Help with hunting White River National Forest

[xcutter]

Hello,

I am planning an Elk hunt next year 2016 to the White River National Forest area in Colorado on a DIY hunt. I have no knowledge whatsoever of this place as I am a new Elk hunter. I am looking for any information that can help me on my hunt. I went to Utah in 2014 to the Unitas and only saw a couple elk on a 11 day trip. I come home empty handed but had an absolute blast and learned a lot of what not to do when hunting elk. I'm definitely hooked on Elk hunting for life. I would really appreciate any pointers. I will be going with archery equipment. I might do a bivy syle hunt? Not for sure yet. I have several questions. Again I'm new to Elk hunting so any info that you would like to share is welcome. A cow Elk will make me just as happy as a big bull.

Good area to hunt that isn't over populated with other archery hunters?

What time of year is the best for archery hunting? Rut?

Weather conditions to be prepared for?

If camping in a camping area where? Fresh water around?

Is the area accessible by ATV? Walk only? Not afraid to walk just be nice to know.

Where can I get maps for specific areas?

 

[5MilesBack]

Good area to hunt that isn't over populated with other archery hunters?

Time to lower your expectations on this one, even for draw units. There will be other hunters.......period. Then the challenge is trying to figure out what they're doing or where they're going to be, so you can best take advantage of that.

 

[xcutter]

Yeah that makes sense. I appreciate the comment. When I was in the Unitas I never had that issue. So I'm glad you set me straight.

So are you suggesting that I should almost use the other hunters to push the elk to me?

 

[xcutter]

How is the hunting in Unit 25? I've been reading some online and looks like it has pretty high remarks. Anyone have any info they would be willing to share?

 

[MAT]

Time to lower your expectations on this one, even for draw units. There will be other hunters.......period. Then the challenge is trying to figure out what they're doing or where they're going to be, so you can best take advantage of that.

Yeah, and plenty of livestock. They have huge herds of sheep in some areas even in the wilderness. If not sheep then cattle. That's BS IMO but that's the way it is, esp in CO for whatever reason. Why is it that NW CO is so popular with archery hunters? Or is it this way everywhere?

 

[xcutter]

A lot of livestock in the Unitas. Saw more cattle than elk. Never ran into another archery hunter though.

 

[NDHunter]

Call the DOW biologist that covers that area and also the biologist for the Forest Service. They'll be able to help you out the most. Haven't personally hunted that area but since it is a popular area, not many guys are going to give the "where" part of your equation.

Here is a link to buy maps: http://www.nationalforestmapstore.com/default.asp
Here's a link from the White River Forest website for the travel maps. That will get you started on where the roads are at. http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/home/?cid=stelprdb5328680

 

[xcutter]

Thanks this helps. I can't blame anyone for not saying "where". No one probably showed them. I appreciate your help.

 

[Elkfitness]

Yeah that makes sense. I appreciate the comment. When I was in the Unitas I never had that issue. So I'm glad you set me straight.

So are you suggesting that I should almost use the other hunters to push the elk to me?

This works in any of the heavier hunted OTC and draw units. When looking at the maps, look for escape routes and "sanctuary" areas. Think about where day hunters, backpack hunters, and ATV hunters will be and then go from there to find your areas to hunt. Be prepared to be mobile as well, so you can either move with the elk or move to different areas altogether.

 

[5MilesBack]

Why is it that NW CO is so popular with archery hunters?

Because the largest elk herd in the state inhabits NW CO.........supposed to 50k head of elk from the WY border down to the Flat Tops. It's very popular with the rifle hunters as well.

 

[JG358]

Because the largest elk herd in the state inhabits NW CO.........supposed to 50k head of elk from the WY border down to the Flat Tops. It's very popular with the rifle hunters as well.

Yup. I read somewhere that the White River Herd is supposed to be the largest elk herd in the world.

 

[MAT]

The problem with talking to the USFS biologists are they give you the same info they give everyone else who calls them. Its like asking for a hotspot here!!!

 

[Double Creek]

I've only hunted a few different units in NW Colorado during archery season. I was shocked by the amount of pressure. I don't really run into a lot of people while actually hunting, but I swear there is truck and camp in almost every place you can put one!

 

[Bigmike68]

I hunted that wilderness last year an will be out there again this year. Where we were only saw 3 other hunters together on the way in on a trail other than that no one.

 

[xcutter]

Bigmike68 what time is the best time to go hunting there? Last 2 weeks of September? Is it hard to find a place to camp? What would recommend to make my trip successful? Hard to find water?

 

[Schnagelbagel]

I was out there last year and will be back again this year. We had quite a few people in our area! But once you get away from the private land perimeter hunters and the quad guys i really did t see many in the back country. Didnt see the elk i would have liked to but dont feel i went were i needed to go either.

 

[5MilesBack]

It's odd sometimes no matter where you go. One year I'll see 3-4 guys in a week. Other years there are guys setting up camps literally half on the road and half on the shoulder because it's so crowded. I won't play that game.

 

[Bigmike68]

Bigmike68 what time is the best time to go hunting there? Last 2 weeks of September? Is it hard to find a place to camp? What would recommend to make my trip successful? Hard to find water?

I think we entered at a different spot cause where we were there were only 3 trucks when we went in. Last week of archery over lap into muzzle loader is when we go. When we came out were about 20 trucks an multiple camps along the road setup crazy. But they do push elk far back where we hunted. U can find the piney river or streams leading off mountains ussauly. Didn't have a problem with water stayed somewhat close to water sources or wallows when u can because when they are buggling all day they need to drink!! We set up a spike camp pretty deep in the wilderness packed all the way, no quads or bikes allowed where we go only horses an hiking. I'll be goin same general area again this year but there are elk everywhere out there u don't have to go far to find them. We just go deep to find the big bulls hiding out in certain in drainages an dark timbers areas we have scouted out. an by reading the topo maps an google earth too find spots we wanna try to hunt.

 

[xcutter]

Thanks for the helpful info Bigmike68.

How far do you usually have to go in the woods to get away from people?
How deep do you go to camp? 3 miles? Is this a good distance to start?
I don't want anyone to ruin my hunt or me to ruin anyone else's because I'm moving in on an elk that is already being hunted.

 

[Bails-UK]

where abouts you thinking of hunting xcutter?, there is a big bunch of us going and setting up Elk Camp in Unit 45 in 2016, you'll get a whole load of help if you're hunting around that area, we do the camp on the last week of Archery season. there'll be new hunters and more experienced Elk Hunters there too, there are Elk in that Unit, but like anywhere, you just gotta look hard enough to find them.