Colorado Flat tops

[blackbruin]

Live in Pennsylvania, even though I won't have a muzzleloader tag this year, I have decided to go OTC rifle so I can get a grasp of the area. Coming east from meeker, up the marvine drainage, have a wrangler arraigned to pack me in/out and any elk. I am not looking for honey holes or specifics, if you feel so inclined please pm me. I have never hunted elk before, Is the key here to go find them and put the miles on in the timber and cover, etc. or to just post myself in between the bedding/feeding/pressure.

Thanks I appreciate any advice. I am stoked can't wait, I took 3 weeks off from work so I got the whole 9 days to hunt! Well weather permitting.

[WapitiTalk1]

First and foremost, welcome to "the" elk forum blackbruin! First elk hunt? I would recommend you dedicate as much time as you can squeeze in between now and hunting season to pour over the current and previous threads on the Elknut forum. There is a ton, I mean a ton, of information here that will help you on your way. The Elknut "tips and clips" is packed full of instructional/educational information. As far as Colorado specifics, I'll leave that to the Centennial State cats that lurk here . Best of luck on your hunt this fall buddy. Looking forward to hearing how you did. RJ

[Indian Summer]

Welcome to our humble home Dan. If I were you I would without a doubt do some serious communicating with that packer. Get a map in front of you so you know what you are talking about when you're on the phone. Have a list of educated questions ready too. The Flattops aren't like an untrampled wilderness. Lots of outfitters such as Winterhawk have camps scattered throughout the area and locals as well as non residents hunt it hard. Only hands on experience in the area will be able to determine where to go in hopes of finding a place to call your own. In general I'd say look for some steep nasty stuff and plan to cover some ground once you get there to fine tune your daily plan.

If it makes you feel any better, I think guys from Pa have a knack for finding elk.

Have you thought about making as trip up to northern Pa to get familiar with the habits of elk and such? If for nothing else it is a great way to get ready physically. Strap on your pack, give your camping gear a trial run, and listen to some elk talk.

By the way, you have to make 3 posts on this website before you can send or receive PMs. Hope to see you here more often. Good luck pilgrim.

[baddaddy]

welcome Dan. The Flat Tops is a large area. Be ready to adjust according to the elk. They can be anywhere. When you get to Meeker, stop by the DPW office just west of Meeker and speak with them about the area.

[brun]

The advice in the other posts is sound in my opinion. I would add fitness, fitness, fitness. I think it is the one thing you can do at home which will add the most to your fun and chance of success.

[blackbruin]

Thanks Indian, I live in north central pa, not far from williamsport I've been hauling my 30lb 3 year old around the mountains so far on a homemade pack frame. I figured it would take me until I'm 90 before I ever drew a tag here. I can only say maybe it's because we hunt thick laurel choked ridges for white tails and are not afraid of working hard for even just a legal buck! I had the notion of heading for the nasty thick side hills, figured go where they get pressured to, kinda like our mountain deer. I know they are not the same animals but if you gotta hide where's the best place besides off the plateau!

Again thanks

[Elkduds]

Welcome, good to have you. The Marvine Trail is the Interstate highway into Flattops. Plan to get off that trail, glass from on high, let pressure move elk toward you. Any legal bull up there is a shooter for most hunters. Flattops are notorious for big storms that drop heavy snow quickly and strand hunters during rifle seasons. If you are prepared to stick it out, shallow snow will really help the hunting. Have your plan for weather resolved w your packer in advance. Sounds like you are hunting alone?

[husky390]

Welcome. Elkduds pretty much nailed it. Not sure what season you're hunting but plan for snow. Last year, a lot of guy's bailed off the mountain the second day of First Season due to snow. We were up in the Flat Tops for Second Season and had to hike through knee deep snow. Nice thing was it kept everyone on the roads. I'd recommend a good pair of gaiters, waterproof boots, merino wool, and tire chains. Don't forget your hunters safety card and blaze orange.

[blackbruin]

I was debating on gaiters, guess their going on the list! Yes wool! I'm not really a synthetic guy, you gotta try alpaca wool! Got a local alpaca farm by me that weaves their own, try some! Yeah I'm going by myself for 2nd rifle this year. So expect snow, not a matter of if just when, makes sense.

[Gander29]

I believe Marvine Creek is just north of Ute Creek which is where we hunted last year 1st rifle. The elk we saw the few days before season started were still high, close to 10k. the only elk that were killed from the outfitter camps we were with were his highest camps, close to 11k. there was a 3pt bull with 6" brow killed above us. Ute Creek side is an old burn area. Really tough, crawling over downed logs and limbs literally every 10 feet or so, the snow drifts were close to crotch deep in places. Area could be dangerous due to trips and falls on all the downed timber, pointed stubs and getting an ankle twisted or caught. We were only a few miles from the trailhead and had lots of hunters close to us, be prepared for company. Sent you a PM with more info.

[Ghost]

What? Another pa guy lol. Welcome Blackbruin. This place is filled with information and some of the friendliest guys on the web, watch out for that Joe guy, he has a way with rabbits lol.

[elkmtngear]

From an Outfitter I used to know in that area...I can tell you that most of the successes in the High Country he had came from setting up hunters at key points, and making drives through the dark timber/ aspens to get the elk to move across openings. They tend to hole up tight, and get very non-vocal in rifle season. It's very tough country to hunt and navigate.

Very early morning first light opportunities will be a good bet for ambush. Careful still hunting in the dark timber during the day will be a great tactic as well.