elk hunting newbie

[elkchaser]

Just wanted to say hello. Im new to the site and elk hunting for that matter. Ive dreamed about chasing an elk in the mountains for as long as I can remember.
My wife informed me this september that her and the family are going to foot the bill for a diy elk hunt in 2014 for my 30th birthday! I am pumped!
Now the worl begins. I have alot of work to do to get this out of shape flatland kansas boy in shape!

Now to my questions
What gear do you guys take with you in your packs? Ive hunted lots of deer before so I know what to pack to chase them around. Would I need to change my pack up a bunch to chase elk?
Im thinking of hunting around colorado springs co. What would be the best areas for a 3rd season rifle hunt?
Im going to use a 30-06 with a 180 grain bullet hand loaded. Will that do the job?
Basically im asking for any info you guys can give out for a rookie like me. Ive been lurking on here for awhile. Just wanted to get a thread i could find easy.

[Swede]

Some of the answers to your questions depend on just how and where you hunt. Colorado Springs is too general. Are you back packing in or day hunting from a base camp. I know nothing about your pack, but 3rd rifle season sounds cold to me. Prepare for it. The one thing I can be dogmatic about is that your rifle, and the load you have chosen are excellent medicine for elk. Just insert the 180 gr hand load in the right spot and it will cure them of pooping on the ground in your hunting area. All the best on your hunt.

[elkchaser]

Some of the answers to your questions depend on just how and where you hunt. Colorado Springs is too general. Are you back packing in or day hunting from a base camp. I know nothing about your pack, but 3rd rifle season sounds cold to me. Prepare for it. The one thing I can be dogmatic about is that your rifle, and the load you have chosen are excellent medicine for elk. Just insert the 180 gr hand load in the right spot and it will cure them of pooping on the ground in your hunting area. All the best on your hunt.

Sorry ill be staying in a hotel at night and driving out every morning. I know that will eat up a bunch of time but its my only option at this time. Third season isnt my first choice but with fall harvest and wheat drilling its the only time I can get away. Should i just prepare for the cold weather just like i do chasing mulies out here in western kansas?

[bnsafe]

elk chaser I cant help you much cause im new also, but I can maybe throw some thoughts out there.
first the 3006 is good medicine. sure there are better rounds but not needed.
as far as staying in Colorado springs I have never hunted that area but will tell you there are a ton of folks living there. I would think it would be hard to find public hunting that isn't getting overran, an hard to drive far enough daily to get away from it. you might want to look at a smaller town in the mountains somewhere. not saying your plan is wrong, I just know I have to drive aways from ft Collins to find good elk hunting.
as far as cold, just remember you will sweat hiking the mountains, you need something that will get it away from you an dry quickly. if you get wet your done. layer appropriately, less when walking more when setting.
im not sure what pack you hunt with now, there are a ton of good packs out there. ive got two frame packs an one internal frame pack. I like the internal better for me, its just more comfortable. its a little big for a day pack, but im not walking back to the truck after shooting one without some meat. no extra trips.
good boots that fit, not brand related, is a must. an a good gps will make your hunt a lot funner.
again, take all that with a grain of salt. good luck an keep us up informed how its goin.

[cnelk]

Hi Elk Chaser
Welcome!
Got a question for you...

Do you want to shoot a cow? Or a bull?
Or doesnt matter?

There is a reason I ask because the 3rd season [in certain areas] can be good for cows, other areas good for bulls

You will need to decide as you will buy one or the other license [ both licenses will cost ~$900]

We are here to help, just give us as much info as you can.

[elkchaser]

I'm getting a bull tag as of right now. I'm not dead set on hunting around Colorado Springs. I was just thinking there because its only about 4 hours away. I'd like to find a unit that has a decent population of elk. I've been scouring colorados Dow website. Just wanting some more input. All the info on the Dow website gets a little overwhelming.

[elkchaser]

From what you guys are telling me I feel pretty confident on the clothes I have. I'm getting a frame pack from a family member. So that's covered. I have an internal frame pack that I carry deer hunting. I usually carry binos,lights,knives,rope,first aid kit,compass and some survival gear just in case I get hung up and can't get back to my truck. I was just wondering if anybody had any other stuff to add that.

I have a buddy that hunts pagosa springs. I'd be going with him but he doesn't know if he will make it back next year. Does anybody know anything about that area?

[Indian Summer]

Forget a lot of what you know about deer hunting.

