Info on CO GMU 18/181... I know, I know

[dr.mooseknuckles]

Hello there folks,

Before you provided me with a world class ass chewing for being a non-regular poster, non-resident, POS who should fall out off a mountain, I have already read the "Here it comes" thread and want to iterate that I will not be asking for super secret info. I get it. I have honey holes on Public Land here in SC that I'd never give info on to some two bit dip shit.

Never elk hunted before, but I'm super pumped about getting to see some beautiful country and if lucky, put some cross-hairs on an animal. From the info I've gleaned from the Interwebs, these units are opportunity units, heavily pressured, and from looking on OnX and topo maps, pretty tough terrain. I just have a few general questions. My buddy and I drew 1st rifle season either sex tags and planning on getting there a couple days before the season to scout and get a more firm plan together. So that being said, here are the questions:

1.) Would we be better off to backpack in several miles to set up camp and hunt from there or camp at truck to hike in a good bit? On the one hand, I'd like to do it right and get away from folks, but would also like to be mobile and flexible if needed with being at the truck.

2.) Temperatures? Looks like can swing from 20s to 70s or more during that time of October. My assumption is to prepare for anything. Got some merino wool base layers and feel good about the clothing options, boots, pack, etc. that I have

3.) Looking from Topo and OnX, would it be safe to assume that the Never Summer Wilderness, Indian Peak Wilderness, and Corral Peak areas worthwhile areas to look into. Seem to have less roads and decent elk travel corridors.

4.) Firearm? Choices between .308 and .270. I know that this can be a heavily debated topic, just like to see what y'all think. Obvi I'd use a good expanding bullet like Nosler Accubond. Feel very confident with the .270 in terms of accuracy, but wood stock gun my grandparents gave me and rather not mess it up with weather, rough handling, etc. Could drag out the ol' M1 Garand, but don't feel like lugging 11 lbs.

Any and all info would be appreciated. Both of us are veterinarians, so I'd be wiling to give you some real online Vet advice for some help. If you care/ give a damn.

Let the shitty comments/disinformation commence.

Thanks,
Dr. MooseKnuckles, healer of bitches and pussies

 

[Matt Cashell]

Well Dr. MK, I think that is one of the funnier introductions for unit info I have read.

I don't have any experience in that unit, but I have hunted elk a bit. I will give you this advice, and it has worked for me in heavily pressured units, even in less than ideal seasons like first rifle.

1. Glass.
1. Be mobile. Find some elk. If you aren't finding sign, look somewhere else.
2. Only do a backpack hunt if you already found elk in that area and you are prepared to burn the time. This is better saved for areas you know hold elk year after year.
3. Look for areas with food, water, and cover away from pressure. Sometimes this is "steep and deep." Sometimes it is right off the road system. It almost always has some feature that keeps the crowds out, be it difficult terrain, no trail system, or other obstacles to access. Post rut bulls tend to hide out in these areas.
4. Don't get hung up on a kill. Every minute you spend in the elk woods is an investment in a future tag notching.

Good luck!

 

[Ucsdryder]

I’ve hunted 181. Good luck! Lol

Temperature ranges are about right. If you go deep have a plan to get an elk out of the weather is warm.

You’ll run into horses in the wilderness but having spent a little time in that unit, or try to get 2 miles in and hunt deeper from there. Stay away from trailheads and main trails.

Gun...either

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

Thanks for the responses.... so where are the sweet spots????
Looking to maybe camp in the RMNP and hike into Never Summer Wilderness area from there? I'm sure I can look up, but any idea of the regs regarding firearms in the NP and potentially hauling an elk back into RMNP if killed in National Forest land?

 

[blackdawg]

The best place to park and access those areas in RMNP will be near the summit on trail Ridge Road, lots of good trails take off from there, use the pullouts to park, make sure to leave your hood up, the marmots are thick and will chew your wires, should be a slam dunk if you just want success with a cow


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[dr.mooseknuckles]

The best place to park and access those areas in RMNP will be near the summit on trail Ridge Road, lots of good trails take off from there, use the pullouts to park, make sure to leave your hood up, the marmots are thick and will chew your wires, should be a slam dunk if you just want success with a cow


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Yeah, I was looking at that. Thinking about going up toward Bowen Baker Trail head and hiking in west several miles. We're going to try for a bull, but will be perfectly happy with a cow. Really more about the experience on this trip than anything. My wife and I are having our first baby around Christmas so I'm just looking to get that last hurrah out. My duck and whitetail (Alabama) hunting seasons will be extremely limited come January.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

The most consistent advice I’ve heard from being a beginning elk hunter myself:

1. The elk are where you find them. A place can have perfect habitat and food sources, and been full of elk 2 weeks earlier, and completely barren while you’re there.

2. Play the wind, you’ll never beat their nose. Watching videos of guys that see an elk they’d like to shoot but back away because the wind is wrong hammers this home.

3. Shoot the first legal elk you see. A buddy of mine skipped this advice on day 1 and ended up going home empty-handed. Especially with 2 tags, take a cow early if you have the chance, then hunt a bull the rest of the trip.

4. Get in shape. Every person that has been has said you cannot be in good enough shape. It will kick your ass.

Randy newberg has a lot of videos about different tactics depending on the seasons.

 

[spike camp]

Thanks for the responses.... so where are the sweet spots????
Looking to maybe camp in the RMNP and hike into Never Summer Wilderness area from there? I'm sure I can look up, but any idea of the regs regarding firearms in the NP and potentially hauling an elk back into RMNP if killed in National Forest land?

I’ve never heard of anyone doing this...im not certain, but my guess would be that it’s illegal.

 

[odin0226]

I highly recommend Cory Jacobsen elk 101 University. $100, for his 1 year subscription and you'll learn everything you need to know. Its a good time to subscribe as well, it will give you something to burn your energy on leading up to your trip.

Ive hunted areas near there, get in shape! Indian peaks wildwrness is mostly unit 20. Mule deer hunted early season there, it will crush you I promise.

Lotta great info to listen to for free as well: Rich Outdoors podcast, gritty bowmen, hunt talk radio all good stuff.

Lastly you need to get colorado hunting atlas. It will litteraly show you where the elk are. I also reccomend stopping at a game and fish office and asking this one question: what elevation are the elk using right now. Depeding on the year, and feed situation they could be up high 10,000+ ft or migrated down late Sep. Ive seen both.

Hope this helps and good luck

 

[odin0226]

Correction: get on colorado hubting atlas, its on Colorado DOW web page

 

[blackdawg]

Thought you were expecting some funny responses...I was totally making that stuff up, so do not even think about accessing , carrying weapons openly or setting up a hunting camp in National Parks!!!!!!

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

Thought you were expecting some funny responses...I was totally making that stuff up, so do not even think about accessing , carrying weapons openly or setting up a hunting camp in National Parks!!!!!!

You mean I can't pop the first whopper bull inside the RMNP I see?

I figured as much. Really just looking to access the eastern edge of the Never Summer Wilderness area via those trails. I'll check the regs.

At worst, I'd hike down into that area from the North. Just trying to spit ball a plan and hopefully get some advice.

 

[spike camp]

You mean I can't pop the first whopper bull inside the RMNP I see?

I figured as much. Really just looking to access the eastern edge of the Never Summer Wilderness area via those trails. I'll check the regs.

At worst, I'd hike down into that area from the North. Just trying to spit ball a plan and hopefully get some advice.

You drive through the park to get to those trailheads, but where you access the trails is wilderness.
You’re gtg there, but you’ll have company