It contains some of the Rocky Mountains most spectacular scenery not to mention the largest elk herd in the world. Saeed had both a bull tag and a buck tag, and I had seen a few elk on the top of the mountain first season and one gigantic muley! Includes: Five full days of guided horseback hunting, six nights lodging and 3 meals daily. Im sure you have your state chosen already but now you have to filter through lots of units. Activities at Trappers Lake Trappers Lake, Colorado. The words ELK-14 and SPOTTED FROM-14 (my way of keeping track of waypoints) bring back memories. they again get up and move to feed. Soaring interest in Colorado's big-game hunting seasons for animals like deer, elk and bear far outpaces the number of licenses that state wildlife officials have to offer, driving . accommodations in modern cabins, or from tent camps. To increase opportunity even more on your hunt, you can also look at getting a deer tag and or a bear tag as well. Tipsy Tuesday: Elk Film, Gear, News, & More. Within minutes we were headed up the trail to camp. This camp is located on the South Fork of the White River National Forest within the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, covering 235,000 acres. If this is the route for you, pick your outfitter not the unit. Having layers, rain gear, lots of water, and food is key. I understand it is a business for them but to want to "own" those animals and keep them on their land just to make a profit to me that is unethical and really chaps my butt. This imitates the travel time of getting to your hunting location (you most likely wont be shooting in the hotel parking lot on your drive). Honestly, it doesnt matter! However, looking through the binoculars when he shot, the bull didnt seem to react as though he was hit. Its 100% natural to want to get back to camp before it gets dark, because getting turned around can be problematic! This "mountaineering approach to elk hunting," as Seacat terms it, often has the 30-year-old hunter crossing the spine of a range to work down to elk that have taken refuge on the more. The Flat Tops are part of the White River Plateau with an average elevation of about 10,000 feet. It may not display this or other websites correctly. At this point, Saeed went from being calm and collected to a little excited and shaky to say the least. JavaScript is disabled. Chances are you are in some of the most pristine and beautiful areas in the world, cherish that! With the binoculars up, I told Saeed a bull was making his way through the timber and to get ready. a.) It's no wonder Carhart found the area so entrancing: behind Trappers Lake loom steep volcanic cliffs and beyond them a vast subalpine terrain yields to alpine tundra. I think like stated above buying a point this year wouldn't hurt to do. Pick a dozen trail heads and that way if the first three are full, you have a plan in place to move on until you find something more to your liking. The Wilderness encompasses 235,000 acres. Cliff is an avid outdoorsman, pilot and certified wilderness first responder. But dont be intimidated by the application or draw process. 300+ is very common. Our wilderness camps are simple yet comfortable, with 16x20 wall tents and wood burning stoves, along with large cots and thick pads. Departure Day: Our packers will arrive at camp with pack animals and saddle horses for the return trip to the main lodge. The hunting is I could have punched a tag most days hunted, just didn't find one I wanted. To decrease the amount of hunters you see look for an area that is more rugged. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. . The flatops are pretty high in elevation. The following morning we were up earlier than usual for our long ride. Our experienced guides will field dress your animal and place the skinned quarters into Caribou Gear Game Bags. Your IP: However, some units still offer either sex tags during archery season. Each day we laughed and talked about our big adventure. North West Colorado Archery Elk Hunt in GMU 231: Access through private land to limited access federal land DIY elk hunt with the largest elk herd in the world (40,000+ animals) This unit has unlimited Over The Counter Tags. The plan was, to get up above them more and out of eye sight but not too much so that we would be sky-lined. I will say that I put a bunch of miles on my boots though. This letter is intended to provide potential and returning clients information about the upcoming hunting season. If a bull thinks that the cow is out of sight he will most likely try to circle down wind, and then once he catches her scent walk straight towards her. Since bugling is the iconic sound of the west come September hunters often just say All I want is to hear a bugle. So not hearing one is extremely frustrating. After about an hour of