texastrophies Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 Have you ever wanted to hunt elk but don't really know how or where? Here is your opportunity. Disclaimer: This is not Realtree sanctioned or sponsored. Just some guys from the forum. Specifics: Bull elk in Southern Colorado, units 80/81, Second Rifle season, October 20 - 28, 2012. Over the Counter tags, Non-resident cost of $576 for the tag and $10 for a Habitat Stamp. Partial Requirements. Hunter Education if born after Jan. 1, 1949. See 2012 Colorado Big Game brochure for more information or ask specific questions and I will get the answer. We will plan on camping, Pro Staffer Steve Beilgard and I will both have big tents with heaters. We will be near the "town" of Platoro that has cabins that can be rented fairly reasonable. They also have a small general store and restaurant, or at least they did 4 years ago. As in hunting anywhere, there are no guarantees that elk will be seen or killed. But here is a picture of an elk that my buddy killed in 2007 in this area. There were three of us hunting and this is the only one killed. Here are a few scenery pics of what the area looks like. The last one is in front of the cabin we stayed in. Alternate options include cow elk hunting and or mule deer hunting. If you are interested in either of those you have to apply through the regular Colorado draw. The application deadline is on April 3, 2012. The last few years for deer you needed atleast 2 preference points to have a chance to draw a deer tag and for cow elk tags you have a chance with 0 points. Deer tags for NR run $349 and cow elk tags are $351. Will need the $10 Habitat Stamp with either one. We did this a few years ago (2006) and had a pretty good turnout that resulted in 1 elk being killed. I think we can do better this year. Post up if you are interested or have questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrown Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 That's where I was recommended to go, Platoro. My father and I hunt unit 78 on the other side of the range. We've had dang good luck! We bow hunt, so the pressure is low. The first year I harvested a cow, and was on bull. Last year we where on two bulls, but couldn't seal the deal. Had a blast, turkeys, bear, mulies, grouse. We stay in Pagosa though. We don't hunt wilderness, but we bushwack the black timber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 i'll be there a day or 2 early, setting up camp. so far, it's charlie & dawn, jeff and myself, and too many elk for just us... lol. expect a real good time, a quality camp with good food (maybe i'll be camp cook and chief fisherman...) naaaa, i'll be out with someone guiding and hunting with them. i'll be coming through denver, and can pick up at dia airport if needed. or, fly into durango or pagosa spgs and i'll pick you up there. anyway, here's your chance to have a great hunt in a quality area, at as cheap a price as you'll ever find. go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 If you want a hunt / share a camp with awesome people this is the hunt to be on ... I've shared a camp with everyone one of these folks mentioned and they are super people. You won't want to miss out on this one if you can manage it ... A little tip for ya ,, if you use Steve B. as a guide you better be in tip top shape ,, No joke here folks ,, just ask Snapper (Gregg ). If the game is there Steve B. will put you on it super fast ... To those that have comitted to this hunt good luck and have fun ,,, like that's going to be hard to do .. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 I'm not going to miss out on this, sign me up! Will bring either a buddy of my dad with me, so 2 folks total. Will be my first trip out west (hunting), I can't wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 You can bring an ATV on public land there? Or is this a private ranch? Also can you bring a bow during rifle season there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted February 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 Yes you can bring an ATV. You will have to get a Colorado OHV permit. $25.25. We will be hunting on public land, you can not, for the most part, drive an ATV off a designated road for any reason. When we were there before, just used the ATV to get to different areas and then walked. Yes you can use your bow during rifle season. You will still be required to wear 500 square inches of fluorescent orange above the waist and an orange cap/hat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 Man oh man! I was planning on making the last trip in '06 till I found out in April that my wife was pregnant with the boy. I would really like to make it this time. As of now I have an October pheasant trip planned for South Dakota. If that falls through for some reason (like it did last year) I'm going to try and make this for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 You boys got me smilin'. I have been looking to learn from someone really experienced and this seems to be the ticket. Questions: How many hunters are in that area (very crowded)? I like the "get-away" part of the hunt as much as anything. thanks for organinzing this trip. good luck to all the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Hmmmm....Pete and I were talking about doing a hunt this year. We were thinking more of a whitetail hunt...but may have to consider this hunt again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) I'm in. I'm sure wife is too, esp for OTC bull. Jeff you may take the lead this year. It will be so good to see you and Steve B and maybe soem others we have met in past. Oh, and we ARE all for a cabin too Will share rent or whatever since we are camperless. I'm sure Dawn will cook(some). We could call it the "THIRD SOMEANNUAL UNSPONSORED UNSANCTIONED REALTREE ELK CAMP" Edited February 25, 2012 by silvertip_co Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted