Unit 14 near Clark Colorado Elk and Mule deer

[unclefish]

Headed out on Wednesday for 2 ND rifle season. Anyone else hunt this area. wondering how archery went and if anyone is there now hunting 1st rifle season and how you did. Hahns peak last year had no snow when I was there.

[oldnovice]

I hunted 2nd rifle there last year. I only had OTC Elk and saw mulies all over the place. There will be no snow again this year. Any snow will be light and melt right away.

[unclefish]

I hunted 2nd rifle there last year. I only had OTC Elk and saw mulies all over the place. There will be no snow again this year. Any snow will be light and melt right away.

Thanks for update . I have been watching weather stills seam very warm during the day. some cold nights. I did get a Muley buck tag. and cow elk tag.
head out on wed morning .

[oldnovice]

Good luck to you. We saw mulies mainly in the creek beds as we were in a large old burn area and that was the only cover. My picture is from that area. Going back there for 4th rifle bull tag.

[Shadrap23]

I'm headed that direction tomorrow as well... We'll be hunting in GMU 5. Looks like it will be warm and dry again this year.

Good luck!

[unclefish]

Arrived up here around 4 . Saw a nice size heard of elk up on Ridge headed towards where we Hunt. Also spotted 4 nice muley bucks. Saw some snow up high by hahns peAK. Good luck to u up in unit 5 I love that area never got to hunt it yet. Looks like cold for tomorrow morning then warming up for open morning Saturday.

[COElkNut]

I've been watching this thread closely and appreciate being able to lurk-n-learn.

I'll be solo hunting in GMU14 for 4th rifle (bull tag) for the first time so I'm hanging on every bit of information that's given. I watch the Steamboat Springs webcam daily (hourly?) and am due to call the biologists again (called them earlier in late summer/early Fall). I've been committing google earth images to memory and studying my map so i can be as prepared as possible.

However, I am needing snow on the ground to be able to use my sled to haul my "camp" in so I'm making "Snow in Steamboat" a daily prayer!

[unclefish]

Saw some cow elk up on Ridge across street from Clark store tonight. All others in 214 on private land including a lot muley bucks. A lot of bear scat on road that cuts across wolf mountain ranch. Went over to Craig to check scope for that nice long ride from east coast. My baby still dead on.. almost had my deer coming to steamboat tonight for dinner all of us looking up and on side he was in road.

[COElkNut]

Saw some cow elk up on Ridge across street from Clark store tonight. All others in 214 on private land including a lot muley bucks. A lot of bear scat on road that cuts across wolf mountain ranch. Went over to Craig to check scope for that nice long ride from east coast. My baby still dead on.. almost had my deer coming to steamboat tonight for dinner all of us looking up and on side he was in road.

Ya gotta love it when yer shootin' iron hits where it did before ya left home!

Thanks for the intel on the cows across from the Clark Store. Were most of the elk in 214 on the ranches/private land?

Also, was there much snow at ground road level or mostly higher up?

I hope you get to 'blood' your rifle!

Please keep us posted as you're able and again, thank you!

fm

[unclefish]

No snow down low. all up high. All elk in 214 where on private land. Cruising Around the roads in the rental truck.
Like he said the ones in 214 on private land are like private stock I'm sure. Getting close probably take a ride up hahns peak tomorrow and scope out some of our spots. The boys that drove the truck out where talking to a hunter up there and told them that there group had 3 bulls.

[unclefish]

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Well I tagged my buck on sat morning then my cow elk on Monday morning. Boy that felt good.
even though they pushed the season week later it was hot again.
8 days goes so fast. even cruising around in rental I saw a lot bucks around.
wasn't that great seeing elk this year. I did alot of glassing

[oldnovice]

Wow! Glad someone is getting tags filled in Colorado! Spent all week hunting GMU 18/28 and never saw a buck or elk. Could have filled doe tags every day. Even the hunters that live here are saying it is terrible this year. Spoke with the CPW officer in Sulfur Hot Springs office and she told us that all the deer and elk are scattered because of late logging operations and 60 degree weather. I, too, am praying for snow in GMU 14 for 4th rifle! Anyone heading up there want to meet up and share scouting?