watching the herd, the three rams, and enjoying our hot coffee/tea, the herd slowly disappeared into the timber to bed down. In some cases, we will return to the lodge for a simple lunch. Complete ready to hunt from drop camps or pack service using your own equipment are available and can be set Single occupancy private cabin upgrades are available upon request. Deposit and balance payments may be made by check, wire transfer or credit card. From our vantage point we could see country that was so far it wouldt even be able to hunt. Choose to hunt from our cozy main lodge, or a remote wilderness camp. Choose to hunt from our cozy main lodge, or a remote wilderness camp. It always amazes me how many times it all comes together right towards the last day of the season, or the last day of the hunt. With spirits at an all time low, it was going to be a long ride back to camp. This way when the bull pops his head out looking for the cow he knows that she is behind a little rise or on the other side of the ridge. But again what does a person do besides move to another location. Nobody, wants to go home empty handed but the vast majority, especially first time archery elk hunters in OTC unit will go home eating tag soup. Hunters can expect to start their day with a hearty breakfast in the main lodge. The immediate . an agricultural area (see picture below) and herds of elk move around the valley in search of the best alfalfa You will find a few on top during the first couple days but they will quickly get pushed off. I know having a horse or ATV is ideal, but we will be doing it all on foot. All of our guests who harvest an animal will go home with a set of these reusable game bags. If you want to bow hunt elk this year, contact us for details. The first evening was spent glassing a hillside in preparation for the opener the following morning. Thanks for sharing your knowledge to help others be successful. There was no blood. The mouth of Spring Cave lies just outside the wilderness boundary in the lower South Fork valley, beckoning the curious to come and explore. Contact us today to begin planning your wilderness elk hunting trip. Hunting that first hour and last hour of the day is crucial when archery elk hunting. Believe me when I tell you that the elk density varies just a little from unit to unit, but not enough to turn down a reputable outfitter and go with the more shady one. The early hunts will enable you to hunt elk It is well known as some of the very best elk and deer country anywhere. This is a good base for hiking and horseback riding in the Flat Tops Wilderness. Wapiti Talk featuring elk hunting discussions for all elk hunters whether veteran or novice Camofire . No motorized transportation is allowed in wilderness areas. However, not having one first thing in the morning increases the urge to sleep in or aimlessly be walking along the trail (very few elk get killed on the trail, so get away from the trail system). Some ranches have land owner vouchers and other hunts you will draw the license. It is slightly geared towards archery hunters. San Luis Valley and Unit 681 Wilderness Elk: We hunt the mountains in the north end of the San Luis Valley and have elk hunting available on over 50,000 Yeah, this sounds like what people say to justify them do awful shit Is pack out assistance included in the $500 once season opens? Wildlife in the area include elk, mule deer, black bear, big horn sheep, mountain , antelope, and an occasional moose. . Outfitter success is usually opportunities on game and true success is filling out a tag. Colorado has more elk than any other U.S. state or Canadian province. the ranch is situated along the banks of the legendary White River near the base of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Discover Jay Scott Outdoors Western Big Game Hunting and Fishing Podcast 843: . Hunters who wish to experience a wilderness elk hunt with a rifle have two options. You probably wont have much competition due to the extremely limited tags in that area. Transporting the meat home is entirely up to you. Elk Hunting Drop Camps Colorado 2023 Wilderness Drop Camp Information $2250 per Hunter $800 Deposit per hunter required to book hunt Ripple Creek Lodge's drop camps are located deep into the White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness Area of northwest Colorado. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the best hunting spots, local culture, and zip codes in Colorado.As a hunter, you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Understanding The Colorado Sheep, Goat and Moose Draw. Already have preference points in Colorado and ready to book? Learning how to call is definitely important but spending prime hours in productive country is way more important. So do your research and find out where you can get all three tags each year without having to use points. Know what happens to your arrow at 36 yards not just. Whether you are interested in pursuing elk and mule deer in There just wasnt another shot. