co unit 371 4 rifle

[powderhogg01]

hey all, I found a leftover tag for a unit near my house. I will be able to hunt 4 full days in a unit I have only ever used for fishing. I have an area which holds elk late into the year planned out, and I will move closer to private land and golf courses if thats where the sign shows. I spent a bit of time in there yesterday and saw no elk sign. Knowing this time of the year the elk or congregating and beginning to move to winter grounds, what do the majority of you think. start looking up high in the deeper snow for the herd, or start of lower in elevation. I saw elk at about 10k 3 days ago, would thay indicate that other elk in general will be in the same region given the same conditions. (similar mountain)

[Elkduds]

I'm heading out to fill the freezer 4th season also. There is no snow in the valleys @ 9200 according to webcams, maybe a foot of snow @ 11K. Some snow on lower north-facing slopes. Temps in the +10 range @ night, 30's daytime. I'll be glassing, looking next to private down low, and as high up as I can drive, for multiple tracks. That is my 1st strategy for finding them. When I find tracks, I plan to watch in ambush early and late, and follow tracks during midday. I'll have reeds and other cow calls along. I'm taking snowshoes and mountaineering skis, am interested in hunting while skiing if I locate elk where snow is deep enough. Any other suggestions?

Good luck PH01 and all late hunting elknuts!

[powderhogg01]

there is a significant storm coming through, so if our hunting that north facing terrain you may be able to use those skis to your advantage. I too also will be bringing skis along.. be safe out there and good luck

[powderhogg01]

we had a blizzard move through the area. It dropped over 10 inches here, likely see the same accumulation where I plan to hunt. snows getting a bit deeper now, here we go for a 4 day season.. hard hunting.. bringing the skis since I cant refuse a powder turn or two while I am at it.

[cohunter14]

The storm should definitely get them moving! Should be great hunting as soon as it passes. Good luck!

[powderhogg01]

I found a bull today, he was deep in some thick stuff in the eaglenest wilderness area. By thick stuff we are talking an entire forest, beetle killed then blown down.. moving through there was one of the worst things I have ever done. every thing had just enough snow to not allow any traction. Not a fun place to be, but then bam.. elk at 50 yards. come on.. step out and be a cow.. ahh shoot its got antlers. fun to watch, he moved through the downfall like it was not there.. meanwhile it took me several hours to go less then a mile.
probably the only time I have been disappointed to see a bull at close range, while a fleeting feeling, as it was still pretty cool.