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GMU 85 in colorado???

we are going to bowhunt gmu 85 in Colorado this September. We are going to go scouting the area in july. We are from West Virginia and we only have 5 days to scout the area. Any advice on public land would be great.

Can be tough to hunt for sure. Better be in shape. The early bird gets the worm and what you see in the summer won't likely be there in the fall on public. Little to no pack services in the area so make sure you are ready for a tough pack out if your willing to go where the elk are most likely at.

There's not a whole lot of public ground, what is available will be hammered with pressure.

Here is what your looking at for public ground. I imagine the USFS ground gets the majority of the traffic. Some of the larger parcels of BLM and State may be an option depending on how mobile you are.

Look for the tops of drainages/headers facing north and east (especially northeast). Get at least one half mile from any trail that can be run by ATVs. Get up high and glass early/late in the day, keep going all day with your nose in the wind through thick, and do not waste ANY time in an area that does not look (like see), smell, or sound of live elk. If you hear elk ride to the sound of the guns, FAST. Elk make a bunch of noise so you can get within 100 yards quickly.

Many now sit springs/wallows, but I prefer running and gunning, but you must be in serious shape to do so

Bugle only to locate, and then sparingly, cow call only when very close, like under 100 yards. Move quietly/quickly into the wind and thermals. Study thermals and use them to your advantage, elk live by them.

Train hard all summer by hiking with a pack up your mountains, and get an elevatoin mask (looks like a respirator without the filters, it limits air to help adjust to low oxygen.

Leave the ATV at home, it freaks out the competition

Good luck, aim small miss small

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