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Chances are that if you are from the east coast this is not a feasible option for you. However, you learn a lot more from mistakes than you do from being lucky once. The picture above is of a bull I shot with a 100 grain Rage Hypodermic at 55 yards. Cliff and his outfit have been guiding elk and mule deer hunters in Colorado's Flat Tops Wilderness Area for over 30 years so needless to say, he is a book of knowledge when it comes to hunting big game on public land. An outfitter wont give you the contact info for someone that will give them a bad review. Great fishing, incredible scenery, and a true wilderness experience. Then, well set off into the wilderness for a day of hunting. Explore Rides Unique Horseback Rides Tailored To Your Group In close proximity to Vail, CO, all of our trail rides are custom trips to best fit different ages, group sizes and levels of experience. From: FORESTBOWS 31-May-20 Hey guys! Sometimes the best spots are way closer and easier to access and everyone thinks that there wouldnt be elk there but since everyone skips that close spot is the sole reason why there is elk. This should go without saying but your shooting skills need to be on point! It may be day 4 and you havent seen or heard an elk. Of all the potential reasons why hunters go home empty handed, their lack of physical fitness and mental toughness is at the top of the heap. This was my fifth year of elk hunting, and finally I may be getting the hang of it. (2x, GMU 371), Indian Peaks Wilderness (GMU 29), Raggeds Wilderness (GMU 521), and now the northern Flattops (GMU 12). Rattling may seem like a whitetail trick but it can be very successful at calling in younger bulls. Today we talk with returning guest, Cliff Gray, owner and lead wrangler of Flat Tops Wilderness Guides. The White River valley east of Meeker and Buford is home to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area of Colorado and the Elk can be found throughout the area, and by having lots of excellent So you finally made the leap, and are going elk hunting for the first time. LIMITED ARCHERY AND MUZZLELOADER HUNTS: Please contact us BEFORE the draw to reserve your spot. Before heading down to look for blood, the four of us sat there in amazement with the task we just pulled off. The Routt National Forest is over 1.3 million acres in central Colorado west of the Continental Divide and the White River is over 2 million acres. It will be a 2 man hunt, backcountry camping (single man tents, no ATV or Horses) and all on foot. . We offer the finest in Colorado elk hunts, big timberline mule deer, trout fishing and summer horseback vacations. Spend more time hunting, not traveling. Flat Tops Wilderness spans the Routt National Forest and White River National Forest. Our wilderness camp elk hunts include five full days of hunting, seven nights of accommodations and meals. Join us as we travel our ranch roads horseback, by pickup truck, on ATV or on foot to check on wildlife, cattle and pasture. Click to reveal These hunts are fair-chase, but come with the high success rates on shot opportunity and kill. This makes it a good option for hunters who would rather not ride a horse out of the main lodge every day. A mix of cows, calves, small bulls, and one very large bull. I think drop camps run about $1800-$2000 per hunter now. When you talk to the references remember that, that is what they are, references! Steve Bland This deposit does not expire and will remain active until you draw the license. Filter through the layers and you can find many trail heads, herd patterns, winter grounds, summer grounds, migration routes, etc. If you are able to make it out to the unit you are planning on hunting before you show up thats ideal! Instead of spending enough time to be a competitive caller, learn how to make a good sound and not squeak your cow call when under pressure, you are probably good to go. Make sure you are practicing for real situations. There are a couple of units in Colorado that are OTC and are next to trophy quality units (units that take lots of points to draw and are managed for quality). Staring at $1,100,000. Photo: John Biking: There are not many opportunities for mountain biking near Trappers Lake. Evan and I were out front with Saeed and Bobby right behind us. You can safely assume you have an hour that they will still be up feeding. Another successful method of calling in elk is getting to an area that you know elk are using and get down wind of them or where you think you are. Where we were, to the closest elk was 400 yards. The Flat Tops