Colorado Elk Unit 41,42,411 1st Rifle

[RiverRatt]

Looking for some input on these units for Colorado (41,42,411 1st Rifle). 1st We are looking to just go and have a good time hanging with friends and hunting elk. We would love to be successful but understand it is hunting and nothing is 100%. We are trying a different unit this year and have a couple questions. We are wondering about access, use of ATV, and camping areas. We have one guy that is handicapped so ATV would be nice. Ive read that the over the counter tags season can be pretty busy, what is 1st season like? What kind of hunting should we expect? Any additional info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys,

Chad

 

[seeth07]

Can you still get it with just 1 PP? That should tell you all you need to know for what kind of hunt it will be.

 

[nrpate05]

I hunted 1st rifle in 42 in 2015. Access is pretty simple and there isn't much high country that CO is known for. I was in elk everyday and should have filled my tag but it just never came together. I had a cow tag and saw the same bull bugling 3 days in a row that I could have shot opening morning. He was probably a mile and a half off the road over pretty mild country and I didn't see anyone get on him. The beauty of the units that have 'easy access' is people go there because they don't intend to do much walking. Caveat - this was ten years ago.

Where I was there was no real reason to backpack in, although I suppose that could have helped. Roads were pretty good with dispersed camping plentiful. I'd like to go back there someday.

 

[JAG]

Go for it. I second what Seeth07 indicated, so go in with low expectations and expect to hunt as hard as you can with your handicapped companion.

Try to make sure your buddies are comfortable with using maps on their phone to navigate independently or in pairs. Stress the importance of accessing tough terrain on foot beyond atv reach in the dark (am & pm) to glass. Delegate glassing spots among the group, cover ground, and compare notes.

I took an avid whitetail hunter to a unit with good atv access, but he was fat & out of shape despite conditioning efforts. Since he already had an onX subscription and demonstrated confidence in preparation, I assumed mistakenly. He stopped well short of walking 300 yards to a great glass spot by settling for a mediocre angle thinking it was sufficient; saw nothing. Then decided we would glass together.

Later, we found a spot where the 1 mi hike was downhill to intercept a moving herd, but he kept driving back and forth until he was a 100’ away from our spot and the herd went the opposite direction.

Lots of other pitfalls related to this, so manage your expectations and keep in mind you aren’t blowing years of points like we did.

 

[Bullshot]

I know these units, have hunted several times including 1st rifle. MUCH has changed over the years there. It can be a very tough hunt, but there are opportunities to be had. You can PM me if you have a Plan A, B, C approach and want opinion. If you have NO starting point, I’ll be happy to offer some themes. There are probably no “honey holes” there and I can’t offer that… it’s more about your strategies, fallback strategies, etc.

 

[Phaseolus]

Many of the ATV trails are limited to 50” wide. Lot’s of camping and lot’s of ATV trails.

 

[Perlodid]

Many of the ATV trails are limited to 50” wide. Lot’s of camping and lot’s of ATV trails.

Seems like there are a decent amount of "unofficial" ATV trails as well, looking at the satellite imagery compared to the MVUM.

 

[elkduds]

Seems like there are a decent amount of "unofficial" ATV trails as well, looking at the satellite imagery compared to the MVUM.

There are people in CO who sabotage vehicles being illegally used off permitted trails. MVUM is the best guide to legal use. Use the 'quads' you were born with.

 

[Perlodid]

There are people in CO who sabotage vehicles being illegally used off permitted trails. MVUM is the best guide to legal use. Use the 'quads' you were born with.

I wasn't recommending it, just stating their existence. Rereading the thread I can see why me saying that in this context sounds like I might be suggesting it, but I was thinking of them causing issues while hunting these units, not using them.

 

[elkduds]

I wasn't recommending it, just stating their existence. Rereading the thread I can see why me saying that in this context sounds like I might be suggesting it, but I was thinking of them causing issues while hunting these units, not using them.

There is a lot of motorized pressure around the Grand Mesa units. The unauthorized trails are useful for hunters on foot, until something w a motor comes roaring along. I get you point and agree, thanks for clarifying.

 

[88man]

Killed a bull and a few deer there years ago but always hunted 3rd season. Lots of hunting pressure.

 

[seeth07]

The cliffs of the mesa provide some absolutely amazing glassing opportunities with no logical way to make a move on a herd of elk when seen. It sure is fun to glass elk 10 miles away though and gives you something to move to and target the next day.

 

[Phaseolus]

Seems like there are a decent amount of "unofficial" ATV trails as well, looking at the satellite imagery compared to the MVUM.

Mr. Stonefly, we live in 41 and spend a lot of time on Grand Mesa riding atv’s and mtn bikes. There are very few unofficial atv trails on Grand Mesa. I can’t think of any that I know about.

 

[Perlodid]

Mr. Stonefly, we live in 41 and spend a lot of time on Grand Mesa riding atv’s and mtn bikes. There are very few unofficial atv trails on Grand Mesa. I can’t think of any that I know about.

If I'm wrong I would be very glad to hear it. I'll PM you a few coordinates of the ones I came across on onx when I get a chance.

 

[bmontang]

The parts of those units on the Grand Mesa are like a 4 wheeler convention during elk season. Access is very easy, in fact it is more difficult to get away from trails than to find them.

 

[Phaseolus]

If I'm wrong I would be very glad to hear it. I'll PM you a few coordinates of the ones I came across on onx when I get a chance.

Thank you, it will be interesting to check out.

 

[Phaseolus]

The parts of those units on the Grand Mesa are like a 4 wheeler convention during elk season. Access is very easy, in fact it is more difficult to get away from trails than to find them.

Very true, despite living next to it I mostly hunt elsewhere.

 

[wsco3506]

I have hunted the Grand Mesa country pretty much every year for the last decade. Usually 3rd rifle cow on a second choice. The last 3 years have been very poor. Prior to then, we would see elk every day and would always have at least 1 of us in camp kill one. There are not as many people in 3rd season as during archery season and we have never had trouble getting away from folks. Access to the higher country can be difficult depending on snow conditions. In all those years, I have never seen a legal bull during hunting season. If your goal is to spend time in the woods with friends and family and enjoy the blessings we have been given, then it is a great area. If you are driven to kill an elk, you may be disappointed. --R