Colorado units 6,16,17,161,171

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ohiohntr

Guest
Some buddies and I are looking to do a DIY elk hunt in Colorado this fall. We have applied for 1st season and should draw. We have a plan of hunting an area in unit 17 South of Walden.

The hunt unit though also includes units 6,16,161,171.

I'm not looking for anyone's honeyhole, but I was wondering if anyone has some starter info for any of these areas, just in case our 1st plan does not turn up any elk.

Thanks in advance.
 
The green ridge area is our 1st plan.

Do you know how crowded it is during the 1st draw season? If it is wall to wall hunters, it may alter our plans.
 
It's been at least 10 years since I hunted up there, but I do know the herd in the area is a strong one with good numbers. You will not be alone, that is for sure. Do your homework and scout as much as you can. Lots of aspen and open meadow country inside the forest as well - great elk habitat. There are alot of Moose in that area too - be sure of your target in the thick stuff.
I've seen some 360" to 370" bulls come out of that area in the resent past. Good luck.

Robert
www.atkinsonexpeditions.com
 
I hunted the high country of unit 6 a couple years ago. Seems like plenty of access (roads) so I would find places that is deep and steep after the first shots ring out.
Jeff
 
You shouldn't be too crowded during the 1st season. I've hunted unit 17 for the past 7 or so years. We have a place just outside of Rand. The only problem with the north park area (all of the units your interested in) is the large amount of private land. The elk know where it's at and they use it as soon as they here the shots. Green Ridge has good elk on it. I'm still looking for my first bull, but they are out there. 1st season, you may want ot go high. It seems like a lot of the elk are down low on ranches, or way up high. The ones on the ranches will move back and forth, but they prefer the ranches where they know they are safe. There shouldn't be too much snow pushing them down at that time, so up high may be your best bet. Also, the black timber is the place they love.

If you want to see what large bulls in the area look like, check out the buffalo creek ranche's website. Their ranch is right next to the Green Ridge area. I've seen a ton of elk on the ranch. Its just getting them to jump the fence that is so frustrating.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.
 
Green Ridge isn't green anymore with all the pine beetle killed trees. They have been logging up there in the general area around Rand for a few years now so you will hear machinery during your hunting hours. And like others have said lots of private and the elk also know where the National Refuge is too. I've seen herds of 1000 elk out there by the end of muzzy season.
 
What Bowtecher said is very true. The pine beetles have devastated the lodgepoles. We have forty acres, and we have taken out our share of trees as well. So far it seems like the higher you get, the less logging that has been done. You should also check out the grassy run area. I usually hunt in that general area.

Oh, and I've seen huge herds on the refuge during the middle of the summer. To bad they don't have a few tags available for that jewell.
Just to let you know, the area isn't crawling with elk like some parts of the state. North park does hold a good population, but they are scattered throughout the entire valley and surrounding mountains. I've yet to have days where I've seen hundreds of elk on public land, but maybe I'm looking in the wrong area. I feel lucky if I see elk on multiple days. I have seen hundreds on private however.
 

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