Colorado Elk hunt

[Ethantyler]

first time going to Colorado hoping for a early season bow hunt any tips? Looking at 521 and 53 but hear the 53 is packed with people.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

If it is packed with people, and packed with elk, use the people to your advantage. Scout out some spots that have good cover and are difficult to get into, and you will have a pretty good idea where the elk may go when pressured. One of the benefits of lots of hunters in an area is they tend to constantly bump the elk around. That means they will be less responsive to calls, but more susceptible to stumble into your ambush.

 

[Ethantyler]

Yeah sounds good we do plan on packing in with tents and going up high and camping

 

[Northpark]

Most areas of Colorado have a lot of people. Best advice is get in shape, Hunt hard, be stubborn and don’t give up.

 

[dingleberns]

I was 7 miles deep in 53 on a solo elk archery trip and ran into plenty of people. There were plenty of elk however I got there after some Texas folks worked the herd for 5 days straight. Do your homework.

 

[Peaks&Creeks]

521 is over run by sheep. Until CPW does something about it I wouldn’t waste my time.


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[3darcher2]

521 is over run by sheep. Until CPW does something about it I wouldn’t waste my time.


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Is there an elevation above which you wouldn't expect to see domestic sheep, or a time after which they would be removed in CO?

 

[Poser]

Is there an elevation above which you wouldn't expect to see domestic sheep, or a time after which they would be removed in CO?

Sheep are usually above treeline, but they also move around quite a bit and spread out over large areas. In the SW, the permits end on or around Sept 15th.

 

[DeerCatcherUT/CO]

Every season in every unit in Colorado is packed. Just look at all the threads that say Colorado deer or elk hunt or preference points. People think it’s the only place that elk live. Also was in 521 last year and the overgrazing from the sheep was a joke. They’re ruining the habitat for every other species it’s pretty frustrating to see it in person definitely don’t waste your time

 

[Backyard]

Is there an elevation above which you wouldn't expect to see domestic sheep, or a time after which they would be removed in CO?

After the first hard frost, the herders will bring them down. I've dealt with them in the area I hunt, that's my experience.

 

[Daniel0307]

Yeah it Colorado lots of people but use them toward your advantage.. Be in shape, get there early before season to scout and get set up before others have a chance to stir them up.. Once they’ve been hunted you have to change up your tactics and go where others won’t.. Don’t give up after day 3-4, try to stay for 10-14 days it’s a grind in your mind sometimes but patience is your friend. Finally stay Postive expect so see elk around every corner and over every ridge so you don’t get surprised if you let your guard down.. Good luck

 

[1shotgear]

The nice thing about 53 is that a large chunk of the unit is wilderness. You should be able to get away from guys as long as you are comfortable with backpacking in a few miles. 521 has roads throughout the entire unit which will make it difficult to get away from other hunters. Either way, expect to see other hunters no matter where you are at. Colorado is one of the most pressured Western states to hunt elk in. If you scout well and put in the miles you can still find good bulls!

 

[glee2]

521 is over run by sheep. Until CPW does something about it I wouldn’t waste my time.


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I was up there last year and one of the locals had told me that the sheep were recently removed.

 

[Ethantyler]

I was up there last year and one of the locals had told me that the sheep were recently removed.

Well thats good news.

 

[cnelk]

521 is over run by sheep. Until CPW does something about it I wouldn’t waste my time.

Thats a Forest Service issue, not CPW

 

[trophyhill]

I scouted 53 a few years ago while working in GJ after gaining intimate knowledge from a local fellow hunter. It was early August. As I was driving the rim road, I turned down a spur road (2 track).

It was there that I saw a herd of cows and calf's crossing in front of me at 10 yards. I drove to the end of the 2 track, stopped, looked and listened for a spell. About 15 minutes before dark, I grab my Elknut Chuckler and Phelps DragonSlayer and get out of the truck. In shorts and flip-flops I didn't go far. I do a raspy locate bugle, and a bull screams a bugle from the bottom of the canyon below. I went 30 yards to the truck to grab my phone thinking I was gonna get a pic. As I turned to head back to the edge of the canyon, the giant 6 point bull freshly rubbed off was standing where I had called from. Yep.......educated an elk and ended up hunting somewhere else

The habitat was interesting. On one side of the finger ridges, dense quakies, and on the other side of the ridges were oak and more open terrain.

 

[jray5740]

A few years back during second season the sheep were still being run in 521. Im not sure why so late, but they definitely take a toll on the water systems and grazing where they are.

I have heard a rumor, not sure if its true, that elk will run with the odor of sheep. Not so much cattle, but sheep. Cattle in 421/521 are there well into 3rd season usually.

 

[LongWayAround]

The nice thing about 53 is that a large chunk of the unit is wilderness. You should be able to get away from guys as long as you are comfortable with backpacking in a few miles. 521 has roads throughout the entire unit which will make it difficult to get away from other hunters. Either way, expect to see other hunters no matter where you are at. Colorado is one of the most pressured Western states to hunt elk in. If you scout well and put in the miles you can still find good bulls!

Isn't the Raggeds Wilderness in 521? I believe it takes up a good portion of that unit.

 

[HarvDog]

Sheep People rough af and No bulls!
Great unit