The big picture of elk country is big so consider adding a GPS to your pack so you don't limit yourself. Also some parachute cord for a third hand when quartering elk.

Think about what happens after you kill an elk if you are fortunate enough to punch your tag. Field care/packing.

Do NOT make killing an elk your #1 factor for enjoying your hunt because I won't candy coat things... you have a lot to learn.

Go to our "Archived Tips" forum and read.... for days & days! Then ask as many specific questions as you can think of.

You've come to the right place that's for sure. Good luck pilgrim.

[elkchaser]

I figured elk hunting was on a totally different level of hunting. I love to spot and stalk out here and that gets my blood pumping. I can't imagine how exciting it will be to go after an elk. That's what the wife told me. Enjoy the hunt don't focus on getting one.

She's already tired of me talking about it and making lists and more lists and looking at maps and maps. She tells me it's a year away cool the jets. I've been reading in the tips section. I'm so glad I found this place. So much information.

[cj5280]

Welcome and good luck.

If your buddy has some intel on the Pagosa Springs area, I would lean on him for places to camp and areas to focus on, provided he had been successful. Plan on the possibility of heavy snow anywhere that you go. I think there are some opportunities to harvest elk in the Woodland Park/Florrisant areas, which are just West of Colorado Springs.


If you can spend some time in the unit ahead of the season, that would help your chances greatly.

[elkchaser]

He didn't have any luck down there this year. Said they saw a bunch of hunters tho.

I've been picking his brain about the area. Just looking for some more input if anybody has hunted the area.

[Elkduds]

Welcome to the forum. I live in CO Springs, don't hunt elk much near here (hint). You are just scratching the surface of internet research for big game hunting by following this forum. I respect the opinions and quality of info here more than other web forums, but I read lots of others.

A suggestion for web research. On the CO CPW site, go to big game and find the regional hunting guides. These guides condense data from all over the CPW site into useful summaries. Sounds like you are mostly interested in the southeast region, at least for starters. Next web tip: After you have some specific GMU #s in mind, google search "elk gmu xx" and start reading. You have until the start of April to decide where to apply, or you can buy an OTC tag up until the season begins. When you have some sense of possible gmus you can get more specific feedback here and elsewhere. Yes, you get to spend the whole year figuring out your 1 week hunt. I guess that's why we all love it!

Also, if you can get to your chosen area for a few days over the summer, it will be cooler than Kansas, and you can get familiar with some likely spots. I have bird hunting buddies from near Liberal, they come up to CO every summer to ride cycles and fish. So you could do likewise and scout, thereby doubling your fun, along with your chances of success. Be advised, this stuff is addicting

[Still Hunter]

I always recommend someone new to elk hunting in Colorado read this.

http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/Elk ... rsity.aspx

[elkchaser]

Thanks for the info. I can't believe I missed that on their website. 15 chapters that's a lot of reading.

Anybody know the regs on open carrying a sidearm while hunting in Colorado? It's legal here in Kansas no mater what weapon your hunting with.

I keep flopping between hunting around Colorado Springs and west of pueblo or pagosa springs. Choices choices!

[Still Hunter]

No problem carrying a handgun while hunting Colorado. Just don't conceal it without having a permit. Also, don't use it to finish off an animal unless it's legal to hunt with it for the season you're hunting. So, not legal for bow and muzzy seasons.

To be honest though. I've hunted Colorado for muley's and elk every year since the mid 50's, and never carried a handgun with no problems. Your choice if you feel safer with it.

[Triplebhunters]

You are getting a lot of good advise here.

I suggest Elk Nuts playbook on cd before you purchase any thing. This has more info than just calling.

You will want clothes that dry fast, and allow you to breath. I sweat really easy so this is mandatory for me.

Try to schedule your hunt to be there a couple days before season opens thru till a couple days after season closes. A five day hunt is a lucky mans hunt.

Have an enjoyable time.

[elkchaser]

Thoughts on the salida area? GMU 681,68,82,86. Would be staying in salida.

This is going to be a stupid question. what is blm land? You can hunt any of the national forests right? On the interactive map on cop website all the green national forests are public ground? just making sure im looking at the maps right.

http://www.huntdata.com/proddetail.asp?prod=3Map%5FCombo&cat=24
would this be a good purchase when i decide on which unit i want to hunt?

[Lark Bunting]

BLM is Bureau of Land Management.

