Colorado Unit 23 and 24

[JW31]

Hello All,

My hunting partner and I are headed to Meeker next week for elk. We're considering backpacking from Trapper's lake to somewhere in the Flat Tops, although we're open to other advice.

Anyone got any ideas they'd share?

This is my first bowhunt and my 3rd elk hunt. Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe

[DinkKiller]

Despite being a draw area for archery, you'll still have to contend with other hunters. The bulls don't grow up too old in these units since they are OTC during the rifle seasons (except for the 1st). The Trappers Lake area and Little Trappers Lake are prime elk habitat, but other hunters know this as well. Elk are where you find them.
Sleepy Cat mtn and Yellow Jacket Pass are good areas to consider as well.

[JW31]

Dinkiller,

Thanks much for the advice. We'll probably head up from Trappers Lake to the southwest at first and check out the situation. If that doesn't work out we'll check out Yellow Jacket Pass and maybe the area around Pagoda Lake.

Thanks,
Joe

[avf]

Just got back from first elk bowhunt and was successful in bagging a nice 5-5 bull. We hunted the top of unit 33 and were most successful in finding elk in non motorized areas while working drainages and north facing slopes. Around this area it seemed there weren't alot of huge bulls so we left the bugle in the van and just cow called. The one I shot came in silently after 30 minutes of calling so be patient if nothing bugles back right away. Also don't plan on finding elk by the road, you need to get at least a mile back in the bush. Good luck and have fun!

[JW31]

Congratulations on your Bull! What time of day did he come in to the call? What's the elevation in unit 33? Is it the pinyon/juniper/sage country like we hunted over in 22?

We just got back last night. No elk I'm sorry to say. We did call in 2 bulls that we'd sighted across a small canyon about 250 yards away. They responed to the call right away and headed right to us but winded us about 75 yards out and took off on afterburner.

Also had a heard come right past camp one night, bugling and calling from about 11:40 pm and we could still hear them in the sagebrush meadow below us 'till about 1 AM.

Can't wait to go again.

[DinkKiller]

It's a rush, isn't it? Sorry to hear that you didn't get your animal, but anticipation should hold you over until next year. Glad you had a good time.

[JW31]

You're right about anticipation. It's about to kill me and I've got a whole year to go. I heard there might be cow tags available during one of the rifle seasons and if so I may go back for a long weekend.

In the meantime I intend to learn everything I can about elk, and travel to Meeker/Craig again for a summer scouting trip.