Colorado flattops

[shortgun]

Looking at going up into the flattops wilderness next year. How crowded is this area in first season. plan to pack in on horses.

 

[FamilyMan]

LAST EDITED ON Jan-03-05 AT 10:45AM (MST)[p]Three or four years ago we drove to the trailhead at the Pastures (north of Deep Lake), set up camp there, and hunted in on foot from there. From that experience I can tell you that the first couple of miles is very crowded with hunters. Farther in than that I can not say.

Mark

P.S. This was first season also.

 

[chambero]

I hunted there first season this year. We hunted the north side. There were four of us and we tagged one cow. Had a chance at a really nice bull, but he made it back to timber before we could get a shot off. We would have done even better, but it took us 2 1/2 days to get the cow packed out of the hole my brother-in-law shot her in. We were on foot and killed her about two miles in.

I would characterize hunter pressure as moderate. I've seen worse in CO. Like anywhere, if you get back far enough you won't have much trouble. This is really good horse country.

 

[Wyomingben]

I have hunted there many years, maybe the elk capital of the world as far as numbers. Awesome elk country, bad thing is I don't think they live long enough to get big. Would love to see a picture of a BIG Flattops bull killed in the last 20 years.

WB

 

[car]

I hunted there 2 times. Both was during muzzleloader season. I went in on the same trail head ( Deep Lake). First year saw 1 rag horn and some cows. The 2 time was 1 big bull at about 400 yards on a full run and 2 cows with calf. My brother shot a 5x5 and it was not found. My family and I hiked up during the summer and the first morning awoke to 3 bull standing in our camp, cows the night before. More hunters than I like but with horses you should be ok.

 

[shortgun]

I was looking at the maps and thought we would go in off the marvaine trailhead and use horses to pack our gear in about 4 to 6 miles. having never been in the country I was hoping that would get us in far enough to get away from the crowds. Would walk in and use the horses to pack our gear to set up a camp and then hunt from there.