Colorado elk

[Slick]

Ok I haven't made it yet to colorado this year. My just ion is has the rut about to started, started, or over ? Thanks

[Gypsumreaper]

Where I'm at haven't even gotten bulls into hearts yet, finally had a friend see a small 5 point chase a cow that is it, it's hard hunting

[wapitloco]

I had bulls screaming all weekend and even called in a herd bull and a couple sattelites. But don't judge the rest of the state by that. The elk behave differently in most other units than how they do in unit 61 where I have the great fortune to hunt this year. My brother is hunting unit 65 and he texted me Fri. Night and he said he had a few bulls bugling where he was at.

[valgor]

I hunt in 444. Bugling was limited to just one large drainage. But that is the only location we saw bulls in. they were up high due to the mosquitoes and the heat.

[otcWill]

I know a Keith from TX that hunts around me. That you? I'd be glad to give ya a specific report of our area. Kenny has my number.

[ElkNut1]

The rut is just getting started, it's far from over!

ElkNut1

[nrocchio]

The first week of the season was really quiet in both areas I hunted. I didn't call much unless I saw fresh sign, which was not often. In most cases, unfortunately the sign looked at least a few days to a week too old. I did throw out a few blind location bugles when I was higher up and thought they could carry over a ridge or two. The last day of my hunt on Sept 7th I was able to get a bull to bugle back a few times, but I never found the bull. He was in some really thick timber and by the time I closed into where he was responding from I couldn't get a response, and didn't catch him coming in quiet. The only other response I got to my calling is when I called in a hunter honking a hoochie mama the whole way in. Which was still fun, we both got a laugh out of it then went our separate ways. I have seen a lot of deer, but no elk. I am hoping that the cooler weather and the later September rut are going to make for a more eventful hunt starting this weekend. So far, for me, it has been a slow start.

[WVelkLady]

Anyone hunting in GMU 23 or 24? Was it crowded? Hear any bugling? Hunted out there last year DIY about 8-10 miles from the trailhead and saw several people (all guided) but only 3-4 elk. No bugling then. 1st and 2nd week of archery season last year. Planning our trip for next year and thinking about trying somewhere new maybe south in GMUs 77 or 78. Any recommendations or things/places to avoid? Not asking for your honey hole but anything helpful would be appreciated. Hoping to do a summer scout trip with the family and want to narrow down the area.

[RP]

Just got back from 10 days hunting above Aspen in unit 47. No bugling or rut activity. Saw 5 cows on second day nothing after that. When we got back to trailhead all vehicles were gone we were last ones to leave out. Elk were first ones.

[luvelkhunt]

have been in unit 43 since the 7th, packing in several different locations for a few nights at a time. haven't heard a bugle yet . saw 6 bulls and 4 bears so far with no arrows fired. finding moderate elk sign in all the spots Ive hunted but also lots of people in the woods, hunters and non hunters. cant seem to get away from either. gonna pack in again in the morning to another spot for the final few days of our hunt. good luck all.

[one_elk]

Was in 43 last weekend helping a friend out and we heard quite a bit of bugling, I imagine it just depends where you are we were in the oakbrush....

[BRazz]

I was just in 43 for a few days also. First time there and likely our last time there.

We heard some elk at night but there were SO MANY PEOPLE! We managed to get away from most of them by hiking our butts off, but the trip was too short to punch a tag...

[Waygoner]

I just got back from 10 days in 67. Weather was hot and elk were quiet. Did see 2 giant bulls, one with 8 cows and the other with close to 20. Bulls seem to be cowed up. Disappointing hunt overall, few elk and very little bugling.

[poisonarrow]

I have hunted all season. The bulls in unit 68 were just starting to bugle good over the weekend.

[toasty tiger]

not a lot going on in the southwest. got on two bulls - neither had cows and were still using wallows- I hunted from11,400 down to 8700. The animals were no where near the top. they were in the thickest nastiest canyons that you could find. ended up covering about 60 miles in 4 days just to scout hunt several locations. I found sign only after getting well away from a road.

[luvelkhunt]

Was in 43 last weekend helping a friend out and we heard quite a bit of bugling, I imagine it just depends where you are we were in the oakbrush....

we hunted from about 9000 to 11500 mostly pine and some aspen, we are back home in pa. now and did manage to punch a tag on a 5x5 on the last day. the bugling seemed to start up the last two days of our hunt. the 5x came in with 7 cows screaming the whole way, he caught an arrow at 40 yds. about a 5.5 mile pack out, the knees are starting to feel a little better. ha ha. will probably go with another unit next time, just to many people for my liking.