I know a place...

[cnelk]

OK
So Im feeling a bit generous today....

I know of a place for a first time Colorado OTC archery elk hunter. A good place to ‘cut your teeth’ for an ‘any elk’ opportunity. It would be a base camp type hunt; drive to this spot and hunt, drive to that spot and hunt or hunt form from camp. Area is approx. 4 miles X 6 miles. Elevation is 8200ft to 9200ft. Forest roads to access areas. The nearest town is about 30 min. This area would be best hunted before ML season. Possible other archery hunters? Yes. Good brookie fishing.

[Mikeha33]

Between you posting this kind of stuff, and Joe always talking up MT & WY, I am thinking about kicking my spot to the curb!!! I'll only be below 11000' for a few steps on my hunt, mostly closer to 12000. 8500 sure sounds nice...

[Lark Bunting]

Not to sound desperate but I PM'd you. Looking for a decent spot to take my son on is first ever hunt for big game. He'll be 12 in May and is really excited to finally get out and hunt with his own gear. He went with me every weekend last September, even though he couldn't hunt and never complained once...even when we woke to 25° and snow on the last weekend.

Sadly, this will be only my second year hunting anything and I'm not experienced enough to "show him the ropes".

We certainly don't mind figuring this out on our own but I figured any tips from the pros for a first time youth would be awesome!

Tom

[pointysticks]

my wife probably wont understand why our kid is named "CNelk"..but can you do this again, while i am crying into my pending "unsuccesful"NM tag draw email?

[cohunter14]

I might just have to take up archery hunting...

[Mofarmboy]

This rookie could use a spot like that!!!!! I was raised not to take handouts but I'll trade you for a tree stand on the edge of a bean field with more than a few whitetails in front of it:)

[rowdycwby1]

I'm with pointysticks I might need a backup plan in I don't get drawn out here in NM.

[scrubs]

Very generous offer cnelk.

[cnelk]

I have received and sent PMs regarding this post

Seems to have some interest...

[scrubs]

Tell the lucky recipients they have to post pics on here if successful

[Jaquomo]

Brad, an envelope with a nice Cabelas gift card enclosed is on the way to your house....

[GetOutside]

This forum has to be one of the best on the net! It's refreshing to see people helping others for a change!

[Elkonthebrain]

This forum has to be one of the best on the net! It's refreshing to see people helping others for a change!

X2 That is awesome!!!!!

[cnelk]

Well after some PMs back and forth and sending texts to several people, the place I referred to above is now going to hunted by someone here on this forum.

I KNOW there are elk there. It will be up to him to be dedicated and find them and close the deal.
I requested that this be kept secret.
I also requested that he let me and us on the forum know how he did and what he learned.

It was agreed.

So, that the deal.
This isnt just some place I picked on a map. I have hunted some of it. And seen elk, called in elk and missed elk
I just dont get there any more.

Lets give Larking Bunting and his son some encouragement on their new area

[rowdycwby1]

That's pretty cool of you cnelk!! Good luck to lark hunting and his boy Icant wait for fall to read there recap and see those pics!!

[Mofarmboy]

Good luck to lark bunting and his son!!!!! Awesome gesture cnelk!!

[Bowhunter]

Good luck lark and son. Brad told me of a place last year that requires a boat to get to. I didn't go because I drew a tag for somewhere else. I am going to give it a try this year. I have maps and a plan. I am looking for a partner if anyone is interested. Pm me and we can talk.

You are a heck of a guy Brad.

[JGH]

I wondered what happened to the "you need a boat"-place.

Good luck, everyone. Post stories, photos.

[Indian Summer]

Man... I thought you'd pick me. Or since I figured you'd have too much interest maybe put our names in a hat and pick randomly.

But I do know Larkbunting's situation so I think you made a great choice. I guess I have a spot I could hunt anyway. :^)

Did you do something bad Brad and trying to earn back your spot in heaven?

[scrubs]

This forum has to be one of the best on the net! It's refreshing to see people helping others for a change!

I agree 100 %.

[cnelk]

I wondered what happened to the "you need a boat"-place.

