very true, the respect for the mountains is hard to come by thing these days, which is why we loose more and more public land and access all the time. As far as this season in particular go, I have seen and spoken with several camps and none of the people were from the area, all came from denver metro or out of state.. and all but one camp left crap all over. If I thought it was everyone from the city I would not have offered to share a spot or two as well as some memories. I feel like everyone on this forum is respectable and responsible when it comes to the stewardship of the mountains and if I insulted anyone, my apologies. Simply put one gets tired of hauling trash bags full of garbage out of his favorite local honey hole, treble hooks out of our dogs feet from people just plain being slobbs.
bottom line is there are a lot more people coming up from the cities to get a piece of the good life and take in some mountains. Something I am in full support of, but seem to find that in their wake there is often a mess.. and your correct, some of the mountain dwellers of here have no respect for anything.. they sit even lower in my regards then people coming up camping from the city and leaving their bag of beer cans and shotgun shells all over camp.
Once again i know not everyone from the city does this, many just live there for work, and I certainly understand, perhaps it was the pre-coffee agitations that forced such generalizations.

[BRazz]

no problem - we are in the same boat

[powderhogg01]

with all that said, lets get together and make something happen. I have a solid handle on 38-28 and a few nice spots in 37 for those inclined to hike a bit. I do believe those are all otc elk units. I keep trying for 39 but cant seem to get that golden ticket.

[BRazz]

I went to 39 a couple years ago and actually found 39 more crowded than 28 or 37 ironically. I'll be saving my points for somewhere else, FWIW.

My only trip left this year will be a longer one to the Western Slope, so good luck to you guys this year!

[nolanjs55@gmail.com]

thanks for the advice guys Don't even get me started about the trash, i can't stand it... i filled a trash bag filled with old cans and litter down in 70. i usually leave with a 6 pack of empties overtime i go fishing too. littering pisses me off more than anything.


with that said anyone that wants to get out and hunt, i would love to! i have been thinking about heading up past winter park near rand, looks like good summer range and not too far from denver. Anyone want to join me?