Feedback of veterans of GMU's 2, 10, 201
Colorado
For the benefit of the few of us that have saved for years as you likely did, can likely draw this year or in the next couple years, debate archery or muzzleloader, I and some others here, would like to hear of the thought process you went thru, the pros and cons of the units, why you chose your particular unit, whether you would have changed your decision given the opportunity, your success, and the question(s) no one has asked but should. Basically, putting yourself in our shoes as you went thru the same process as we now are facing.
I passed on 52 bulls in bow range- but was 41 yards from a top end bull for unit 2 with no ethical shot. I did not punch my tag, but it was an up and down experience- 21 years is a long time to wait for anything. Looking back 90% of those bulls I passed on I would have shot any of them on a regular tag.
My dad shot a great bull 3 days in. 349 6/8 P&Y.
He passed on a monster 5X5 the first evening that was a toad, I never saw that bull again- 360 type all light colored.
I hunted 28 days and had a ton of great hunting experiences. Too much pressure is my only statement.
A bowsiter and I have been in contact about rifle hunting 2 as a non-resident, he did not draw last year with 27 PP's so perhaps next year.
Mathewsman, thanks for responding. There will be other questions as time passes, but I'm immediately curious about your statement...to much pressure. Is that because of too many hunters, to much pressure on yourself to harvest an elk, or...?
Would you do the same thing all over again...saving all those points for all those years?
I have 21 points and can't make up my mind what unit I want to hunt and when. I scout the NW corner every fall and have seen the best bulls in 2 but they can be hard to locate, spent more time in 10 and can usually find several herds within a half hour of glassing, a lot more cows in 10 makes it easier to find the bulls and they are usually bugling by the end of August, but in 2/201 they seem to be quiet until the last couple weeks of September. The quality of bulls in my OTC spot has really improved the last couple years so it's hard to leave an area I know so well to hunt a unit I only spend a couple weekends a year in and never get too far from the roads because I don't want to ruin somebody's once in a lifetime hunt.
I think the pressure of killing a bull worthy of a 22 year wait in unfamiliar country seems to take some of the fun out if a hunt. I'm also considering hunting elk for the first time ever with a rifle or ML due to how open the country is up there but I think I may have a better chance at killing a giant that hasn't broke any tines yet during archery.
Best bull I found this year during the early rifle hunt, broken G1. Not quite what I'm looking for but should be a good one next year
My partner and I picked 2 because it was bigger, we knew several guys who had recently hunted it, and also knew a couple guys who had hunted 201 and said the wind there constantly swirled and made it super difficult to get into bow range. Both of them struck out and said if they had to do it over again they would rifle hunt. They saw lots of big bulls, just never anywhere near bow range.
We scouted and cammed all summer and the biggest bulls we "saw" were in the honest 340 range. Maybe one 360+ briefly one morning in the cedars, but I only saw him for about 20 seconds. We were hunting with recurves and set our realistic goal as bulls grossing over 340. We decided not to do the Horton-Walker trespass fee.
It was really hot when we started, upper 80's to 90. Nobody was bugling and they moved mostly at night. We spot-stalked in the morning and hunted water in the evening. On day 3 my partner killed one grossing 368. On day 5 I killed one grossing 353. So were were out of there before any rutting activity happened. We only saw or cammed 4 cows, and those were in June. So I don't know what they would rut over. We saw a lot of bulls in the 280-320 range. Ours were the two biggest we saw (except for the one I glimpsed).
Advice we were given was to not spread ourselves too thin but to pick an area, learn it, and focus there. We never made it to a different area we scouted, which was near where MathewsMan found some huge bulls later in the season a couple years later.
I'll admit there was some "pressure" to kill a big bull after burning all those points. But at the time we'd killed something like 64 between us with bows so we knew how to find and kill elk, unlike some guys we know who have hunted it with limited elk bowhunting experience, and struggled.
It's not an easy hunt, despite the number of bulls. Its elk hunting and the high desert presents unique challenges. They disappear in the terrain and the pinon-juniper. The thermals switch quickly, and hard.
If I did it again I might hold out until the last two weeks, but hard to pass up a 353" perfect bull at 22 yards with a recurve. The Walker-Horton trespass fee is probably a good investment for someone without a lot of experience. But not necessary if you know how to hunt elk.
I'm glad I did it once. We killed a lot of OTC elk while collecting points so it wasn't really a sacrifice, per se. But I don't recommend bowhunting it for someone who doesn't already have a good handle on how to bowhunt elk. They will see lots of bulls but struggle to close the deal, will get frustrated, and start obsessing over all those points, the once in a lifetime hunt, what will everyone say if they don't succeed, etc..
'Great question, and very timely for me - I'm in the same quandary. Some of the issues that have come into play for me are: 1: Should I hold out 4-5(?) more years for 201 or go for 2 in the next couple years or 10 right now? Archery or hold out a bit longer for muzzy? There are two reasons I'm opting for Archery, sooner than later. The first is that "who knows" what is going to happen to the draw system in the next 4-5 years. The grumbling is getting louder for a change, and if I wait it may all be in vane. The second is that I'm an old bull in decline, myself. I've come to realize that my best physical years are behind me. I'll be 64 in the spring, and I've still got what it takes right now but who knows how long I'll still be capable? 2: Trespass fee vs DIY public land: I'm leaning towards the former, despite all the much appreciated advice here. My reasoning? It's likely that not everyone who draws will go this route, and having nearly exclusive rights to hunt on a large acreage of proven private land, with easier access to quite a bit more public, just seems to make sense in my case. At ~ $100 per year of saving points it's entirely reasonable for the hunt of a lifetime. And paying a trespass fee doesn't mean I can't hunt the rest of the unit, but if that doesn't pan out, having a "fall back" to the ranch is a comforting thought. Some of the best elk hunting of my life was trespass fee - the first few years I bowhunted. It was only $100-$150 for the entire season - oh so long ago.There were more elk, and they were MUCH more vocal. Giggle "Walker Ranch" & you'll find some great vid's - & one in particular shows several very nice bulls sparring in the presence of dozens of cows. 3: Big bull or?: I think I've already mentioned the crazy thought of taking pics of a big bull encounters and taking a nice tasty cow instead. I've never tasted a pre-rut or rutting bull that was anywhere near as good as a cow. & Being a grampa myself, there's a part of me that would rather let the grampa bulls live. I've never been a "bone hunter", and with today's 3D printer tech, one could probably have a couple replica racks made up for the cost of a single mount ( 'apologies to all taxidermists, and I haven't looked into the actual cost of a "3D replica"). At any rate, if a "Monster bull" were to present itself, I know that thought would likely fly out the window. Lastly, it's so great to be here on Bowsite. I've already had a number of PM's on the topic, and have had a few "eye opening" calls after exchanging phone numbers & calls. It's so nice to have the PM option. The "free flow" of info can take place without throwing it out there for the whole world to see. There may only be 6 Archery tags but there's no limit on non-hunters or scouts ( I suspect most scouts would respect a tag holder, but you never know...). I'll be watching this and other similar posts, knowing that my hunt of a lifetime is in the cue. I'll be sending you a PM Blade, or feel free to PM me. Only 247 days until opening day...
ColoBull, I believe it may be easier to shoot a big bull in unit 2 than a cow....
I hear you! Having hunted mostly DIY Public land, we've always followed the "If it's brown, it's going down" rule. We are "opportunists" under those circumstances, and anyone who hunts elk knows how often good shot opportunities come around in any given year. Cows seem to "present themselves" about 2-3 to 1 in our experience. But this is an entirely different situation. An opportunity for the bull of a lifetime. & bulls don't taste all that bad, and there's a lot more meat in them! I'd probably be kicking myself for the rest of my life if I passed on a wall hanger rack for some tastier cow. 'Just some goofy off season thinking.
Too much pressure to harvest a top quality elk... I almost shot a spike the last few days since that is not legal in the majority of Colorado-
I've rifle hunted unit 2 during 3rd rifle season for cows and that hunt was more like a camping trip. I don't see why they even issue cow tags in 2 or 201.
My standard has always been while hunting elk, that unless I am going to mount a bull I do not shoot bulls, I hold out until the end and take a cow the last weekend. I've taken 15 elk with a bow, and do not have one mounted- so I guess the Unit 2 hunt was a bit overwhelming with all the quality animals I chose to pass on shooting. Looking back, there were numerous elk that would have been respectable bulls to have taken and mounted- Know what your standard would be and be happy with it.
Thanks to all of you for the responses and the details and thoughts that went into your hunts or the consideration of hunting the NW units. I expected much less but impressed by the participation and sharing of info. I thought there were some things that only I would think of in trying to make a decision regarding unit, terrain, equipment, weapons, standards for trying to harvest a bull, pressure of harvesting a "trophy" bull (subjective to each of us), bull ratios, etc... I hope topic continues for a little while longer so that the veteran hunters of those units can relive their hunts, share their knowledge, and give us prospects some insight in realizing our dream hunt.
See if you can find Danny Farris's unit 2 hunt videos on Bowhunter TV. It was a two-part show. My story was a feature in Bow & Arrow Hunting. If you do a search on here you'll find lots of great feedback and info on past threads. Treeline's hunt recap thread, I think called "A Bull Worth the Wait" on the Elk forum was an excellent story of his unit 2 hunt this year.
Agree with above about resources. I have read Jaquomo's story and Treeline's recap as well as watched Danny's videos. All are helpful. One minor clarification, Danny and his dad actually hunted in 201, not 2. I asked him why he chose 201 over 2 and he said it was primarily because 201 is smaller and with limited time to scout they figured they could get a feel for it more easily.
Brun, you're right and I knew that about Danny's hunt with his dad. Had a senior moment.
What a wonderful small world. It turns out Blade & I are old acquaintances. I hadn't considered any "pressure" for this hunt, perhaps because my standards aren't that high. As with my goofball " take pics and drop a cow instead", the thought of dropping a smaller ( & usually tastier) bull & taking lots of pics of the big guys has also crossed my mind. It's gonna be hard to hold out for the "big" one after all these years of taking the first good shot that presents itself. If anyone can find a link to the Danny vid, it would be much appreciated. All I could find was a short "teaser". Same with Lou's article. There are quite a few pics & videos of unit 2 hunts at Hunter's Domain: https://www.huntersdomain.com/45366/Colorado-Elk-Landowner-Tags-Colorado-Unit-2-Elk-Landowner-Tags/listings/2799/2017-HUNT-the-BEST-unit-2-Ranch-for-Trophy-ELK-and-Mule-Deer.html 'Get's my blood boiling! Some neat summaries, including Lou's can be found at: https://www.realtree.com/big-game-hunting/articles/public-bow-bulls-from-2011
The pressure part is tough for me to answer, since we literally saw only the Governor's Rifle tag hunter the night before season opened for archery- by the way he killed a 300" bull with a rifle the first morning of archery. But, we had access from Larry on the "Solace" ranch, and I was the only bowhunter at the last week of the season that was not tagged out- the other 7 Resident, and 1 Non-resident archers were done. Adjacent to Larry's land, we tracked the bull I was after 9 miles, and got within 100 yards, when a guy and his son upwind from the giant bedded bull we were sneaking in to shoot- got up and moved off- and they were cow responding to our cow calls- so the last hoorah for me so to speak, in on the bull of a lifetime and I got screwed from a guy and his son that live in Greystone that had permission on all the ranches to take photos- We bumped into them on our way out as they offered us a ride, and because I was on Larry's ranch I held my temper and foul language wanting to go over and choke the guy. So- pressure- it can happen about anytime, anyplace.
I can assure you that if you get the private tag from Pyramid Peak Ranches- John Roftopolous, you will kill only a 350+ bull as their guides will not let you shoot anything less- and you will have no pressure- plus you can go next fall because all you have to do is pay for the tag and access.
I hunted unit 2 archery last year (2016) so I've enjoyed following along with this thread. I did a write up last year on bowsite that you can find here...http://forums.bowsite.com/tf/regional/thread.cfm?threadid=229936&messages=26&state=Co
Overall I enjoyed the hunt and everything that came with it. Someone mentioned they wished they could hunt it just one more year and I have to agree with that. It takes a whole season to "figure it out" and before you know it the season is over. I would imagine that sentiment is potentially stronger if you were muzzleloader or rifle hunting.
For me the choice was always unit 2 and always archery. I liked that the unit was so large but it can be overwhelming. Jaquomo gave me the same advice last year that he stated here...don't spread yourself too thin. It's great advice. You can find (and we did) bulls all over the unit. I've never hunted an area where I could just drive anywhere, pull out my binoculars and probably see elk. That was definitely one of the fun things about the unit.
If I was able to hunt it again I would focus very heavily on the last week of the season. In my experience last year the bugling became very intense the last week of the season. Not to say there wasn't bugling early in the season but I was expecting a "rut fest" and until the last week I wasn't seeing that. I had more close encounters the last 4 days then I did the rest of the season. I probably hunted about 15 days total, with my dad hunting 20 days.
I passed up shots that I would never pass up in any other unit. Many of those shots were 4x4 and 5x5's which I saw a lot of, and honestly was surprised by how many small bulls we saw. I did see plenty of nice 6x6's and certainly a few monster bulls. In my opinion there didn't seem to be 375+ bulls running around everywhere. I will admit that I'm not an expert at field judging but I have spent many years elk hunting and I think I know a giant bull when I see one.
I had no desire for tag soup and I wanted to leave that unit with a bull no matter what. I ultimately killed a 6x5 on the second to last day of the season and I was happy with it. I drew back on bigger bulls but could never get the right shot. Of course I would have loved to kill a bigger bull but wouldn't we all? I think being honest with yourself is important with a unit like that. If you're okay eating tag soup because you want a monster bull that's fine. I wanted a monster bull, but like I said I had NO desire to leave empty-handed.
It's definitely not shooting fish in a barrel, it's still hunting and in some ways very different hunting than many of us are used to. If you are an experienced elk hunter and caller then I think you'll have plenty of opportunities to see big bulls and get very close to them. It's tough because with 20 or more points you really have very few options, nobody wants to burn that many points on a "lesser" unit. If you have the time to spend then I would probably say go archery because you will increase your chances solely by being out there more. On the other hand if I'd have had a muzzleloader I would definitely have killed a bigger bull. We hunted solely on public land which meant a lot of driving around but we sort of settled into a few spots that seemed to hold a lot of elk and were fairly easy to access. Like others have mentioned you'd be surprised where you end up finding elk.
