2018 Unit 2 Elk tag

C

ColoGregS

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Guys, I believe that I have a great chance to draw a unit 2 elk tag next year. I was offered one that someone had turned in this year but not until Friday afternoon with the season starting on Sunday. I passed on that opportunity since I have waited 23 years why go with 48 hrs of notice,

Anyway I am trying to get info on what everyones opinion on this hunt is, should I enlist the services of an outfitter that knows his way around the unit or go at it by myself or with a buddy. None of us know the unit intimately. I have spoke with guys that have hunted the unit successfully. None of them have taken a bull over 350" I would be real proud and satisfied of one that is 350" (with no reservations about shooting a bigger one lol).

Thanks
 
Well, I think I would contact Jimmy Horton as he has access through private that gets you into some primo hunting area bordering Dinosaur National Park . Was in there last fall checking out deer opportunities and 350 bulls are available . PM me if you want more info .
 
It's a great hunt, a real kick in the pants! I would wager that a good 75% of DIY?ers shoot bulls under 350?! They are there but you need dumb luck, some private access or to be really intimate with how they bulls move when they are pressured! And trust me, they are pressured! You can do it on your own with a lot of homework but a good outfitter with the right private land ups those odds in a hurry! Remember to have fun with it and don't let the 20+ years of points pressure you!
 
Good advice above. I would contact Jimmy Horton if you have the money to spend. You can still hunt on your own, but hunt private or gain access to harder to get to public. You can also opt to stay in one of the cabins. Don't know the price. I agree that most people shoot bulls under 350. I believe one of the reasons for that is that guys often see so many nice bulls that they can't resist after a couple of days. I also think that most guys aren't used to seeing so many 320+ bulls and they all look really big. I know I'm not used to seeing a lot of huge bulls and it's hard to judge them. If you are really set on a 350+ bull I would spend as much time as possible looking at large bulls, either in person or by video and get as good as you can at judging them. You will have a great time!
 
Agree with all of that Colelk, vast majority of hunters that see a legit 350 bull come back to camp swearing they saw a 400 class bull. Jimmy is a class act , he treated me and my son like an old friends despite having just met. Pretty sure the 5-6 bulls they had taken during archery season ranged from @335- 385, this was prior to the rifle hunts. The trip down "the Boulevard" to the ranch house is a blast ....lol.
 
Are you looking at Archery or rifle?

I personally would not hunt with Horton. They kill some good bulls on the land he has access too but on average they will still be below 350. Most outfitters in the area are going to hunt the same public land you can hunt. If you are going to pay for an outfitter you are better off with raftopoulos or Chris Jurney. Those guys run fully guided hunts rather than an expensive trespass hunt. They will scout the unit and ensure you don't shoot a bull your not happy with.

If you have enough time off I would personally just scout as much as you can down off douglas mtn and find one of the dessert giants that unit 2 has the potential for.
 
You are getting spot on advice regarding trophy potential. I have to admit that I am surprised to read post after post advocating that you pay Horton. He may be a great guy, I don't know? Yes he has a cabin on Douglas mountain and the nearest motels are a long way off.

But why pay thousands for that? One reason a unit 2 tag takes so many points is because you DON'T have to pay for access to where trophy bulls are.

My opinion, whether you hire an outfitter or pay a trespass fee to horton or go on your own all depends on how much time you have and what sort of elk hunter you are. Meaning if you can get a bull now and then in Colorado open zones then you will probably get a good one in unit 2. If you hardly ever put your tag on a bull then don't squander a once in 23 year opportunity, get help.

Have a blast!!
 
Thanks for the ideas.
I will be rifle hunting. As many of you suggested, I think I will have difficulty deciding if I am looking at 320" or 350" bull. I have been hunting OTC units, so typically the first legal animal seen gets the Model 70 safety coming off.

Hopefully things work out, it is never too early to start planning.
 
I would still suggest contacting Jimmy, doesn't mean you have to fork out the cash but more info is always good. You will be shocked at the number of bulls north of 350 they put on the ground .
 
Hunted Area2 6yrs ago. DIY public land and took a 390 bull on second to last day. Pm me and I'd be happy to share whatever info I can.
 
When I get the tag in hand I am going to be taking you guys who offered advice up on your offers.

I have looked and rechecked the draw info and unless more than a few new applicants enter the area 2 draw, I should receive the tag in 2018.
 
I have hunted Unit 2 five times (on landowner vouchers) and killed 2 bulls over 350. I am more than happy to share what I know with you. (608) 617-2297 Cell phone

John Raftopolous is your guy.

Bryan Skaar-Wisconsin
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-03-18 AT 07:22PM (MST)[p]The hunt with Jimmy on the old Walker ranch is a heck of a lot cheaper than what Roftopoulas charges. I hunted the walker ranch archery 5 years ago and 3 years ago with a friend. Its a great hunt and well worth the money. If I ever drew that hunt I would be right back on the ranch. If I was a resident and had time to scout I might hunt public. That being said there were resident hunters on ranch with me that and very good elk hunters and still elected to hunt the ranch. PM me if you have any questions.
 
Wanted to let everyone that offered to help with knowledge of unit 2 the news. I received email notification that I was successful in the draw for unit 2 rifle elk tag.

