Colorado GMU 7, Archery Elk Hunt

mossyhorns · Jul 14, 2004

Hello everyone, I'm new to the Monster Muley site, but I've been reading all the posts for the last few weeks. I see that there is a wealth of knowledge and information that some of you are willing to share. Hopefully some of you can help me.

Unfortunately I was not successful in any of the draws I applied for this year, but my father was. He is doing an archery hunt for elk in CO GMU 7. We've never hunted this area before but will be in there this year. Although he's taken several whitetail with a bow, this is his first season hunting elk with a bow. He's not after any specific size of bull given this is his first archery elk hunt. Additionally, he has an either sex-tag so if it comes down to it, he'll gladly take a cow for the freezer. Can any of you point us to a good area for elk in unit 7. We're both accomplished hunters and outdoorsman and are not afraid of getting in deep with backpacks. But he really can't stand to stay in a saddle too long, or put too many miles on his legs toting a backpack. Any advice or help would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

cohntr6 · Jul 15, 2004

You dont have to limit yourself to unit 7. The tag your dad has (you can get 1 too if you want-there is plenty of leftovers) includes 5 units to hunt in (7, 8, 9, 19, 191). It is a lot of area so narrowing down a couple spots would be smart. Unit 9 is all private so unless you know someone or have a little jingle in your pocket I would rule that one out. I have little experience in unit 7 but have spent some time camping, hiking, fishing, etc. I am more familiar with 19, 191, and 8. Remember that you cant shoot a spike bull, because of a 4 point restriction in these units. There are some areas that you can pull off the road (laramie river rd for example) and can just go with out a trail, just make sure you dont trespass, there is checkerboard land ownership in some areas along laramie river rd. The same holds true for other units. You may not have to go far in spots like this to find elk. I am suprised deerking hasnt responded yet! Hope this helps.

Jeff

BOWUNTR · Jul 16, 2004

Mossy, I'll be in unit 7 also but I don't have any info for you. It will be my first time also. My buddy is packing us into the Rawah Wilderness. He is scouting it this weekend. I'll have more info later. Ed F

DeerKing · Jul 16, 2004

cohntr
You covered most of the bases, I can't ad much to what you said other than specific spots. There are a few outfitters in the area that go in via horse. I'd get away from the main trails. There is always elk around Camp Lakes...

mossyhorns · Jul 18, 2004

Bowuntr,

Looking forward to the info. I'll share with you what I learn too about unit 7. I'll be calling the DOW next week to talk to biologists and others. Also, I plan on doing a scouting trip, err, family vacation at the end of the month. Hopefully I'll put the tabletop scouting to good use.

Thanks.

Mossyhorns

mossyhorns · Jul 18, 2004

LAST EDITED ON Jul-18-04 AT 10:02AM (MST)[p]Cohntr,

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. As for me getting a tag too, probably won't. I want to be able to help this time around. With a tag in hand, I'll be too interested in filling it. Plus, currently I'm planning to be rifle hunting the Raggeds for elk with some buddies in October...and then the cow hunt on the Jicarilla later on in the winter. I figure my father was quite unselfish with me growing up, so the least I can do is be his guide and packmule for his first archery elk hunt.

Again, thanks for the info.

Mossyhorns