elk and mule deer hunting in Colorado

monty · Dec 22, 2003

I am interested in gun hunting elk and mule deer in CO. I would like to know about public land that would provide the opportunity to hunt both of these. I am not looking for a world record, but something nice would be great. I am from Missouri, and have never hunted CO so any information would be helpful. Thanks!!

kevclyde · Dec 22, 2003

what area are you interested in hunting. have hunted around craig an meeker area. it is a good area. most places in colorado are good lots of elk. we have seen more deer the lasts 2 years tha before. we just hunt elk there though. would like to find a better area to hunt deer different county.southwest eagle county is noted for big bucks.i just love to hunt wherever i can for deer or elk.are you packing in on horses or backpack?some areas are tuff to get away from people.have hunted 1st an 2nd seasons have never hunted last season some say that is good.hope this helps you.my son age 12 got a 5x5 this year.saw lots of elk.

monty · Dec 23, 2003

kevclyde,
Thanks for the information. I have never been to Colorodo, so I really wasn't sure where to hunt. I had planned on backpacking, but I do have horses, would you recommned taking them along? I would like to find an area where your not just tripping over other hunters, but understand that some public lands are hunted hard. Tell your son congrats on the elk, I had the pleasure of taking my 12 year old brother-in-law on his first successful whitetail bow hunt this year. He got a nice young spike, it is just great to see the youth hunthing! Thanks again for the information.

kevclyde · Dec 24, 2003

we take our horses. there are lots of people around roads with horses you can get away from that.we slept under tree with just our sleeping bags. while my son slept not me had 8 broken ribs. it was a hard trip for me this year. my son said dad next year no breaking colts before we go hunting. i agreed. we set up our tent by a road then go in an find a spot deeper in. we are going to set up a spike camp next year. it will be better than under a tree although we saw elk in middle of night it was moonlight awsome totally. 5x5 bull was in bunch 80 yards from us. we saw 3to5hundred elk most we have ever seen in colo in all other years combined. i told my son don't expect to see this many again i think it is a once in a lifetime deal.we saw so many legal bulls it was fun.if you bring horses you will need certified hay. or processed feed.in craig colo you can get hay cubes they work good if your horse eats them at feed store.call there chamber office to get info to. we liked meeker area to so don't overlook that area we were east of meeker 30 miles at ripple creek pass.thenpacked in there with horses good area.good luck on finding info talk to whoever you can before you decide where to go there are so many good area's in colo you can't go wrong.

Waygoner · Dec 24, 2003

You might encounter less hunters if you put in for a limited unit. If you don't draw you can always buy a license over the counter. Contact the local Division of Wildlife office after you decide on an area you want to hunt. They'll be happy to give you some pointers. The DOW website has some useful info too. http://wildlife.state.co.us/ The deadline for limited licenses is April 1st.

txhunter58 · Dec 24, 2003

There have been several similar questions asked recently. Check on this and other forums. The answers will apply to you too.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

dutch · Dec 30, 2003

'we saw 3to5hundred elk most we have ever seen in colo in all other years combined'

not ragging on you or anything but that is more elk than I have seen in the last 5 years elk hunting in SW Colorado including seeing them in the winter range. Does Northern Colo. really hold that amount of elk on public lands or are we just excited and overestimating? Even our winter ranges here in Durango only have 3-4 herds in the valley and they range from 40-150 head each. Maybe SW Colorado just sucks!

BUCKSPY · Dec 30, 2003

There really are that many elk. Like rats around Craig in the late season. Most are real comfortable on private land though.

kevclyde · Dec 31, 2003

we were counting them got to around 350 to four hundred an they just kept coming. like i said once in a life time ddeal to my son. we have never seen these numbers before an probably won't again.talked to a rancher an he showed us pictures of a herd he figered at one thousand five hundred. that was heading for winter range. i know you might not believe us on numbers thats ok we know the truth. we will be huntung there again for sure.

dutch · Dec 31, 2003

WOW! That is pretty amazing, Biggest herd I have ever seen was probably only around 200 head, but then again that was private land winter grounds. Biggest herd I have ever witnessed during a hunting season was probably 50 head.

TheKnack · Dec 31, 2003

Buckspy is right.
Sometimes during a heavy snow you will see hundreds or more elk in a line on the ridgetops heading to private property.
Heck this year I saw elk off of the highway heading to the flats with no snow at all in 70 degree weather.
Check out the wild games butcher shops in Craig and you will see (whole) elk arrive in the bed of trucks. No other way than if they were shot on private property and driven right up to.
Best,
Jerry