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.

 

[brownbear932008]

Good luck, hunt hard and expect to be humbled and come home empty unless you have a great tag in hand. We've all been there, I probably ate 4 or 5 elk tags before I got my first. Do your homework and put boots on the ground. If it looks steep it's steep and nasty that you can bet on.

 

[JAG]

I savored the bitterness of 4-5 tag soups too before helping my son get his first in '24. The first thing I did was take the Elk101 class and keep repeating everything it taught. One thing I did was bring others with me- this is good and bad. It is bad if they do not share the same vision for elk hunting you do- getting far back, getting in shape, reducing weight, and reducing extra junk.

Elk101 is free when you get Newberg's Outdoor Class.

I also immerse myself in podcasts when I travel for work. 'Hunt Backcountry' is my favorite. These are the makers of EXO backpacks and they are extremely detailed and pass on tons of nitty-gritty information.

 

[SC Living Outdoors]

If you want to punch tags learn how to scout. E-scout hard. Find areas that check all the boxes for the type of hunt you want to have. Then get out there to your unit early and find the elk. I've had a plenty of hunts where I've "hunted" for 3-6 days covering my areas before I could carry a gun then kill him on the first or second day of the season. You just have to get after it. In all seriousness a lot of hunters are lazy or aren't physically capable of getting where the elk are and getting them out. Go where the other people don't go if you are physically able. Sore muscles, cramps and blisters can heal when you get home.

Have good boots, a good pack and be able to shoot so you don't screw up your opportunity.

Good luck.

 

[cohunter14]

I would highly recommend acclimating yourself to the altitude if at all possible. Try to stay on the front range for a night, then move up in altitude for another night, etc. I've seen folks come straight through and going to 8k - 10k feet from TN is asking for trouble. That's a quick way to potentially ruin your hunt and the points you saved up. Take it easy getting to altitude and take it easy for the first day or two once you are there.

Another vote for the University of Elk Hunting as well. Even seasoned hunters will learn something from that.

 

[rustednuts]

I find elk in elk creek and on elk mountain.