Overall it was a great hunt, I didn't exactly kill the "bull of a lifetime" but I was with my dad, uncle and cousin which made it memorable. The season and unit were different than what I was expecting but neither in a good or bad way. I'd have no problem telling you to use your points on a unit 2 archery hunt. Given the same circumstances I WOULD use my points for that area again, and I would probably hunt it in a very similar manner. Obviously I'd do some things differently but I left with a bull in the truck, meat in the cooler, great pictures and great stories. So I'm not complaining.
Are any of the units better for archery or for muzzleloader? I've heard that some units are more wide open and better for muzzleloader than the bow. There has been a little mention of encountering other hunters because a couple areas in the units are hunted heavier than others. Any issues with this? Another person who hunted one of the units encountered people hunting blue grouse, but primarily looking to get pictures of large bulls, and a couple groups out trying to spot and call bulls to the camera. I know it's public land but it caused the hunter to relocate his camp because of the interference. He suggested the possibility of paying a trespass fee to avoid this type of problem. Is private property marked very well? Is there less need to be concerned because of the large amount of public? It appears that Unit 10 might present challenges because of the checkerboard pattern which, if I remember correctly is South ??? of Dinosaur Nat'l Mon? I don't have a map in front of me right now, I've heard a couple mentions of paying trespass fees...what are the known places, estimated cost, restrictions such as 5 days to hunt, etc...? Any experiences of "spot & stalk" vs. sitting on water holes? Are there generally many water springs, stock ponds, stock tanks, etc...? I recognize rain will affect some of this. Curious if anyone has come across rattlesnakes in these units?
We didn't have any problems with others besides one guy camming a waterhole to scout for rifle. But he didn't bother us. Most of the springs and tanks are on private but not all. We killed ours on BLM. Stalking was tricky because of the hard, abrupt thermal shift. So we were below them, then it would instantly switch when the sun both the valley floor. Also tough to see sometimes when down in the cedars. Horton-Walker ranch has a bunch of waterhole and you pay for the whole season. He has a cabin with a generator you can use and a bunch of waterhole. There are some big bulls killed there but they go back and forth Our bulls were bigger than the ones killed on His ranch that year. His price is negotiable as the season gets closer. He offered us for $1500 each a couple weeks before the season started. Much of the private isn't marked, sometimes public is posted as private. Jimmie Horton does this and we turned him in for a couple spots. If you want to hunt with a modern ML it will definitely improve your chances. They are guns. If that's the case, with all due respect I'm not interested in spending time helping you out.
There are definitely rattlesnakes in 2 and 10. I assume that is the case in 201, but I have no personal knowledge of this. Unit 10 is bordered on the north by the Yampa River in the far eastern part of the unit and by Dinosaur National Monument for the rest of the way. There is a little more private land in 10, but it's still about 75% public as I recall. Like 2 though, a lot of it is not marked at all and you need good maps and a GPS or something like onX Maps. I'm not aware of any commonly offered trespass fee hunt in10 like the Walker/ Horton deal in unit 2, but there may be something available. I think on the Walker ranch the fee is good for the whole season. Water holes are a viable option in all the northwest units as it's dry country. Of course weather conditions will have something say about this. The choice of weapon is up to you, I don't think the terrain or vegetation is really the determining factor in that choice.
Wow, sorry about the grammatical errors in my post and about being short at the end. I was interrupted in the middle and didn't proofread before closing it and hitting "send". What I meant was that I didn't want to give out specifics on spots that would help a ML compete with a bowhunter I might know, since the quest for a big bull in those units is difficult enough with a bow as it is.
I'll reply to your PM when I get to my laptop where I can type. All valid questions.
Blade, thanks for starting this thread and asking a lot of the same questions I have. I'm amazed by the amount of bowsiters who have hunted unit 2 within the last few years and the knowledge they are willing to share. I know most where probably hunting outside the early rifle cow season boundaries but I'm curious, if it effected their hunts in any way?
Are the PM's saved anywhere? I've tried to find a couple I received and responded to but don't know where to find them.
It should say archived messages. Click on that.
I'm finding there are a few more on Bowsite that have hunted those units and would like to get their input if they have a few minutes
THP, we had permission in a small chunk of private and had been camming a couple of water tanks there all summer. The week before the season two guys came in with early cow tags and stomped all over through the bedding ridge (some of which was BLM we were also hunting). They didn't find any cows but the bulls all left and we never got a photo or saw a bull there in daylight after that.
We ended up killing our bulls 7 miles away in a BLM wilderness study area.
First of all I am really liking this site. More info here about 201 than any other forum that I have seen. My son has 23 points and I have 25. We are both from Colorado. I have scouted 201 twice for about 2 days. Once just before archery (so I didnt spook any elk for archers) and once after rifle was over. Obviously I havent been up there at the prime time since there werent elk running around everywhere. I have talked to locals both times and they had seen the large herds with large b/c ratios around Diamond and Blue Mt. so that is mainly where I have scouted. I had my shoulder replaced about 4 years ago and cant hold the bow back for over about 15 seconds before my eyes start watering from pain so I am thinking using a smoke pole. My son is a beast and shoots his bow very well. So as most others who have questions about 2,201, and 10, I am open to suggestions about where to hunt and which areas. Would also like to know about the private land for $ that might be worth taking a look at. Wont be using a rifle. Thanks in advance to anyone who can provide any suggestions or comments to me.
I think it is very likely that you would draw muzzleloader with 25 and your son with 23 for archery in 201. Both of you have a buffer of at least 1 year over what will probably be the the minimum. You never know for sure, but I think your odds will be very good. The most well known pay for private land situation in the northwest units is the Walker Ranch in Unit 2. I think you would be a lock for unit 2 with your points. There may also be some trespass fee situations in 201, but I don't know any particulars. I hunted antelope once in 201 and we were on Cold Springs Mountain. We saw many elk, but other than that I don't know much about 201
Brun- that's about all there is to know about 201- cold springs, it's actually a fairly small area to hunt.
This is a good thread, so far. Lots of great insight to those units.
As stated above, I hunted this year and did a recap story on main bowsite elk forum that should give you a decent account of my experience.
I am not good at sitting and that really had me wound up about even hunting up there. The majority of the bowhunters I know that have hunted in 2 have hunted on the Walker Ranch and sit waterholes. That sounded like absolute torture to me and I was really depressed at the concept of having to sit a waterhole to kill an elk up there.
A number of guys told me to stick to one area and learn it well rather than moving around a lot. I spent a lot of time up in the "big empty" areas north of the highway and moved considerable distances between hunting areas. Took as many as 6 gas cans and had many instances of camping 20+ miles away from the previous nights camp or even in very different areas of the unit.
There are areas in Unit 2 that never get hunted and the bulls die of old age. I liked the loneliness of that country. Never felt pressured. Seemed to be busiest up there around Douglas Mountain and on the opening weekend of muzzle loader. I went for days at a time up north without seeing another vehicle.
If you have the points and time to put in on the hunt, it can be a great area to get a nice bull.
If I were to have it all to do over, I would never have held out that long and would have hunted good 1 to 2 point units many times and OTC on the off years. I would guess that I could have killed a number of bulls in the same class or better in the same period in low point draw areas.
It really did not seem that far off to draw any of those units when I started applying for elk over 23 years ago and I never would have expected to have waited that long for this tag. In the same period that I had been applying for one of those NW tags in Colorado, I hunted elk in Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Arizona several times. I would rate the overall hunt in NW Colorado below most of those other states for elk activity, numbers, or quality.
I passed on doing a unit 61 rifle hunt with my father-in-law back when it took about 11 points. I held out and drew Archery 2 and other than not having to spend $1600 on an elk mount, I had a great hunt. Part of my luck was that during my wait, we moved here to Meeker, and so I spent the summer up there scouting and setting things up.
I suppose if I had it to do over, I would probably have spent about half of those years hunting Unit 49 draw elk, which may or may not have been any better.
To be honest, I'm not really a huge fan of elk hunting, or guiding. I prefer about every other game animal Colorado has to offer over hunting elk. The elk hunt does not really begin until you have one on the ground- and then it is just not enjoyable.
Scott, I am with you. Not a rabid elk hunter at all. If I was, I would have settled in Arizona! My passion is chasing big mule deer above treeline so Colorado it is.
I'm the opposite, chasing elk is all I think about all year long. Nothing gets my adrenaline pumping like a bull elk coming in close and bugling in my face. The pack out can be tough sometimes but as Lou says you just have to "embrace the suck".
Thanks for the additional info. I'm glad you guys found this thread and posted your thoughts. I knew that there were some who had hunted, or at least scouted, these units and would have some valuable insight that hadn't posted as of a couple days ago. I find it just as interesting and important to consider thoughts of hunting other units or states after your hunting experiences in NW CO. It has really been helpful to me to have everyone involved as there are so few to share their stories of those units and how to prepare for them, whether it's the thought to apply, or scout, and then hunt them. I hope there is more to follow.
Blade,
I actually had years of experience guiding archery and rifle elk hunters in New Mexico and Arizona prior to hunting in Unit 2 as well as hunting for myself in several other states that also come into play. I have guided hunters who have killed bulls over 400".
Unfortunately, from what I experienced, NW Colorado does not hold a candle.
I think Scott (MathewsMan) had a much better overall experience than me as far as getting into numbers of big bulls. I did not see anywhere near the numbers nor the quality as he and his dad saw on their hunt. If I had seen that kind of action, I would probably have a totally different opinion.
Over the years that I have lived in Colorado, I have heard many tales of all the 400" bulls up in the NW units. Reviewing the B&C and P&Y data, I guess all those 400" bulls either don't ever get killed or don't ever get entered. I know and have talked at length with the guys that probably have the most experience in that country bow hunting elk of anyone. Yes, there are some great bulls up there, but you better set realistic goals or you will be sorely disappointed.
It would be really interesting to get the average score of all bulls taken up there over the years as well as overall success.
Really big mature bulls are tough to kill no matter where you hunt them. I have had tags in some of the best of the best units in the western states for elk and actually killing a big bull is tough no matter where you are hunting. Hunting them with a bow and arrow is a serious limitation and the animals have a lot more opportunities to best you.
I have made the mistake on a number of hunts to hold out for one of the top end bulls and ended up eating tag soup. Really sucks when you look back on it with 20/20 and realize you passed up on what could have been the elk of a lifetime and went home empty handed in the end.
Without a doubt I have passed up on bulls in other states that would score significantly higher than the biggest bull that I saw in Unit 2 at under 20 yards on multiple occasions. I do have regrets. I do know that I will have more opportunities in other states for truly big bulls, possibly even in low point or even OTC units in Colorado.
At 50 years old, I will never hunt elk in 2, 10 or 201 again unless I win a raffle ticket. It was a once in a lifetime event. Fortunately, I was blessed with a great bull on my hunt.
Hopefully, you guys that are in the running will get your opportunity up there and have great hunts.
Mathewsman and Treeline...your comments are unexpected opinions about hunting those units. While many are hoping for the chance to hunt them as the "dream of a lifetime," both of you have differing thoughts. I know I had thoughts, mainly in retrospect, of maybe having used the points earlier to hunt other units with less point requirements and good numbers of elk with fairly high success. It's good to get a real mix of opinions and experiences and, nonetheless, you might have some insight how to hunt those units for those of us still determined to hunt them. Thanks
I'm with THP, elk hunting is the greatest thrill in all of hunting in my experience. I do agree with Treeline about sitting. I much prefer calling or spot and stalk, but I will sit if necessary. Maybe I'm a bit of a masochist, but I really enjoy the entire process, including the pack out. I love the meat and all the great meals with family and friends. I think I feel the same way about packing that I do about bow hunting in general. The difficulty makes the success that much sweeter. High country muley hunting is also great, but it's a close second for me.
Out of curiosity...any stories or experiences with Unit 1? All I hear, besides only 2 licenses, is that it is a nightmare to stalk and that you need to enter from Utah and bring mules to pack out...
I see that young guy on another thread that killed a CO Desert Sheep- that's my nemesis. Only animal I have not taken in Colorado with a bow, and probable I will never draw. I'm with you Tavis- the big Mule Deer get me excited. This year I went 10 for 12 with hunters, 2 missed 190 and 200" bucks. My son killed a toad, and so did a bowsiter I steered in the right direction. The data shows the average NW unit bull scores in the 310" range. A friend here in Meeker killed a unit 10 bull that netted 379" and some change, but probably like many, he does not enter them or has any involvement in the CBA, his bull would be a top 5 Colorado Archery bull if he submits.
In 2000, I drew a Unit 10 ML elk tag with 9 PPs. In 2012, I drew unit 61 archery with 12 PPs and now Im back to 5 PPs with no plan for them.
Like stated above:
I love elk hunting. All aspects of it. I also have some great OTC areas to hunt each year and miss that hunt when I draw other tags. Ive had LOTS of 'Once in a Lifetime' hunts in my OTC areas! lol!
IMO - PPs are never wasted. Even if you leave a few on the table, its all about the hunt in the end.
Knowing what I know now, I wouldnt wait 20+ years to hunt elk in ANY unit
But that just me
I'm not going to let anyone dampen my enthusiasm, and I know that isn't the the intent. It's always good to hear the "reality check" posts. Other states manage to provide better opportunities because the aren't as greedy. The results are obvious - fewer tags result in bigger bulls. I'm absolutely addicted to the sound of big bulls screaming. Having seen a 350+ bull or two in almost every area we've ever hunted the thrill & possibility of getting one continues ( we see them, but have never managed to take one of the monsters). Big Bulls don't get big by being stupid. I suspect most of them go & remain almost exclusively nocturnal during the first week of archery. They know where they are protected - be it private, or public sanctuary. How else could they manage to survive Archery, muzzy & rifle seasons year after year? Still, that rare encounter & even more rare shot opportunity keeps me believing "it could happen". IMHO, there is almost nothing better than elk hunting in September. It's been one of the best parts of my life. I also have 20 pts for deer, but rarely give it a thought. When my premium elk hunt is over, I'll start looking into it.
I kept hoping I would be able to use all those points I had built up for Utah, Nevada or Arizona! Too bad you can't buy and sell points across state lines...
I had a good hunt, however I would not encourage anyone who is years out of drawing one of these units to keep waiting. They are not significantly better in terms of quality, top end animals than a number of low point units or even a few OTC areas in Colorado. I have seen and shot bigger elk in OTC units in Colorado than what I saw in Unit 2.
I firmly believe that most would be far better off by putting in and getting multiple good hunts in low point units while playing the games in other states with opportunities for high quality animals. If you play it right, in the same time frame as it would take to pull a tag in the top CO units, you could potentially have 20 or more great elk hunts with chances at bulls as big or bigger than anything you may see up there.
