Settle a bet about Wilderness Areas (Colorado)

[ScreamingPotato]

One of us is speculating that Wilderness Areas due to the remoteness and difficulty of access will have fewer hunters, the other is speculating that because everyone thinks that way it will draw more and thus have just as much if not more hunters. Figured I'd ask the experts here!

 

[cnelk]

Wilderness Areas & Burn Areas = Non Res Magnets

 

[Ross]

Depends on the state and difficulty of the country.....I’ve hunted wilderness in the nwest corner of Montana and haven’t seen hardly a sole back in you can find it but it won’t be easy

 

[Tick]

I have not experienced a lack of hunters or a difference in game numbers within the wilderness areas I have hunted in CO.

The factors that reduce hunter numbers apply in wilderness and non wilderness areas.

 

[idahohikker]

Wilderness areas equals more hunters. Every billy bad *** thinks he’s going to find a 300” bull in there.

 

[idahohikker]

Wilderness Areas & Burn Areas = Non Res Magnets

If you’re not hunting #wilderness #godeep, are you even hunting bro? #sendit #wildernessathlete #sickforit

 

[come2elmo]

If you’re not hunting #wilderness #godeep, are you even hunting bro? #sendit #wildernessathlete #sickforit

Thank goodness I have a 1st rifle tag for one of those wilderness areas. #lameoldguywhodonttradboworinstachatbro. #rem700270. #buffaloplaid

 

[JordanH]

This is hilarious! Another crowding issue for the wilderness areas is all the hikers and birdwatchers who flock (pun intended) to these areas to camp, and hike, and birdwatch.....all for free with no license required to help support the cost to administer these lands.

 

[GregB]

I don't know about the Colorado wilderness but I hunted the Frank Church for a few years. Everyone seems to think that wilderness = animals everywhere, not necessarily true. Another issue is there are a limited number of access points into a wilderness area, so everyone gets funneled into the same areas and you can only walk so far in. So even if the number of hunters is equal between 2 units everyone gets concentrated into certain areas. So I would take a look at the access for the particular area you are looking to hunt.

 

[backcountrymuzzy]

If you walk a couple miles off trail in a random direction from a popular wilderness trailhead, there is a good chance you wouldn't see anyone for days. If you are hiking 8 miles into the wilderness to or near a popular lake, there will likely be hunters/non hunters all over the place. Whether its wilderness or a forest road, you just need to get off trail a bit and go to some non-obvious spots

 

[OFFHNTN]

If you’re not hunting #wilderness #godeep, are you even hunting bro? #sendit #wildernessathlete #sickforit

LMAO......true story!

 

[txhunter581]

I have found wilderness areas pretty crowded as well. I try and hunt 2 areas. First is some areas near roads, but not close to any trail. There are some steep slope areas just off a road (but not near a trailhead) that hold some animals because others just literally drive right by them, but never hunt that area.

Second, many people go in 1-2 miles and many go "in deep", but a few less in the in between areas 2-3miles in.

 

[Will_m]

I think one factor to consider about why a Wilderness Area may be better is not because people all want to "go deep" or that you're some sort of billy bada**. It's the fact that it's going to take more time and more importantly, money to hunt it.

Obviously this is less the case for something that can be truck hunted. Once you start talking about a day's trip in and out by horse and the obvious need for stock to get the animal out, then you actually are getting beyond the reach of others simply by virtue of having deeper pockets and more time.

That being said, hunting wilderness doesn' t mean anything if its popular and can be hunted within reason. There are plenty of non-wilderness areas with less pressure than their Wilderness counterpart.

Difficulty doesn't mean squat to hunters. You want to restrict crowds? Up the time and money that is required and people will thin out because they won't have the means to compete. Hunting is becoming a collective action paradigm.

 

[ndbuck09]

But.....why can't i ride my more expensive than a dirt bike e-bike in the "wilderness"????? #tears

 

[txhunter581]

You can’t even ride your regular bike in the wilderness, or even use a hand pulled cart with wheels in a wilderness.

 

[DenverCountryBoy]

What's the pressure like in the areas just outside wilderness?

 

[Tdiesel]

I'm sure it depends on which state and local but typically I find a lot more people in the wilderness areas especially the southern part of Colorado every hunter from south carolina to New Mexico has watched all those hunting shows that take place in the "backcountry wilderness" and they funnel there by the truck loads just to say the hunted the big bad wilderness. actually finding elk not on the top of their list

 

[johnhenry]

There is wilderness in Colorado still??? where?

 

[Beendare]

Wilderness Areas & Burn Areas = Non Res Magnets

Agreed^

 

[trophyhill]

You can thank forums like Rokslide for the popularity of the Backcountry. Thank you Rokslide! 10 years ago it was a dream for most to hunt the Backcountry. Now it's a reality because of guys on this forum and the founders promoting the Backcountry, testing gear and giving honest reviews. I love hunting the Backcountry! When you are miles from nowhere or everywhere alone with animals that could prey on you, elements and country that can kill you, you learn about yourself and survival real quick!