Co activity?

[JPD350]

I was in southern Colorado last week and had lots of fresh sign so the elk were there just no bugling at all.

So what kind of impact does the Muzzle hunts have on the elk since the elk will just be starting to fire up at the time the guns show up? LOL I probably know the answer but thought I would trow this out anyway since most of you have dealt with this every year and I haven't.

LOL Compared to hardly seeing anyone last week, when I return for the last couple weeks I am envisioning gun powder smoke floating in the trees like a fog and the elk no where to be found !!

 

[thejones]

Just got out of the woods here in North Central Rockies of CO. The Bulls were very vocal, a lot of screaming going on from about 7pm till 8 ish in the AM. The cows were silent where I was. As for the Bulls it was an all ages affair. We had little 4X's up to some big mature boys doing the yelling. We were into elk in the 10500' and up elevation ranges.
Good luck everyone.

 

[crazyhawksfan]

What's everyone seeing/hearing in southern colorado? Heading out in the am for 2 weeks. Hopefully we hit the rut pretty good?

 

[dotman]

I was in southern Colorado last week and had lots of fresh sign so the elk were there just no bugling at all.

So what kind of impact does the Muzzle hunts have on the elk since the elk will just be starting to fire up at the time the guns show up? LOL I probably know the answer but thought I would trow this out anyway since most of you have dealt with this every year and I haven't.

LOL Compared to hardly seeing anyone last week, when I return for the last couple weeks I am envisioning gun powder smoke floating in the trees like a fog and the elk no where to be found !!

Doubt you even see a ML Hunter or hear a shot, very few tags and the archery hunters are more likely to blow elk out of an area. I've never even heard a ML shot where I hunt, I also find the ML guys are pretty dedicated since it is a primitive style with zero optics, not even close to rifle season.

 

[COlineman78]

Doubt you even see a ML Hunter or hear a shot, very few tags and the archery hunters are more likely to blow elk out of an area. I've never even heard a ML shot where I hunt, I also find the ML guys are pretty dedicated since it is a primitive style with zero optics, not even close to rifle season.

Sound from ML shots also doesn't travel very far as the shots aren't supersonic it's a very different and distinctive sound in comparison to other firearms. Also, as such they really don't spook the elk nearly as bad. I hunt ML and have shot at them from 150 yards and they just stood there and stared at me allowing a very slow reload and second shot after I misjudged the slope and missed high on the first. I have had more elk just stand there next to the one I just shot, one time for over an hour (didn't want to ruin it for others in our group that weren't too far away). 150 is my max for ML and I only shoot that if prone or sitting with a rest, otherwise more like 80-100 yds max. My buddy shot his bull at 78 yards with his bow last year, so I won't deny that the range advantage is nice since about half of my elk have been at that range or longer but with spending all year on long range archery practice he was able to reach out quite a ways.

I'm getting excited for this weekend; opening day! One of the land owners was up last weekend and took a local boy and his father that he met in town up to his land and they got a 6x6 at one of the ponds. He didn't really say if they were vocal, but it sounds like they are all over the place and actively feeding in a good pattern. He saw several groups just on one ~160 acre property.

 

[murf45]

Doubt you even see a ML Hunter or hear a shot, very few tags and the archery hunters are more likely to blow elk out of an area. I've never even heard a ML shot where I hunt, I also find the ML guys are pretty dedicated since it is a primitive style with zero optics, not even close to rifle season.

Agreed

 

[JPD350]

Cool, I didn't know it was primitive and no optics! So does that mean no sabots as well? LOL I don't mean the wooden shoes!!

Going back on Mon for the rest of the hunt, bugling or not I can hardly wait!

 

[dotman]

Cool, I didn't know it was primitive and no optics! So does that mean no sabots as well? LOL I don't mean the wooden shoes!!

Going back on Mon for the rest of the hunt, bugling or not I can hardly wait!

Correct no sabots either.

 

[Highcountry_Hellrazor]

Bugling since archery opener.

 

[ndforbes]

Just got back from a five day trip in central Colorado. We spent the entire time in a secluded area between 10,500 and 12,500. We only heard three bugles during that time but saw a ton of sign and quite a few animals. Hopefully the rut will be in full swing by the time we head back out. Good luck fellas!

 

[durangobrad]

Just got back from two days out. Long ways out a jeep road and 2.5 miles from the dead end. I was in elk the whole time and didn't hear a single bugle. Not even during the night....

 

[slick trick]

Friend just got back from Lizard Head nothing , said he never heard any some some old sign. He said the had to be 500 moto and ATV riding around holiday weekend

 

[drrice]

Just got back from central CO on a week trip and didn't hear a bugle all week. Found a lot of sign but only saw 1 elk. Pretty frustrating for a first elk hunt

 

[johnnylaw]

Half way home from pagosa springs, hunted between 9 and 11k. Elk were not talking at all. Saw plenty of sign, saw some elk and had a great trip. Wishing i could go back already

 

[COlineman78]

Pretty quiet this morning here near Oak Creek. Saw some elk last night, but again no bugles. Heard the cows talking though. Down at 9k ft.

 

[bikerdavet]

No a sound . I am at 11k. Fresh sign and beds but no love. I'm in unit 18 just south of the pass.

 

[Rucker61]

No a sound . I am at 11k. Fresh sign and beds but no love. I'm in unit 18 just south of the pass.

Just got back from 18. Saw and heard nothing near Elk and Grouse Mountains. A deer hunter said he heard bugling near Blue Mesa on the south end of the unit.

 

[TheHardWay]

I believe the warm weather has put a damper on thing around here.

 

[TheHardWay]

This happened on Friday, the day before muzzleloader opened for me. I was out bowhunting for bear when I heard him bugle. Saw antler tips coming up the hill in a hurry, so I dove into the trees. He came by me at 6 steps away. Would have been an awesome bow shot! Wish I had kept rolling the video as he ripped loose with another bugle just after I stopped recording.


https://vimeo.com/139131062

 

[bikerdavet]

Just got back from 18. Saw and heard nothing near Elk and Grouse Mountains. A deer hunter said he heard bugling near Blue Mesa on the south end of the unit.

I heard one bugle this morning just before sunrise. Long way off and much lower elevation. I am going to move south farther and a bit lower. I have an either sex tag so we'll see.