FNG, ready to Elk Hunt!

[ballfroguy]

Hey guys, new here looking to learn from experience. I live in Texas where the deer hunting has become such a money maker that it makes it impossible to hunt without paying an arm or a leg. I recently went to breckenridge and fell in love with the mountains. We then took a snowmobile ride thru the San Isabel Forrest and I really went head over heels. We saw elk and just being in the mountains made sense to me. I started to research and realized how much cheaper an elk hubt in colorado is vs deer hunting in Texas. After hours and hours I have decided on unit 74, terrain, location and herd numbers drive me to it. I have all of the gear needed, Im in shape and im ready. One thing I noticed was how many outfitters use this unit for hunting, I was hoping to PM or Email someone who has hunted and tell them my plan to see if its even a good plan. Ive planned this based on elevation, access and migration stats from CPWL. Anyways let me know what you guys think, im ready to learn.

[GobbleFarmer]

Cool beans dude, looks like your ready to go. I am sure that there is someone here that can help, not me though. sorry.

[Hockeyhunter11]

I have not hunted it, but 74 is an OTC unit so expect more orange than a Bronco game if you are rifle hunting. Sounds like you plan to get away from the roads which should serve you well. Most CO hunters are lazy and will only go in a mile or as far as their ATV will take them. Its been a very wet spring so should be good for antler growth. Good luck to ya.

[WapitiTalk1]

Welcome to "the" elk forum ballfroguy! Pull up a log by the fire, a beverage of choice, and chime in whenever you wish. There are a few cats here that know Colorado hunting... I'm sure they'll have some thoughts on the area you're looking at, some insight on how outfitter pressure may or may not affect your DIY hunt, and may be willing to look at your hunt plan. Dig through the forum threads here (Elknut Tips and Clips, Archived Tips, and the main elk hunting forum); the information contained in them will really get you thinking and on the right track about effective scouting (remote and BOG), final area selection based on research, gear, tactics, etc. Best of luck on your adventure... you've came to the right place to start!

[ballfroguy]

Yes im expecting orange, but i also plan to work around it. I just wanna try it out, going OTC 2nd rifle.

[longbowelk]

I don't know 74 personally but yes there are a lot of people in the woods during second rifle season. Plenty of them do get off the road and get back in. Weather wise it can be interesting in the mountains that time of year. Good luck

[ballfroguy]

Yeah expecting it. Im taking alot of stuff for weather, maybe more than I need to but id rather have it than not need it then... you know the drill. Even if I dont kill anything, it will be a damn awesome camping trip.

[ferris bugler]

Don't let other people deter you. Use them to your advantage. If you are seeing a lot of other hunters set up in areas that they are going to push elk through. Also, make sure you are up and out early. My best rifle hunting has happened when I spotted elk at last light and then was there to have a shot at first light the next day. Good luck. Sorry I don't have specifics for the unit.

[ballfroguy]

I dont mind people, they work hard and earn a elk good for them. Ill do my thing and they do theirs. Anyone hunt 74?

[Dr_flash]

Hi Ballfroguy. I have lived in Colorado my whole life and although i have not hunted unit 74, i would agree with the people above on their tips and recommendation. I also want to warn/caution/encourage you to be in shape! Many people do not realize how the elevation can affect someone, especially when they are not acclimated to it. Also, you can expect 4 - 5 trips hauling out an animal, so the further you are in, the more tired you will get. I would have the gutless method and/or boneless method memorized so i could do it in my sleep. Also, the weather can change here hour to hour, be prepared, dress in layers, etc... Like you, i am enjoying this forum and learning all i can. Growing up i have hunted elk during rifle season (cows) but never in the archery/muzzy season, so the rut is all new to me and i love it.

[ballfroguy]

What about unit 140? I bumped into someone at cabelas and he was talking about going to 140 for his first time. Anyone else?

