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Elk hunting sites?

SDS

SDS

Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
1,389
Does anyone know of any good site or sites to get information about elk hunting in Colorado? I will be going on my first elk hunt in November and although I am familiar with deer hunting down here in the flatland elk at higher elevations will be new.

I'm looking for somewhere to find information about gear and hunting tips. I've read some about elk hunting and have a fair idea of what to do but I want this trip to go well. Even if I don't get anything I want to make sure I have a good time and am not extremely uncomfortable.

Most of what I have found are ads from guides and outfitters.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
SDS
 
SDS said:
Does anyone know of any good site or sites to get information about elk hunting in Colorado? I will be going on my first elk hunt in November and although I am familiar with deer hunting down here in the flatland elk at higher elevations will be new.

I'm looking for somewhere to find information about gear and hunting tips. I've read some about elk hunting and have a fair idea of what to do but I want this trip to go well. Even if I don't get anything I want to make sure I have a good time and am not extremely uncomfortable.

Most of what I have found are ads from guides and outfitters.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
SDS
Click to expand...

you bowhunting or gun hunting? either way you have to keep in mind that (as you should know already) that cold air sinks your smell closer the ground the warmer air brings your smell up. you will have to deal with updrafts and downdrafts as well... wind can be your best friend or your worst enemy. if the wind changes you need to change and fast.. i am sure a good guide will tell you all of that as well.. i have not been fortunate enough to hunt elk yet but if you are great at deer hunting (not just sitting in a stand and popping a deer at 80+ yds either) if you are a bowhunter then you should have all the skills you need as far as playing the wind and hiding your outline. the rest is luck, skills of a guide and gods will :D
 
Here are a couple to get you started. Given that you are going in November, you will likely be dealing with wide weather swings, including the possibility of a lot of snow. You will also be dealing with rough terrain and high altitude. If you are not in shape, get on it - NOW.

In November, the rut will be over and the cows will be bred. You won't be calling them in but having a cow call to cover for noises you make is still a good idea. Get some good optics and good boots. Break them in. Plan on layering your cloths to allow for the variable conditions and have emergency gear to accommodate an unplanned night out. (WSS no-brainer. :D)

Elk Hunting 101

Elk Hunting Tips

Elk Camp

Elk Nut

Sage Creek Forums

HuntingNet Forums


Make sure to take a digital camera so you can share your trip with us.

-- FLIX
 
h-s, I am going to stop short of saying I'm great at anything but I've had good success on deer. I prefer to hunt with a recurve bow but this trip is going to be with a rifle. I figured that for the money invested I'd like my first trip to offer as much chance at success as possible. I have heard about the down drafts and up drafts on the mountains.

Flix, I'm going to look those sites over. I think I have seen at least one of them already but I will look them all over. I was in Colorado a couple weeks ago and the altitude will humble you quickly. I have already started a workout plan to get in better shape for this hunt. I do fine at the elevations I live at but up in the mountains it's tough to get a lung full of air.

I figured I have enough gear to make it a couple of days if I get sidetracked in the mountains. Not knowing what weather to prep for is going to make this trip a bit more interesting.

Thanks guys,
SDS
 
train yourself a norwegian elkhound, he'll do all the work. All you need is the rifle and the kifaru sled to pull him out of the woods with.
 
I once hunted elk in the high country outside Grand Junction and a friend hunts down toward Gunnison. I usually hunt elk in Montana.

If you've been used to deer hunting and are now going after elk, one thing of which you need to be mindful is recovery of your meat. If you drop one any distance from a 4WD/ATV trail, you have some serious work on your hands because of the dramatically increased weight.

Some guys use game carts where they are legal (no wheeled devices in designated wilderness areas). Others hire someone with horses to retrieve their elk (especially if they get a couple animals, far from the trailhead). Other guys use sleds to ease in dragging out meat.

I would get some heavy duty canvas game bags because (1) they are handy if you are strapping meat to a pack frame or sled and (2) they are very useful if you have to leave meat and come back for it.