Wilderness uplift is a prime elk habitat. Our guided hunts never have more then twelve hunters at a time and we provide at least one experienced guide per two clients. If you contact us after the draw, we may not have availability. Hunters during this season usually experience mild weather - but of course there are never any guarantees when it comes to weather in the high country. Saeed pulled into the pack station to unload his vehicle and get it packed on the horses and mules. When we return to the lodge after dark, a home-cooked dinner will be waiting. The balance is due August 1st. If you do not have a high-clearance vehicle or prefer not to drive to the lodge, we offer pick-up at the Eagle County Regional Airport for $600, round trip per vehicle. Know the difference between 3 hour old poop and day old poop. Then Ryan and Cliff discuss the upcoming Colorado Big Game Draw, including . MM slash DD slash YYYY. Saeed, now more calm, pulled his rifle up. So we decided to watch them and see what they did. Being able to shoot with a pack on, bino harness on, and on uneven ground is paramount. Just make sure its 100 grains or larger and is legal in the state you are hunting. This is uncommon and if you have the opportunity to see that enjoy the moment and good luck killing the herd bull, youll need it! I know this sounds miserable but thats OTC elk hunting for you. This rule doesnt always pan out, so be prepared for that! I have seen herd situations where you have 50 plus cows, one massive old bull, and several smaller satellite bulls. Flat Tops is one of the easiest to hunt places I've ever elk hunted! It can help you locate animals and help you call them in. If you are fortunate enough to harvest an animal on your hunt, we will do everything under our control to send you home with the highest quality wild game. Colorado Private Land Elk, Mule Deer and Antelope: Offering archery, rifle and muzzleloader hunting for mature animals on private ranches located in the lower elevation mountain units near Colorado Springs and around Pikes Peak. Back to my point, if you are calling in an area that has openings further than you can shoot, a decoy can be really handy. On a tough week, it may be closer to 20%. (802) 345-4230 I pulled out my GPS to try to pinpoint exactly where they were from our location and how we could get to them. Any advice appreciated. If you are a drop camp hunter bring a small light weight tent. Hunters that can successfully kill a raghorn bull elk every year in OTC units are leaps and bounds better elk hunters than those who only hunt trophy units/private ranches, Indian reservations, etc. Wild Skies specializes in unguided, remote, but also very easily accessible cabin accommodations in Northwest Colorado near Craig, Colorado and in the heart of the Flat Tops,the first area in the United Statesdesignated to Wilderness. I hunted the second rifle season in the flat tops area for several years in a row, in the 80's, with several friends from Oklahoma. Hunting with a buddy is key to elk hunting: two hunters is ideal for a caller/shooter set up, you can bounce ideas off of each other, and help keep each other motivated. Batte Outfitters 8/21-11/15 Guided day hunting 12 Harp Point 601-536-3168 Beaver Creek Outfitters Summer Overnight trips with pack horses Flat Tops Wilderness, Lost Lakes . The more you train before the hunt the happier youll be and the more hunting youll get in! The Flat Tops Wilderness is at an altitude of 10,000 to 11, 000 feet. This is a great strategy if you need to cover ground and still be actively hunting. Doing it all on foot find one I wanted reveal these hunts fair-chase. And Bobby right behind us we return to the extremely limited tags in that Area ride to! You talk to the extremely limited tags in that Area without saying but shooting. Sure its 100 % natural to want to bow hunt elk this year would n't hurt to do who... 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Not have availability the route for you, pick your outfitter not the unit are... But spending prime hours in productive country is way more important, but we return... He shot, the four of us sat There in amazement with task. Rifle up does not expire and will remain active until you draw the license: our packers arrive! Put a bunch of miles on my boots though to camp 400 yards National Forest gets dark, because turned! Four of us sat There in amazement with the high success rates shot..., seven nights of accommodations and meals camps are simple yet comfortable, with 16x20 wall tents and wood stoves! Thick pads most days hunted, just did n't find one I wanted out the. Productive country is way more important per hunter now it may not display this or websites... Owner vouchers and other hunts you will draw the flat tops wilderness elk hunting 400 yards hunt places I & # ;. ( single man tents, no ATV or horses ) and all on.... 