[Bow4me]

I've never hunted 74 but I've hunted 71 and 751 on each side. And my advice would be be ready to crawl off into the nastiest holes you can find. If you come to rough area that you don't think you can make it through keep going because the other hunters probably turned around there too but the elk didn't. And like the other guys said be in shape and not flat land shape mountain shape. I seen your from Texas and I'm from Arkansas we're probably close to the same altitude and I promise it will shock you when you get above 8000' . My first trip after 2 days I was in the tent with altitude sickness swearing I would never do this again. But luckily I had had some opportunities at elk in the first few days and it infected me with the elk sickness. By the time I was halfway home I was planning my next trip. Next thing the guys said was the weather. This was also a surprise to me there. I've seen the temperature rise 30 degrees and then drop 50 in the same day. I've seen it sunny, rain, hail, sleet, snow and back to sunny in one day. So definitely be ready for all kinds of weather. But with all the bad out of the way welcome to the elkaholic community.

[ballfroguy]

Yeah im in shape, altitude sickness did not bother me as much. We went to brekenridge and snowboarded, we accidentally got on the wrong lift and at the tip it said 10350 ft. I was fine, I work out everyday and play flag football competatively on my time off. I watch these shows where these guys go on these forbidden places and all I can think is if they can do it I sure as hell can do it. Whatd you think of 751? I think if I get an OTC tag for 74 ill be good for all the 7s wouldnt I? Ill check again

[Indian Summer]

Just remember this: Everyone says they plan to give it hell. Everyone is willing to go the extra mile to get away from other hunters. To REALLY do that and rise above the rest you better REALLY be prepared physically, mentally, and gear-wise. Consider that those with experience will probably be more mentally prepared. That's just a fact of life because experience is the best teacher. So whatever you consider to be giving it hell... go one step further than that and you'll be in the ball park.

Grill the heck out of your topo maps. Come up with a battle plan and stick to it. Make sure you have a plan B and C so that your battle plan has some flexibility giving you the ability to adjust to the unpredictable which is other hunters and of course location of elk. good luck.

[Bow4me]

Don't take this the wrong way I'm just trying to help with what little I know but skiing down hill ain't nothing like chasing elk up hill. Like just trying to help one flat lander to another. The other guys on here have way more elk knowledge than me but I have learned a little by making mistakes. I've always been athletic and thought it would be easy. My uncle warned but I thought to myself hell your just old I can handle it. I was wrong. But that all just depends on how you hunt too. If you go after the elk wherever they are you better be in marathon shape. JS

[ballfroguy]

I been talking to my buddy who is coming, he has hunted elk before but not in Colorado. For "bear,lion" protection he thinks we should take my shotgun with a 10round capacity. Is that legal in Co?

[Vanish]

You won't need it in CO.

[zpd307]

4 elk seasons in the mtns and I have yet to see a cat. I have seen 3 black bears, one was really far away and doesn't really count. the other at 20 yards ran away and the other at 20 just meandered off. I di carry a pistol though....

[Z Barebow]

Ditto Vanish- I cannot imagine taking a shotgun in addition to all of the other stuff that occupies my pack.

To be honest, I don't work about blacks. Be safe with your food (IE Hang it) and put a sweaty shirt nearby and you will be fine. You will likely have more problems with mice!

[CurlyTail]

Welcome to the forum!

I have not hunted 74 myself but was looking at it also. Appears to have lots of elk and lots of elk hunters - just like all of Colorado. Rifle season is always crowded so I have opted for the muzzleloader season (which is unique to Colorado elk hunting) which is still in my comfort zone but way less competitition from other hunters, and is during the peak of the rut - an ideal combination for alot of guys. Something to think about for next year. Of course, the muzzleloader tags are limited and harder to draw.

i think all units are potentially very good hunting. You just have to get boots on the ground and get out there and find the spots that hold elk but not other hunters. I would think of this hunting season as the start of a long journey in elk hunting. Each year you will gain knowledge and experience. After a few years, you will have the puzzle pretty well figured out. Hard to rush that process. You will have to get a little bit lucky to score your first year without intimate knowledge of your area. A good attitude and physical fitness will sure enhance your chances.

Dont follow trails - go to the drainages without a formal trail system. Most guys are not comfortable very far off a trail, and will not do it. Find a good saddle between two prime valleys and spend some time on it.

That sure looks like beautiful country so you will not be disappointed by the background scenery! Fall in Colorado high country is pretty amazing. And you won't even believe how much better Elk meat is than deer. Leave that shotgun at home. The bears in Colorado are after your food, not you. Just a nusiance, hardly a danger.