[unclefish]

oldnovice, by the looks of the weather forecast and being so warm lately think the 4th season might be a good one for elk migration. Best of luck for you. Let me know how you do. all elk I found where always on top of a ridge. I glassed every day even after I tagged out. I really wanted to look for new animal runs and beds but I figured it would only be fair to hunters to stay out.

[TennMatt]

Monday: headed up toward North Lake to sit on the edge of the canyon in the burn. It was a zoo. Lots of folks running around up there. Ended up above the lake. All shots I heard were from above me. No animals seen.

Tuesday: got a late start due to the rain. Headed into Swamp Park. Passed several groups that had been in the drainage for several days and they reported seeing no elk. I think I made it up to around 9500 +ft and stomped around in an old burn on top of a ridge up there. Saw a nice mule deer and a grouse.

Wednesday: tried to get as high as possible and scout the slopes above Gilpin Creek. Arrived at the lake and saw tracks headed over the saddle into Gold Creek. Descended and dropped into Mica Creek. No animals seen. Spent evening in Coulton Creek. No animals or shots heard.

Thursday: went into Gold Creek to see about the previous day's tracks. I went beyond the lake to the beautiful park about 1.5 miles past. No animals or shots. Some guys from Texas were headed into Mica Creek for the evening...

It was hot, crowded, and the action seemed slow. The rumor mill has it that 9+ bulls were pulled out of Coulton Creek opening weekend. Thursday I heard of one taken in Hinman Creek.

Best wishes 3rd and 4th rifle folk!

Matt

[oldnovice]

Thanks for the report Matt. Sounds a lot like last year. We saw lots of mulies but no elk up to and over 10,000 ft. Hoping for at least colder weather so I can use my new camo gear!

[COElkNut]

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Well I tagged my buck on sat morning then my cow elk on Monday morning. Boy that felt good.
even though they pushed the season week later it was hot again.
8 days goes so fast. even cruising around in rental I saw a lot bucks around.
wasn't that great seeing elk this year. I did alot of glassing

Congrats on tagging!!!

That buck is a nice one and who doesn't like a cow in the freezer?!? Thanks again for the info on the area. I hope you're enjoying the memories of your success!

[COElkNut]

Hey Matt - thanks for the detailed intel! Sounds like you hiked your boots off!

Monday: headed up toward North Lake to sit on the edge of the canyon in the burn. It was a zoo. Lots of folks running around up there. Ended up above the lake. All shots I heard were from above me. No animals seen.

Tuesday: got a late start due to the rain. Headed into Swamp Park. Passed several groups that had been in the drainage for several days and they reported seeing no elk. I think I made it up to around 9500 +ft and stomped around in an old burn on top of a ridge up there. Saw a nice mule deer and a grouse.

Wednesday: tried to get as high as possible and scout the slopes above Gilpin Creek. Arrived at the lake and saw tracks headed over the saddle into Gold Creek. Descended and dropped into Mica Creek. No animals seen. Spent evening in Coulton Creek. No animals or shots heard.

Thursday: went into Gold Creek to see about the previous day's tracks. I went beyond the lake to the beautiful park about 1.5 miles past. No animals or shots. Some guys from Texas were headed into Mica Creek for the evening...

It was hot, crowded, and the action seemed slow. The rumor mill has it that 9+ bulls were pulled out of Coulton Creek opening weekend. Thursday I heard of one taken in Hinman Creek.

Best wishes 3rd and 4th rifle folk!

Matt

I'm heading to 14 for 4th rifle and desperately *praying* for snow down low as well as up high (i'm using a pulk to haul my "camp" in and no snow means i'll be suffering!).

I wish i had time to get up there for some boots on the ground before the season opens, but work is an utterly jammed packed calendar so NO WAY i'm getting off before my vaca starts.

By many accounts it seems this is such an "off" year which is stinky..... i was hunting 54 last year and it was an "off year" in that area as well.

[oldnovice]

I will be up there about 4 days early to do some scouting. Gonna meet with the biologist as well, if possible, for updated info. Long range forecast shows little promise for precip!

