opinions on late season Colorado rifle hunts

L2134 · Oct 23, 2004

Just wondering everyones opinion on hunting late season rifle. Interested in hearing thoughts on transportation to the hunting area because of snow and other weather inconviences. I've noticed Jim Zumbo prefers hunting in snow. I've hunted first rifle and second rifle. In unit 12 & 24 Colorado.

Oats · Oct 23, 2004

If the weather cooperates its my favorite season. The times I've hunted the 4th season with at least 4 to 15" of snow on the ground I've always seen more elk and had more shots at bulls, but if its hot its a much different story elk are spooked and not willing to step out of the timber.

txhunter58 · Oct 23, 2004

Most people that have gone for the first rifle season never want to hunt any other season. Not crowded and bulls are still bugling.

Late season is boom or bust. If you get the snow, you may have a field day. If not, as stated the animals are spooky and nocturnal. I would suspect over the past 10 years, the times when the snow was just right wouldn't have been over 4 years.

txhunter58

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

NDMuley · Oct 23, 2004

i've also wondered about last season. would love to go last season some year.have hunted around meeker an craig 1st an second season but not last season. we usually take horses but what people say is you don't need them last season.they have told us they are usually lower but most of low country is private. that is another problem. one gie told us he saw 1500 to 2000 elk in 1 bunch coming out of mountain during last season.when you live far away you talk to as many locals as you can to get info.there were some good people at chamber office in craig that had lots of info call the chamber office an see what you can find out? from what they have told me if no snow late season is bad.hope that helps some.

jims · Oct 24, 2004

Late season...no snow...tough hunt!

Cooter · Oct 25, 2004

It's certainly has got to better than the 2nd season. We hunted the same units and it was a bust. No snow to speak of and temps were too warm. Wasn't too great of a time.

Coot

TimberMan · Oct 26, 2004

I'll comment on your question about transportation to the hunting area. You'll need to take tire chains for all 4 tires. Many hunters buy a 35,000 dollar hunting rig then neglect to spend 200.00 more for heavy-duty chains. The mountainous areas of Colorado can get deep snows in any of the rifle seasons so be prepared.
If your planning on camping be sure to take extra gear and food in case you get snowed in and get out for a few days.
Be extra leary of area 24(in the Flattops) during the later season because of heavy snows. Many forest roads can become im passable.
Bottom line, be extra prepared during the 4th season in the flattops of Colorado.
As far as hunting the late seasons, the elk are usually there but they might be hiding in the aspens out of most hunters view.

CountingCoo · Oct 31, 2004

It is snowing heavily in the mountains of SW Colorado right now. It looks like it is going to be a good winter. We have gotten 6 inches today at 7800 ft in Ouray.

jtos · Oct 31, 2004

we got 3" in glenwood spgs today, more to come tonight.3 frinds from work shot their bucks over there yesterday no monsters 22-25 in 4 points. they saw 8 four point or better bucks in 5 hours of hunting. Good luck.