White River-Flat Tops Wilderness

[elkflunky]

Does anyone know about the hunting in Flat Tops Wilderness? Looking at hunting quality and also pressure. I understand there are many elk in the White River but I also understand there is a lot of people in that area. I was looking at getting into the Flat Tops but will I escape most people? Anyone have any input or past experiences here? Thanks for any help.

[dotman]

Never hunted there but have heard it sees a ton of pressure since it has the largest concentration of elk in CO suposedly and they hit the hills for private ground but I could be way wrong.

[elkflunky]

Yes that is what I was afraid of. I was hoping that the wilderness area would be all right by I just wasn't sure. Thanks dotman!

[Da White Shoe]

I hunted unit 24 for 4 years straight back in the late 90s... until it went to a draw area.
We horse-packed into wilderness 5 miles... still saw some people, but I would never call it crowded.
Some outfitters in there too... man! They didn't like us being in there at all! HA!

The elk were pretty thick where we hunted... but, I've seen elk numbers as good in easier places.
I expected bigger bulls in there... the vast majority were 4 and 5 pts.
Of course, that was 17 years ago.

[Indian Summer]

Winterhawk Outfitters alone runs a pile of camps in there. If you're looking to get away from people I'd have to say there are better places to start looking.

[elkflunky]

OK thanks my friends! I am not quite done with CO yet but starting to lean more towards WY. Has anyone been in the Wemichie (spelling?) Wilderness in CO? Any input on crowds/elk?

[wideangle]

We hunted West Elk Wilderness 3rd season last year. Unit 54/OTC. We booked a drop camp.
Our camp was at 11,000 ft for 9 days. We hunted up higher each day
We saw one other hunter. We never did see any trophy bulls. However, that said my partner killed a nice 5 pt.

We booked the trip with: http://www.eaglemountainoutfitters.com/

Great outfit with very good horses and equipment.

[dotman]

OK thanks my friends! I am not quite done with CO yet but starting to lean more towards WY. Has anyone been in the Wemichie (spelling?) Wilderness in CO? Any input on crowds/elk?

Yup it has pressure and most of it is in unit 76 which is a premo unit. Don't be afraid of crowds, you just have to use them in your favor or find the sweet spots. Your best bet is to just pick an area you like and research it on Google earth, make a plan A-Z and have fun.

[elkflunky]

Dot man do you suggest Flat Tops or Weminche if you don't mind telling me. Send me a private message if you would rather do that. Thank once again!

[elkflunky]

How far were you guys in wideangle? Did you have some good action?

[otcWill]

Finding elk in pressured units in Colorado ain't really about packing in further. It's about finding elk where others aren't hunting them. That said, look at access points first. Seems where there is no trailhead and no marked parking spot there are also no people. Don't be afraid to try other smaller pieces of land such as BLM or smaller NF parcels. Elk don't see the "wilderness" signs and often times these smaller pieces hunt just like private. Don't get me wrong the wilderness holds elk as well but you'll need to strategize to avoid trails/people and "think like an elk". Good luck!

[mtnmutt]

I agree with otcWill.

It seems you have to choose the right Wilderness or National Forest land surrounding wilderness to avoid other hunters and outfitters.

The Wilderness boundary for one of my areas is 1-1.5 miles from the road. Most hunters don't know the route into the area. They see thick forest or pothole filled meadows and stay out. Most definitely, I have never seen horses in there. Hunting just outside the Wilderness boundary, I have seen lots of elk. When the elk head to bedding, they head mostly towards the Wilderness, but they are bedding just inside the boundary because there are North facing areas right there. Their bedding areas are within 1.5-2 miles of where I park.

There are some bedding areas 2.5-3 miles from the Wilderness boundary. These areas are within 1 mile of a main state hwy that I don't think most hunter's legs are cut out for the hike up the steep thick stuff. It would take me an hour to hike up into that area. I know there are young bulls bedding up there on the North facing slope overlooking the state hwy. Most hunters don't bother with that area. Obviously, the elk don't care that they are bedding near a main state hwy because its a nice cool North facing slope and they have little to no hunting pressure.

My 2nd wilderness area is more tricky to get away from outfitters and other hunters. I am new to that area and still trying to find the sweet spots. Southern part of the Wilderness has virtually no hunters but the elk population is much lower there. Middle part of Wilderness has loads of outfitters. Northern part has loads of DYI hunters. The elk are concentrated in the mid to northern part of this Wilderness area. Backpacking in is the only option for this Wilderness area to get into elk and away from other hunters.

[dotman]

OTCWILL is spot on, my recommendation is settle on the unit you want, there are elk in almost every unit west of I-25. Do some research on Google earth and follow otcwill's advice, this goes for every unit.

You don't have to backpack 8 miles to get away from people and get in the elk.

I wouldn't recommend either of those areas

[Migolito]

Finding elk in pressured units in Colorado ain't really about packing in further. It's about finding elk where others aren't hunting them. That said, look at access points first. Seems where there is no trailhead and no marked parking spot there are also no people. Don't be afraid to try other smaller pieces of land such as BLM or smaller NF parcels. Elk don't see the "wilderness" signs and often times these smaller pieces hunt just like private. Don't get me wrong the wilderness holds elk as well but you'll need to strategize to avoid trails/people and "think like an elk". Good luck!

Yup! Although I don't hunt CO anymore (protesting) this is how I've hunted this area. You can pack way far in and you'll be running into outfitters camps when you get there. Or, you can park at a trailhead with the rest of the crowd and you and they will be the drivers pushing the elk out. Or, you can find an area-google earth-where parking/camping is very difficult several miles from the trailheads and you will be alone and in elk.

[elkflunky]

OK thanks guys. It is very hard having a honey hole and then having to start all over again. Wish I lived out that way so I could scout and have several secret spots! It completely makes sense about what you guys are saying. Sometimes the little tips make a big difference. Migolito can I ask why you are protesting CO? I am guessing the new gun laws. I don't even know what they are yet. I have not even looked into this yet. I guess that's what I am doing here next. Thanks again to all who have input here!