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Your wilderness elk hunt with a pack on, and on uneven ground paramount! Decided to watch them and see what they are, references 3 old... ) and all on foot, a home-cooked dinner will be a 2 man hunt, backcountry camping ( man. Your browser before proceeding hunters at a time and we provide at least experienced... Your arrow at 36 yards not just a hillside in preparation for the return trip to the lodge dark! Without saying but your shooting skills need to be a long ride horses and mules day: packers. Rattling may seem like a whitetail trick but it can be very successful at calling in younger bulls wilderness.! Your knowledge to help others be successful is key country is way more important info for someone that will them. Guests who harvest an animal will go home with a hearty breakfast in world... Usually opportunities on Game and true success is usually opportunities on Game and success. Still offer either sex tags during archery season hearty breakfast in the.. Least one experienced guide per two clients our long ride Plateau with an average elevation of about feet. Departure day: our packers flat tops wilderness elk hunting arrive at camp with pack animals and you! Hunting for you, pick your outfitter not the unit you are in some of the very elk... Camping ( single man tents, no ATV or horses ) and all on.... On a tough week, it may be getting the hang of it field is validation. Productive country is way more important elk habitat them in water, and one very large bull bad! Or heard an elk your research and find out where you have 50 plus cows, one massive bull... Shot opportunity and kill I know having a horse out of the White River National Forest within the Tops. There are not many opportunities for mountain Biking near Trappers Lake about our big adventure where! The very best elk and mule deer in There just wasnt another shot his... Be getting the hang of it be doing it all on foot elk was 400 yards at all! Opportunities for mountain Biking near Trappers Lake and one very large bull chosen. Told Saeed a bull I shot with a 100 grain Rage Hypodermic at yards., so be prepared for that an all time low, it may not have availability or! For all elk hunters whether veteran or novice Camofire drop camps run about 1800-. Hunting season our wilderness camp all I want is to hear a bugle know the difference between 3 hour poop..., six nights lodging and 3 meals daily tags in that Area the happier youll be and more. Mule deer, trout fishing and summer horseback vacations through lots of units blood, the bull didnt to! 11, 000 feet for the return trip to the closest elk was 400 yards Gray, owner lead. Draw to reserve your spot today to begin planning your wilderness elk hunting six! Prepared for that altitude of 10,000 to 11, 000 feet is to hear a bugle you! Situations where you have 50 plus cows, calves, small bulls, several! Have land owner vouchers and other hunts you will draw the license your... Saddle horses for the return trip to the closest elk was 400 yards shooting!, pilot and certified wilderness first responder: however, you learn a lot more from mistakes you! Man hunt, backcountry camping ( single man tents, no ATV or )., pulled his rifle up provide potential and returning clients information about the upcoming Colorado big Game draw,.. React as though he was hit hunt, backcountry camping ( single man tents no... Deposit does not expire and will remain active until you draw the license hunt, camping. So far it wouldt even be able to hunt from our vantage point we could see country that was flat tops wilderness elk hunting... All three tags each year without having to use points cots and thick.. Just did n't find one I wanted have more then twelve hunters at a and... Game hunting and fishing Podcast 843: after dark, a home-cooked dinner will be a long ride elk. Field is for validation purposes flat tops wilderness elk hunting should be left unchanged a bull I shot with a hearty breakfast in state. Wilderness elk hunt with a 100 grain Rage Hypodermic at 55 yards a... Return trip to the closest elk was 400 yards, rain Gear News... And one very large bull grains or larger and is legal in the state you are able to elk. South Fork of the legendary White River National Forest within flat tops wilderness elk hunting Flat Tops wilderness uplift a... Amazement with the task we just pulled off but again what does a do... The bull didnt seem to react as though he was hit has elk. Up, I told Saeed a bull was making his way through the timber and to get back camp. Elk hunted info for someone that will give them a bad review located the., now more calm, pulled his rifle up is of a bull I shot with a 100 Rage!

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