First time DIY Elk Hunting - Unit 561 - First Rifle (10/11 - 10/15) - help greatly appreciated

[Clintos1980]

Hey everyone. I tried to make the thread title pretty descriptive. I'm planning my first DIY elk hunt ever this year. I've got 4 points in CO that should let me draw unit 561 in CO pretty easily based on GoHunt's data. It seems like a logical choice - decent success rates for that season and good draw odds for the points I have. It does look like some steep country, but I'm OK with that. Already started my ruck training.

I harvested a cow elk in WY on a guided trip a few years ago, so I'm not completely foreign to the elk game, but I'm wanting to do it "for real" this time on public land and get a bull. I am going with a friend who guided for Mule Deer out West and has been on several elk trips, so I won't be alone. I am 44 years old, and just now getting into the Western game (I'm a TN boy, hunting whitetail and turkey out here), and want to make the most of the next 20 years and try to do more Western hunts before I get too old.

Does anyone have any experience in that unit for first rifle? Any tips? Are these appropriate questions to ask? Happy to talk with anyone.

Regards,
Clint

 

[ismith]

Hey everyone. I tried to make the thread title pretty descriptive. I'm planning my first DIY elk hunt ever this year. I've got 4 points in CO that should let me draw unit 561 in CO pretty easily based on GoHunt's data. It seems like a logical choice - decent success rates for that season and good draw odds for the points I have. It does look like some steep country, but I'm OK with that. Already started my ruck training.

I harvested a cow elk in WY on a guided trip a few years ago, so I'm not completely foreign to the elk game, but I'm wanting to do it "for real" this time on public land and get a bull. I am going with a friend who guided for Mule Deer out West and has been on several elk trips, so I won't be alone. I am 44 years old, and just now getting into the Western game (I'm a TN boy, hunting whitetail and turkey out here), and want to make the most of the next 20 years and try to do more Western hunts before I get too old.

Does anyone have any experience in that unit for first rifle? Any tips? Are these appropriate questions to ask? Happy to talk with anyone.

Regards,
Clint

Welcome to Hunt Talk!

 

[RemingtonRules]

I glass off the flat rock over the 2nd basin. I have had good luck there.

 

[INMT]

I harvested a cow elk in WY on a guided trip a few years ago, so I'm not completely foreign to the elk game, but I'm wanting to do it "for real" this time on public land and get a bull. I am going with a friend who guided for Mule Deer out West and has been on several elk trips, so I won't be alone.game
Regards,
Clint

I understand folks are just looking for any info. But to say you want to do it “for real” and you’ve had guided experience and you have a guide friend to help. Then to come on a forum as a new member that hasn’t contributed a thing and ask for help, seems like a stretch.

E scout, time afield, boots on the ground whether it’s the area you’re hunting or not is invaluable. Figure things out.

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

ive hunted 57 and 58 close to 561,but cant help much with 561 other than it look steep.

 

[HappyCamper]

Should be lots of fun. Hunting it DIY will allow you to learn if doing it “for real” is up your alley.

 

[Deerhunter6250]

Hunt all day, go places others won't, hunt till the last minute of the last day, Have good light gear. Have a plan A, B and C. Good luck

 

[s10]

Be prepared for every prick to crawl out and comment on this post. Everyone gets really worked up when people ask for help on forums these days lol.

I am a very novice western hunter but have dabbled in elk, muleys, and pronghorn with some degree of success. When it comes to public land elk hunting, especially solo, be okay with not killing one on the first try. It will undoubtedly take time and and humble you in many ways. I have learned that is part of the process and not to fixate on "failure" so much.

Prior to my first elk hunt I took the "elk 101" class. For someone that had no elk hunting exposure prior, it was helpful. I think it has been rolled into another package of classes these days; but it is still a Corey Jacobsen instruction. Check it out.

Good luck and tell yourself that it is not failing if you don't fill the tag.

 

[justdada]

I believe the start of 1st season moved back to 10/15 this year, likely see some snow up there. Good luck on your adventure!

 

[elkduds]

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Atlas

ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu

Look on this map to locate the forest service roads and motorized trails in the unit. Then hunt elsewhere.

 

[shb]

Be prepared for every prick to crawl out and comment on this post. Everyone gets really worked up when people ask for help on forums these days lol.

I am a very novice western hunter but have dabbled in elk, muleys, and pronghorn with some degree of success. When it comes to public land elk hunting, especially solo, be okay with not killing one on the first try. It will undoubtedly take time and and humble you in many ways. I have learned that is part of the process and not to fixate on "failure" so much.

Prior to my first elk hunt I took the "elk 101" class. For someone that had no elk hunting exposure prior, it was helpful. I think it has been rolled into another package of classes these days; but it is still a Corey Jacobsen instruction. Check it out.

Good luck and tell yourself that it is not failing if you don't fill the tag.

All those pricks wonder where the entitlement started?

Helping the noodnicks has done nothing but ruin hunting.

How did anyone figure it out before the internet?


They loaded the truck, and went.