[unclefish]

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getting ready to order my new camo for next year's colorado elk hunt .every year keeps getting warmer.
Think the guys that plan on bringing your camp gear in with sleds better figure out how to put wheels on it.
Hopefully for your sake you will make me eat my words.

[oldnovice]

Any updates on this area? We are heading up tomorrow. Gonna do a few days scouting up high first.

[COElkNut]

Any updates on this area? We are heading up tomorrow. Gonna do a few days scouting up high first.

Hey oldnovice -

I was planning on heading out today as well, but Mrs. COElkNut needed some extra help finalizing the winter preparation for her two hen houses. So, remembering the old saying, "A happy wife is a happy life" I finished setting extension cords/heating panels/replacing light bulbs.

Also, taking an extra day gave me the opportunity to pick up some last minute items and split some nice, dry firewood to bring along for the stove without rushing around like a madman.

I hope your scouting goes well and by the time you're in a position to reply to this post you will have put a tag on a beautiful elk!

I'm heading up early, early tomorrow (from the Springs) and will get camp settled so i can do some hiking/scouting about Monday-Wednesday.

If we bump into each other, i'm the suave, handsome fella with a graying beard. If the weather holds warm like it has been, I'll be wearing shorts and sandals!

[unclefish]

good luck guys hope to see some pics with u holding some elk. Weather still looks a little warm some cold nights and a little snow prediction.

[oldnovice]

Any updates on this area? We are heading up tomorrow. Gonna do a few days scouting up high first.

Hey oldnovice -

I was planning on heading out today as well, but Mrs. COElkNut needed some extra help finalizing the winter preparation for her two hen houses. So, remembering the old saying, "A happy wife is a happy life" I finished setting extension cords/heating panels/replacing light bulbs.

Also, taking an extra day gave me the opportunity to pick up some last minute items and split some nice, dry firewood to bring along for the stove without rushing around like a madman.

I hope your scouting goes well and by the time you're in a position to reply to this post you will have put a tag on a beautiful elk!

I'm heading up early, early tomorrow (from the Springs) and will get camp settled so i can do some hiking/scouting about Monday-Wednesday.

If we bump into each other, i'm the suave, handsome fella with a graying beard. If the weather holds warm like it has been, I'll be wearing shorts and sandals!

Hey, you and me must look alike! Some snow falling at the highest elevations. Not enough, though! Where are you setting up camp?

[oldnovice]

Hiked up Gilpin trail. Lots of hikers with dogs. Glassed everything up high but saw nothing. Gonna change my strategy for tomorrow.

[Dbm24]

I just hunted this unit 3rd season, we finally made it home yesterday. I hunted harder than ever, actually the three of us did. We camped on Seedhouse and started the hunt in the areas you mentioned. We found animals finally but nothing legal. I can't remember the road but we drove around and hit the wilderness basically due east of Seedhouse. Did talk with several hunters that had decent success in this area.

[oldnovice]

Thanks for the info. I am going to scout the area south of Seedhouse today. Around Three island Lake. Looks like the snow will start on Wednesday night.

[unclefish]

looks like Thursday night and Friday going to be real cold . AccuWeather says snow for Thursday. hope that drives some elk towards you. I keep checking every night hoping to see you guys standing in front of some big antlers. keep me posted I am pulling for ya.

[oldnovice]

Went to the top of Lost Dog/Little Agnes and no sign of elk. That was over 10k. Next went to Three Island Lake, no sign of elk at 10k. No prints, no scat, nothing. Also, absolutely no hunters or elk camps anywhere in any of the areas I drove or hiked to. Guy where I have my gun serviced said he hiked up to Farwell Mountain and saw very little sign of elk. Are the elk gods trying to tell me something? I may just give up for this year.

[cohunter14]

Keep after them! Every spot you can check off the list gets you closer to finding where they are.

[oldnovice]

Looks like we found where they WERE a few days ago. Consensus is they have already started heading lower. Snow will speed that up.

[unclefish]

hopefully you are dragging out an animal. no post yet tonight. I am back east here rooting for ya. I have been sitting in woods for a couple hours for the last 3 nights trying to get a white tail. only thing I seen is a pissed off hen turkey, 37 tics pulled off me and 5 mountain bikers.