John
The 'boat' hunt is scheduled to take place this fall by 'bowhunter'

[BrentLaBere]

Mighty kind of you cnelk
Good luck lark bunting!

[Lark Bunting]

I feel very fortunate to have Brad offer such a deal. My son and I will respect the privacy of this place and will begin preparing this weekend. I can only hope I get my draw area this year and and can be successful early on and can put all my efforts into my son's first hunt. Thank you again Brad, I can't wait to begin the planning, scouting, and preparations to make the most of this hunt.

[Indian Summer]

Bunting, I hope you both hit a home run!

Keep us posted.

[Fireball]

Now this is what its all about.

Looking forward to some pics & a story from a young hunter.

Best of luck.

[Lark Bunting]

I'm sitting here going over the events which occurred this week with my son. He wanted me to say thank you for the support and for the assistance from Brad.

We're going over the maps and discussing his plan of attack.

Like I said, I'm hoping by the time he and I are in this area I will have already have tagged out elsewhere and he will be the sole hunter for this area. (Of course, if I don't tag out I will also be hunting this area)

Assuming all goes well though.....

We have a lot of work to do and we're really excited to go scout out the area. We're planning two trips (long weekends) to this area to scout. Considering this is his first year he will be old enough to hunt I am really excited to get him out there.

For those that didn't follow our adventures last year, he called in a couple elk for me, though we didn't get them within 100 yards. He's got his elk call out now and is still practicing.

Paul's book will be on order soon and we've been watching all his videos to get some ideas on the elk language. He's getting some new boots very soon(Do you know how fast these kids' feet grow?!?!??! It's ridiculous!)

Thank you again, Brad. Please know we are going to put all our efforts into this opportunity! Also, thank you to the forum for your support. I hope we can represent!

[itsnlkthing]

Brad, thanks for doing this. It is easy to see that lark bunting has his priorities in the right place. I only have one child and my daughter just doesn't want to hunt. She has gone along with me turkey hunting but not big game. She's a freshman at mines now and no time at all to get away with dad. It's great to see the excitement from these two and regardless the outcome, these are the memories that last a lifetime.

[easeup]

wow!

over at Texasbowhunter.com it seems to be the thing to have a live hunt thread going. I know for one that the live elk hunt thread on this forum on cnelk secret place would be a big hit and the whole place would be loggin in to see what happened each day.

[cnelk]

Thanks for the kind words everyone, but I dont consider it a big deal.
Not all the places I know dont fit a lot of type of hunters style.

Lark Bunting wasnt the only one on here that got info on a place for this year, that was just the only one I made public.
I think there are 4 others.

Most places were 'areas' I know or heard about. Sometimes co-workers tell me they arent going back to a spot they hunted.
So I ask them if they wouldnt mind sharing details. Most times they dont care and tell me everything they know about the spot.

Other places I just havent got to scout yet. But I know there are elk there, somewhere.
They just have to be dedicated and put the effort in to be successful.

I get nothing in return, I only ask for a hunt update and hope they have fun

So, as of now, Im out of places extra places

[zpd307]

this has got me thinking..... since I am going to Idaho this year instead our spot in Colorado.

[ElkNut1]

Where in idaho are you planning your hunt?

ElkNut1

[razorback]

That's so cool... If anybody else knows of a place and wants to help out a rookie, I'm all ears!

[zpd307]

paul, in the Lemhi zone. the unit I hunted in Colorado is what I would call a pressured area. the bulls were not very vocal. I heard a handful of bugles both years I hunted. but the elk were there and I was able to find them. I haven't hunted public land anywhere else so I don't know how common the elk behavior in my area is compared to everywhere else. If anyone is interested I will gladly give them the lowdown.

[archery bum]

zpd I would be interested in the Co areas if you don't mind. You can PM me if you like

[zpd307]

no prob. I cant say its a glory hole, but for someone new and or someone who has a spot that they cant find or there isn't any elk, but I can give a heads up where they are.
sending pm, ab

[archery bum]

what happen too cnelk anyways? haven't seen him post lately

[ElkNut1]

cnelk has moved on to greener pastures!

ElkNut1

[archery bum]

sorry to hear that good luck to him