father son unit 30/31 help colorado

[michiganelkfever]

hi everybody new guy here. I'm just looking to get a little bit of help with unit 30 and 31 in Colorado for archery elk season. We plan to go up Douglas pass and hunt near intersection of 30 22 and 31 above roan Creek.we have hunted lamequ ranch last year and my father for the past 20 yrs. But we are going to venture out on our own this year. my big concern is that I am 35 and have only hunted elk 1 year...my dad is 54 and a beast...works out like crazy..but expressed to me on day 5 when reaching the top of the mountain that i need to find an elk partner because hes getting old.....thats not what i want...i want to archery hunt elk with him as long as possible! I need help finding some area that may not be quite as steep as roan creek....but not for softies either.., we work year round for elk hunting....its in my blood now, and i finally see why he has always been so passionate for it! Im not looking for anyones honey hole...im just looking for the opportunity to enjoy a hunt with my father where our hard work still may pay off......sorry so long winded, just wanted to give a little background! Thanks again for any help.

[Indian Summer]

Welcome to Elknut Forums Michigan.

It seems like a simple solution since you have already chosen where you want to hunt. Go to Caltopo and study the maps. here's a link: http://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=39.78173 ... o=r&n=0.25

Look for the places where the contour lines aren't so close together indicating country that isn't so steep. Remember that f it's too easy you'll have company, which could also mean no elk. So my suggestion would be to zero in on a few areas. Then take the time to carefully plot hunting routes that are user friendly. Look for benches on otherwise steep slopes. That's where the elk will hang out. Tell your dad that the plan is to drop or climb once a day to get to those spots. Then spend your time hunting them before dropping or climbing back to where you started. Instead of working him to the bone all day just pay the price once a day and spend the rest of the time hunting in the zone. Right now is the time of year to stare at those maps zooming in and out and panning around until you have a few plans to go with. You can also take the coordinates from the places you are looking at and plug them into Google Earth for a 3D view of everything.

Tell your dad that it's not over yet. It's just time to start hunting smarter instead of harder. Good luck!

[otcWill]

If I were picking between the two, I'd go to 31 because it has much less public. All those "smallish" looking pieces of BLM can often hunt like private and rarely do any out of staters bother with it. Take a look at some country you think your dad can manage and then look for private ranches or even high end developments encompassing large acreage. If its not getting hunted, has water, and is in elk country then it is likely an elk magnet. Such properties with adjoining BLM that isn't very big are often, if not usually, KILLER spots to hunt elk here in CO. Good luck!

[michiganelkfever]

Thanks guys...i appreciate the advice...i have been using the trimble gps hunt app...its awesome...has topo....sattelite...street and private overlays...u can also download the unit u are hunting and it works per sattelite when u are hunting so your phone is your gps but u can mark waypoints...camp...elk...and it will track your exact route...its pretty awesome....i see across from roan in unit 30 there are some nice looking benches below private...my concern is we only have 7 days and i worry about spending too much time checking them out if they are terrible....but i guess thats y they call it hunting!

[michiganelkfever]

Wow....must be uncharted territory because theres not much for comments....but thanks to the guys who did help!!