[Triplebhunters]

If that is the area that you are interested in, then your next step is contacting Dow in tha area, they will give you pointers in where to go in that area and which maps to look at (purchase). They (Dow employees) are awesome in Colorado.

[Indian Summer]

Sitting in a tree stand for deer yesterday I thought of this thread. One thing you need to add to your pack and not just for elk hunting: A Clip-Shot.

One thing to really learn how to interpret.... and apply, topographic maps. They will save you miles of wasted footsteps AND make you a more successful elk hunter. There is something to be said for the fact that even when I know every square inch of a place I still pull out the map a couple times each day.

[elkchaser]

Ive decided on the pagosas springs area. For now. Since I a buddy that has hunted there before I can get some first hand knowledge on where to go and what to expect.
Should I get some calls or would it be a waste of time calling in the 3rd season?
The clip shot looks good. Ive been toying with the idea of getting a go pro camera with a head mount to tape the hunt. Has anybody on here done that before. I thought it would be cool to relive the hunt over and over again instead of looking at just pics.

[cohunter14]

As has been mentioned, I think you are better off looking in other areas than just west of Colorado Springs. Although it does contain some elk, the numbers are a lot lower and trying to find them can be difficult. The areas you mentioned west of Pueblo could be decent (haven't hunted there, but heard good things). I would also look in the Gunnison area as well, just as a suggestion. A little longer drive, but you could stay in a hotel in town there and have good hunting available at a close proximity.

I would also suggest doing whatever you can to get out to your area for a scouting trip before your hunt. It will give you a lot of knowledge ahead of time, allowing you to do even more 'online' scouting on google earth, etc. It will also make it so you are not 'scouting' your first few days of the hunt. Good luck!

[elkchaser]

Im hoping me and the wife can get out there this next summer for a "vacation" That way I can take a look around. Im lucky she doesnt like to shop and would rather drive and wonder around in the mountains for a couple days.

Are there any atv trails in the pagosa springs area? Would I be able to use my sxs to cover ground easier or would it just be a waste of time dragging the thing out there. I have a 4x4 diesel truck that ill be driving. Will my truck be able to do the job.

[Indian Summer]

No question you need a US Forest Service Travel Map for that ranger district. If they have the newer waterproof one that have topo lines get that. It will show you every road... at least the legally made ones, and all the gates and seasonal restrictions.

[elkchaser]

Thanks. I found the website that has an overlay for google earth. I think I'm going to order maps from huntdata.com. Going to get their hat trick map for that unit. It comes with 3 maps a topo,national forest and blm I think. The I will get a map for all the trails and I should be set on maps. I hope.

[Indian Summer]

On National Forest the USFS regulates travel. Theirs is the map to have. The new ones are an invaluable resource.

[cnelk]

I would get to know your way around the link below

http://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/huntingatlas/


If you select the Green tab on the upper right FS-MVUM it will show you the trails that are open for ATV/MC use and closed for use.

You can also select the legend and filter game species/Winter/Summer/Migration range.
It will also show BLM/Natl Forest/ and Private boundaries
It shows topo/aerial [aerial pics are quite clear]

I look use this tool at least once a week and it has proved to be very, very helpful

There are tools available to use for your advantage, you just got use them!

[elkchaser]

Thanks for all the info guys! Ive decided on going to the unit 78 around pagosa springs.
Since I have a buddy that has hunted there before and he is going to help me out on some areas that has produced for him in the past. I figured that would be the place to go.
Ive got a couple more questions. I have a friend that is hopefully going with me he is not hunting as of right now can he still carry a rifle? i.e. protection and what not. If so whould he have to buy a hunting license for small game or something along those lines.
Are radios allowed in colorado for hunters to talk between themselves? You cant use here in Kansas so I figure you cant in Colorado but im just checkin.
Any other info you guys can input would be awesome. Im reading on here every chance i can get and am learning a lot of new stuff.

[Mojostylee24]

I don't know about carrying a rifle around with no big game tag...might want to call about that one. There's nothing in the mountians that a .357 won't keep ya safe against though! You can carry a sidearm open OR concealed without a CCW permit in CO while you are involved in "hunting activities" even during archery season. I am real excited for you it will be a great experience.

[Mojostylee24]

I forgot to add you can use radios between hunters on the ground...not from aircraft to hunters on the ground though.

