Any Advice on Elk Hunting Montana/Colorado

Is it for sure opening the 30th? Was hoping for a Monday the 1st opener to cut down on crowds and allow me to make it in time. I won't make it down to CO til the 30/31 but will be immediately stocking up on groceries and heading into the hills. Ill be mule deer hunting but depending on funds I MAY have an OTC elk tag as well. Pretty slim chance unless I tag a buck real early in which case ill bite the bullet to hunt the next 7-10 days for elk. Doubt it works out that way though.

 

Yes sir for sure the 30th. Its up on the website now. Its always opens the last sat of august. If you get to hunt elk hit me up before hand. We may be able to hunt together. My dad will only be able to hunt the first week then ill be solo hunting.

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Sounds good, I'll stay in touch as I finalize details. Now I have the dilemma of whether to cut the antelope hunt short a day or two to make it to CO for the mule deer opener, or skip the labor day weekend crowd and show up to hike in Monday the 1st...

I'll be arriving in WY the 23rd, hunting the 24th til _____. Either we tag out or it reaches the 30/31ish...(at which point I couldn't sit in a blind anymore even if I wanted to...) I have a great friend from Nashville joining me for the antelope hunt or else the decision would be easy to cut short and make it in time for Mule Deer opener...

 

maplopopsakIMOPK

 

Yeah for sure.

 

"Most angry people listen or play only pop songs and kill island mice originally prowling Kentucky"

Have to admit it's been a while since I have seen that acronym though...

 

That's Sioux for "Go kill an Elk Rookie"

But back to the subject at hand.....

For us OTC, out of state hunters....What do you do in regard to your GMU this early in the season. I think I'm "studying" myself into the ground.

I've tentatively picked a GMU, but then I'll start looking at Google, reading things that hunters have written in the past, and it's got my head swimming with doubt. I'm certain that you could do that with any GMU in the country. So what do you do..? Do you just stand by your decision and hope for the best, do you change your mind and hope you don't screw it up?

Arghhhhh!

 

Thank you both. That helps make up my mind on when to go.

Hell yeah

 

There is alot of people that stay that whole week of labor day. There is alot more that leave out on monday though. You will see alot of deer either way. Those mountains are crawling with them! Hope you get an antelope. That will be my next hunt. I don't know if I will be able to talk my dad into it though.

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This is what happened to me while I was researching. I believe any OTC is going to have negative comments out there on the net, and the guys that like them are probably going to stay hush hush on it.

 

Just look over a GMU and find one that "calls to you" that is what I do. They are in there and I know the feeling of studying your face off looking over maps. You will find a good spot but it most likely will not be voiced online. Things that may help.. contact the game and fish in the areas of interrest, visit the area if possible and scout, find some locals that are open. It is tough, I just pack up and explore when I can in the areas I think look good.

 

People tend to put elk on a pedestal. They really aren't that hard to find, it's the killing part that can be tough. Really, picking your spot once you decide on a GMU should be about the least stressful portion.

If you feel like your swimming in your head over maps then take a break. No need to have it pinned in the *** at this point.

 

I wouldn't put a lot of faith in what other hunters write about an area on the internet. Just sayin'.
I don't know how it works in the big game hunting world but I assume its the same as the waterfowl hunting world, I've seen guys post about how bad the hunting is in an area and know for a FACT that is was a pile of crap. And you see that misdirection a lot.

 

Just catching up on this from the weekend...
I second the advice on do not pay attention to random complaints on internet on GMU's - 1 source you trust is far better than 100 you are not sure of.

For picking a GMU - to me you start with what are you looking for in a unit:
-More/Less roads for access
-accessible to small or major towns for supplies, etc
-Wilderness, National Forests, State ground, private, etc
-Terrain (steep & rugged, thick timber, open spaces, rolling terrain)
-access from your home or airport should be considered if time is limited

All of these things and more can be considered and I'm sure you can find a unit that fits it pretty close. And this is not even getting into the herd #'s and success ratio.

My #1 priority will typically be Wilderness areas as I like the limited access to only foot & horses. Then I want high elevation as I enjoy all that it brings to the topography and beauty of a place. Next I like thick/rugged and places that just take extra effort to hunt...

It sure is fun to look at maps once you pick a GMU and I still spend time looking at Google Aerials...but to me it really only helps to mark some key geography and to build a mental picture of the area for when you hunt. It's amazing how different it all looks when you actually pull up the area the first time As soon are you step in the dark timber - you can't see anything around you...

 

What are some other good packs that you guys might recommend besides tenzing.

 

Badlands, I like my "Clutch"

 

you think with it only being 2900CI it might be a little small for a 5 day pack?

 

Depends, everyone has to find what works for them based on their needs.

 

We got a couple dealers by me that sells badlands so I will have to go check them out and see

 

Nick, BackCountry speaks highly of the Sitka Bivy pack too.

The other thing to keep in mind is needing to pack meat out. You need a sturdy enough pack that can handle the added weight of meat if we"re lucky enough to take an animal. Some of the bigger packs have built in meat compartments.