Some of us "financially challenged" folks can only dream about out of state hunts. Nearly all of our hunts have been DIY Public Land. I suspect we aren't alone. I'm working towards a "3 man" rotation with my 2 sons. One has 5 Res Pts, the other 10. After my pts are spent, we should be able to draw a pretty good hunt for one of us every 5 years. In the mean time we find a way to enjoy DIY OTC hunts on public land.
ColoBull
Along with hunting Colorado every year, 2018 will be my hunting Wyoming elk for the 4th year in a row. I've also hunted Nebraska WT for the past 10 years.
All DIY Public lands
If guys remove the 'horn porn' mindset, those 'Once in Lifetime' hunts happen every year
I hunt out of state when I can and focus on putting in for points to eventually draw quality hunts.
I definitely cannot afford to pay the price for guided hunts for many of the species that I want to hunt up in Canada or down in Mexico. Heck, I am looking at jobs now that would allow me to gain residency to be able to hunt some species as a resident in Canadian Provinces (Aye!).
I make due with the application processes in the western states and will eventually get chances to hunt many awesome places. I hunt DIY on public lands when I get lucky enough to pull the tags.
The cost for the application is not much in most other states as you don't have to pay all the license fees up front - only if you draw. Typically, non-residents are limited to a maximum of around 10% of the tags and some states are starting to hit us harder with application fees and that hurts when you have lots of years invested. If you play the game right, you will have chances to vastly expand your horizons.
The really cool thing about many of the other western states is that you can draw the first time you apply, rather than the waiting game with Colorado's system. The points generated do increase your chances to draw, though. Put in for the best of the best and hope to win the lotto or focus on easier to draw hunts and hunt more often.
You absolutely will not have those opportunities by not playing the game.
Colobull, I do hope you have an awesome hunt up there in the NW Corner and wish you the best of luck to kill a whopper bull!
Treeline, I've read all your posts in this thread and the one you wrote about your hunt. I'm wondering if you scored the bull you killed this year in Unit 2. You have mentioned that you feel you could have found multiple bulls in the same class in OTC units. That bull looks massive, at least 375 to me, I know it's got a busted 5th on one side, but I have been hunting Colorado OTC units for 40 years and I have never even seen a bull in that category. Anyway, I'm not questioning your experience or opinions on northwest Colorado, but I'm really curious about how big that bull actually is. Please let us know a score, or at least your estimate. I know sometimes things are hard to judge in a photograph, but I'm really curious about that bull. And congrats on taking it, especially with a longbow. It's a hell of an accomplishment, whether you love those units or not.
I have always considered the NW all about the experience and not so much about the trophy potential. Granted there are some great bulls, but they are not monsters. I have enough to draw but am waiting until my kids are a little older and I have enough seniority at work to take alot of the season off... I have hunted for other critters a lot in all 3 units.
I will agree that hunting the lower elevation Pinon Juniper is tricky, but I have always hunted it and feel way more at ease in the lower country that I ever would in a high alpine setting. As such, I really like 2 the most. I also am like another poster here who is a total run and gun hunter. I will travel 30 to 60 miles on roads a day looking for the right bull. Once I find the "one" I will dog it and dog it...
In 201, I feel like a guy can really cover the unit and hit all the right spots pretty easy in less than a week. In 10 it will take a week to see and cover it all (only because there are a few places that require a 1/2 day hike). In 2 it will take a lot of work to cover all areas. The biggest elk I have seen in WY are just north of 2 and I know they go back and forth a lot.
Luckily I have 2 OTC bulls that are great bulls. One is 347 non typical and the other is a 338 typical. I have chased an OTC bull that was over 390. With all that being said I would approach all of the unit with trying to surpass my biggest. So I would be looking for a 350+. I feel it is a very doable goal (at least finding such a bull).
With my points I am not in any hurry to draw so I will just keep building. Been having way too much fun hunting big mule deer with my bow to worry much about those easy to kill bull elk...
Being the opposite of Treeline, I would not want my OIL elk tag anywhere near the national Forrest. I do not like hunting it and do not enjoy it, but put we with rattle snakes, cactus, sage, bitter brush and I am in heaven...
Brun,
I was very happy with the bull that I got. Awesome bull for sure. He netted 350 7/8" as a non-typical. Not sure what was broken off, but if it matched it would have put him around 365" net.
I have not said that I thought I could find a bigger bull in an OTC unit in Colorado. I have found bulls bigger than any bulls I saw in Unit 2 in several OTC units in Colorado in the past, however. Not every year and not very many, but they do exist.
What I have been trying to get across is that it is not a cake walk up there by any means. I saw only one bull that might have scored better than the bull I shot. Maybe.
The unit is not full of 400" bulls just falling all over themselves to get in front of you at 20 yards broadside for a slam dunk shot. If someone goes in there with an archery tag thinking that it is going to be a fabulous end-all be-all hunt, they may be sorely disappointed.
Is it worth waiting 20+ years to draw and hunt up there? I guess that is up to the individual. Personally, I think a guy is much better served hunting good quality hunts much more often with the potential of getting a bull every bit as big as up there where it takes all those years of waiting. Who knows, you may get the bull of a lifetime on that tag of a lifetime. Heck, you might get that bull of a lifetime in your backyard in an OTC unit that you spend 20 years figuring out...
"Horn porn"? Hmmm. Seems I've made it pretty clear that isn't the case for me . We've always been in it for the experience first, and filling the freezer second. I have exactly one decent 5x5 rack to show for 40 years of hunting of which ~25 have been archery, mostly DIY public. My expectations for unit 2 are to just have another great time with my boys and probably see more elk in one season than we have in most any other 5. We've seen a few bulls of similar caliber to Treeline's over the years & know it can still happen DIY Public. Thanks T!
Thanks for posting the score Treeline. I guess I was about 10 points off in my estimate, but I'm always more interested in gross score then net. I figure if they grew it, they get credit. In any case it's a great bull. I agree that no unit up there, or any where else for that matter, is a cake walk. Like coelker, I really like that country up there. I enjoy spotting animals at long range and I like the empty feeling and am looking forward to a year when I can spend most of the season up there with only a few other hunters. I have also hunted deer and antelope in those units so I have a decent feel for the areas. I'm not concerned about a giant, although I would love to find one. I'm hoping to have a fun hunt in an area with a lot of good bulls. I agree that if I was starting over I would probably hunt every few years in an easier unit to draw, but I'm in so deep now I'm going to stay with it. This has been a good thread and I think it's helpful for lots of people deciding what to do with there points.
There was another +8” of deductions that would have put him close to that 375” gross mark.
You’re already almost there.
Might as well stick to it and go! Heck, I wish I’d had the chances that Scott had and you could definitely have that kind of experience!
For those who hunted these units...any surprises, different approaches you would have taken based on what you experienced, any suggestions for equipment & gear, etc...?
Does Maybell have a gas station? Last time I was thru there, it was closed.
One thing I'd suggest is to have an ATV and a spike camp you can take in on it. Water containers are mandatory for the spike camp. Some "roads" are so rough that you have to crawl them in a good 4WD vehicle, but on an ATV you can cover ground. The day I killed my bull I had my spike camp all ready to go and was going to go into a far basin an hour ATV ride the next day. Never got the chance.
You'll also want an extra gas can or two. It's a looong way back to a gas station.
One person mentioned it, the valleys will often get a cold inversion at night. The elk will likely drop into these areas no so much for the food, but for the temps. Some valleys will be nearly 20 degrees cooler in the bottom than on top in the morning. When the sun hits this inversion the winds get really weird. It has been really good for me to wait until the elk are leaving the bottoms (usually about the time the temp flips) and then chase them. It seems that after the sun is up the wind settles and is more predictable.
I have always killed my bulls in the lower P+J in the late morning to mid afternoon. I have had only 1 bull that taken before the sun was up and the inversion had left. The rest of the time I simply stay back and watch the show until the elk and wind have picked a direction.
One person mentioned it, the valleys will often get a cold inversion at night. The elk will likely drop into these areas no so much for the food, but for the temps. Some valleys will be nearly 20 degrees cooler in the bottom than on top in the morning. When the sun hits this inversion the winds get really weird. It has been really good for me to wait until the elk are leaving the bottoms (usually about the time the temp flips) and then chase them. It seems that after the sun is up the wind settles and is more predictable.
I have always killed my bulls in the lower P+J in the late morning to mid afternoon. I have had only 1 bull that taken before the sun was up and the inversion had left. The rest of the time I simply stay back and watch the show until the elk and wind have picked a direction.
Good info Jaquomo and coelker. Can you get water & gas in Maybell, or do you have to go to Craig?
Blade, Although I do not have the experience of several of the previous responders, I did hunt 201 archery in 2016 and had a great hunt. I am writing to add a couple of small things that might be helpful: 1) going to Rock Springs to resupply was my best option, and 2)having plenty of water and fuel for my razor was a necessity and 3)getting to know several of the other bowhunters ( and having them check on me daily) was a blessing. As I was 66 years young, having Rich, Todd and Shane check on me was a big relief to my wife even though I carried a spot and a cell phone. You will not be alone up there as several people are driving the roads and scouting for their future hunts as your hunt is going on. I hunt with a recurve and chose to hunt the timbered portions of East side Middle Mountain and West side Diamond Peak as I thought that would be closer to what I was used to in my local mountains. I worked into 30 yards of several big elk but finally took a heavy, wide 5 pt the last weekend at 13 steps. He was not one of the big boys but still is my biggest elk. I really needed a partner to be a caller as several big elk hung up at 40-50 yards out. A camping partner would have been nice to discuss things and 32 days in a tent were a bit long but necessary. I saw 7 bears (all on Middle Mountain) and a lot of mntn lion sign. I had bears in camp two nights. All the bowhunters I talked to had 22 pts. I wish you good luck in your endeavors.
There is gas in Maybell and I'm pretty sure the city park has water.
There’s gas in maybell, but it ain’t cheap! Much better in Craig. I took as many as 6 extra cans. Got spares if someone wants them here in Stagecoach. There’s water at the park, but I had plenty and didn’t need to worry about that for a week at a time up there.
You may still be able to get water in Dinosaur Park at the campground (Ladore CG if I remember right). If you are running a gen-set / freezer plus quad (both recommended) I'd take at least 30 or 40 gallons of gas. That is big country......I was typically gassing up the quad everyday. The Honda EU2000 generator ran 16 hours every day, using a gallon of gas a day, freezing up the water jugs to keep the coolers cold and the freezer frozen. Good luck, it is as neat a hunt as you can have for elk in CO!
For those of you that hunted, and have the patience and desire to respond, here are a few more questions. This thread has had a lot of participation and sharing and lots of positive responses from previous hunters and those hoping to draw in the next couple years. It has been informative and helpful. How many days did you hunt? How many bulls did you see? How many cows...bull/cow ratio? How many shot opportunities - shots taken / opportunity but no clear shot? Did you see more or less bulls than expected? Largest bull seen (estimated points)? Average size of bulls seen? Unit hunted? Weapon of choice?
I agree on bringing lots of gas and water with you, we covered A LOT of ground in Unit 2, especially while scouting. All of my prior elk hunting experience has been in OTC public land units here in Colorado. Like guys have said, you can turn up a big bull just about anywhere and plenty of people have. But with 20+ points I don't think there's any reason to not put in for the NW corner, especially Unit 2. If you have the time to scout, but more importantly the time to hunt then I'd say go for unit 2.
I hunted 4 of the 5 weekends for a total of about 15 days, doing mostly long weekends. I wish I could have spent a longer chunk of time up there, especially to cut down on the drive time. 6-7 hours from my house to our camp is a lot of drive time.
I probably saw 50-60 bulls and about the same number of cows. I saw A LOT of spikes, 4x4's and 5x5's (a few really nice 5x5's.) I definitely saw some big bulls but not every single day. 2-3 of the bulls that I saw were easily the biggest I've ever seen here in Colorado (probably 360+) and maybe 10-15 were bigger than what I usually see in the OTC units (320-340+). I drew back 4 times in the last 5 days of the season but only took one shot. I passed probably 5-10 easy shot opportunities on smaller bulls. A few of those passed shots were over a water hole the first weekend of the season. Other than that one night on the water hole everything else I did was spot and stalk or calling. I didn't have much desire to just sit over water holes for the entire season, but that was a personal preference.
I ultimately focused on one specific spot in the "lower country" and hunted there exclusively the last 4 days of the season, which were some of the most fun days of hunting I've ever had. I probably should have killed a bigger bull but that's just how it goes. Like I said in my earlier post, I didn't want to leave empty handed. I saw about the number of bulls that I was expecting but way fewer cows than I thought. I also saw a lot more small bulls than I was expecting (especially the spikes and 4x4's.)
It's a fun hunt, it's a unique area with a lot of history and for such a large unit it really feels like you have it all to yourself. With hindsight what it is I'd probably have preferred to hunt 2-3 point units 5 or 6 times over the years. But with 20 points there was no question where we were going to use them. If you do draw it I would highly recommend spending as much time as possible during the hunting season...but if you were limited to a certain number of days I would tell you to focus on the last week of the season.
Days hunted - 13. The second week of the season and the last week of the season.
Bulls seen - approximately 35 to 40. Being conservative because I am sure I saw some of them more than once. Had a few days of seeing nothing and a few days chasing bulls in cedars where I could hear them but never see them.
Cows seen - approximately 100
Shot opportunities - 10. Sitting on water - 3, sitting/standing on trails - 4, calling - 2, stalking/two cow calls - 1
Shots taken at elk - 1, Shots taken at rattle snakes - 1
Saw about what I expected for bulls.
Largest bull seen - Hard to say. Using big glass at long range. 390+. I did see the bull that Nesser put a picture up from the raffle tag holder (claimed at over 400") and several other really big bulls.
I hunted Unit 2.
I was using my home made longbow.
Also I used approximately 120 gallons of gas up there hunting - not counting travel to and from the unit. That was all run thru my Toyota Tacoma. I did not take an ATV. Had 2 spares, highlift jack, winch, pull straps, air compressor, tools, and tracks to use under my tires if I got stuck in soft sand. I never camped in the same spot more than 2 nights.
Man it's dry up there...maybe a little snow last night but as of last week there was absolutely none. This is looking north off Douglas a few days ago.
Treeline, thanks for taking the time. No doubt you went prepared and gave me some things to think about as far as equipment. If some others put their info here, it'll be interesting to compare their hunts and info to yours.
One other interesting thing I noticed when I was glassing up north of the highway and when I went up on Douglas the opening weekend of muzzle loader season.
The elk did not seem to mind a pickup truck driving by. Had elk just stand and look at me in my truck a few times and the same when oilfield/ranch trucks went by or even stopped.
The elk flat left the country up in the open country when a side-by-side went by on a road, though. Watched a small bunch blow out when the atv was still 1/2 mile away (pretty sure the guy never saw the elk) and they ran flat out for over 4 miles before they dropped down a into a big valley and I lost sight of them.
