Dumb Georgia boys headed to Unit 33 and we have questions.

[ozmanbucks]

Listen I am not looking for honey holes but I am looking for information. We have never Elk hunted a day in our lives or been to CO. So with that being said I know a lot of locals don't like to give out information on where they hunt but we need some help. We will be arriving two days before the season opens on the 27th. I think the biggest question we have is where to camp we don't want to be on top of other people which I understand may be hard but we would like to go it alone. No ATV's so we are packing in and out and willing to work for it. We are not out here horn hunting, not that we wont take it the but we would be happy with a cow or two. We want to see elk and camp in a nice area preferably close to water but doesn't have to be.

Also what are our chances on bear while we are in that unit.

From what I am hearing that time of year the elk are going to be found in the thickest parts of the area and not on the top of the world or in the meadows because they wont be in rut. Water holes is what we are thinking and would like to find to be able to set up on.

We are not picky and will be there for two weeks, unless we tag out which is unlikely but hey we can pray.

Thanks in advance for any help and I would love to be able to talk to someone that knows the area well. Obviously being 2000 miles away we will not have time to do any scouting so that's not an option for us, other than on the internet.

 

[Bar]

You're biting off a big chunk for a first elk hunt. That late in the year will depend on the weather as to where you hunt a unit, and what sort of hunt you'll have. I can't help with the unit, but I can suggest to be prepared for the worst weather.

 

[alexanderg23]

Have you called CO fish and game and learned how to use their online tools? They seem pretty good. Maybe call an outfitter in that unit and pay for some tips or something

 

[ozmanbucks]

We wnt be there late in the year we will be there the end of this month. And yes we have called and what I am getting from them I believe is a cooky cuter answer they give everybody. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[ozmanbucks]

Never thought of paying for information but I would pay for it if I was put on some elk. I may call one of the outfitters and see if there are any options.

 

[ozmanbucks]

We are bow hunting I never said that in the first post.

 

[Shrek]

Are you going to be camping out off of your back or are you car camping ? Not clear to me in your post.

 

[ozmanbucks]

car camping hopefully but we are prepared to pack camp a little.

 

[Finch]

The hunt planners weren't very helpful for me either. Have you played around much on the hunting atlas on the CO website? Whichever area you're interested in, you can click on the map to bring up the information. Then choose "contact info" (I think it's called that). It then lists the phone number to the district office, the names of the area managers and wardens. Any name you see you can email. Example is John Doe. Their email would be [email protected] Use that format.

I'll warn you though,I've emailed and left messages for several people and only had one respond back. They're really not as helpful as people have made them out to be.

Good luck!

 

[elkyinzer]

Pick a few such spots out for potential campsites and scout like everyone else does. My most important piece of advice is to be mobile, don't get stuck to one campsite the whole time. If you're not seeing elk, move and find them in another area. Consider your first few days a scouting mission and a bonus if you can locate some elk early. Start before dawn and stay until after dusk, that's when you'll hear the bugles that will put you on herds during the day. Water is an important part of the equation but there is a lot of water in that unit so sitting water holes can be a tough strategy. Best bet is to find an undisturbed herd and pattern their feeding/bedding just like you would a whitetail, get the wind right and make your move to cut them off.

Don't think you'll have a lot of problem not finding a place to camp. It gets a little crowded in archery but the Western concept of crowded hunting is like 1/100th as crowded as it is in PA on public land I would assume GA is the same way.

Look at the maps and find areas with lower road concentrations and places you can only get to from one road. Sucks to walk in three miles and discover you're a quarter mile from another road.

 

[5MilesBack]

Just a question......but having never been to CO or hunted CO, how did you pick the unit 33 tag to put in for? The tag is also good for parts of 23 and 24. It's a good tag, and I would venture to say almost impossible to go in there and not see elk. You won't have a problem finding water. But I would hunt as high as you can find there. Hammer it hard until you're on good fresh sign, and be prepared to move. Have a good plan B, and C, and D, and E before you get there.