My friends who hunt elk even farther from 4WD/ATV trails than I do generally bone them out. Carrying out elk quarters is tough work. Being adept at boning out an elk will save a lot of perspiration during the retrieval process.

Sorry I don't have good website recommendations.

DancesWithKnives
 
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I have 88 days until my hunt. Might not be quite enough time to train hounds.

I have helped to pack out some elk that were shot in the Wichita Wildlife Refuge during their annual hunts and that is no easy chore. At least I have a decent idea of the work I'm in for if I am lucky enough to shoot one.

I figured I would buy some denim or canvas and make my own bags to pack meat in. I don't plan on carrying bones if I can avoid it. The meat is heavy enough. Obviously I'd love to get a huge bull but the reality is that I'm likely to come home empty handed. Just getting to be in those mountains will be awesome.

I'm going to have to get a knife set made up for the trip too. I have my favorite hunting knives but I kind of feel like I need to make a set for the trip.

SDS
 
There's no question: You definitely MUST have a new set of knives for the trip. If you are married and you give me your wife's e-mail address I will even send her a confirming message to that effect. [We have to stick together, after all.]

DancesWithKnives
 
Kifaru sled will let you pull an intact elk on foot. It works like a charm. I know there's no way you can raise a dog in 2 months, but if you're going to do any mid/large game hunting in the future, seriously consider an Elkie. Anyone who has ever used one for large game hunting will concur-they are instinctively amazing trackers and keep their yaps shut.
 
I'm going on my rookie Colorado archery elk hunt this September. These three sites:

ArcheryTalk.com

www.bowsite.com

24hourcampfire.com

have more information than you can possibly read before your trip. The number one thing you need to address is how to stay DRY! I'm guessing you'll address proper clothing for the temp's you can expect, but if you're wet, you'll be in trouble. Remember, sweating can get you dangerously wet as easily as heavy rain.

Check out the sites, use the search features, and good luck.

(Pillow cases can be used as game bags)
 
I almost went for an archery trip but decided that since this is my first elk hunt I would go with a rifle for a better chance at an animal. I definitely need good rain gear and have been looking into that. I still have a few things left to do to be cotton free but I'm working on it.

I'll definitely give those sites a look. If this goes well it may become an annual, or at least bi-annual trip.

Thanks,
SDS
 
SDS, While I don't have any addtl sites for you, I can tell you that I just got back from a successful hunt during the first season here in AZ. Rather than just one long season, AZ has several short (4-5 day) seasons. Anyway, the point I was going to make is to not underestimate the work involved in getting an elk out from wherever you happen to get it. I know you have some "carry" experience, but a 400+ lb. cow or a bull 600-800 lbs. is unreal. I had a huge cow that I took less than a quarter mile from the road in some fairly rugged terrain that also happened to have pockets of burn-out area. (BTW, I work out hard 3-4 days/week, do cardio, etc. and have for the past 20+ years.) I went by myself and all I can say is, it was unreal how much work it was. I quartered her out, but did not debone anything except I did cut off the lowest portion of the legs. I was going to debone, but found that it was taking longer than I expected. Additionally, trying to handle and maneuver that much loose flesh was unexpectedly difficult. At least with the bone in, I could control the weight a little easier getting the parts into the game bags.

As for a bull, well, that is what many dream of, but after trying to manage a 400 lb. cow on my own, I won't be going for a bull unless I have at least another hand and some pack horses to help me out. Seriously, I think I would irresponsible otherwise.

Good luck with your hunt. Please post some pics if you get something, but know that if you don't, it's no biggie. There usually is a "next time". :)
 
Chris, thanks for the advice. Although I have helped out with some elk in some fairly rugged Oklahoma terrain it doesn't quite compare to Colorado. The last one I helped with was a bull that was probably between 600-650. I swear I think that kid shot it as far from anything as he possibly could.