There were a lot of atv's/side-by-sides running around when the muzzle loaders moved in up on Douglas and the elk definitely moved back from any of the roads.
You would be shocked how far away you can hear an atv up there in that country - If I can hear one running around miles away how far can the elk hear them?
They can be a great tool to get around with, but it was obvious that the elk did not like them.
I agree on bringing lots of gas and water with you, we covered A LOT of ground in Unit 2, especially while scouting. All of my prior elk hunting experience has been in OTC public land units here in Colorado. Like guys have said, you can turn up a big bull just about anywhere and plenty of people have. But with 20+ points I don't think there's any reason to not put in for the NW corner, especially Unit 2. If you have the time to scout, but more importantly the time to hunt then I'd say go for unit 2.
I hunted 4 of the 5 weekends for a total of about 15 days, doing mostly long weekends. I wish I could have spent a longer chunk of time up there, especially to cut down on the drive time. 6-7 hours from my house to our camp is a lot of drive time.
I probably saw 50-60 bulls and about the same number of cows. I saw A LOT of spikes, 4x4's and 5x5's (a few really nice 5x5's.) I definitely saw some big bulls but not every single day. 2-3 of the bulls that I saw were easily the biggest I've ever seen here in Colorado (probably 360+) and maybe 10-15 were bigger than what I usually see in the OTC units (320-340+). I drew back 4 times in the last 5 days of the season but only took one shot. I passed probably 5-10 easy shot opportunities on smaller bulls. A few of those passed shots were over a water hole the first weekend of the season. Other than that one night on the water hole everything else I did was spot and stalk or calling. I didn't have much desire to just sit over water holes for the entire season, but that was a personal preference.
I ultimately focused on one specific spot in the "lower country" and hunted there exclusively the last 4 days of the season, which were some of the most fun days of hunting I've ever had. I probably should have killed a bigger bull but that's just how it goes. Like I said in my earlier post, I didn't want to leave empty handed. I saw about the number of bulls that I was expecting but way fewer cows than I thought. I also saw a lot more small bulls than I was expecting (especially the spikes and 4x4's.)
It's a fun hunt, it's a unique area with a lot of history and for such a large unit it really feels like you have it all to yourself. With hindsight what it is I'd probably have preferred to hunt 2-3 point units 5 or 6 times over the years. But with 20 points there was no question where we were going to use them. If you do draw it I would highly recommend spending as much time as possible during the hunting season...but if you were limited to a certain number of days I would tell you to focus on the last week of the season.
Some of this I posted earlier or in my PMs to you. I only hunted 6 days (really only 5 since wind was bad one day all day). Saw probably 60 different bulls including 17 in one basin. Only saw 4 cows - in June. None during the hunt.
I hunted with a recurve my partner built. I think our two bulls were the biggest ones we saw but we saw a few in that same 350-370 category.
We each only shot one time and that was our only opportunity, but our hunt was really 8 days total, combined hunting.
Ditto Treeline's experience with the Quads. They were great to travel on, but elk absolutely didn't like them. They were even wary of ones traveling on the Boulevard, and they hear that daily. If one of the loud ones stopped, they bailed. If it kept going they all nervously "watched" the sound approach and pass by. Our smaller ATVs have after-market "stealth" mufflers installed and those didn't seem to bother the elk. We rode up on bulls a number of times. But those loud ones sure did.
I have seen bulls as big or bigger in each of the past 3 years in the zero point unit I now hunt. But like Tavis said, not very many or often. I should have killed a bull in the 350-360 range two of the past three years but just didn't quite happen. But I hunted those specific bulls, and didnt see bulls of that caliber nearly every day like it's possible to do in 2.
For a very experienced bowhunter with confidence and the ability to power through tough variables, it's a great hunt. For someone with less experience a muzzleloader or rifle might be a better bet to kill a "bull of your dreams".
BTW, Kurt, the "Obama tree" is still standing.. ;-)
Anybody have input on Units 10 and 201? Most of the responses seem to be on 2
This has been a great thread --thanks to all veterans and hopefuls alike for the contributions as I am trying to decide to how to best use my 19 points this coming year or maybe wait??? Unit 2, 10, or 201? The years passing so quickly make me uneasy! My wife drew the unit 10 hybrid tag for muzzleloader back in 2016 with 12 points. She just doesn't have the arm strength to shoot a bow so we were thrilled to get the opportunity to do this hunt while we still have the gumption and health to pursue elk. Besides I thought I would draw the archery tag the next year with 18 points so it was a great scouting trip to learn the area regardless of the outcome. We gave a valiant effort to make good use of this amazing tag, but we did not kill a bull, and that still hurts knowing at age 60, we will most likely not have this quality of hunt together again. That being said, it was one of the most fun and memorable hunts we have ever done together-- even though there were some frustrating moments for sure. Perhaps some of you can relate to how much time is sometimes needed just to get the gun set on the shooting sticks and finding the right bull in the menagerie of a rutfest? Or having a great bull at 80 yards broadside and the primer pops but no billow of powder-smoke to follow? Me yelling shoot! shoot! got me some real crusties--yes, we are still happily married by the grace of God but believe me there was pressure to tag a good bull. We saw many good bulls probably 20-30 that would score 300-320, but we were trying to find something bigger and that cost us in the end. There were four bulls that I thought would exceed the 350 mark, ( I always seem to over-estimate bulls on the hoof---even 320 bulls are incredibly majestic and amazing to me!) but we did not get close enough to make an ethical shot on any of these. There were always an abundance of cows and buglefests that made us shudder with bulls screaming down our necks, just yards away. You just get that kind of rut action in most over the counter units! Walking out with packs far too light from Moosehead Mountain that last evening with no meat or antlers , we contemplated the past week's events with hearts' brimming with thankfulness and disappointment mixed--- inexplicably fulfilled with the great hunt we had the privilege to experience together! Lord willing, there will be elk steaks, ivories and whale tails in 2018 or in the next couple years anyway--- hopefully before my shoulder can no longer draw the bow! Let me see now Unit 10 or Unit 2 hmmmm............at least i have narrowed it down to two!
Question for speculation: For the past couple years, Units 2 and 201 issue 10 licenses each for archery and ML. For Unit 10, they issue 15 for archery and 5 for ML. Curious if anyone has an idea for the difference in Unit 10.
10 reportedly has more elk. It also has more private. More elk, more hunters, more private, and a higher success ratio despite all that. Some report that the quality of bulls is less while some locals dispute that.
TL53: The '17 CPW stats are available online. If I'm reading them right, 6 of 10 resident archers drew unit 10 with 18 pts, so your chances of drawing it with 19, in 2018, are pretty good. In unit 2, 4 of 8 drew archery tags with 20 pts. 'Odds are that unit 2 is at least a couple years away for you. Good luck!
Timberline53 - What did you like and dislike about Unit 10?
Blade--There were a few negatives with unit 10, the worst being a couple incidents with other hunters that were very untimely. One grouse hunter took his dog right up on Moosehead Mtn and fired his shotgun repeatedly within a couple hundred yards of us at the most inopportune times when we were stalking a really nice tall bull. We never saw grouse the whole season so not sure what he was shooting at or why he was there--he passed us up on the trail before daylight?? Wondered why he couldn't hunt grouse in an over the counter unit--at least until the elk season was over--i guess he had every right but not very considerate and cost us a legitimate chance at the tall 330 type bull.
The other unfortunate incident happened when two sons and their dad roared around us in a jeep at first light as we were stalking what we figured was a 340 bull skylined on a ridge line. We had parked below on a lightly used road and were stalking the bull when the guys maneuvered around our truck and came flying up the road towards us. I flagged them down and asked if they would please give us five minutes to try and get to the bull. They said the dad had arrowed a bull the night before and were going to try and find him and they couldn't wait and chased off our potential shooter that was only 150 yards away near the road they went up! I guess that is what happens on public land that has a lot of roads crossing through prime elk country that has waterholes and wallows in close proximity. Many of the ponds had blinds that had been set by bowhunters weeks in advance of the season opener and were still there when we left at the end of season so that was frustrating--especially when there was not many other options for sitting water along the National Park boundary. We never saw the hunters--only gut piles! It is a bit frustrating to see great bulls in the Park and on the K ranch that are untouchable--i hear there may be a trespass fee of $15,000 or more to hunt the private land anyway but that is second hand info--we never checked into it or considered it$$$. The last gripe I have is really not a complaint at all but it is an issue---there were simply too many sub 300 and 320 bulls and cows getting in the way of our stalks on the bigger bulls! We were nearly run over several times in the tall sage! We still smile thinking how close we were to several bulls--could have reached out and touched them! Bulls trashing trees with their antlers within feet of us was almost scary! We did not see great genetics in the upper end bulls that we saw--I know picky picky-but 5x6s more common. in fact we had settled on a great bull that had a classic 350 plus left antler and the right antler swagged way low below his jaw line before swooping back and had only 4 points--badly deformed but he was a mature bull with a hereford like body and very cool looking.
Ok the positives---there is still lots of good elk country away from most of the roads if one is willing to hike a few miles. Some beautiful open country to glass--- almost always there were bulls alone or with harems in view somewhere which really kept the excitement level up. Even though we had the tough interactions with the other hunters I mentioned, we only saw a total of five bowhunters and no other muzzle loader hunters for the week+ we were there! That really makes for a quality hunt in my book.
in response to your post ColoBull i have checked the odds for Unit 10 on Hunters Trailhead and your info is correct! Should draw the archery tag for unit 10 with my 19 points and maybe in two years in Unit 2. I just figured 201 was too far out for me to wait for and we never know what all the fellas/gals that have 20 points plus will decide to do. It is scary how many of them/us are in the top tier--especially those applying for the rifle tags-- and if frustration with point creep will force them to try and draw the units requiring less points or different weapons even! It is ironic that I could have drawn the archery tag for unit 10 back when I only had 14 points--but I was bound and determined to hunt 201 so waiting may not have been wise. Thanks for the good luck wish--I may need it to draw if there are a bunch of crossovers!
Maybe we will meet up on mountain somewhere ColoBull--have you decided what you will do with your 21 points? I may wait Colorado out another year since it is so dry--- almost no snow so far(I don't know maybe the crazy mild winter is good if we get spring moisture), A buddy and I may hunt wyoming type 9 archery hunt in unit 38, 39, or 45--have 8 points up there and they have snow! You have other ideas for Wyoming since you have hunted there?
I’m considering Wyoming this year for elk myself. I am 1 point behind max. Have hunted 54 before. Like that area but may end up over in the bighorns. Less issues with the wolves and big bears over there
I hunted unit 2 twice, but it was a while ago. Some thoughts might still be relevant. I hunted it in '04 and again in '10, the first year of the hybrid draw. Both times I hunted Douglas Mt. Although I killed an elk both times on public land, I accessed those areas from the Walker ranch. It would have been difficult to get there without that access, and having it opens up more opportunities, not to mention the water holes on the ranch. I also camped on the ranch. With all the activity up there, I was more comfortable leaving an unattended camp on private ground, although I haven't heard of any problems.
After waiting so long for the opportunity, many hunters want to hold out for a monster bull. That's fine if that's all that will make you happy, and may be possible. But you might want to have more realistic expectations.
There would be no way I would even consider Moosehead Mtn for an area to shoot a big bull. Easy access, and very popular for hunters and non-hunters alike. IMO - Not the ingredients for using 18 PPs!
There are some good spots on the east side & west of Moosehead that are good, but its a hike. Maybe thats why they are good?
Just because its a high quality unit and it take a bunch of PPS, doesnt mean the elk are stupid.
I know where Id hunt in 10 if I went again...
View post on imgur.com
Ziek isn't the Walker Ranch charging a $5000 access fee now? Would really like to hear about your Unit 2 hunts on Douglas mtn.
TL53 - I've heard that occasionally you can run into people that say they're grouse hunting, as well as people out to spot and listen to the bugling, and others scouting for ML or rifle season and checking trail cams, or scouting for friends that are actively archery or ML hunting. In addition, I've been told of grouse hunters out to shoot their guns to try and move/spook elk and preserve them for ML or rifle season, especially when they spot large bulls. As you said, it's public land and we all have rights to use the property. Is it common to find blinds or trail cams at water holes that others have set up?
I don't know what Jimmy is charging now. My first year was before he took over managing the hunting. I paid Wanda directly. I think it was $300 back then. My second time was when Jimmy was just starting up, and we negotiated a reasonable price. I would certainly ask him if he allows paid hunters to be out scouting for their hunts while you are out bowhunting. Just because there are only a handful of archery tags, don't expect to be alone up there. There are bear hunts in progress, may be cow hunts, and guys scouting for upcoming hunts, and possible future hunts, etc. While I didn't see bowhunters doing this, and wasn't there during rifle hunts, I've heard most rifle hunters show up with all their friends. They're not shy about spreading out and communicating back and forth with what they're seeing. If Jimmy is restricting other activity while bowhunters are there, that would be worth considering.
It's also sad that Wanda is now gone. Part of the experience was visiting with her and listening to stories of her life up on the mountain.
Ziek, what years did you hunt?
Last year the WR trespass was $2500. Ziek has shared some of the reasons I've been considering it: Hunting the ranch itself, & easier access to bounding areas. Leaving camp with little if any concern. I haven't inquired about how much of the ranch is available for coyote camping. They also offered a $6500 guided "Monster Bull Hunt". One could assume some parts of the ranch might not be available for the trespass fee alone. I don't expect to bag a "Monster". I really don't care. I'll take what is offered. Having another great time with my boys - probably the best time they will have ever had, & perhaps me too - is enough for me. According to the Craig Daily Press, Wanda passed on Sept 13th, 2012. In the middle of archery season.
I would say that 98% of the elk/deer and bear hunter activity for archery and muzzle loaders was focused on Douglas Mountain this last year.
I saw the kid that drew on the hybrid archery tag with his dad camped and hunting north of Bear's Ears, and I know one other bowhunter that was hunting on the south west side of Bear's Ears.
There was also a camper set up south east of Bears Ears and another way north up toward Powder Wash that might have been a muzzle loaders - never saw anyone at either of them. The Raffle tag bull was hanging out east of Greystone in the rut.
I am not sure how many bowhunters, muzzle loader hunters, bear hunters, or lookie-loo's that Jimmy had on the Walker Ranch this year, but I do know that there were a bunch of people in there as well.
Up on Douglas Mountain, there are very few water holes that are not on private. I found quite a few water sources up north that are not on the maps or GPS and were on public land. There were elk far out in places that most would never expect - if there was a water source in the area, there were elk - even around the horses.