These kinds of trips are awesome.......going in blind! Good luck, and most of all enjoy your time there.

 

[kpk]

The hunt planners weren't very helpful for me either. Have you played around much on the hunting atlas on the CO website? Whichever area you're interested in, you can click on the map to bring up the information. Then choose "contact info" (I think it's called that). It then lists the phone number to the district office, the names of the area managers and wardens. Any name you see you can email. Example is John Doe. Their email would be [email protected] Use that format.

I'll warn you though,I've emailed and left messages for several people and only had one respond back. They're really not as helpful as people have made them out to be.

Good luck!

Same experience here. I had one guy respond and that was only because he said he was in my area this summer for a friends wedding.

 

[Bar]

We are bow hunting I never said that in the first post.

Oh ok that's better. You said you wouldn't be hunting the rut, so I thought you meant Oct 27.

 

[sodaksooner]

Just be prepared for the fact that CO is BIG country. I am still in awe every time I get into the mountains. Don't let it discourage you. you just have to hammer it. If you see elk on the next ridge over, sack up and go after them. WAY WAY different (and more fun) than treestand hunting whitetails.

 

[Highcountry_Hellrazor]

Sit in tree stands next to water holes early is my best advice. Also, you don't need to go in far maybe .5 mile max.

 

[KHNC]

There were a lot of hunters when I was there a few years ago. I had a bear rush thru a herd of elk at a wallow just as I was about to draw on a bull. Plenty of bear sign so id say there is a really good chance to see one. I didn't have a bear tag but I could've taken a shot at 10ft!!

 

[ozmanbucks]

My buddy and I both know a couple of people that have been there and had a good experience both coming home with 6x6 bulls but that was years ago and they are not much help at this point.

 

[ozmanbucks]

Just a question......but having never been to CO or hunted CO, how did you pick the unit 33 tag to put in for? The tag is also good for parts of 23 and 24. It's a good tag, and I would venture to say almost impossible to go in there and not see elk. You won't have a problem finding water. But I would hunt as high as you can find there. Hammer it hard until you're on good fresh sign, and be prepared to move. Have a good plan B, and C, and D, and E before you get there.

These kinds of trips are awesome.......going in blind! Good luck, and most of all enjoy your time there.

My buddy and I both know a couple of people that have been there and had a good experience both coming home with 6x6 bulls but that was years ago and they are not much help at this point.

 

[ozmanbucks]

Pick a few such spots out for potential campsites and scout like everyone else does. My most important piece of advice is to be mobile, don't get stuck to one campsite the whole time. If you're not seeing elk, move and find them in another area. Consider your first few days a scouting mission and a bonus if you can locate some elk early. Start before dawn and stay until after dusk, that's when you'll hear the bugles that will put you on herds during the day. Water is an important part of the equation but there is a lot of water in that unit so sitting water holes can be a tough strategy. Best bet is to find an undisturbed herd and pattern their feeding/bedding just like you would a whitetail, get the wind right and make your move to cut them off.



Don't think you'll have a lot of problem not finding a place to camp. It gets a little crowded in archery but the Western concept of crowded hunting is like 1/100th as crowded as it is in PA on public land I would assume GA is the same way.

Look at the maps and find areas with lower road concentrations and places you can only get to from one road. Sucks to walk in three miles and discover you're a quarter mile from another road.

Yeah that's some good info but I am hearing some things about getting access rights from land owners to make it to the national forest. Is that a problem because I see on the map it looks to be pretty open.

 

[ozmanbucks]

There were a lot of hunters when I was there a few years ago. I had a bear rush thru a herd of elk at a wallow just as I was about to draw on a bull. Plenty of bear sign so id say there is a really good chance to see one. I didn't have a bear tag but I could've taken a shot at 10ft!!

That's what I was hoping for. Thanks and honestly not bear hunting but I know if I didn't buy a tag I would get a sucker shot. I am prepared to eat the tag at the end of the trip.