I understand what you mean about the difference in bone in and bone out meat. We used heavy denim bags to sack the meat in and it was a chore to tie it off to the pack frames. By the time I got back to the road I was glad not to have been carrying the extra weight of the bones.

I'm really excited about the trip but trying to be realistic too.

SDS
 
we hunted the national forests in N.W.corner & did well.you definitely need a tent and chapstick.we were at 9300 ft. & humidity cracked our lips since it was so low.yrs. back my buddies went up w/o tents it snowed & covered up all the gear & food.they were lucky to get to lower ele.we never went up w/o tents after that.forests were so thick in places a 50 yd. shot was as far sa you could see.movement was too loud because the Aspen leaves were like popcorn.mornings set up by flashlite & dont move.afternoons get in position & do'nt move.take a folding chair so you somewhat comfable.we were in so thick that i retired the Weatherby & shot mine with a peepsight Win.356 250 gr. slug .dont forget to get all the meat off the animal.some of my buddies went into the middle fork of the salmon river in Idaho and ended up in jail because G.W. found too much meat on carcasses.
 
I'm a little conflicted about some of the most demanding meat removal rules. I don't want to see good meat left in the field but up in AK our outfitter said they now require you to cut the meat from between the ribs on caribou. I'm not sure the quality and volume of that meat warrants trimming it out. On some animals I'd rather have the liver/heart meat than the rib meat and I don't believe many jurisdictions require you to take liver/heart meat (but I could be wrong).

Nonetheless, the point is a good one. I'd check on field dressing requirements. For example, some hunters who bone out animals get ticketed for failing to leave evidence of sex attached to some portion of the carcass.

DancesWithKnives
 
I didn't know about the meat removal rules. I'll definitely have to look into that. There is obviously a lot I have to learn.

The only short range rifle I have is my old Mod. 94 .30-30. I'm not sure that is going to be big enough to use on elk. I'll have to look up some of the new lever-evolution bullets.

SDS
 
At short ranges and with good shot placement/bullets, the 30-30 will certainly kill elk. It wouldn't be my first choice but I've known guys who have done it. As with everything, you would just have to be very selective about the shots you take.

I have taken a Marlin 1895 lever rifle in 45-70 elk hunting in heavy, dark timber. However, I usually use a Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker in .338 with a 1.5-6 x 42mm Swarovski.

DancesWithKnives
 
I'd feel a lot more comfortable shooting an animal that size with a 45-70 than I would a 30-30. My .25-06 qualifies under Colorado's reg's but again, I don't feel comfortable shooting an animal that size with that caliber. I know my .25-06 will shoot lights out but I still want something bigger.

I will look into some of the newer 30-30 offerings before I make up my mind on that one. At the very least it may be a good back up gun.

SDS
 
If you're looking for a good elk caliber for a shorter rifle, check out .458 win, .376 steyr, .338 federal and some of the other mid-range calibers. You can get close to full gas expansion in shorter 18 or 20 inch barrels that would make mountain Forrest hiking alot easier and lighter. My favorite mountain rifle is my Ruger Target Grey Frontier. 16 inch barrel, completely stainless, and bombproof mauser style controlled feed and ejection. It comes in .338 and .358, both of which are great for elk. The Steyr Pro Hunter in .376 Steyr is an extremely comfortable, accurate and light hunting rifle that runs around 700 dollars, which is cheap for what you get. Hornady makes the ammo, it's good stuff. Energy transfer and accuracy are both rediculous. You won't get the range of a .300 win mag out of it, but will certainly reach out and touch farther than a .30-30.
 
For my primary rifle I'm going to stick with a .30-06 with 180 grn. bullets. The .30-30 will just be as a back up gun. I'd love to have a new rifle for the trip but I'm going to spend the money on some better cold/wet weather gear. I am set up fine for Oklahoma but the weather is a bit more dramatic in the mountains than it is down here on the plains.

I do appreciate all of the suggestions.

Thanks,
SDS
 
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