I was actually really surprised at how few antelope I saw. I think the horse population up there has gotten way out of hand and the horses are out competing the antelope.
Visiting with Dawn & Wanda at their cabin.
Visiting with Dawn & Wanda at their cabin.
Stone points I found during the hunt.
Stone points I found during the hunt.
Last pack trip out at dawn after being up all night.
Last pack trip out at dawn after being up all night.
Blade, I answered that in a previous post; '04 & '10.
Here are 3 photos that kinda sum up my '04 hunt in unit 2.
Ditto on making sure everything is detailed with Horton before you pay him. The PLO cow season starts in mid-August and you don't want to work around his Texas buddies rifle hunting during your hunt.
In 2013 he asked $3500 for trespass plus the cabin use. By the week before the season it was down to $1500. Like Ziek mentions, he has some great public access through his and Dawn's properties and a bunch of waterholes. As far as his character, not sure. We turned him in to the BLM and CPW for posting public land in two different spots, and he wasn't very happy with us for doing that. But the signs came down.
Awesome photos there, Mike! Love that picture of you packing out the head!
Ditto! I've heard that hunting the Ranch while Wanda was still there was quite an experience. I can only imagine the pressure of competing within today's outfitting framework. The need to balance experience vs cost & profitability must be difficult to contend with. This thread has been very insightful. Thanks to all for sharing what you can, and for using some discretion so as not to "feed the bears" ( all the looky-loos, muzzy & rifle hunters, their scouts & possibly disrupters). I've been imagining this hunt for a long time, and though some of my thoughts have been re-arranged, the dream is still alive! 'Can't wait to get up there on some scouting missions. If anyone is aware of other trespass fee or maybe PL base camp options, please feel free to PM me. I'm well aware that the actual hunting may take place miles away. Blade & I live close to each other and are planning to meet soon to speculate, strategize, & considering our options. There are a couple other Bow Site'rs in the mix as well.
Interesting reading here about the Horton/Walker trespass fee and sign issues. First yes I personally posted a no trespassing sign right beside the BLM sign that reads leaving the public ground. That BLM sign was not placed there by me and was erected there many years 40 plus years according to locals before I came along. Dale Skidmore (BLM) and Mike Swarro (Colorado Parks) both were in contact with me about this issue and Dale actually had to go out on site to verify the actual boundary location which indeed was not where the original BLM sign was posted (along with my sign) Dale erected a new BLM marker and we immediately moved the sign some 200 yards making a whopping 20 acres or so of land that the BLM originally posted now open to hunters. The place the sign was located on a cross fence is surrounded within a few yards to a couple hundred yards of Horton/Walker land on 3 sides. This was resolved and if Jaquamo turned us in no big deal we have never even seen an elk on that piece of land its just where the BKM sign was so I hung my sign on the same board right beside the BLM (an error on my part and the BLM) which is now resolved. I do not see many post on here from the hunters that have actually hunted the Walker Ranch and if any one is looking for the best ranch in unit 2 or the NW corner PM me and I will gladly send you several references from this year and years past. This year archery (2017) E. Schulz with a PLO archery landowner tag killed a 382 bull on one of our waterholes opening day. T Archdale took a nice 340 class bull 1st day he hunted with his bow. J Adams harvested a 350 + bull with his rifle. D Keesee took a 340 or so bull rifle. I Hochstetler hunting one of our waterholes shot the smaller of 2 bulls that were in front of him his bull scored 361-6/8 as the larger 380 + bull was a bit out of his range. One last thing there was a post that mentioned my character whom I have never met. Again I simply ask if you have interest in hunting the famous Walker ranch talk to my references and they will tell you the truth about the Walker ranch as many of our hunters have returned more than once with friends and family that drew tags after their hunts were over. God Bless and here is to a prosperous and happy new year in 2018 Hope all of you kill a whopper! Jimmy
Here is my unit 2 bull. 349 5/8th. Would like to bring it to the CBA banqet but it took 4 of us to get it into the back door and, then we broke some of the branches or decorations off of it. Can't get it into the back of my truck. Mathews Man thinks that I should have arrowed the big 5x5 with the white horns which was bigger. But, as I told him, it wasn't a 6x6. 18 yard shot.
I see that you mounted him next to the floor so that you'd have enough space for his antlers to keep from hitting the ceiling. Nice bull!
Blade, the room has a very high ceiling. I don't mind if people come over to look at my mounts. I am still missing my Mountain Lion, bull Bison and Mule Deer buck. I live in the Thornton area so feel free to call me to make sure that I am home and come over. I think that only 2 or 3 people on the Bowsite have ever seen my room since it was finished.
I have a friend in WY, near Elk Mtn, that lives in a mobile home and took a 7X7 and has it mounted on the floor in what used to be the dining area. His wife is just as proud of it, so it has stayed there and they built an addition for the dining room...the reason, because the bull is the first thing you see when you enter their home and it makes for a nice coat rack.
Bighorn, when did you hunt Unit 2 and why not the other units and you must have a good story to share about taking him.
Jimmy, yes, I did turn you in and we can disagree about the circumstances and how much land was posted. I haven't heard anything bad about your operation, which is why I recommend it to everyone who calls me about unit 2.
Good hunting,
Lou
Jimmy, just to clarify, I am looking at the BLM Canyon of the Lodore map right now and the "cross fence" sign you mention at the cattle guard on the Boulevard actually posted several thousand acres of BLM, heading 3 miles west all the way to Five Springs and Zenobia Peak, then north for another 5.5 miles of BLM. You also posted a public road. The "200 yards" you mention is to the closest BLM corner at the "flagpole", not the furthest. You border that on two sides for part of the way, and the Monument is the west border. I would have hiked right on in there and hunted some of the BLM waterholes your guys were paying to hunt but I didn't want the competition from them.
I also reported you for posting another BLM access on a public road below Douglas Mountain, which you don't mention in your post. You need to understand that everybody has GPS with chips now, so you can't pull those shenanigans anymore.
Blade, if you draw I'll show you how to get right into the heart of this area and to the waterholes without paying a dime.
'Interesting to see Jimmy chime in. 'Too bad that many of the important questions aren't addressed: How many hunters/other are expected/allowed during Archery season? Are rifle and muzzy scouts allowed on the ranch during Archery? When or is the Ranch available for "pre-season" scouting? Is the ranch otherwise closed to "non-fee" persons during the season. What are the rates for 2018? Are there limitations to access for the trespass fee vs guided monster bull hunt (How much of the ranch is open to/for the base trespass fee) ? There are probably a few other questions, but answers to those would address a few of the primary concerns that have me undecided. Getting some direct answers to these would go a long ways towards helping me/us decide. I/we would rather be moving ahead with our plans rather than contemplating/speculating these important issues.
Jaquomo - I see you were responding at the same time I was... Your input has been very much appreciated!
Unit 2 is typically a DIY unit and most of us here have been chasing that hunt for years. I personally have 25 points and trying like most to get a tag in 2. The Walker ranch is certainly not for everyone but is a great place for the following: 1) A resident that wants a base of operation and can hunt mostly weekends or come and go. If the hunter chooses the trespass/cabin combo he would have a bedroom in the cabin and could leave his clothing and gear so leaving and returning is much easier. 2) A hunter that does not have camping or an RV. The cabin has 5 bedrooms, showers, kitchen, generator & solar with a wood burning stove. Often the early season is hot and the shower is great. 3) The cabin is up on Douglas Mountain in the middle of elk, a hunter can leave camp an be in elk with a short walk or drive. Parts of ranch though are a good 30-minute ride on ATV or a bit longer in truck/jeep. 4) No additional kill fee for bulls 5) About 15 different water holes/springs for archery/blind hunting 6) 5 hunters per season max 7) lots of references available upon request archery, muzzle and rifle deer and elk with many of them return hunters 8) I am a hunter and truly desire for every other hunter in our unit to succeed on their hunt whether on the Ranch or off on BLM. I have assisted many hunters with advice as to where to hunt off the ranch and gladly do so. 9) After a hunter books, we allow the use of cabin and property access for scouting and blind building most any time. 10) No scouting by other weapons during archery, however, the total number of hunters per season (5 max) can include example 3 archery 2 muzzle but the muzzle can only scout pre archery and then we typically allow them back in couple days before their season starts to get set up. 11) The entire ranch that is located outside the boundaries of the Dinosaur National Monument is available 12) We typically only guide 1 or 2 hunters a year and where they hunt does not take preference over a trespass fee hunter. If a trespass hunter is set up somewhere or hunting a particular bull the guide and hunter would hunt elsewhere on the ranch we have plenty of country and early season waterholes. 13) Rates depend on trespass only, trespass with cabin or guided and then number of days. Most hunters do the trespass fee with cabin use and are allowed pre-season scouting and entire archery season to hunt. I can custom build a package. We have completely booked up last few years so if you have interest suggest start early with plans. My phone number is available on HuntersDomain web site if you call there Jennifer of I will usually answer and we can discuss any and all questions you may have. Thanks, Jimmy
I thought pretty hard about setting up access on the Walker Ranch with Jimmy. I had talked with him several times over the years that I had been in the running to draw my tag.
It does give you a great base to hunt out of and access to a number of areas that the elk use a lot. If you are travelling a long distance (from the front range or further) it can be worth a lot - saving you a lot of time and gas money running back and forth as well as having a decent place to stay rather dragging a camper up there. Also, it can be a great benefit to be able to drive fairly close to your elk when you get one down with the road systems on the ranch properties.
My decision not to go with a trespass fee on the ranch was based more upon my living less than 2 hours from the unit to be able to spend a decent amount of time scouting and hunting and a desire to hunt parts of the unit that fewer people ever venture into. I definitely had the experience of having vast country to myself - heck, I had several runs of over 4 days without even seeing another vehicle or lights and then they were oil field trucks or horse watchers.
I did see quite a few elk on the Walker Ranch scouting and hunting - some good bulls as well. There are number of different pieces of Walker/Horton ranch properties spread around on and off of Douglas Mountain and even up north of the Bear's Ears. Several of them back up to the Dinosaur National Monument that does not allow hunting and some monster bulls are possible coming in from there during the rut. The elk move on and off and it would have been advantageous to have had access on or across this property to get to elk.
I would say that you will miss out on a lot of the Unit 2 experience if you do go this route because you will be focused more on hunting the Walker Ranch property that, although is pretty large, is only a very tiny corner of a vast chunk of NW Colorado. There are bulls in several corners of this unit that die of old age and never get seen by hunters...
You can work around private property with a GPS and something like the OnX chip, but it does get very tedious and can make for a very, very long pack out.
You don't have to go the route of hunting on Walker's, but it is definitely not a bad way to go and worth considering.
Thanks for the update Jimmy.
As I said, I've hunted there twice. If either my wife or I get lucky in the draw, I will definitely be in touch again. Price is always a concern, but there is certainly value in having access to/through the ranch properties. Jimmy is also a great resource for the area for those that have limited elk hunting experience or limited opportunity to thoroughly scout the area.
As far as missing out on much of the unit 2 experience by paying for access to the Walker ranch; that cuts both ways. Unit 2 is huge. It may be better to pick an area and learn it thoroughly rather than trying to run to every corner. That takes time, and what you see while scouting may not be what you get during the season. I've never heard anyone say after hunting the ranch, they wouldn't jump at the chance to do it again.
I hunted the ranch a year when it was only me and Ziek on there. He tagged out first week? and I had it to myself for 20days of hunting. Fantastic experience. a bazzillion elk.
And Jimmy was a great guy to deal with on all counts.
Blade, I hunted Unit 2 in 2015. Since my son lives in Meeker, he wanted to hunt Unit 2. I didn't care, just wanted to hunt with him. We were about 40 yards apart and I could hear bugling. So, I used my Hyper Hot and down from the hill came a few cows and this big 5x5 who's horns looked white. I watched him and counted this points but didn't shoot. After they left my son comes over and asked me why I hadn't taken the the 5x5. I told him it wasn't a 6x6. He couldn't believe that I didn't take him. The same thing happened a couple nights later. Same situation, heard bugling, used my Hyper Hot and down the hill they came. He had 4 cows with him. I counted his points and looked at his rack and decided to take him. He was about straight at me with his head down getting a drink so I pulled back and waited for him to turn left or right. He quickly turned to his right to take off and I let it fly. I knew that I hit him pretty good but it was getting dark fast. I have a picture of him laying in the brush but it's on my cell phone. I don't think that I have ever told anybody how it all happened. His horns are a lot heavier in weight than they may look. I think that my son, Kevin (bad karma), the taxidermist and my friend Tammy who scored him are the only ones to see my bull in my room on the pedestal that I made.
I've known Jimmy Horton for over 10 years and he's an honest, stand up guy and great friend. A book could be written on the things he's done for the Walkers. Yes, it's more expensive to hunt there now but Dawn and the family deserve it and the elk hunting in my opinion is the best in the state. In fact I'd take a unit 2 tag and hunt the Walker Ranch over any tag in the country. The history, landscape, access from the cabin and like Kirby says a bazillion elk make it priceless. I was standing on a knob during the October rifle season this fall with Jimmy overlooking 30 bulls and 50 cows in rutted mayhem and it was just incredible. You don't get to see that in many places. Last thought is 99 pct of guys or gals that hunt the ranch leave with an incredible experience and calling Jimmy a friend.
Bighorn, It's interesting to hear the stories that go along with the animal and to share the memories.
My friend Kelly came out the last weekend (only chance he would help me) and we trailed 3 giants for 9 miles on gps- they had 3 cows which was the largest grouping of cows I saw in 28 days hunting. He hit his cow call just trying to see if they were still moving and in the flats the bull I was after was coming just behind some cedars, he stepped out from behind a cedar at 41 yards, I was at full draw and all I had was his head/neck and front leg as a shot. He turned and no ethical shot. 21 years waiting was worth that moment. That 7X7 was over a 400" bull- my buddy here in Meeker the same year shot his #2 target bull in Unit 10 with archery, and his scored 379" net bull looks pretty small compared to the bull we were on.
I passed on lots of opportunities I would have taken any usual year bowhunting elk if it were not on this draw tag. Larry Solace let me hunt his place and there were some un-hunted monsters in there. I probably could have sat next to his stock tank and killed a 370 bull, but that would not have been much of a hunt.
Next year hopefully a friend draws his non-resident rifle tag up there and I can help him, he should draw now with 28 PP's, but with only 1 tag, who knows.
Here is a field pic of dads bull
Trail cam pic of one of the small bulls I had water at 18 yards- same spot Lou and Mike killed theirs at.
Once dad killed, the waterhole hunting was shot. There were a pile of bears on his gutpile/carcass and elk would hang up and bark but only water after dark. So we moved. I should have shot this little fart. I had a bear tag and started seeing more bears than elk.
