First Successful Elk Hunt

[LittleForkHunter]

Congratulations! Having been to Colorado twice, unsuccessful both time, I know first hand how difficult it can be!

 

[ramguy04]

Congratulations

 

[thomas3705]

Congrats!

 

[davsco]

cough, gps coordinates, cough. hahaha

congrats on your success! i did public land diy with the wife (spectator like yours) in 2018 and 2019, with zero success and frankly just saw a pair of cow elk at first light the first day of 2018 rifle. it's friggin tough, just so much land, where to go, avoiding private land, bitter cold weather etc.

 

[Cyril]

cough, gps coordinates, cough. hahaha

congrats on your success! i did public land diy with the wife (spectator like yours) in 2018 and 2019, with zero success and frankly just saw a pair of cow elk at first light the first day of 2018 rifle. it's friggin tough, just so much land, where to go, avoiding private land, bitter cold weather etc.

Thank you. It was a great adventure and experience. I can tell you, after my last hunt there in 2022, I was a little hesitant about going back to the same unit, same spot. What I will say is study maps, study statistics, plot maps and talk to people in the field.

My partner the last time has been on four total diy hunts out west, two before ours and one after. All four were unsuccessful and the most game he had seen on any of them was with me, and we didn’t see a lot. While he may have been unsuccessful at harvesting game, he was very good at talking to people. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and most people are generally friendly and helpful. They don’t tell you, “hey there is a bull over there” but if you listen, you will glean small bits of information that you can use. Connect the dots with what you see on the ground and general animal behavior/survival instincts and come up with a plan. The process worked for me or possibly I was just very lucky. Time will tell.

Good luck and thanks.

 

[Tick]

Congratulations

 

[Texfan91]

Congrats!

 

[Kevin W]

Congrats!!!

 

[wapitibob]

Congrats

 

[Anubis]

Awesome, congrats.

 

[D_wit22]

Way to get it done!

 

[NEPA]

Awesome, congrats!

 

[Midwestails]

I will keep this generally short. I made it out to Colorado for my second elk hunt. I hunted 2022 and learned a lot, due to other hunt commitments, I was unable to hunt the west in 2023. With my previous experience, I had a pretty solid plan for at minimum, having an enjoyable hunt, but a reasonable chance at success. This hunt was just me and my wife, who doesn't hunt but loves being part of the process.

We toughed it through a brutal drive with blizzard conditions and made it to camp on time. We tent camped, in elk country and were successful glassing elk, even if limited numbers everyday. On day two we had a failed stalk where we couldn't relocate the bull we were after. On day three it all came together and we were able to connect.

It was a great experience, enjoying it thoroughly with my wife by my side. I don't know when I will be back out elk hunting, but I am sure this will not be the last.

I don't post often on rokslide, only when I feel I can contribute positively to a thread but I read through nearly all of it and have learned a lot on this forum. I am very grateful for the information and knowledge, particularly about gear, lightweight, shooting etc that i have learned from this site. Hope everyone else has had or is having a good season.

Cyril

thats awesome!

 

[Dzhunt]

That's a dope elk hunt story, Cyril, you're low key legendary!