What would you do to get ready????

Califelkslayer · Mar 12, 2008

Planning on using 13 points this year for a quality Colorado archery elk tag. I want to make the most of this hunt.

I plan on shooting my bow daily, starting real soon. Gonna hit 4-5 3D shoots, unmarked. Have already started conditioning. Horses will be in shape. Will talk to warden, biologist, and others that have hunted unit. My calling is average, plan on getting videos, practising and hopefully getting better.

Anything I'm leaving out???

FamilyMan · Mar 13, 2008

Sounds like you have a lot of it covered already. I would suggest doing a lot of study on when and where to call, not just how. Also, save as much vacation as you can to make the hunt as long as possible because it sounds like it will be a long time before you have such a primo tag again.

Best of luck. Looking forward to hearing your story this fall and hopefully seeing some pics of a huge dead elk!!

Mark

Bowtecher · Mar 13, 2008

One thing I would do and am gonna do after I put in for my "trophy unit tag" is get ahold of the hunters that hunted the unit last year. You should be able to contact the CDOW and get a list of those hunters. That way you can see where in the unit they hunted and if they were successful or not.
Also get a list of the landowners in that unit, you just never know when one will give you permission without charging a trespass fee.

Califelkslayer · Mar 13, 2008

Good suggestions, both. The unit is mostly public on the summer/rutting grounds. Muzzy season overlaps 9/13-9/21 and archery runs til the 28th. I plan on leaving Kali on the 12th, start hunting on the 14th through the end, 15 days if necessary. Gonna talk to a landowner I met back there whose been huntin and ranching that country for 50+ years. Think I've got those covered.

One technique I never hear about is to bust a herd up mid-day after they've bedded and then call em back in to you. I've done this by mistake 4-6 times and always have gotten shooting. All the shooting has been at cows but got a good bull to come to me after I'd arrowed a cow once. Usually I'm heading somewhere mid-day, not paying attention and then you're into them and they scatter every which way. Cows are calling calves, calves calling cows, herd bull trying to round them up. Every time I've done this the herd was bedded over a wide area and only one or 2 knew why they busted out. Amazing how quick they try regrouping.

happytohunt · Mar 13, 2008

sounds like you already know what you are doing...good luck on your hunt...do you have any advice on unit 3 -301 ...i am just headed there for a cow for meat...probably oct18-26...thanks

FamilyMan · Mar 14, 2008

Califelkslayer

Interesting that you mention that tactic. I remember once hearing that mentioned long ago in an elk hunting video and it is interesting to hear your first-hand report on doing that. In the video they recommended it in the circumstance you describe (accidentally busting up a heard) rather than pumping into the heard on purpose.

Mark

ktc · Mar 14, 2008

"Anything I'm leaving out???"

You sound very prepared. However, to answer your question, you forgot the most important thing, the tag. ;-)

Califelkslayer · Mar 15, 2008

Nothing's guarenteed. That hunt has creeped 1 point a year lately and I had enough to draw it last year BUT the 1st rifle has jumped 2 points each of the last 2 years. Ever since the 80/20 split was approved.

I think lots of people planning on the NW corner have given up and are drawing "lesser" tags. Thats why I'm putting in for this hunt.

ktc · Mar 15, 2008

Colorado premium elk is tough. I just thought I would give you a little grief before you had the tag!;-)

Good luck. I personally think you are in good shape to hunt elk in 08. We talked a bit last year. Remember?

I went in rifle with 12. I am not going to "get ready" just yet!;-)

Knockmdead · Mar 19, 2008

I would suggest getting ahold of the ranchers that are in the area. Not just the land owners but the guys that actually are out in the hills all the time checking on their cattle. They have (for the most part) alot of knowledge about the area and where they always see elk and what the herds are like.
Most of them are usually willing to share their information with you.

Also some of the land owners and ranchers will allow you to pass on their land if you are willing to put up some hours to help them. When you talk to them about possibly getting onto their land ask them if there is anything you can do for them, like mending fences or stuff like that. That usually helps them to understand that you are also a giver not just a taker.

Just my thoughts.

Jeff

ForkWest · Mar 19, 2008

Truck and trailor.

Seems like we're always fiddl'n with those G.D. trailor lights/brakes after all the gear and horses are loaded.

This year will be different.

Don't need the added stress of that kind of crap to bring down your hunt that you've been looking forward to for so long.

You're probably well aware, but make sure your archery tackle is in tip top shape and have means to do field work on it if needs be.

Califelkslayer · Mar 19, 2008

WestFork, do I know you??? How'd you know bout my horse trailer lights/brakes???

If I don't know you, you sure hit it on the head.

In 05 after hooking up the horse trailer, my trailer brakes were locked up. After farting with them for an hour, I just cut the lead to each brake, problem fixed BUT no brakes. Think I should fix those???

Knock-em,
The only 2 guys I know in the area is an old time rancher who I can rarely get ahold of because if I call before dark, his wife tells me hes either still out or he's unsaddling his horse. Family settles the country and he's actively ran cattle for 60 years. Other guy grades the county roads in that and a neighboring unit 40+ hours a week. Although I plan on hunting high which is mostly public, I wouldn't trade these 2 sources for any others.

ForkWest · Mar 20, 2008

LOL, just snip the brake line! Thats what we had to do with the damned running lights last year. I don't know what it is about horse trailors!?!

NORKALNIMROD · Mar 20, 2008

Hey Calielkslayer,
I guess it's true, you must be a legend! Just think people from abroad knowin'bout your trailer! Just kid'n Bro! One thing I know for sure about that dang trailer is it's a heck of lot tougher than my trucks original driver side door!
Norkal