Thanks for reminding me of a question because of your picture and comment. Is Unit 2 a good area for bear and trophy mule deer and antelope?
Deer is not as good as the points it takes to hunt it. Antelope back in the early to mid-80's was as good as it got, WR was killed there. With the decrease in Cattle and Sheep, the stock tanks and water combined with the darn wild horses everywhere has had a significant impact on Pronghorn numbers. Occasionally see a decent one still though.
The bear draw tags can be an issue to bowhunters. Of course, if you draw a limited bear rifle tag, it is one of the only rifle tags you can bowhunt and not have to wear orange. I had a tag, and had several nice bears I could have harvested, however I was focused on the large Elk and I've taken numerous archery bears in Colorado so I did not want to spend the time or effort taking away from my elk hunt. Like all Colorado Bowhunting, once you have a dead elk on the ground, you can count on seeing bears.
Dang, Scott! I have never had a bear come in on a dead elk for me! Probably have had 30 tags and never see bears. They hate me.
Most of the bears I have killed were on a seep where they would water out of a treestand. I killed my first bear on a deer carcass the same day I killed my deer after I had removed all of the edible meat that same afternoon.
Thanks for posting the picture Scott. Only thing it didn't show the arrow hold in his lungs. I had a bear tag but didn't hunt for one because I wanted to keep my scent out of the area so that the elk would come back to Scott. That bear chewed up my game camera but at least we got a picture of it. The neatest thing about our elk hunt in Unit 2 was having my son sitting 40 yards away so that he could see everything too. I remember watching him from a hilltop arrow his bighorn sheep. I jumped up and gouged my head on a limb when it fell. Nothing better than hunting with your kids.
Okay, I’ll throw this out there. Coming from out of state and you only have a 7 days to hunt. You have the points to draw and the resources to hire a guide. What unit would you choose 2 or 201? Also what outfitter would you hire and why? Archery of course!
JD
2. Would talk to Raftopolis and Jimmy and make a decision from there. Probably go with the access on The Walker Ranch and hunt the last week.
With unlimited financial resources and only 7 days I would lean toward a 1:1 on Raftoupolis in unit 2 during the last week, assuming a guided hunt is what you want. They'll be watching the bulls and have them located before you arrive. It won't be cheap, but a lot less $ than someplace like White Mountain or Jicarilla down south.
Lou, that may be the better route. Especially if a guy has little elk hunting experience. Hard for me to even consider paying that much for hunting an animal that I can hunt every year in multiple states for the price of a tag, though.
Do you know anyone that has hunted with Raftopoulos?
The Walker ranch offers fully guided packages for archery 5 to 9 days hunters choice but almost all of our archery hunters are DIY and they actually kill plenty whoppers without a guide. We get you lined up with maps of the better water holes and from there it is, sit and wait if you are a waterhole hunter. If you have access to any map that shows water you will notice that the Walker has more huntable waterholes in unit 2, 10, 201 than any other private landowner. This is what makes it the perfect place for an archery hunter to tag a once in a lifetime bull. If a hunter must have a guide we can provide you with an experienced archery hunting guide that has hundreds of hours of on the ground involvement at the ranch and surrounding BLM areas. Hunters that have not actually stepped foot in the NW corner are often surprised by the arid conditions and some do not realize it is basically desert mountains. These conditions are exactly what creates the perfect habitat for the Walker Ranch; because, Dawn has an abudance of springs and ponds and there are very few waterholes out on the public.
Here are 2 bulls that were taken in unit 2 with John Raftopolous. The one on the left was my buddy, rifle in 2006 and my bull on the right was 2003 archery taken at 7 yards. John was awesome and back then we were allowed to hunt Wandas land for $250 I believe and we did. I killed mine off Douglas mountain blvd. on public land. I helped another buddy in unit #10 in 2005 and it was a great hunt as well but you had better get real good with your gps because there are good spots that are next to private that you want to be aware of. I will say after hunting these units there was somewhat of a "hangover" the following years hunting my normal otc areas.
If you pay the trespass fee on Walker you won't need a guide unless you want someone to call for you. You won't have any trouble finding good bulls to hunt. Closing the deal is the trick.
OTOH, if you are serious and can draw this tag, you need to figure out a way to get more than 7 days to bowhunt it. Trade shifts, save up vacation, negotiate with your boss or wife, whatever it takes.
Jdan, I have followed this entire thread with great interest, and in my opinion the last post of Jaquomo is the most important piece of advice in the whole thread. You can have a great hunt in any of the northwest units whether you go DIY, tresspass fee or fully guided, but please try any thing you can think of to give yourself more time. Archery elk hunting is never easy, [even up there] and you owe it to yourself to make the most of this opportunity. Good luck!
It's so true....you would hate to rush that hunt. Be selective, enjoy the crazy bull to cow ratio and when the right opportunity comes along take advantage.
Nesser, any guess on what the bull:cow ratio might be?
I don't know but it's absolutely the highest bull to cow ratio anywhere I've seen.
Where we hunted, it was roughly 16 bulls for every cow.....
There is a very interesting comprehensive management plan for that entire DAU available on the CPW website. It shows population trends, goals, bull-cow ratios, etc... Of course, that bull-cow ratio varies wildly within the unit in different areas, but it will give you a good idea of the overall picture.
That renews an interesting point. As already mentioned here, early cow tags might be a concern. 1,2,10 & at least a few others had early rifle cow tags in 2017. The season began Aug 15th, 10 days before Archery, and ran through October ( so - ALL of archery). Unit 201 is the only unit that didn't have those tags. If I had the points, I'd consider 201 over 2 for that reason alone. All of those units also had rifle bear tags for roughly the last 3 weeks of archery, something that has always confounded me.
Unit 1 and 10 early "late" cow tags are for private land only, unit 2 tags are valid on public land but only in a portion of the unit
As an NR that dreams of the day that I have enough points to draw one of these units, this thread has been great (but I know due to point creep I may never get to taste the carrot at the end of the stick). For me hearing the tales and seeing the photos of guys who've had the opportunity to draw the coveted tag continues to feed the passion I have for chasing elk. I love the sharing of information and advice on this truly treasured resource and a thread like this is a great reminder of why I purchase points and decide to hunt OTC. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has posted. I may never draw these units, but just learning about the different terrain, obstacles, and of course huge bulls is pretty awesome and I am grateful of everyone who has shared their knowledge.
I know I posted this elsewhere, but here it is again. A bull that a friend of mine took in 201, in 2016 Archery. He drew with 21 pts , and hunted DIY, public land, with help from a couple friends. As he put it - "Truly the hunt of a lifetime. Our record was seeing 37 bulls in one day, followed by 20. But they’re not pushovers, and really don’t come into calls. So getting in range is a bit of a trick. You really have to expand your technique repertoire. Also, expand your shooting range. A lot of the elk are out in the open, so you may be taking longer shots than you’re used to. I got mine at 57 yards.
Physically, it’s a pretty easy hunt. Roads are everywhere, and the most elevation I gained to get on top was 400 feet. Of course, do that 3-5 times chasing bulls up and down the hills gets a bit tiring…"
My partner's bull from Unit 2
I like this view from the rear
I like this view from the rear
My bull from unit 2. As of 2014 they were the two biggest bulls entered into P&Y with trad bows from any of those units (1-2-201-10). Both shot with 53# recurves my partner built. We may have killed bigger if we'd hunted longer, but they were big enough and close enough...
Congrats to the hunters, GREAT BULLS, gets a guy excited about the opportunity to hunt such a quality area. I appreciate the input, unfortunately for me not much I can do about the max 7-8 days to hunt. Also I’m coming from out east and will be alone so I figure a guided hunt is my best option. I’ve waited a long time for this, I now need to decide which unit and who to book with...
Here's the result of my hunt - 22 points and 13 days of hunting DIY up there on public land. Spotted him at about 1 1/2 mile out, dropped off the mountain and followed the herd for 2.6 miles, finally got the shot at about 25 yards by pulling him in close with a couple of cow calls.
It'd be interesting for those of you who have harvested an elk in the NW units to share the story behind it all, if you haven't already, and for those who have hunted the units but didn't bring an animal down, to share your hunt also.
seeing those pictures again tells the story, i'm ready to go now. Have 5 months to see what happens in the draw.
Yup. Those pics are worth a thousand words, and bring back many, many memories! It's gonna be a long wait. At least any scouting trips will pay off eventually. Only 226 days until the season opens... Any opinions on GPS mapping? I have the 5-7 year old Garmin program that came with my last upgrade.
"Also, expand your shooting range. A lot of the elk are out in the open, so you may be taking longer shots than you’re used to."
Or you could just use a rifle to REALLY increase it. But seriously, that is not any more true than hunting anywhere. What IS true is that if you start shooting at 60 yards, you'll never know if you could have had a 20 yard shot. Accept bow hunting for what it is, and enjoy that experience.
Here's a picture for those of you who don't think there are many cows in 201. :) The picture shows about 1/3 of the total number of elk in the herd.
I have seen several post about early cow tags but unless Colorado State changes the unit 2 regulations most of the western half of the unit (where the Walker Ranch is located and Douglass Mountain) DO NOT have an early cow season with the exception of a very limited muzzleloader cow hunt. So that is not a problem. This is exact info from 2017 Regs 2•, 3•, 11• Aug. 15–Oct. 31 Early Cow E-F-003-E1-R C •2, 3 and 11 huntable area bounded on N by Moffat CR 4; on E by CRs 7, 21, 19 and Yampa River; on S by U.S. 40; on W by Twelve Mile Gulch, Yampa River, Little Snake River, CRs 75 and 66. In unit 10 and 1 there is only an early PRIVATE land only cow and no early in 201 unless i am overlooking something in the regulations. But up on our side of the unit to my knowledge we have never had an early cow hunt. JImmy
Here are a couple videos from the Walker now I am no video guy but you'll get the message. Go to youtube and search HuntersDomain 400 Thanks
Jimmy, Thank you for the clarification. That's why I used the term "might be a concern". It's very helpful to have someone familiar with the area & boundaries to help explain what the regs are saying. Those are some great video's! Thanks again. Sending you a PM.
Early cow hunts vary from year to year. On my first Unit 2 hunt in '04, Wanda had some cow rifle hunters on the ranch during archery. I ran into them a few times riding ATVs, rifles visible and no hunter orange being worn. That was before Jimmy's time, but those hunts can always be reinstated. If my memory is correct, they were depredation tags issued for problems on the lower ranch but useable anywhere. That's why I mentioned asking about it several posts back. Better to be informed than surprised.
We had an issue with a couple PLO cow hunters "straying" off the private and blowing up a bedding area. Those elk never came back. Those units are so huge and remote that the CPW really can't do anything except respond to a call (if you can find cell service) and it may be a day or two before Mike can get up there. So you just have to hope everyone is following the rules.
Want opinion: The 2018 Archery elk runs from 8/25 - 9/23 while 2019 runs several days later from 8/31 - 9/29. Does the 6 days make enough of a difference that you would wait until 2019 to hunt as it is may be more likely to experience the full rut, and possibly improve odds of harvesting? I know there are some other considerations to take into account but recognizing all of them, which year would you choose, or does it matter?
Not sure that it matters.
The later you hunt, the greater the chances of busted up antlers. You'll have more bugling and rutting action but that doesn't necessarily translate into better odds of success. I'm with Treeline. We killed our bulls in the first six days.
Same thought as both of you and that the time before the rut might be easier, in one aspect, that you're not having the difficulty of separating a herd bull/larger bulls from the cows and avoiding that many more eyes of detection.
Other than Raftopoulus & Walker Ranches and Chris Jurney as an outfitter, is there anyone else who ranches or outfits in the NW units?
Other than Raftopoulus & Walker Ranches and Chris Jurney as an outfitter, is there anyone else who ranches or outfits in the NW units?
Mike, I'm trying to get my files better organized. Here's the first of a couple others I've come across : behrmanoutfitting - "SPECIAL DRAW HUNTS... "It is very tough to draw these specail elk hunts ( Units 1, 2, 10, 201)...."
I think there is an outfitter for those units who lives near Hayden
Two others - not sure where they are out of: co-outfitters.com westelkoutfitters.com,...
Any good meat lockers that process elk in Craig, Steamboat or Meeker?
Meeker has H&H as well as Perky's Processing Plants. Brother's is also a good one in Craig.
Have you had any experience with any of them?
One thing I learned is that the license quota isn't determined until May which means that if you're applying for a license, with a deadline of April 3rd, it's a little like applying in the dark and that you're relying on previous years results to determine the likelihood of your success to draw. It may or may not make a difference in your decision, but 1 or 2 less licenses in these units has a significant impact.
Blade- all of them. All are great.
We had great luck with H&H. I just hung my quarters for a few days and they were super to work with. My hunting partner had his all processed and they did a nice job.
What's more important than license quota is the number of high-point holders lying in the weeds, deciding to apply this year.
True- I have a contact that I'm expecting to draw this year for Non-Resident Rifle. 28 PP's should have him at the top of the pile.
The year we drew we had a couple friends who were one point back, who were "sure" they were going to draw. They didn't count on those of us who had enough points and waited to apply until the time was right for us to hunt. I'm betting more and more older rifle hunters who are still 2-4 points away will start dumping them on archery, then will go to Wal Mart and "get ready to hunt". I know of a couple who have done that in the past four years. More will do it as they realize their elk hunting days are dwindling.
Elk should be doing fantastic up here in the NW corner, we've had as minimal of a winter as possible so far.
This has been a great thread. I have enjoyed the stories.
I shot with a guy on Saturday at the Meeker Sportsman's 3D shoot that had 19 points, I did not want to break it to him that he is going to still be in for a long wait to draw a 2 Archery Bull Tag. He works up in the unit and probably already knows it better than most- but I'd guess he does not draw for another 5-7 years being at 19 Resident points.
Mathews Man, you are making me sad. Sitting with 20 this year but looks like low odds of drawing this year especially with all those sitting on 20+. Think there were 6 people that didn't draw with 20 last year that will be sitting on 21 this year. Guess it depends if they all put in for 2 again. If point creep jumps up another point this year, make take 21 to 22 to draw. Some day have to run out of all those with big points saved up? May require a 4 wheel drive wheelchair to get around by the time the draw hits. After seeing Treelines mount, makes you salivate to hit one of the trophy areas.
I was just looking at the preference point edition of Colorado Outdoors. In the back it lists herd population estimates for all the elk herds in the state. Unit 2 & 201 is listed as 860 total elk, with a bull to cow ratio of 22 bulls to 100 cows. Seems a bit odd. Unit 10 is listed as 3900 total elk, with 65 bulls per 100 cows. I'm never the smartest guy in the room, but after looking at all the elk and bulls at moosehead mountain, and stuntz ridge in unit 10 that is where I would put in. Sometimes things get over analyzed.
