CO Elk Hunting


soonerman22

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I would simply say "get in shape"! Though I don't live in CO (I live in western Pennsylvania) I was on a DIY elk hunt last year in Idaho. I thought I was in decent shape...and was wrong. The mountain regions handed it to me. Only my will kept me going because my body was saying stop. So again, start running, get your body use to the altitude change. Secondly, practice shooting and ranging from different elevations. I saw a ton of elk on my hunt, not one of them was on level ground with me. You may have to range distances and shoot up, down, from angles, from your knees, quick draw from sprinting after elk (heart racing).

It is much different than hunting whitetails.

Finally...make sure you have the right equipment. If not, you'll hate life for whatever period of time you are afield. Make sure your boots are well broken in and comfortable. Make sure you have a supportive, sturdy day back that will disperse weight evenly across your back. I didn't and by the end of the week, my shoulders felt like I did a million shrugs straight without stopping.

Be in shape, practice your shooting, and invest in the right gear and you'll enjoy the hunt much more. The 1st time you hear a bugling elk, you'll be hooked!

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I dont know anything about those particular units, but I have been in Colorado for three years now and I am just getting use to the altitude. I have an archery tag unlimited bull only, and I am going to be hunting up here around Rampart Resevoir. There is a pretty good size herd up here, but I have also seen alot of elk just south of Castle Rock right off of I-25. Dont know if it is private or state land but there were alot of animals there. wherever you hunt good luck and be sure to get in shape!!!!

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Get in shape for sure. The only other advice is that as soon as the elk feel any pressure they head for private land or really nasty pieces of property no one wants to bother to go in. Get between the pressure and these spots.

They will cover lots of ground in very little time and the herd you saw peacefully grazing by the county road today may be 10 miles away tomorrow morning. You may have to hike alot.

Get a good pack to carry meat on and put a bag of solar salt or something heavy and unmanageable on it and walk over uneven ground to get used to the feeling. The elk you kill may be a ways from a road. If you can find someone with horses they may hire out to pack it out for you. Get their cell number. Elk hunting is hard mentally and physically. But that's how and where I'll probably die. Good luck.

Mark

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Not to hijack your thread but I could use a pard too. We drew 2nd rifle mulie buck tags for unit 55 ( which we know well) and 3rd rifle either sex elk tags for unit 54( which we have only peered up into). It;s gonna be a Gunnison type of year. Hoped to go scout 54 this week but hot water heater at home here had probs and we couldnt leave the house. Have 24' camper trailer, 4wd Dodge Crew, Honda Big Red ATC, and the whole week(s) off to hunt. Email me if you're interested.

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