February 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 You boys got me smilin'. I have been looking to learn from someone really experienced and this seems to be the ticket. Questions: How many hunters are in that area (very crowded)? I like the "get-away" part of the hunt as much as anything. thanks for organinzing this trip. good luck to all the dog I hunted first season which was on the draw and it wasn't bad then. This will be over the counter so I am sure there is the possibility of more hunters, but looking at the past couple of years of draws, the first season has either had leftover tags or you were able to get them with a second choice, which kind of makes me think it may not be too bad during second season. Snapper, I wouldn't know what to do on a RT hunt without you and Pudd there. Hope you can make it. Charlie, you know we have some tents, but those cabins are pretty close and fairly reasonable also, so we might can do both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Another question: What is the lay of the land. steep mounts. or more rolling highlands, open areas or thick woods? Lots of public land available? Thanks good luck to all the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Yeah, I'm gonna have a gazillion questions as well Dog, like what's the weather generally like that time of year, what kind of elevations is it there, and are they bugling still during that time (should I pick up a call or two between now and then?). really looking forward to it, got all summer to get a few goodies together if I need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) Another question: What is the lay of the land. steep mounts. or more rolling highlands, open areas or thick woods? Lots of public land available? Thanks good luck to all the dog Yes all public. Not many ranches. Mostly BLM and USFS land. Not rolling. Some gentle some steep, but all mtns. Open and thick both. Zero your rifle for 300y. Here's a map link to the area: ACME Mapper 2.0 Most of the bugling we have heard in past is at 5am to 7am, rest of the day it is done by hunters . A cow call is best ( IMHO) , I have three on a lanyard like the duckies use, and I alternate the calls. I think firstwe NEED to decide is 2nd rifle or 3rd rifle. May I recommend 2nd rifle OTC bull tags as 3rd rifle we might get snowed out...they get 30 feet per year there. Just a thought. Edited February 25, 2012 by silvertip_co Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted February 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Charlie nailed it on the terrain. Definately 2nd season. Platoro Reservoir is at about 10,000 ft elevation. Some of the peaks go up over 12,000 ft. Plan on cold and snow. If you go to google earth and do a search for Platoro Reservoir you will be in the neighborhood and cna get a look at the terrain and cover. Also look at the pictures that have been placed on google earth for some more insight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Charlie nailed it on the terrain. Definately 2nd season. Platoro Reservoir is at about 10,000 ft elevation. Some of the peaks go up over 12,000 ft. Plan on cold and snow. If you go to google earth and do a search for Platoro Reservoir you will be in the neighborhood and cna get a look at the terrain and cover. Also look at the pictures that have been placed on google earth for some more insight. Here's a link from the Colorado DOW website that tells of the unit. Honeyholes excluded http://wildlife.state.co.us/SiteCollectionDocuments/DOW/Hunting/BigGame/GMUTipSheets/GMU081.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhunter97 Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 What is the minimum pound requirement for a bow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted February 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 What is the minimum pound requirement for a bow? 35 POUNDS, max. 80% let-off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhunter97 Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 80% let off max? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted February 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 yep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhunter97 Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 lol ight haha how i read it it sounded like 35 lbs max i thought WHAT? thanks for clearing that up i will talk to my dad about signing up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted February 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 If you go to www.PlatoroCo.com you can find some info on the cabins, restaurant, store etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Couple quick questions since its been a few years and you guys are up to date. How long are preference points good for? I had one from the '06 hunt...but thought they expired after so long. I would like to try for a muley buck...which brings me to the next question... Since its an OTC elk...can you actually buy your lic/tag when you get there at a local store? Thinking if I didn't get drawn for a deer tag...I would then get the OTC. elk tag. How far are the cabins from where your camping and you have an idea of price/rent for a week? Not pulling a camper that far again...lol. Like the idea of flying and renting a truck...but not sure how to get meat home if we kill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 gregg, i'll take all the elk meat with me. no problem. lol about archery hunting: while you are most welcome to try, the elk are not in rut after the 1st week in october. a cow call may get their attention long enought to stop them, but they will not come in to a call. it will be spot and stalk and that is reeeeeaaal tough. go for it if you like, but i'll suggest a rifle for the best time. just me thinking out loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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