I counted 47 bulls on the moosehead bench a few years ago in one evening.
10 sounds better from the numbers and draw odds. I would definitely not feel shorted in any of the NW units - 1, 2, 10, or 201.
The massive herd reduction efforts the past 13 years seemed to have worked....I think that bull-cow ratio estimate for 2-201 is whacked, though. I would believe 65-100. Maybe the aerial counts don't include the ones that winter in WY?
I have a friend who killed a 380+ gross with rifle in unit 10 two years ago. Bigger than any bull we saw or cammed in 2.
Really stinks that CPW is still pounding the elk up there with all the cow tags, Lou. It is certainly not what it used to be in that country but there are still a few good bulls. They need to start shooting the horses to allow native game to come back in a huge chunk of that country.
Agreed way to many Horses in northwest Colorado...
A friend here in Meeker killed an archery bull in 10 that was the smaller of 2 bulls he was targeting, the same year we hunted Unit 2 which was 2015. He had a P&Y measurer here measure his bull but never submitted it- net score was 379+ change on the 8ths. Top 6 all time bull for Colorado- the guys around here though don't seem to be involved with the "City Bowhunters Association" as they refer to it. The bull he was after was shot the last day or Muzzy season a 411" bull. There are a couple out here that push 400", But, I assume they are like the 260" Mule Deer we have around here, you can see them but generally they don't get harvested for whatever reason during the seasons.
I went ahead and applied my 22 points to a unit 2 rifle tag. Only time will tell if this is the year.
With the new IPAWS system, you have until april 3rd to second guess yourself and change your app if you want too. Ain't that cool! I am going to loose sleep myself until the deadline and I only have two points.
If I had 22 points, I would second guess until the last minute. Good Luck!
Sounds like herd size in 10 is quite a bit higher than 2/201, does that make it more difficult to get into good size bulls? Is 10 about 50% private including Dinosaur. Might have to reconsider/second guess changing my app. With 20, probably have a good chance at 10
Mathews man I would be curious if you have any proof of your claims of a 411 bull coming from unit 10? I spend tons of time in that unit and also unit 2. To say there are legitimate 400 bulls walking around everywhere in these units just isn’t true. I know of 2 that came from unit 2 in the last 10 years that were legit. Unit 2 typically produces much bigger bulls then 10. There are more elk in unit 10 but trying to weed through all the smaller bulls to find a 350+ is not easily done. I know the person that claimed to kill a 380 bull from 10 during archery and when it was scored it fell quite short of 380. I know the official measurer in meeker that scored it. If anybody seriously wants a home nest account of the quality just ask Russ Behrman of Behrman outfitting. They kill the biggest bulls in these units every year and don’t have to advertise.
Measurer was Greg Glascow.
Fact; the CPW lists unit 2 average bull taken at 308" I'd avoid hunting there.
no where on any hunting stats are scores for elk ever listed.
Fact; There are not 400 inch bulls and 260 inch deer running around everywhere!
Correct, but there are a small handful up here in NW Colorado.
The regional hunt guides actually do list the scores and quality for elk- In this GMU they clearly state the average harvest is approximately 308"- not sure where they derive that information but it is what they publish.
how would they know there is no way they measure every bull killed in the unit. Heck they can't even age a bighorn correctly so I would take the scores with a grain of salt even if they did score all the bulls killed in the unit.
Hard to believe this thread has now hit 200!
Yee Haw!
My advice on these units as a local from Craig that spends tons of time in these units every year is that unit 10 does have more elk then the others but most will be below 300 class bulls with some 320 to 330 bulls but very few that are bigger then that. Unit 2 doesn’t have quite as many elk but the quality is better then unit 10. If a guy really wants a 350+ bull or bigger then unit 2 is more likely to produce that. Almost all the big bulls I know that were killed in the unit were taken north of the highway also. From my experience this is where I have seen the biggest bulls out in the Northwest Corner. Unit 201 produces several 360+ Bulls every year and even 1 or 2 380+ giants every year. The downfall to unit 201 is it of course takes the most points to draw.The ones I know of are usually killed by CJOutfitters. Unit 1 is just a tough unit and the elk are either there or not. I know one of the guides hunted it a few years ago and they know the area like their own backyard and hunted hard all rifle season and only pulled a 320 bull out of there. He said they hunted their butts off too for it. I have asked Chris Journey about unit 1 also and he said he doesn’t recommend it either. If a guy was looking into a guided hunt in one of these units I would highly recommend either Russ Behrman with Behrman outfitting or Chris Journey with CJOutfitters. They both produce the biggest animals every year. A lot of people don’t know Russ Behrman because they don’t advertise. His reputation speaks for itself. I knew a few years ago some of his hunts were close to 10 years out on waiting list for him. Anyways that is my input and I would recommend someone who wants to know more to call and talk to either of those outfitters as they will back up what I just said.
Treeline, it's good to hear from you again, and yes, 200 is amazing. When I started this thread/topic, I never thought it would even get 20 responses since there are so few licenses given out. But, the willingness to share info from you and other veteran hunters of the 3 units and those who have scouted them has been amazing and very beneficial for those of us who are wishing to have our turn to hunt them. I know these GMU's have been discussed many times before over the years, but none have had as much participation and information provided in a single thread as this. When responses got to 100, I wondered how much further it would last. It has "stalled" a couple times since then but it keeps getting revived because of the ongoing interest in those NW units. Now, after reaching 200, I wonder the same.
Nwcoloradoelkaddict: thanks, good overview. i'm sure 10 would be thrilling hunt due to the numbers of elk. Since i'm not in a hurry to hunt, will go PP this year and think about starting to put in for 2 next year. Had dinner with Treeline and his wife in November (Wonderful people) and thoroughly enjoyed his reflection on hunting 2 and elk hunting in general. He did work very hard for his trophy bull. the best thing about this string and the bowsite in general is the learning that can be picked up from the "experts". Makes you want to go out and start hunting now but will look forward to scouting some new over the counter areas in NW CO this summer.
There was a lot of knowledge and experiences shared from those who have hunted these units...and...lots of anticipation for those applying for these units. With the draw completed, several people have asked to review this topic.
Hello all from Paonia---Have drawn my long awaited unit 10 archery tag (19 years) but am contemplating turning the tag back in due to of all things a right shoulder injury from moving heavy pipe here in our orchards. I can tolerate the pain but can barely draw my bow right now---not asking for sympathy but really advice on just how marginal this season might actually be with the drought up in the northwest corner. Our lower elevation sage and juniper is super dry here in the Paonia area with the worst drought in history---- one irrigation canal is already off and the others will be out of water the end of the month. There have been some heavy thunderstorms here and there but we desperately need the monsoons to refresh this parched landscape so the apple and peach crop will not dry up on the trees! Does anyone know just how severe the conditions are in the northwest units are and if the antler growth is suffering badly? I was thinking the mild winter might compensate for the lack of moisture for browse since the elk most likely emerged from winter in great shape, but maybe the severity of the drought is too much to overcome? Thanks for any insights!
Timberline, the only way I’d turn that tag in is if you can’t shoot, the bulls are just fine, plenty of feed, horn growth is looking as good as any year.
Timberline, Sorry to hear about your shoulder, and you will obviously have to make any decision related to that on your own. As far as the situation in the Northwest units, I don't think you should be overly worried about it. The northern half of the western slope did much better than the southern half as far as last winter's snow was concerned. I made one trip up there so far this summer, and it didn't look any different to me than it usually does. It's dry country in any year. I am enclosing a picture of a bull that I took on May 31st of this year that was obviously not suffering from any lack of nutrition. I saw other bulls that looked to be well on their way to being very impressive. I also saw a picture from the last two weeks of an excellent bull that looked like he was on track to be very big in another month. Feel free to PM me if you like.
It appears the antlers were pretty well formed before the hot & dry arrived. I HAVE read (as it appears many have ) that weather can affect antler growth & overall rack symmetry. I'm no elk biologist - it would be interesting to hear what months typically influence antler growth the most (& least). 'Seems late spring - early summer would be the primary focus? 'Bummer on the injury - I'd be inclined to wait another year on a Colorado "hunt of a lifetime"... unless it come around in a few days, or a week at most...???
The NW Corner has had a good year for moisture. Pretty amazing the difference between the north half of the state versus the south half this year. Wyoming is in great shape.
We were getting pretty crispy up until the day before yesterday. ~2" since. Famine & feast...
Thanks so much for the responses! --sounds like the drought is not as bad in the northwest corner as I had feared. Shot my bow four times last night and was dead on so gaining ground....but crazy painful. Such a bummer and humbling as my shoulders were once my strength ..... but seeing those photos of those great bulls Brun, I will persevere even if I have to shoot with my release in my teeth! Saw some hunting video of one of the "greats" shooting that way when his shoulder blew out--don't remember who it was but I guess it eventually happens that we just can't draw a sixty pound bow at sixty years old--sure thought it would come later--guess I better use this tag before the ol' carcass falls apart! It will be incredible just to be there...
Take it easy on that shoulder and don’t over do the practice.
If you’re not careful, you may hurt it worse and need surgery to fix it. I learned the hard way a few years back!
It may help to drop the draw weight 5 or 10 pounds. You’ll still have way plenty for killing an elk with any modern compound.
Good luck and be sure to post up pics and a recap!
I agree with Treeline. Even dropping 3-5 pounds of draw weight can make a difference, and you will have plenty of time to adjust to any new flight issues. Also agree you shouldn't shoot too much. I know unit 10 pretty well and might be able to give you a couple of ideas of spots that don't get as much pressure as Moosehead if you are interested. Good luck, you're going to have a great time.
Just got back from a couple scouting days in Unit 2 learning the lay of the land. Did not focus on spotting elk but did see a few bulls on private and public land. Had abbreviated glimpses of a few but the best 3 will probably be in the 320 - 330 range and still in full velvet. Talking to a couple ranchers and cowhands, it has been dry but the elk are doing well with adequate spring water still. Also saw a few muley bucks with a couple in the 160-170 range and still in velvet. Did some predator calling (didn't take gun this time) and 2 coyotes responded within 50 yards, and then I relocated and changed to fawn distress call and had 2 does and one cow elk come within a couple hundred yards. Weather consistently in 90's but slightly cooler forecasted with some rainstorms with one small storm occurring during our trip with about .05. inches. No doubt, water holes are the key ingredient.
I decided to use my points for a rifle tag and was rewarded with an area 2 tag. So I have started to reach out to past hunters and also local people that have experience up there.
Good luck to all
Now that the 2018 big game seasons are completed for these units, please share any new info or updates to the archery, muzzleloader and rifle seasons. This topic has been beneficial with this years harvest by some of us and has also provided info in preparation for hunting these units in the future. Since this topic started a year ago with researching these units, then applying for a license, followed by applicant results, then planning and scouting and ending with the hunt...it'd be interesting to finish the full year with info on both the successful and unsuccessful hunts and any comments and details.
I wanna know who grabbed the unit 10 muzzleloader bull tag that showed up on the re-issue list this year.
Blade, I drew an Archery tag this year for 201. I had a great time chasing Bulls everyday for 17 days that I spent afield in this unit. I saw bulls that ranged from small bulls (under 300) to about 5-7 bulls that would have scored over 350 and 2 bulls that would have scored in or around 370-380. I was not successful in filling my tag, however I did enjoy chasing and seeing quality bulls for the entire 17 days. The weather this bow season was terrible for hunting in that area, pretty much every day as in the 88-92 degF range with the mornings around 55-60 degF. Once the sun came up, it warmed up real quick and everything ran for the nearest shade, plus the rut never took off. I had a few opportunities at small bulls (300 or under) and took one shot at a bull that would have been in the 370-380 range from about 58 yrds. This was certainly out of my range (I shoot a recurve) however the setup was to my advantage (or so I thought), the arrow flew right over his back. In any case 201 is certainly worth the wait if you have the patience
Very similar experience that 1 bowhunter, and another ML and myself (ML) had in Unit 2. The bowhunter stayed on a pond for almost 20 days and saw elk everyday but nothing meeting his goal until the 3rd Saturday when he harvested a big 6x6. The other ML and myself harvested our bulls on the last Saturday and Sunday and prior to that saw only a few bulls that wouldn't have been more than 300. Regardless, all 3 of us took our bulls while sitting over water which was driven by the heat and drought conditions. We had the same issues with the weather and delayed rut. Did the fire in 201 affect your hunt? Did you see any other hunters?
the fire did not affect my hunt at all, it was further east of where I hunted. I saw in total about 5 hunters, 2 that were road hunting and 3 that came walking out of the hills as we were coming down late morning. The hunting pressure was non-existent. I did run into the local game warden about 3-4 times during my 17 days. He was very polite and showed us pictures of bulls that he had seen in units 2 & 201
In 10 I experienced tough bow hunting I assume due to the heat until about ML season then everything changed drastically. From then until Sept 23 when I harvested my bull it was absolute rutting mayhem. By far and away the best elk hunting I’ve ever seen.
What area in the unit? Spot and stalk or hunting over water? Any details on the shot and size of the bull? Were there some areas better than the others? How many points did you use?
K Creek and Stuntz area. Several close calls using spot and stock. I ended up calling in the bull I shot from about a half mile away for a 23 yard shot. He is a 6x6 I’m guessing to be in the 310-320 range. I saw several in the 330-340 range. I saw a few that were quite a bit bigger than that. I had 19 points in the draw. Unlike some of the nay sayers from earlier posts IMO the number and quality of elk in the NW units is very special.
Any reasons why you chose Unit 10 vs 2 or 201?
For me it came down to herd numbers, Archery success rates, and being able to draw the tag a little sooner than the other two. Also I had much time in the unit scouting and the quality and number of bulls I was seeing sealed the deal for me. At the end of the day it wouldn’t matter which of the four NW units you hunt, if you are willing to put in the work it would be the hunt of a lifetime.
Blade, do you have pics of your bull. what area in the unit did you and the other guys get the bulls? Thinking i might have a shot at 2 next year.
This is a picture of my rifle kill in Area 2. Easily the most fun I have ever had on an elk hunt in my life.
