Colorado GMU 18 - ELK Guidance

[Quadzilla32]

How many layers are you guys going with? Don't want to be the idiot who freezes out in the woods.

 

[TheViking]

How many layers are you guys going with? Don't want to be the idiot who freezes out in the woods.

I've hunted in that region when it's been 50-60 and sunny, and also I had a hunt where it didn't get over 15 degrees for about 5 days straight. Prepare for EVERYTHING. Tires chains, tow straps, cold gear, warm gear...

You can get the forecast ahead of time. I use Kremmling, Steamboat and Granby to find the average. Then subtract about 10-15 degrees for being at 10k+ feet.

I would plan for some snow being on the ground, freezing temps at night at the minimum.

 

[tburkepa]

I hunted 18 in third season last year and the burn area was bad. There were a few areas that was sort of patchwork burn. But most of the areas that I've hunted in the past were totally burned. You could see from one end of the forest to the other. Not much animal sign. But plenty of hunters. Weather wasn't bad in most places but early season snow storm still had the ground covered in one of our areas that was knee high to thigh high snow to walk through.

 

[Quadzilla32]

I hunted 18 in third season last year and the burn area was bad. There were a few areas that was sort of patchwork burn. But most of the areas that I've hunted in the past were totally burned. You could see from one end of the forest to the other. Not much animal sign. But plenty of hunters. Weather wasn't bad in most places but early season snow storm still had the ground covered in one of our areas that was knee high to thigh high snow to walk through.

Do you remember what general area you hunted? I've been game planning on onX for areas I'm going to try and go. From my understanding the burn areas were limited to certain sections of the GMU

 

[cnelk]

The Colorado Hunting Atlas still shows some closed areas

 

[cnelk]

Also FWIW - if you drive up around Parshal right now, there’s a ton of elk and deer wintering in that area.

 

[Quadzilla32]

So looking at the atlas it seems everything east of 25 got burned pretty bad but west and closer to GMU 181 seems to be untouched.

I planned on going more towards 181 and use I25 as my right limit. Thought process is it could go two ways..

1. all the animals are more densely populated within those areas trying to get away from the burn. This is not likely

2. All the hunters will stay away from the east side of the GMU and put more pressure on the animals who will move to other GMU's and just make all the hunters in one super populated area. This seems like it would be the most likely thing to happen.

 

[TheViking]

So looking at the atlas it seems everything east of 25 got burned pretty bad but west and closer to GMU 181 seems to be untouched.

I planned on going more towards 181 and use I25 as my right limit. Thought process is it could go two ways..

1. all the animals are more densely populated within those areas trying to get away from the burn. This is not likely

2. All the hunters will stay away from the east side of the GMU and put more pressure on the animals who will move to other GMU's and just make all the hunters in one super populated area. This seems like it would be the most likely thing to happen.

I would try not to detail your plan of attack in this forum…you’ll probably have 10 more guys following you

 

[cnelk]

I’d say that pretty much all of 18 burned….

 

[Quadzilla32]

Damn, I must of been reading the atlas incorrectly. I thought the red lines indicated the fire areas

 

[tburkepa]

Do you remember what general area you hunted? I've been game planning on onX for areas I'm going to try and go. From my understanding the burn areas were limited to certain sections of the G

 

[tburkepa]

If you want to text me at 570-721-0078 I'll give you a general area, I don't have enough contributions to send you a message?? But it's not a secret that East of 125 to Grand Lake is gone and lots of area in between where fire started near Parshall over to 125.

 

[wannakillabigbull]

Damn, I must of been reading the atlas incorrectly. I thought the red lines indicated the fire areas

The red indicates "Closed to All Uses" actually. The lines you're seeing in red are the closed roads in the area. I was in 18 last year during second season and the destruction was hard to describe. Such a huge portion was burned and devoid of deer and elk.

 

[Minorthreat]

Anyone have any information on GMU 18 in regards to recovery? I have done a lot of research on the watershed recovery efforts and it looks as if there is a ton of lush grass and wild flowers all over the scorched earth area of 18.

Curious if any locals are hearing if the Elk are venturing out in the giant food fields for them? I have a group of 5 all with either sex elk tags for season 4 that we are planning out. I'll be up there this weekend to scout.

 

[Minorthreat]

Bump

 

[Lopelobber]

Was out recently and the black trees are poking through carpets of purple fireweed. There’s habitat.

 

[Minorthreat]

I’m out there this weekend.

 

[come2elmo]

I was out there during 1st Rifle and there is plenty of habitat still out there to hunt. But plenty of moonscape as well. There was also lots of dudes at the trailheads and gates where the FS had the roads closed. If you are willing to walk or bike you can get back in but again lots of dudes with the same idea.

 

[Minorthreat]

No wheels allowed in the forest..

Natural means of transport only

 

[come2elmo]

No wheels allowed in the forest..

Natural means of transport only

bike down the roads. that are technically closed to vehicle and foot traffic. I avoided those places as the number of trucks rivaled some concerts I have been too. Next year I am going to roll up in a food truck and make bank!