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Colorado Archery Elk
Posted on 9/3/20 at 10:27 am
Posted on 9/3/20 at 10:27 am
The temps are dropping here in Colorado, and I'm getting hyped up for elk season. I've got my gear sorted and packed up, even though I won't be hitting the mountains for another 10 days.
This will be my second year chasing bugles. I moved from LA to CO a few years ago, and it took me a year to gather enough courage and gear to pull off a backpack hunt. I went solo last year in an OTC unit. It was my first elk hunt, my first mountain hunt, and my first solo backpack trip of any kind. I got lucky and called a decent bull into 30 yds and got a shot at him. Unfortunately... I hit his shoulder blade and the arrow deflected, I could see my fletchings pointing almost straight forward as he turned and ran. Found half my arrow, but hardly any blood and no dead bull. Even with the disappointment, the trip far exceeded my expectations. Needless to say, I'm addicted and haven't stopped thinking about my next hunt all year. I plan on taking more pics and vids this year so I can share the trip with family, friends, and of course this board.
I've talked a friend here in Colorado into coming with me this year, so I'll have some company and help if we pack a bull out. He's experienced with mountain camping, but has very little with hunting. I've tried to get a couple interested friends from LA to come out as well, but no luck. The cost (especially for nonresidents) and the unknown of backpack hunting in the mountains scare most people off, as it did me before I moved out here. Through searching the elk threads on this board for research, I saw a lot of guys that were interested but unsure about trying elk hunting out. I want to throw myself out there as a resource for any questions y'all may have, and possibly find future hunting partners. I am still learning about all this, but have gained a ton of knowledge and experience over the past year and a half that I'd love to share.
If you're interested or just have questions, hit me up @ tdwestward@yahoo.com.
I hope to have some stories and pics of stunning scenery and a dead bull to share with y'all in a few weeks.
This will be my second year chasing bugles. I moved from LA to CO a few years ago, and it took me a year to gather enough courage and gear to pull off a backpack hunt. I went solo last year in an OTC unit. It was my first elk hunt, my first mountain hunt, and my first solo backpack trip of any kind. I got lucky and called a decent bull into 30 yds and got a shot at him. Unfortunately... I hit his shoulder blade and the arrow deflected, I could see my fletchings pointing almost straight forward as he turned and ran. Found half my arrow, but hardly any blood and no dead bull. Even with the disappointment, the trip far exceeded my expectations. Needless to say, I'm addicted and haven't stopped thinking about my next hunt all year. I plan on taking more pics and vids this year so I can share the trip with family, friends, and of course this board.
I've talked a friend here in Colorado into coming with me this year, so I'll have some company and help if we pack a bull out. He's experienced with mountain camping, but has very little with hunting. I've tried to get a couple interested friends from LA to come out as well, but no luck. The cost (especially for nonresidents) and the unknown of backpack hunting in the mountains scare most people off, as it did me before I moved out here. Through searching the elk threads on this board for research, I saw a lot of guys that were interested but unsure about trying elk hunting out. I want to throw myself out there as a resource for any questions y'all may have, and possibly find future hunting partners. I am still learning about all this, but have gained a ton of knowledge and experience over the past year and a half that I'd love to share.
If you're interested or just have questions, hit me up @ tdwestward@yahoo.com.
I hope to have some stories and pics of stunning scenery and a dead bull to share with y'all in a few weeks.
12
Posted on 9/3/20 at 10:29 am to Westward
I leave in 13 days!
Will post pics in here of my gear and all next week
Good Luck
Will post pics in here of my gear and all next week
Good Luck
Posted on 9/3/20 at 10:33 am to mylsuhat
I leave in 8 days!
Posted on 9/3/20 at 10:35 am to Westward
How the hell do you go in solo and haul out an elk? I hate carrying my camping gear as it is and I’m pretty ultralight.
Posted on 9/3/20 at 11:19 am to jimbeam
Plenty of ice cold creeks where I hunt. Dunk the meat in there to keep it cold for however many days it'll take me to carry it out load by load. Then, being hard-headed enough to push myself through the physical anguish.
Posted on 9/3/20 at 11:42 am to Westward
Posted on 9/3/20 at 12:07 pm to Westward
I've been watching elk hunts on YT for the past few weeks. I'm definitely planning a hunt within the next couple of years.
I've done plenty of mountain backcountry hunts, but they have all been for turkey.
Its time to step up my game.
