DAU E14
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Huntnfish
22-Aug-18
OK, bear with me here. I've been lurking on BS for a couple of years but just getting around to registering/posting. I have a question for anyone with experience in this DAU (in Colorado, sorry, should have been in the title). Not looking for specifics as I know better than to ask and I don't want your honey hole...I'll find my own (I hope). All of the tips and experiences that I have read on here will help with that...Thank you! My question is where would you recommend accessing/hunting this DAU? Again, not specific but from a general stand point....let's break it into 4 locations. Grand Junction, Rifle, Carbondale or Paonia. Basically what "corner" has been "best"? My uncle lives in this DAU and we have goose egged the last couple of years. Looking for a new strategy. If this is too specific still, I understand and feel free to just wish me luck. Hunting the first 2 weeks of Sept.
Safe and successful hunts to all of you!
From: Brun
22-Aug-18
You are talking about a huge area. I don't think any one section is necessarily any better than another. You might look at the hunt statistics from each unit within the DAU. You will find total hunter numbers, approx harvest data and so forth. I would look at your own experience the last two years. Did you find elk? Was it crowded? Did you feel that you made mistakes? Knowing an area, as you now do, is really important. Maybe you should look at the same general area, but hunt different elevations and drainages.? There are a lot of elk in that DAU. Does your uncle know any other areas well? Don't underestimate familiarity, it's really hard to go into an area blindly and find success. Wherever you decide to go, be as mobile as possible. If you don't find elk, or very fresh sign, try a different spot. I know this is not too specific, but I haven't hunted any of those units. I have spent a lot of time driving through those areas, and I know there are tons of elk. Good luck and have fun.
From: Huntnfish
22-Aug-18
Thank you Brun, believe it or not, this helps a lot. We know we have been close...like backtracked a trail after 20 minutes and found fresh, steaming scat on the trail close.....very frustrating. Anyways, I have looked at all of those resources...and probably more. I have more info this year than in the past. lots of google earth and Hunting atlas info this year. Not to mention pairing up DIY Elk Hunting (by Jim Deeming) with tips/info from Elknut....I feel our chances this year are substantially better than the last 2. Thanks again, guess I was losing some confidence...now I know I'm just impatient (my wife already knew that). Now if only the Elk will remember to show......
Thanks again. Good luck