Also curious as to where CPW would choose to release wolves if they have to. The Flat Tops is a good guess. Dinosaur Natl Monument area? Maybe they won't be released on the West Slope at all? Commanche National Grassland? Or Pawnee National Grassland, that way the majority that votes for them...
The only way you'll know how crowded it is will be by going and hunting OTC. Then your second year out you'll be able to see how many more hunters there are compared to your first experience. Seems to be getting a little busier each year.
This guy would be a perfect candidate for poaching related Jail Time. A repeat offender bold enough to trespass in order to poach Elk and Deer in people's backyards should get more than fines, however steep they may be. For all we know, 53k could be nothing to this guy. Elk in Evergreen and...
1) My experiences are that each of the last 5 years here in SW CO have each seemed busier than than the last. I'm seeing hunters in areas I don't typically see them etc. I can feel the pressure much like the animals can and am getting pushed out of areas where I once experienced solitude. I...
Obviously 1st and 4th will have less hunters in the field being limited, but they are short 5 day seasons and unless you are very familar with your area that can be too short of a time frame.
Second and third have become the most popular 9 day scavenger hunts in the West. Not even Forrest Fenn...
The part you mentioned about going in on 2 hours of sleep is what would personally destroy me. I can't function on that amount of rest, especially going into a strenuous activity like hunting. It takes me several days to recover from a lack of sleep like that. The combination of lack of...
A Corolla with La Croix in the cup holders and an Elk strapped to the roof. Now that's the Colorado way! John Denver is proud.
Now to the guys with posts about how you wish your wife would let you get llamas . . . A few years ago I had an Elk down and my wife met me at the trailhead after...
Choose an area where the daily thermals won't broadcast the smells of camp into the area you plan to hunt. I have had successful hunts while camping very close (about 250 yards) to my target area due to a small ridge separating the two. The prevailing winds in the afternoon would take camp...
My advice would be to have your plans B and C dialed in and ready to go in case other hunters alter your plan A. Just listened to the latest Meateater podcast (titled Boxing with Grizzlies) and I believe they hunted one of these units last month and were talking about how insane it was during...
If you want a decent example of crowded vs "not as crowded" in CO, just stay the entire 2nd season. The Wed/Thurs of that hunt will not seem as crowded as opening weekend.
Those dang things. One busted me once after I had tracked an elk through fresh snow and was setting up for a shot. I had always heard about squirrels alerting other animals to our locations but seeing firsthand an elk's reaction to a chattering pine squirrel convinced me, and I believe also...
Cool story thanks for sharing. I've run dangerously low on water before but your story makes me want to be a little more thorough with my hydration logistics.
Steep slopes between 8-11k ft. That narrows it down right? They are reverse migrators I believe (they go up instead of down) so whatever elevation you start flushing them at, stick to it and you'll likely get into more of them. I flushed a few around 9k a few days ago but they could be...
I bring a 5 ft, 1 wt, 3 pc setup for when it's not a serious fishing trip but I know that I would regret not putting some brookies in the frying pan. Case fits nicely in just about any pack.