[Still Hunter]

He'll get busted for hunting with a rifle, and saying he's hunting for small game won't work unless the caliber is smaller than .24. Tell him to carry bear spray if he's worried, but I really doubt he'll ever need it. Even a handgun will get him in trouble, because he could hunt with it.

[elkchaser]

Thanks for the help. I don't want it to seem like we would be doing anything illegal. Just wondering. He was wanting to carry his ar-15 chambered in .223. I'm still trying to talk him into a tag but I don't think it's going to happen.

[Mojostylee24]

I didn't think about the no tag part when I cited the sidearm laws. Thanks for correcting that! Oops

[Vanish]

Why stay in a motel when you can camp so easily out here?

The wife and I camp in the back our of car during some seasons. We put a futon mattress in the back and set up a little tent or similar nearby to store our gear. Also a good way to get warm, just start up the car. I would consider it if I were you. I much prefer not having to drive in the morning, especially from as far away as a motel might be.

[Still Hunter]

Thanks for the help. I don't want it to seem like we would be doing anything illegal. Just wondering. He was wanting to carry his ar-15 chambered in .223. I'm still trying to talk him into a tag but I don't think it's going to happen.

That would actually be legal with a small game license. The warden would be awful suspicious though. Especially, if he's with you, and you're hunting big game.

[elkchaser]

Yea. Wouldn't look very good would it. I'll just tell him to trash that idea to save us some headache.

[Deereagle]

Some good information for a newbie to pick up on. I to am a newbie and will keep a eye on the tips posted here.

[wildskies.com]

Welcome and good luck.

If your buddy has some intel on the Pagosa Springs area, I would lean on him for places to camp and areas to focus on, provided he had been successful. Plan on the possibility of heavy snow anywhere that you go. I think there are some opportunities to harvest elk in the Woodland Park/Florrisant areas, which are just West of Colorado Springs.


If you can spend some time in the unit ahead of the season, that would help your chances greatly.

Isn't Woodland Park the area that massively burned in 2012 with all those fires by Colorado Springs?. Is it any better now?

[wildskies.com]

Some good information for a newbie to pick up on. I to am a newbie and will keep a eye on the tips posted here.

I know you are not from PA, but Pagosa Springs Area is #1 for PA hunters-not sure why but it seems almost everyone from PA knows someone else from PA who hunts that area. That area gets a lot - I mean -a lot of hunters.

Best advice was given early on- if you are planning a DIY hunt where the herd numbers are biggest so you have the greatest opportunity for actually seeing an elk. In areas where the herd numbers are low or the number of hunters are exceptionally high, you either need private land, trespass access, a guide, a great undiscovered honey hole or God on your side.

You may have a friend that hunted Pagosa, but how well does he know it and can you get away from all the other hunters especially if you are driving in from a hotel on a daily basis.

Beautiful area-Pagosa-but definitely scout it out over the summer and get advice from locals or the BIG Game Biologist for the area on where you need to go to get away from other hunters and if it is even feasible to do on a daily basis form a hotel. If you aren't camping, maybe on your summer trip see if there are some private cabin rentals or something in the area that get you away from the hotels and deeper into the woods closer to the elk.

[cohunter14]

Welcome and good luck.

If your buddy has some intel on the Pagosa Springs area, I would lean on him for places to camp and areas to focus on, provided he had been successful. Plan on the possibility of heavy snow anywhere that you go. I think there are some opportunities to harvest elk in the Woodland Park/Florrisant areas, which are just West of Colorado Springs.


If you can spend some time in the unit ahead of the season, that would help your chances greatly.

Isn't Woodland Park the area that massively burned in 2012 with all those fires by Colorado Springs?. Is it any better now?

There have been a couple of fires around that area, one in 2012 and one a few years prior to that. However, there is still a lot of huntable land and there are elk in there.

[Elkbugler]

Hello Elk Hunting Newbie. I just now found this forum. What a wealth of knowledge to swap along. i assume you're going hunting next october? I am going skiing next week in Pagosa Springs and hope to take a day and scout GMU 771 and 78 for possibly a hunt next year as well. I would be very interested in what your friend suggests to you. I have hunted and even guided a little many years in the Hayden and Craig areas of Colorado with great success, but being from south of Dallas Texas the trip is a killer. Im looking for something a little closer. Have a Merry Christmas. Oh yes also it is illegal for a non hunter to carry a firearm during hunting hours and it is legal to use walkie talkies

[elkchaser]

Time to revive the thread a little bit.
Got a couple questions. First is the otc tag im going to buy only good for the unit I choose or can i use it in any unit that has a unlimited otc bull tag for the 3rd season? Number two is it legal to hunt elk with a suppressor in colorado? I have been spoiled shooting with a can on and would really like to be able to hunt with it.

