krent12 wrote:MN_DeerHunter wrote:quote="PK_"]How was the pressure?
- We stayed for about 3 days at our first camp and then left because there were 3-4 other groups hunting the same mountain range. We had all pushed the majority of the elk in this area into the most rugged creek bottom ever and knew it would be packing an elk out from there. So as a group we decided to pack up and move about 30 miles to a new range none of us had been to before but looked elky. This new place had tough access but zero hunting pressure and we got into elk there. Unfortunately finding those elk took a couple days and we had to head home before we could seal the deal on one...
So you were able to get into several Elk?
- Yes, there were four of us so we would break off in pairs each day. My group had multiple encounters and the other group had even more.
Was this your first trip out there?
- Yes, first elk trip, and first time hunting out west
Did you return to the truck each night or backpack in?
- We set up a basecamp at the truck and took 2 atvs way back into the mountain range each day. From there we would walk anywhere from 1-8 miles in each morning/ evening hunt. We were completely mobile and would hunt new areas each morning/ evening - It helped a ton to have another group. We took 7000 acre piece and were able to eliminate a ton of unproductive ground in the first couple days. We talked about spike camping, but it limits the mileage you can cover each day because you are carrying a bunch of weight and also we liked the idea of being able to be at the truck and move camp quickly if needed. Also, honestly it was nice to have real food back at our basecamp each night.
I can’t watch anymore elk videos it just depressses me that I can’t get out there to chase those majestic critters.
- You just have to go man - do it while you can! I was surprised at the ease of prepping for this trip (i'd be happy to share my gear list if anyone is interested) and honestly I could have eased back on some purchases I thought I had to make.
Ps. Looks like a nice Muley in that meadow?
- Which picture? If it is i had no idea it was there lol
Would you go back to colorado? I have decided i am going to go. Not many of the people i know elk hunt tho so i feel like i need to just get as much info from people who just went for there first time as possible!!! I really dont want to pay 5k for a guide but idk... i would prolly learn a lot. what are your thoughts?[/quote]
Yes we will most likely go back to CO next fall. We are throwing around the idea of applying for Montana or Wyoming and heading to Colorado if we don't get drawn. New Mexico is also another great state to check out. There is just so much land in Colorado and with OTC tags in so many units its hard not to want to head back there again - especially since we did get into elk.
Honestly, after going this past fall I would NOT pay for a guide. Practice calling all summer, read up on elk behavior and patterns in early september and you will do just fine. If you can read sign in the whitetail woods and know how to play the wind/ thermals you will do great. All it takes is a willingness to hike miles each day to find the fresh sign and just try to catch up with them. There is a bit of luck involved as well in my opinion. If the elk arent talking it can make for long days of hiking and searching, but once they start cracking off bugles it makes the entire trip worth it. With four of us splitting into pairs each day one thing that was key for us was to stay mobile and eliminate ground fast. After a couple of days you can really eliminate a ton of unproductive ground.
If you have any specific questions let me know and I can try to answer them. I am by no means an expert, but one of the guys I went with was a rifle elk guide back in the day so I feel like I took an upper level Elk Hunting class in the week I went out there with him.