4 short months
 
Well the tag is in hand now. I have sent a few PM out and have found a friend of a friend who has some experience in the unit who lives close and spends a bit of time up there each fall. My brother wants to come from VA to help spot and tape the hunt. It is always great to spend time with family.

I have started shooting the rifle a little more often and my physical training is going well so just trying to get the stars and planets to align.
 
Drew the Muzzleloader tag eight years ago. Killed a 350 bull. Seems like the genetics then were narrow instead of wide genetics. PM me and I will give specifics of were I hunted back then. I will never draw again no secrets here.
 
The lack of water in the unit has me a little concerned. I know that the elk just don't up and move 50 miles but boy is the dust deep. I did manage to find some water hopefully the few puddles are still around in 5 weeks.
 
South west of Douglas Mountain towards monument line. There is some springs back in there and huge bulls. Good luck.
 
Scouting is almost over, I will head up there a couple of days before the season starts.

The fires in the area have caused a few changes in my plans but will just need to adjust. I have not found the bull of my dreams yet...but have seen quite a few bulls in the 300-310 range.

I did watch one that would push 325" but until they are down, it is super tough to guesstimate at a mile away with the wind blowing 20-30 mph.

The broken horned bruisers are starting to show up. I watched a bull yesterday that had he been intact would have pushed the 350" mark. Real hard to be certain when you are basing your guess on the lower half of one side. lol He had lost the top of his right side and almost his entire left side was broke off. The horn that was left look impressive though.
 
IMHO if i had a tag for deer or elk in any NW colorado unit that took max points to draw i would turn my tag back and hope to get it next year. Its hot and dry with minimal antler growth this spring.
 
Yesterday I returned a cow tag for unit 2, 3rd season. I'll be interested to see when it hits the reissue list. It took 1 res pp to draw.
 
>Your returned cow tag hit the
>returned list about 11:45ish today.
>
Thanks. 8 days from surrender to relist. Good luck to the next tag holder.
 
LAST EDITED ON Oct-05-18 AT 10:32PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Oct-05-18 AT 10:25?PM (MST)

Well back from the hunt, after 4 days of scouting and 3 days of hunting while watching 15-20 bulls/day I shot a nice 6x6. My bull scored 327" with a broken 3rd that only measured 3". I guessed him at a 340" frame but with the broken point figured about 330". Main beams were 49 & 50" with 43" tip spread. I thought that he was wider but with the broke 3rd it hurt him on the max spread score. I will try to get a pic or 2 up and posted.

We had an extremely great time. The valley that I shot this bull had 47 branch antlered bulls in it. Watching mature bulls, breed, spar, cow pony cows around and bugling like crazy is an experience that will never be forgotten.

Something about having 5-6 bulls bugling in the twilight as you make the last pack out. Makes you appreciate life.
 
>LAST EDITED ON Oct-05-18
>AT 10:32?PM (MST)
>
>LAST EDITED ON Oct-05-18
>AT 10:25?PM (MST)
>
>Well back from the hunt, after
>4 days of scouting and
>3 days of hunting while
>watching 15-20 bulls/day I shot
>a nice 6x6. My
>bull scored 327" with a
>broken 3rd that only measured
>3". I guessed him
>at a 340" frame but
>with the broken point figured
>about 330". Main beams
>were 49 & 50" with
>43" tip spread. I
>thought that he was wider
>but with the broke 3rd
>it hurt him on the
>max spread score. I will
>try to get a pic
>or 2 up and posted.
>
>
>We had an extremely great time.
> The valley that I
>shot this bull had 47
>branch antlered bulls in it.
> Watching mature bulls, breed,
>spar, cow pony cows around
>and bugling like crazy is
>an experience that will never
>be forgotten.
>
>Something about having 5-6 bulls bugling
>in the twilight as you
>make the last pack out.
> Makes you appreciate life.
>

Congrats! Lookin fwd to the pics!


#livelikezac
 
You have been able to experience what is only a dream for me and I have been anxiously awaiting your report. Congrats and now awaiting the pictures.
 
It's a magical experience to be in the middle of an elk rut. Congratulations to you!!! Can?t wait to see the pics??
 
Come on! Let's see a picture....this thread has been building up for over a year.


>>====Hostess Donettes Pro Staff=====>
 
Here are a couple of the pics of my bull.


G7ww1DLh.jpg


I am having a little issue with scoring him. The B&C website puts him at 360" gross when I enter the numbers. I don't think that he is in that class of bull. So I am doing something incorrectly, when I figure it out I will post up.
 
You did really good I'd say. Big bull.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
@mm_founder on Instagram
LIKE MonsterMuleys.com
on Facebook!
 
Great bull! Who really cares what it scores, you can't put a number on a experience and great memory. I would give up significant body parts to be able to have that tag in my pocket one day! Congrats to you.

Coloradoboy
 
I figured out what I was doing wrong, the bull scores 328 the way he lays. IF that 3rd had been unbroken he would score right around 350".

Area 2 is as great as all of you can imagine.
 
I am interested in any info you are willing to share. I should for sure draw with an archery tag next year. I did some scouting this summer and spring thinking I might draw but did not. I have mainly just drove around because of the limited time I had to scout. it looked like most of the sign was concentrated on the south side of douglas
 

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