Hello Elk Hunting Newbie. I just now found this forum. What a wealth of knowledge to swap along. i assume you're going hunting next october? I am going skiing next week in Pagosa Springs and hope to take a day and scout GMU 771 and 78 for possibly a hunt next year as well. I would be very interested in what your friend suggests to you. I have hunted and even guided a little many years in the Hayden and Craig areas of Colorado with great success, but being from south of Dallas Texas the trip is a killer. Im looking for something a little closer. Have a Merry Christmas. Oh yes also it is illegal for a non hunter to carry a firearm during hunting hours and it is legal to use walkie talkies

Did you find anything of interest Elkbugler?

[cohunter14]

Time to revive the thread a little bit.
Got a couple questions. First is the otc tag im going to buy only good for the unit I choose or can i use it in any unit that has a unlimited otc bull tag for the 3rd season? Number two is it legal to hunt elk with a suppressor in colorado? I have been spoiled shooting with a can on and would really like to be able to hunt with it.

Yes, the tag is good for any OTC unit in Colorado, you are not just limited to one. And yes, you can hunt with a suppressor.

[Still Hunter]

Check with the BATFE on the suppressor. You might need to be authorized. There might be a fee too.

I don't mess with this stuff, but I thought I read that somewhere.

[elkchaser]

Im waiting on my tax stamp right now from the ATF. Going on 10 months right now. So im going to be legal in the eyes of the federal govt. I was just wondering if anybody knew the rules in colorado about hunting suppressed. I got a reply from the state this morning stating that if it is registered and I have my stamp it is legal to hunt with. The things spoil you on shooting a gun. Once you have shot suppressed you never want to go back to shooting without one.

[cohunter14]

I would love to get a suppressor for my rifle someday. The only downfalls are the cost and the fact that you have to register it. You register it with the fed's, they know you have a gun for it as well With what the registration and suppressor cost, I am worried my wife would not only kill me with my awesome suppressed rifle, but that no one would ever know she did it!

[elkchaser]

[quote="cohunter14"]I would love to get a suppressor for my rifle someday. The only downfalls are the cost and the fact that you have to register it. You register it with the fed's, they know you have a gun for it as well With what the registration and suppressor cost, I am worried my wife would not only kill me with my awesome suppressed rifle, but that no one would ever know she did it! [/quote

It does cost a bunch for a can and stamp. I think we should be able to buy them at the local gun shop anyway without the wait or the stamp. I dont like being on a list either but I just figure they almost everything about me anyway so I might as well have a few cool toys. It took some talking to get the wife on my side but once she shot one it was an easy conversation. Now I have to buy her one for her guns.

[itsnlkthing]

Hey, finally one I can give a little insight on..
I know you also mention the possibilities of GMU 68 and 681. My family has hunted that area for over 100 years and unfortunately, there are now more hunters and ATV's than elk. Way too many roads through there and you can hardly throw a rock without hitting another campsite. There are elk in that area during the summer, but they quickly head to the private ranches once the hunters roll in. After not seeing any fresh sign or animals in 2011 and 2012, I finally broke with tradition and hunted a new area in 2013. Gunnison has been mentioned by a number of people as a place to stay if you are looking to do a motel and day hunt. There are a lot of people that do that and there are quite a few areas around Gunnison that hold elk.

I wasn't looking to stay in town, so went a different route in the SW part of the state. My criteria was a GMU with decent success rate in the season I was hunting, low hunter numbers and terrain that was inaccessible to ATV's. 2nd and 3rd rifle bring out a lot of orange but most don't venture far from places they can drive or ride an ATV. Weather can be a real factor the later you go. 3rd rifle can be hot and dry with the aspen leaves sounding like you are walking on corn flakes or cold with a foot of snow....sometimes in the same day. Pick a few spots that look promising and scout them out this summer. Look for areas that hold the key ingredients of food, water and cover but make sure they are off the beaten path. The one positive of high hunting pressure is that it moves the elk around. Hunt escape routes and deep dark hidey holes. Good luck!