Muzzle Loader Elk

[Kenny]

Hello everyone. I'm new to this forum but it looks interesting. I'm sure I'll be reading this frequently.

I'm leaving 3 weeks from today for Pagosa Springs, CO with my muzzle loader. Can't think of anything but elk. I've never been there that early in the year.
I went once for the first rifle hunt and they were still bugling some at night. I think it will be exciting this year.
My wife just finished making me some beef jerky to take. Most of my gear is already together on a big table ready to pack up.
I got my open site muzzle loader sited in were I can consistently hit a paper plate out to 200 yards if I can prop up on something.
I sure wish they would consider allowing a scope for us older sight impaired folks.
Feeling pretty confident so hopefully I'll get my 3rd bull this year.
This will be my 8th year. I go alone and everything I've learned is from reading or experience.
I got my first one, a 5X5 on year 5 and my second last year, a 4X5.

[Rangerz]

Good Luck! Iron sights here in NV as well.

[Elkduds]

Welcome to the forum, good luck on your hunt Random thoughts on black powder hunts in CO in Sept: Bring rain gear, keep your powder dry. I usually put a strip of duct or elec. tape across my muzzle after loading so rain doesn't get in, it does not obstruct shooting. Keep the nipple covered (of your gun). Mine is a hawken-style sidelock, I know the inlines have enclosed nipples. I shoot my load every evening, reload every morning. When the cap goes pop and rifle doesn't shoot, the elk find that hilarious. Know how much energy your load makes, it may not be lethal on elk @ 200 yards. Most of us keep to around 100-125 yard shots on elk to be sure of a lethal shot, even though we can accurately shoot farther. Read the CO regs, they prohibit powder pellets and sabots, among other things. Lots of expertise on this forum, including yours. After 3 posts you can use private messaging (PMs).

[Bow4me]

I have bow hunted near Pagosa the week before ML in the past and the rain and wet feet definitely come to mind. I have seen that it has been above average rain fall so probably gonna be muddy. The bugling was just getting started when we were leaving so hopefully that will be in your favor. I was hoping someone would be posting a bugle report soon.

[Fridaythe13th]

Is this your 1st trip to Pagosa Springs? or have you hunting this area before. We are planning to go there muzzle loader next year. We hunted there for 3 years 2nd season rifle had good fortune taken 6 cows/calfs and a bull (5x6). How many preference point did you have???? We have 3 PP now I hope that is enough for next year.
Welcome to Elknuts Good luck and shoot straight.

[mongopino915]

Hunt hard, enjoy, and have fun. I have a good feeling bull #3 will be coming home with you. Good Luck.

[Indian Summer]

First welcome to our humble home Kenny. You'll find it a pretty nice place to visit with hunters of all skill levels. But best of all we all get along pretty darn well for the internet. If you have learned from reading in the past you sure came to the right place to take your learning to the next level. It's 24/7/365 elk around here.

Here in Pa it has always been iron sights during muzzle loader season. I use a fiber optic sight. But my eyes aren't what they used to be either. What make/model of gun are you shooting? 200 yards is pretty good for an open sighted smokepole.

One thing I gathered from your first post here is that you are persistent. For that reason I have faith in you this season. Muzzy hunting season is something that I always wanted to try in Colorado. We don't have a season for them where I hunt in Montana and Wyoming.

Best of luck to you partner and I hope to see you around our campfire more often.

[Kenny]

Thanks everyone for all the info. I do my best to put it to good use.

I use a CVA Optima with 120 grains of Pyrodex and Powerbelt connical bullets. I've checked everything to make sure I'm legal in CO.
I use it here in South Arkansas for deer but I had to take my scope off and site it in for Pyrodex instead of my usual 3 50 grain TripleSeven pellets.

I have hunted the same area every year because I know there are elk there and I don't want to have to learn a new area.
Last year I applied for the ML elk tag with 3 preference points. I was pretty confident I would draw so I also put in for the mule deer tag combo.
As luck would have it I drew the mule deer tag but not the elk. I can't afford but 1 trip a year and elk is priority so I got a refund on the deer tag.
Then I went for elk during the 2nd rifle season. I hunted all week and couldn 't find an elk.
I came back down Thurday to replenish and every hunter was gone and I started seeing fresh sign.
I got one to come to my cow call Saturday morning. Next to the last day. It really pays to never give up.

This year I did the same and drew the elk tag and got a deer preference point with a refund check. Go figure!

I usually pack in and stay 3 to 4 nights at a time and then come down and clean up a little in my camper.
Rain tends to change my plans a lot depending on how wet and sick I get. A little rain is good but not every day for 5 staight days like I have seen.

Good Luck everyone!

[Bow4me]

South Arkansas huh. What town? I live close to Searcy AR. I'll be near Pagosa during ML myself. Maybe we will cross paths.

[Indian Summer]

South Arkansas huh. What town? I live close to Searcy AR. I'll be near Pagosa during ML myself. Maybe we will cross paths.

Hey Kenny.. sounds like you might have an elk packer bud!

I'd be getting a cell phone number and a camp location. Help an old timer out Bow4me.

[Kenny]

Hey Bow4me. I'll be getting into town sometime Thursday morning. Maybe we could meet up but I'll be heading up the mountain Friday morning.
I'll PM you later. Right now I'm too new to PM
It seems I have to have 3 posts before I can PM.
I met a couple of guys on the trail 2 years ago from Weiner. I don't think they ever made it up far enough to do any good.
Said they couldn't take the altitude change.
My house is at 114 ft. above sea level and swamps surround me. Oh well. Sure glad I quit smoking about 20 years ago.