heading out west

[YZEATER]

in less then 3 weeks, we'll be heading out west to colorado for some elk hunting. my good buddy and i were finally asked by my cousin's that have been going for 9 years, to go along. we are renting horses and camping in the mountains at about 7k elevation. will have pics when we return.

we'll be driving from north of pittsburgh, pa. and taking interstate 80 most of the way.

any one else have hunting trips planned?

 

[munepit]

Nope, no trips planned. But, You will have a blast. That will be a great get away. Sounds fun. Jealous!

 

[YZEATER]

we have been talking about going for years. we'll be gone for 2 weeks. 9 days of hunting.

 

[munepit]

I was trying to find the quote by Napoleon Dynamite, Where he says "Lucky". Couldn't, So I found this. Have a good time. One day, Me and by brother are going to do that!

 

[big pappa b]

So, you have 2nd rifle season tags? Mine are for 3rd season (Nov 5-13). What area are you hunting? Colorado gets a pretty penny for their out of state elk tags ..+$500

 

[YZEATER]

Ya.second rifle. Area 12,23,and 24. We have cow tags already at $350. We'll buy bull tags once we get out there at $550. The horses were $525. Expensive but it'll be an adventure.

 

[big pappa b]

Your 3 units west of where I will hunt this year. I'll be in 27/181. I have doe & buck deer tags and a cow elk tag. As long as it's not a bull elk or moose, I'm shooting anything that moves ;-) My buddy has a truck with cab over camper we will stay in. No horses for us

 

[YZEATER]

there is 4 out of 6 of us going that it's the first year to go out. we can't wait. seemed a long way off when we were asked 6 months ago.

any advice you can offer will be much appreciated.

 

[big pappa b]

Do you already have maps or GPS? This is the Colorado Big Game site with Game Unit maps http://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/huntingatlas/index.aspx?keyword=gmu&value=12
You can get a good idea of the lay of the land. Google maps also zooms in faily well. 7000ft isn't much. I live at 7000 and I'm just east of Colorado Springs more on the plains. Sounds like a valley in your areas. Since it will only be October and hasn't had a chance to cool down yet, the elk like to stay up high (10-11000ft) until there is enough snow it forces them to come down lower for food. Be prepared to go higher. My buddy always tells me, the elk hunting sucks if your aren't suffering. Too warm = no elk

If/when you kill anything, be sure to take precaution against bears, mountain lions. Ebars will want to check out your camp if they smell food. Other predators may want your game

If I knew this earlier as this is your first year doing this, I would have recommend you get to the gym and start doing some cardio. You are going to feel like you are out of breath if you stary doing much of anything. Some people get sick from the elevation. Be sure to stay VERY hydrated. This will help.

 

[YZEATER]

i have been checking out that site. i will have a gps and have got a app for my phone that i downloaded topo maps to already.

my cousins have seen bear and mountain lion tracks near there camps before. i really wasn't to worried about them to you mentioned it now.

hopefully the horses will help with our lack of fitness. i started working out, but that didn't last long, and i know i'll be kicking myself once we get there.

we'll be hunting up to about 9k-10k.

 

[big pappa b]

You should be ok at that elevation. The horses will def help. You can do a search for "hunting reports colorado GMU 12, 23, 24. Archery, muzzle loader and the 1st rifle season are done. Should be some feedback out there by now

 

[YZEATER]

i've been watching vids on youtube of archery and muzzleloader hunts already. it's going to be sooo different then our whitetail deer hunting.

 

[big pappa b]

Only real difference I would say is be prepared to take longer shots. Elk aren't as skiddish as whitetail, you just have to find them. Last year we were walking to our spot and there was a nice 5x6 standing broadside about 30 yards away. I couldn't believe it. Easiest thing I've ever killed. We got the 4 wheeler and trailer about 15ft from it and dragged it onto the trailer. Best hunt ever..haha

 

[YZEATER]

not too worried about the shooting part. we regularly shoot to 500 yards. we just need some elk within that range.

 

[YZEATER]

were back. no elk. some teaser pics.