[COElkNut]

Well, I've got some tag soup on the stove.....

I was up off of 471/Greenville Mine road @ ~8,700(though a good bit past the mine area). There was, near me, a 9-man horse camp who had hunted the area for the last 18 yrs. They saw a total of 2 bulls and 2 cows and those were "a LONG way from where we were and too far away to get a shot at".

I saw nothing. Well, a number of rubs and some old elk-duds, but nothing even remotely fresh.

I went back into Steamboat Thursday around lunch time and got a call from my sister that my Mom had taken a bad fall. So, i went back up the hill to retrieve my gear (and should have chained up on the way up back in - things got pretty dicey even in 4wd - my tires are due for replacement). Finally got up to camp, retrieved my stuff (and chained up!) and headed back into town. Didn't feel like making the 4-hour drive back to the Springs at night so stayed in a local hotel. Got home today about 3:00pm.

All in all - a great camping trip (arrived on site Sunday afternoon). However, as a hunting destination, I'm not sure i'll give the area another go.

[oldnovice]

Hope your mom is OK. We went up to that area today. Hunters with the horses said still nothing. Went farther up and glassed the hillsides. No tracks at all. Went back up to the end of Lost Dog and glassed the big hill across the valley and saw where a small herd came down the hill and went into the thick stuff. It was late so we didn't try to find them. I think we are also calling it quits for this season.

[COElkNut]

Thanks OldNovice - my mom is OK, 14 stitches to her head above the eyebrow, large hematoma around her knee (which was undamaged - being a replacement knee, there was some initial concern). However, the fluid in the hematoma is receding and swelling going down. I believe it served as a good "eye opener" to her as much as anything. She's a tough old bird!

As to GMU 14 this year..... I did a fair bit of glassing and spent a little extra time searching across the valley "Big Creek" runs through. In all that time I saw nothing from Monday evening on.... I didn't know that a huge parcel of the open valley Big Creek runs through is privately owned... that was a huge bummer to learn.

I saw some nice sized rubs and trails, but no fresh anything. I don't know if they were already down closer to their winter ground or where they were... I can't imagine they'd be down around Mad Creek, but i simply don't know the area enough to have an informed opinion.

Sounds like a good time to begin planning next year's hunt!!!

[oldnovice]

Glad Mom is OK.

I'd like to get together for next year if you feel it is worth while. This is my second year up here so I know a little bit of the whole area. There are a few places that hold elk during normal years. The last two were definitely not normal!

[unclefish]

well I was pulling for both you to get elk. Not sure what's going on seems to me that we also are seeing less elk and more mule deer. Everybody always talking about wolves doing a number on them maybe true. Also might have something to do with global warming. I am by far no expert on this but it seems like 5 years ago we saw alot elk everywhere up there. Alot less now. Well I will be going again next year, it will be here before you now it. I come back to CT and white tail deer hunt just not the same. Hunting out west kind of wrecks hunting home hear for me. Times might change.

[oldnovice]

I am glad you got what you came for!

This is what I got from the locals: Two main issues at work here. We had a dry late summer/hot early fall, so vegetation was scarce in many places. Coupled with no early snow to start the elk gathering up for migration and it spelled scattered herds. Any elk that held out up high came down really fast and seemed to disappear into the private land. People that hunted here for decades said this was the worst year for elk but pretty good for mule deer.

My strategy for next year is apply for doe tags all over since we saw them all over. Then, if the weather looks promising, get over the counter elk tags. I will likely try for some plains whitetail tags as well. You can hunt either whitetail or mule deer on the same tag west of I-25.

[COElkNut]

Glad Mom is OK.

I'd like to get together for next year if you feel it is worth while. This is my second year up here so I know a little bit of the whole area. There are a few places that hold elk during normal years. The last two were definitely not normal!

That sounds great!

I don't know if i'm at the "PM" level yet, but i can probably respond to one.

I put in the draw for another unit as my preference, but since i probably won't get a tag there I'll likely be open for another wack at 14.

[oldnovice]

I'll bet the friggin elk have all moved down now!