W
Watson
Guest
Im going elk hunting this month in colorado can anyone give me any tips.
Watson
Watson
H
huntindude
Guest
Elk are easy to predict most of the time, if you're in Colorado you'll have plenty of company. find a good spot for them to cross like a saddle or any low spot with some cover if possible and sit down. the only time I hunted there the elk ran from daylight until dark, maybe it's not that way all over the state but the hunter pressure was unreal where I was.
The three most important things to elk hunting are wind, wind and wind.
The three most important things to elk hunting are wind, wind and wind.
W
Watson
Guest
This is my second time elk hunting my first time I didnt even see one elk. Im hunting unit 86 in the sangre de cristo mountions.
Watson
Watson
I agree, wind can be your friend or worst enemy. Understanding thermals is the hardest part for a guy who has never hunted the mountains.
Remember hot air rises and cool air will replace it. So when the sun shines on the east side of a mountain, that side is warming first, and shaded air will replace it. This is not written in stone, but a good way to compare.
Remember hot air rises and cool air will replace it. So when the sun shines on the east side of a mountain, that side is warming first, and shaded air will replace it. This is not written in stone, but a good way to compare.
T
toughshed
Guest
You didn't say bull or cow...strategy is different depending on which one.
With the hunting pressure, elk become mostly nocturnal, spending the days in dark timber. You can go in after them but the odds are not good. Best to have others walk those areas and flush them out to a waiting shooter.
Or get your carcass up on a ridge before first light and try to catch them moving to daytime bedding areas. Let the other hunters work for you.
If you post up an area, that's when the wind can be your big enemy. The elk will wind you and cross elsewhere out of gun range. When you think you know where they are crossing, you'll post up there and then they will cross where you were the day before. Happens all the time.
If you have a bull tag, try to find a small nasty, area where other hunters might not go. You might be surprised that bulls hide in these little areas of cover by bedding down and not moving until the HAVE to...which can be 50 yards or less.
And remember, they may not be eating as much as usual but they have to drink fresh water and alot of it and the hunting pressure won't deter them from doing that. Catch them coming or going...
Finally, aim small, miss small...good luck!
With the hunting pressure, elk become mostly nocturnal, spending the days in dark timber. You can go in after them but the odds are not good. Best to have others walk those areas and flush them out to a waiting shooter.
Or get your carcass up on a ridge before first light and try to catch them moving to daytime bedding areas. Let the other hunters work for you.
If you post up an area, that's when the wind can be your big enemy. The elk will wind you and cross elsewhere out of gun range. When you think you know where they are crossing, you'll post up there and then they will cross where you were the day before. Happens all the time.
If you have a bull tag, try to find a small nasty, area where other hunters might not go. You might be surprised that bulls hide in these little areas of cover by bedding down and not moving until the HAVE to...which can be 50 yards or less.
And remember, they may not be eating as much as usual but they have to drink fresh water and alot of it and the hunting pressure won't deter them from doing that. Catch them coming or going...
Finally, aim small, miss small...good luck!
N
northern_hunter
Guest
Don't miss!
I
Ipkus
Guest
They HAVE to feed...
BeanMan
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 6,903
Toughshed has given some good advice. This time of year, especially since it has been warm and mostly draw in western Colorado, the elk will be in hiding. Look for out of the ways spots that are tough for other hunters to get into. You'll have to be in shape to get there and to get an animal out when you are successful.
Go for the steep and the thick.
BeanMan
Go for the steep and the thick.
BeanMan
Now after the rut is over and they have been pressured here in CO for awhile, head to a North facing slope that is at least 1 1/2 miles from the nearest road. The farther you get away from the road the closer they are to normal routines and LESS hunters. If you are good at still hunting it works great for me. I get into my hunting spot 2 miles back at least 1 hour prior to sunrise. That way what ever I have disturbed on the way in has forgotten about me by the time shooting light comes. I sit there watching, then once all the other hunters start stirring the elk come past me without knowing I was ever there. Once the other guys start getting into my area around 8-9am and the chances of any more elk to come by are slim I start still hunting my way farther back, one thing that works for me is to use a very very soft/quiet cow call every couple hundred yards, that way if they do hear you, or see movement they will probably think you are just another elk. I also only still hunt ELK'Y areas. If there isn't recent sign or looks to be where they would be during the day, I just "cruise" through it till I reach another ELK'y spot. I typically get about 3-5 miles back everyday. I will hunt out there till DARK then walk my way back to camp after dark. That way you maximize your time in the vicinity of elk. If you are the type that is scared to walk in the dark, then I'm sorry, your chances are dramtically decreased.
Go where other hunters WILL NOT go. If you see other hunters and the walking is easy to get there, your chances of seeing elk drop dramatically.
My "Honey Hole" is a place with thick timber on a Northeast facing slope, It has a very very small meadow in it with a spring right in the center. they feel comfortable coming into it to water during light due to the closeness of safety, and a pain in the ass to get to and out of with a elk on your back, no horses can get in there which equals no hunters.
As far as thermals go my GENERAL rule of thumb where I hunt is that they are going down till around 8, then they are in a constant swirl till around 9. This all depends on if there is a actual wind blowing though and how much sun the slope you are is rcv'g. Constantly maintain your wind!!!
I'm no expert this is just what works for me but Best of luck, oh Get out of your truck and stay away from your 4-wheeler.
Mntman
"Hunting is where you prove yourself"
Go where other hunters WILL NOT go. If you see other hunters and the walking is easy to get there, your chances of seeing elk drop dramatically.
My "Honey Hole" is a place with thick timber on a Northeast facing slope, It has a very very small meadow in it with a spring right in the center. they feel comfortable coming into it to water during light due to the closeness of safety, and a pain in the ass to get to and out of with a elk on your back, no horses can get in there which equals no hunters.
As far as thermals go my GENERAL rule of thumb where I hunt is that they are going down till around 8, then they are in a constant swirl till around 9. This all depends on if there is a actual wind blowing though and how much sun the slope you are is rcv'g. Constantly maintain your wind!!!
I'm no expert this is just what works for me but Best of luck, oh Get out of your truck and stay away from your 4-wheeler.
Mntman
"Hunting is where you prove yourself"
G
gilamonster8
Guest
Wear orange and duck alot
W
Watson
Guest
Im hunting bull, thanks for all the tips I just hope ill get one even if its a small bull.
Watson
Watson
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Bowtecher
Guest
The most common saying of all
"the elk are where you find them"
"the elk are where you find them"
