Colorado GMU 18 - ELK Guidance

[HuntToEatT]

Is anyone familiar with this unit? I am an experienced hunter, but could not draw any of my normal units. Additionally this was the only leftover choice I could grab with some confidence. I am hunting E/S in 4th season rifle. So I am planning on leaf off, cold, and might not have road access to some areas. Dates for season are mid November.

Any suggestions will surely assist in my planning, scouting, and hunt.

Also hunt both ways, and am not afraid to get in a few miles. Planning on setting up a base camp with the family, but have spike camp always with me to get into where I need to.

Thanks!

 

[Vandy321]

Mid november? Come on now... If you are a resident, you've got almost 2.5 months to scout it in person. Put in the legwork, It'll surely pay off more than internet advice.

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

Its beautiful and there are elk


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[Back Country Hunter 2]

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/colorado-elk-hunting-unit-18-diy.114904/page-2

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/help-with-unit-18-in-colorado.101993/

 

[wannakillabigbull]

Going into yesterday there were 465 of these tags on the leftover list, as of now there are 250 left. That's 215 tags sold for that hunt in the last day. Be prepared for a lot of other hunters, and a lot that haven't been there before either.

I've hunted the tag before and I would be careful about spike camping. The weather can change dramatically at short notice. You don't want to get stuck in a situation that you can't get yourself out of. Some roads are good to drive one day but are icy and dangerous the next.

Best of luck.

 

[Samee0621]

I’m hunting 18 as well but I have a first rifle E/S tag. Never been before but I’m going to try to go check the unit out at least twice before hand. we’ll see how it goes

 

[DudeOfColorado]

Best odds are 1st rifle season if I recall right, but produces elk from archery until late season for those willing to put in work. It's a good elk wintering unit, but also heavily pressured. It is accessible to Denver, attractive to out of state hunters because of proximity to RMNP and tags are easier to catch than candy at a parade. It's a timber unit for sure, late season adds the joy of post-holeing through snow to the already pleasant yoga navigation of beetle kill.

#1 advice for mid to late season: respect the weather. This means warmth and visibility. Don't go off thinking you'll start a fire with one lighter. Quality clothing and field craft make life easier, but can also save your bacon.

PM me if you have questions about a specific spot after scouting and/or e-scouting it. Or if you want sounding board for load-out. Too much to discuss in single post.

 

[Hawkeye5964]

PM me if you want. I hunted that unit last year in 4th rifle and shed hunted this spring. Was not successful at either, but I covered a lot of ground there. There will be lots of people there.

 

[Merijo]

Been up there 3-4 days per week bow hunting this month. Lots of signs of elk but seen nothing. Have walked lots of miles up there. No bugling at all has been heard. Have been all way from Bowen gulch down. At a loss as to where they are. I assume they keep retreating into RMNP

 

[Quadzilla32]

Might be headed to 18 this coming season pending how bad the fire went through. Curious on what to expect as far as weather. I know the seasons can vary a lot but generally what is the weather like 2nd season late October/early November.

Trying to get my gear ready and don't know if I will need to go buy some legit cold whether gear or if the pants/ jacket I plan to wear will get the job done. Last thing I want to get into is a bad situation and not be prepared.

 

[ahlgringo]

Might be headed to 18 this coming season pending how bad the fire went through. Curious on what to expect as far as weather. I know the seasons can vary a lot but generally what is the weather like 2nd season late October/early November.

Trying to get my gear ready and don't know if I will need to go buy some legit cold whether gear or if the pants/ jacket I plan to wear will get the job done. Last thing I want to get into is a bad situation and not be prepared.

Weather 2nd season is somewhere between 75 and a subzero whiteout. Co is known for unpredictable hunting season temps- 2nd season illustrates that point probably better than any other.


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[Quadzilla32]

Weather 2nd season is somewhere between 75 and a subzero whiteout. Co is known for unpredictable hunting season temps- 2nd season illustrates that point probably better than any other.


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Damn! sounds like ill be dishing out some money for some gear. Thank you

 

[TheViking]

Orange army. One of the busiest units there is.

 

[MattCO]

I'd plan for some snow on the ground, at least in shaded areas, north facing slopes. There 'usually' isn't a lot of snow in early Nov.

 

[HuntNTag]

Super busy unit and I’d plan for the cold. I’ve hunted that unit 5+ times and I can’t think of one where it didn’t snow in October or November.


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[Quadzilla32]

Orange army. One of the busiest units there is.

Not to get off topic but would you say meeker GMU's are just as crowded? i can put in for tags for the same timeframe and animals in 11/211. This is my first season and trying to build some points and just get out there.

 

[TheViking]

Not to get off topic but would you say meeker GMU's are just as crowded? i can put in for tags for the same timeframe and animals in 11/211. This is my first season and trying to build some points and just get out there.

I’m not as familiar with that area as I am 181/18/27 those are all slammed. There isn’t many spots on colorado that isn’t packed anymore except the limited entry tags.

 

[Quadzilla32]

I’m not as familiar with that area as I am 181/18/27 those are all slammed. There isn’t many spots on colorado that isn’t packed anymore except the limited entry tags.

Ya I'm starting to get that feeling that if its no draw or low draw the area is pretty busy. Thank you

 

[TheViking]

Ya I'm starting to get that feeling that if its no draw or low draw the area is pretty busy. Thank you

Yeah man, no worries. I wasn’t trying to discourage you, just being real. We’re all in the same boat. I’ve hunted the same area for rifle for a decade now. When I first started I damn near had the place to myself, a few other trucks here and there. Now it’s a parking lot and every trailhead. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Go places others don’t want to go.

 

[Quadzilla32]

Yeah man, no worries. I wasn’t trying to discourage you, just being real. We’re all in the same boat. I’ve hunted the same area for rifle for a decade now. When I first started I damn near had the place to myself, a few other trucks here and there. Now it’s a parking lot and every trailhead. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Go places others don’t want to go.

Not discouraged if anything its nice to have a reality check so I'm not expecting to be overrun with elk/deer. I plan to park somewhere and then hike a couple miles in and use that as a starting point. Hoping to get up there this summer and do some looking around.

I appreciate the insight