3rd season Unit 71 Colorado Elk Hunt

[jrl1988]

Hello all,

My name is Josh and my grandfather, friends, and I will be hunting in Unit 71 for the 3rd rifle season. Neither of us have ever done any western hunting ( live in Va) and are not sure what to expect. We will have a truck so there is opportunity to travel to other hunting areas as well. Not looking for all the answers and expect to learn a lot of them while hunting but we were wondering if someone would give us a few pointers or tips such as what to expect for weather that time of year Oct 31-Nov8, what to look out for, what to pack in our day packs, etc. We are staying at Circle K Ranch in one of their self hunt cabins on the Dolores river. We are in good physical shape but have been working on our fitness because of the rugged terrain we will face. Any information is greatly appreciated,

Josh

 

[elkchaserreturns]

Hello Josh!
Always happy to help out a fellow hunter. That area of Colorado has some of the most spectacular scenery you will find in CO and there are quite a few elk too! Get in the best shape you can & bring your camera!
I am a CO native, but I live in AZ. I hunt elk in AZ when I can draw the tag, and Colorado when I can't. I.E. I usually hunt CO.!
Myself, and the group of guys I know that hunt there regularly, average just over 50% success in that unit. I hunt the September archery season and my buddies hunt the 1st rifle season. We hunt about 30 minutes up the highway from Delores!
I would prefer not to get too specific on a public forum but feel free to PM me and I will give you some specific areas to check out. By the third rifle season the elk will probably be lower than where we hunt anyway so try to give yourselves a few days to scout it and to get used to the elevation.
We hunt at 10,500 ft. If memory serves, Delores is around 7,500 ft in elevation.
The altitude will kick your butt until you get used to it!
Bring 4WD if you have it!
Dress warm (layers) and be prepared for snow, maybe lots of it!
Rifle shots can be anywhere from 50-350 yards. Further if you really know what your doing but I discourage that long range BS!
Bring the best binoculars you can afford and use them, , , , a lot!
My nephew shot his biggest bull yet last year after watching him for over an hour. He then closed the distance by a 1/4 mile and shot him at just under 350 yds. I doubt he would have ever seen that bull if he hadn't been glassing.
I could ramble on for hours!
That is a great unit and, in my opinion, provides a better than average chance at a decent bull.
You will almost certainly see elk.
If you kill one, you will have earned it.
Good luck!

 

[DW]

Welcome to the forum josh! In addition to what elkchaser said, a set of chains all the way around that truck could be a bacon saver! I've never hunted that unit but coming from sea level the thin air will be an issue! Get away from the roads, a mile minimum, and have a plan to get that 175-300 lbs of meat off the mountain! Good luck, and be sure and tell us how it went, complete with pics!