I've done plenty of mountain backcountry hunts, but they have all been for turkey.
Its time to step up my game.
This post was edited on 9/3/20 at 12:08 pm
Posted on 9/3/20 at 1:33 pm to Westward
I will email ya. Depending on what unit you are going to I might be able to help you out.
Posted on 9/3/20 at 2:22 pm to Westward
This will be our 3rd yr. 1st was in MT, 2nd was in Southern CO. Both have been rude awakenings on our hunting ability. Our crew is in incredible shape, logging tons of miles and elevation everyday, we just have not had luck on locating basins holding elk yet. It's been educational every step of the way though. We have called in hunters quite a few times and 1 cow is the only elk we've laid eyes on in 2 seasons.
Posted on 9/3/20 at 2:57 pm to DirtyMikeandtheBoys
quote:
DirtyMikeandtheBoys
Sounds very similar story to my crew. Except we shot some Muleys in mt year 1.
Posted on 9/3/20 at 3:04 pm to Success
If you are focused on big beautiful basins and meadows in Colorado OTC areas, you need to shift your focus.
Nasty, thick, steep. Just like a big mature swamp donkey whitetail. You won’t kill him in a good plot
Nasty, thick, steep. Just like a big mature swamp donkey whitetail. You won’t kill him in a good plot
Posted on 9/3/20 at 3:13 pm to jimjackandjose
We leave in 15 days. My wife is tired of my constant packing and unpacking of my gear. 
Posted on 9/3/20 at 3:21 pm to jimjackandjose
Couldn't agree more, jimjack. The OTC elk I found were all in the thickest, steepest, blown-down, North facing slopes I could find.
Posted on 9/3/20 at 7:47 pm to Westward
Let me add one more thing
Dont go to colorado and hunt an OTC unit thinking you are going to walk trails that 30 other people and 20 horses walked that week and bugle and kill and elk.
Dont check your hunting brain in at the door. If it's hot, find secluded water hole way off trail. If its crowded with people, go to sanctuary areas.
If you want to go donate 1000 to cpwf, then have at it. But you may as well bring a fishing pole and go on a glorified camping trip vs coming back and bitching about no elk (not saying all of you do)
Dont go to colorado and hunt an OTC unit thinking you are going to walk trails that 30 other people and 20 horses walked that week and bugle and kill and elk.
Dont check your hunting brain in at the door. If it's hot, find secluded water hole way off trail. If its crowded with people, go to sanctuary areas.
If you want to go donate 1000 to cpwf, then have at it. But you may as well bring a fishing pole and go on a glorified camping trip vs coming back and bitching about no elk (not saying all of you do)
Posted on 9/3/20 at 7:51 pm to DirtyMikeandtheBoys
quote:
Both have been rude awakenings on our hunting ability.
Same. That shite is humbling. You gotta hoof it and you gotta be lucky
Posted on 9/3/20 at 9:12 pm to Westward
I went on a 3night / 4 day backpacking trip in the backcountry in Colorado a few weeks ago. Done single nights before that but never 3 nights. Not sure how much tougher carrying a bow would be but that sounds awesome. I use the same water filter as you btw
Posted on 9/3/20 at 9:14 pm to Westward
I want to spend part of my year in Colorado Springs. Tell me why I shouldn't.
Posted on 9/3/20 at 9:18 pm to Mufassa
Going for a week next week 
Posted on 9/3/20 at 9:48 pm to AUCE05
I can only say one bad thing. Between hunting elk, pronghorn, whitetail, mule deer, moose, bear, sheep, turkey, duck, geese, world-class trout fishing, and the amount of public land, there's almost too much opportunity.
And the weather is obnoxiously enjoyable, if you like having 4 seasons.
And the weather is obnoxiously enjoyable, if you like having 4 seasons.
Posted on 9/3/20 at 11:23 pm to Westward
Best of luck to you bros headed up there for archery and early rifle. We have a group of 3 going for third rifle. This will be our second elk hunt in Colorado but our first backpack hunt. We did a drop hunt last year in an otc unit west of Denver. We saw some cows and a young bull but no legal shooter. One of the wildfires has left us scrambling the past few weeks to find a different otc unit unaffected by the fires. We’ve been e-scouting units 74/75/751 in the San Juan NF. We have several canyons picked out that we like, but it is some high and steep country. Has anyone hunted that area before?
This post was edited on 9/3/20 at 11:42 pm
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