Nice bull! Hope you can share about the hunt, hunting conditions, general location, size of the bull, etc...thanks for the picture
Greetings to the Bowsite family! I am writing to relive in my own mind and share with you all, perhaps a bit too lengthy recap of the best archery elk hunt of my life that happened in unit 10 this past fall. As has been mentioned in previous posts, the weather was unusually hot and dry the first couple weeks of the archery season up in northwest Colorado, and the bulls were still in bachelor herds, the best of buddies, offering no challenges and very few bugles! I began to question my wisdom on keeping the coveted tag on this unsettling quiet and dry archery season, when..... Something hit the bugle switch on September 7 as my oldest son Noah and I were on Roundtop mountain where a giant 360 type bull was screaming at his rivals. We had the time of our lives watching the bull drive off lesser bulls and make his best attempt to keep his 50 plus cows together. As if he knew better, the bull charged back and forth staying 230 yards onto a narrow strip of private land that kept us from being able to stalk this heavy wide magnificent 6 point herd bull that disregarded our pleading cow calls and bugles! We watched this grand show for almost five hours just hoping we could pull the bull closer, but he had more than enough cows to tend and never came off the private. Another long-beamed, but younger 330 bull did respond to our bugles and came running a half mile across a rolling sage flat to within 35 yards of us! I had not seen his final approach, so I still had my bow down while bugling one last time, when my wide eyed son yelled in a whisper--"Dad what are you doing? The bull is right there!" I reached slowly for my bow, but the bull picked me off, and pranced away with his amazing rack held cockily high. We couldn't help but laugh at my "one too many bugles" which has become my new nickname! The ferocious bugles continued through the evening and into the starry night as we made the long trek back to camp. Yes it was a bit painful to have been so close to such great bulls without anything to show for it, but we were thrilled just to have experienced that unforgettable day together! The warm dry days continued for the most part with some heavy thundershowers building each afternoon--- scary close lightning bolts accompanied by some welcome soaking rains had us hunkering down in the wet sage and oaks. Most herd bulls were now very vocal and had large harems making stalks difficult, almost impossible. One cool morning after watching what we figured was a symmetrical 340 type bull with 43 cows come up from a secluded wallow/waterhole, we decided it was best to set up a blind instead of trying another stalk, and wait for the herd to hopefully come back to that same waterhole that evening. Two bulls with their cows came in separately that evening to drink, but well after legal shooting light--it was hair raising exciting to hear all the hooves pounding, screaming bugles, and the water splashing just mere yards away. Even in the thick darkness, the smell of musky wet elk was overwhelming-- our quarry was so close, so unaware of our presence, yet safely veiled by the night. Unfortunately Noah had to head home to his family and return to work the next day, but my childhood friend and hunting buddy, Alan Martelllaro, joined me in camp, sacrificing his vacation time and his own archery elk hunt to help me pursue my long-awaited Unit 10 bull. With Alan's excellent calling abilities, we had several close encounters with some good bulls, but decided sitting over water was our best chance to get within shooting range of one of the herd bulls. On a breezy evening, the 12th of September Alan and I decided to split up, sitting on two different ponds, where we had seen elk watering, to assess what caliber of bulls were quenching their thirst there. As I waited quietly as a church mouse in my blind, the last remaining rays of sunlight of the evening lit up the surrounding cliffs in a spectacle of splendid gold. I was lost in reminiscing about the last two weeks of this incredible hunt just wondering if I would still somehow be able to arrow a good bull in the days that remained. With confidence waning in my own abilities to make it "happen" I sheepishly asked the Lord if He would please send a bull into the pond to water just a bit earlier this evening before shooting light was gone. I kid you not... a second later... A deep thunderous bugle from the cliffs above shook me out of prayer mode as I scrambled to attach my release to my d-loop. Drawing back my bow, peering frantically out of the half zipped blind window, I could see the bull and 40 cows come barreling down the hill in a cloud of dust without hesitation right into the pond! What?? This just doesn't happen like this does it? I could scarcely could believe the scene playing out before me, as the 340 type bull we had seen days before, chased his cows off the pond, apparently so he could drink and bathe before the water was muddied! There he was just 10 yards away from the blind, rolling around, throwing mud in the air with his amazing wide rack....but exactly in the only place I could not get a shot through either of my shooting windows! Trembling I let down my bow, fearing the bull would here or smell me at any moment, again I prayed in quiet desperation, oh Lord if this indeed is the bull you have intended for me, please have him stand up and move over a couple yards to my left! Prompted by some unseen Hand, the bull stood up dripping wet and muddy, and moved exactly in my shooting lane a few yards to my left! Drawing back my bow took no effort, even with my sore shoulder, but the bull had heard something and ran out to 30 yards standing broadside. My eyes made a quick assessment of the bull seeing now that his swords and thirds were short, knowing in that instant that tine length would keep him well short of the 350 mark i had hoped to hold out for! How can I refuse this gift?? My Lord Jesus, I prayed one final time, please guide this arrow to kill this magnificent creation of Your's humanely and quickly, and almost simultaneously the arrow was buried deep in the bulls chest. Barely flinching, the bull turned and walked uphill and in less than 15 seconds his legs wobbled and he fell over. Climbing out of my blind, I walked over to my prize with great thankfulness having all those familiar feelings of reverence, remorse, and the thrill of the hunt mixing inside of me. I held the heavy antlers with great admiration and marveled at the bull's massive body that would nourish my family in the coming winter. My heartfelt thanks to first of all to our Lord Jesus who created all things and breathed the very breath of life into all of us, and to my family and friends who have sacrificed a great deal to make this dream a reality. And finally, I thank you the Bowsite family for friendship and encouragement that go far beyond the hunt. Merry Christmas! May God's great love, goodness and grace bless each of your households! Kris
What an incredible story Timber!
Great recap of a fabulous hunt, Kris! Thank you! And Congratulations again on to be blessed with such a fabulous animal!
Wow Timberline. Great story and of quality worthy of a magazine article. As I read it, it took me back to my 2018 unit 10 archery hunt. To a T, you were describing my hunt experience in that amazing place when you were describing the elk activity and hunting conditions. It was about exactly to the day as you stated that the bulls switched from being buddies to being enemies. I too felt the Lord had his hand in my hunt as I was seriously considering returning the tag I had been waiting 20 years for. Iong story short after praying and hearing to just trust that if I was drawn for the hunt then I must hunt. I was blessed with a once in a lifetime experience and a nice bull that has provided great meat in the freezer and a very respectable trophy in my man cave.
Trying to dump my NR points this year, I should know in another day or two.
JD
Good luck to all of you applying for these units. Those of us who have gone through the application process for these 3 units can appreciate the anxiety you have. I'd like to hear how everyone does in the draw.
I’m hoping for a 201 notification. Had enough last year to be in the running but decided to wait for this years later season dates and had way too many things going on. Anxious for sure. Good luck to everybody on all your draws.
My 23 elk points are gone. CC was charged also. I guess this is finally happening in 201. I have a couple guys I know who have hunted it to get intel from but would love to also hear from some of you that have. Send me a pm. Thanks and good luck to those that draw.
My points are gone, 201 is happening for me also.
For those of you that drew 201, 201 is Magical, If you want some help I will share. PM me.
Elk-n
Didn't draw unit 2 for elk with 21 points, mo point creep. Did draw deer for 2 so can spend some time up there hunting this fall.
201 for the Princess... Process started when we were still in the "bait and switch" stage, "yep I'll take hunter safety and send in applications, of course I love camping and hate staying in ritzy hotels in resort areas..."
Hopefully Mrs. Squirrel has a fabulous, exciting adventure! Maybe you can set her up with a ritzy camp;-)
I drew Unit 2 Deer Muzzy, Thanks Blade for all the help in making my decision.
Ironic that "OTC_Bowhunter" drew a muzzy tag in a LE unit.....
Anyway, best of luck on what might be a tough hunt. Would you please come back on after the season and post up how you did?
Jaquomo, I will come back and tell how I made out. I would love to hear your thought's and suggestions on how/why this will be a tough hunt. Thanks
That is kind of a funny result for sure, Lou. On both accounts!
Shawn, deer numbers up there are low. It is primarily winter range but there are always some deer that don’t migrate out. They will be spread out across the whole unit and not concentrated in any particular area. The bucks are more visible and out in the open when they are in velvet, but tend to disappear when they rub out. That can and usually does happen before muzzle loader season.
I certainly would not hold out for a 170” buck in muzzle loader season up there, maybe not for a 160. Hell, there are better muzzle loader season deer hunts on the left over list...
The bow season would be better. Focusing on scouting hard the week before season and hunting the first week.
Shawn, Treeline pretty much nailed it. We saw some very good bucks almost every day in early September, including a nontypical that would push 200. But after the velvet came off they disappeared. Like, gone. Never saw any hard horned ones. So you'll have a challenging hunt, will see lots of great elk, but I wouldn't pass up any buck bigger than 140 by third week of September.
Guys, I agree with you both that the bucks get harder to find after they rub the velvet off, but the muzzleloader guys have actually done pretty well in 2 the last few years. I just checked the stats and muzzleloaders have gone 16 out of 20 in Unit 2 on bucks the last 4 years. There is no telling what size bucks they shot, but at least they have been finding some deer. Totally agree it would be best to arrive a few days early and try to locate some bucks..... This next may not be entirely relevant, but I have done two trips in the last month to Unit 10, and I have definitely seen more deer up there than I have in the last 5 years, during which time I have glassed a lot in the unit. I think the herd up there is on a bit of an upswing and hopefully the same is true in 2.
Hopefully will see the deer come back up there! Neat country to hunt for sure!
Congratulations to those of you who drew 201. I hunted it last year for 19 days. Feel free to PM me with any questions
Congrats to the ones that threw tags! You waited a longtime..., Would like to hear of your hunt experience afterwards. Good luck
69Hotrdz, did you get a bull? If so, post him up! Would love to see him.
Jaquomo, I did not tag up last year. The weather was very hot and dry and the rut never did take off during bow season. I saw bulls everyday and a few trophy size. I was able to take a shot on a very large bull unfortunately the arrow sailed right over his back. It was hands down one of the best elk hunts I had ever been apart of. My son was with me every day and we saw dam near every big game animal (elk, deer, mountain lion, bear, turkey, grouse, antelope) that lives in the area
I drew unit 2 archery elk... I have the last week to hunt and weekends. I am not getting any scouting in yet at all... Not happy with my progress yet this summer. Fat and out of shape, oh man I am not sure how it will all come together, luckily I know the unit really well and already have A-f hunts planned. Also have a set camp on private where I can leave my camper and jeep. It will be good, but moving and taking a new job was not how imagined this hunt to go...
Yeah, it was pushing 90 by mid-afternoon when we hunted in 2013. Waterholes were the ticket then. But as you learned, it's not the slam dunk on a big bull that everyone thinks it is. Like, you can't flock shoot and hit a 350 bull. Cool that you got to experience it with your son!
Hoping to draw in the next year or so & going up to 201 to check things out in a couple weeks. What area is a good place to set up camp to scout from? I was looking at the Wiggins section of the SWA. I'll be happy to share any info I come across for those who drew this year. Thanks
Camp up on Cold Springs or in the saddle between Middle Mtn and Diamond.
Elk-n
Jaquomo, I took your advise and shot the first 140 class buck I saw. Thanks
Awesome buck! Way bigger than "140 class" for sure. You got him early before he shed velvet. Thats the time to kill them in those units. We saw big bucks until then. After they shed, poof. Good job! How about posting up a story?
Nice. What unit were you in? There are some nice bucks up that way. I saw this one in 201 early August when I was checking out the area.
Congratulations OTC! Brun and I hoped you would find one of the 160 to 170 pt (if not one of the bigger) bucks we'd been seeing in Units 2 and 10. A great buck for your first muley. I am glad that you had a very memorable and successful hunt.
Congrats OTC_bowhunter on a very nice buck!
Thanks to everyone. The hunt occurred in Unit 2. I had spent 6 days glassing as much of the country as I could before the season started. I had a couple of wash out days as the weather was pretty wet. This hurt my game camera scouting as the deer could find enough water in puddles and didn't have to hit the ponds. I had spotted this deer the first day and saw him a couple more times before the opener. He was the only deer that was still in velvet out of all the bucks I glassed. On opening morning I wasn't specifically looking for him, but knew that if I saw him I would make an attempt to harvest him. I spotted him coming across a very open sage flat with some other bucks. By the 14th they were really getting pushy with each other and I knew it wouldn't be long before they split up and relocated. I watched him bed under an pinyon - juniper and put the plan in place. At 36 yards he stood up in his bed, of course blocked by sage brush. He ran out and around the tree and I side stepped to clear the tree and stopped him with my voice. Now at 50 yards I settled the front site on his heart and touched it off. He was above me and as soon as the 300gr Powerbelt Platinum hit home I knew it was good. He went about another 50 yards before expiring. Sorry to hi-jack a bowsite with a ML story. Thanks to Blade and Brun for all the help. Guys like you make these forums what they are.
Then there are those that ruin it for the rest of us. Bull elk poached in Unit 2; https://www.9news.com/article/news/crime/bull-elk-poached-in-moffatt-county
Sad. I found and reported an abandoned muzzleloader killed bull in 201 as well.
Still off the video of Davy Vines incredible bull killed on Walker’s in unit 2. Look closely you can see the arrow about to slip in the sweet spot.
Wow Billy, What a great bull and incredible picture.
I think I had already seen a pic of the bull, but that shot with the arrow is amazing. Thanks for posting.
Thanks for an incredible picture with an incredible bull. I'd like to hear more about the hunt. Curious where the bull was in July and where he was harvested. I'm sure there's a good story to be told.
Good grief!
Another bull was poached day before yesterday down by the Little Snake. Shot the bull in an ag field and cut off the rack. Sick stuff.
Billy, Did Shawn from Crown Point Outdoors do the video?
No...Jimmy did. Shawn is awesome though and he filmed some rifle hunts last week. Amazing footage.
Just got word that bull officially green gross scored 397. Biggest archery bull ever taken on Walkers.
WOW! Hell of a bull! Congratulations! Awesome picture!
Billy, is that as a nontypical? Fantastic bull!
Wow! Congratulations! Through up a pic next year when he’s mounted.
Looks a lot like the bull my friend Kelly and I got on in 2015 but it was also wide.
All we came back with were pics... and some great memories.
Squirrel, how about some details? Future hunters can learn a lot from those who brought home only memories. What did you do, what would you do differently?
well... it was a rifle hunt, did not want any meltdown of bowsite snowflakes at the thought of a non archery hunt, I thought pics were pretty harmless.
I'd like to hear about your hunt and the elk, etc... How big is the bull in the 1st picture. What unit?
Yea, I'd like to hear about your experience. Most of us wait 20+ years to even qualify for a chance to hunt these areas.
I'm writing the long version but here is a condensed bowsite version. First set foot in the unit in early sept. It was fantastic, both country and elk. Biggest I found was a 380 class (if he'd been normal) but he had a squiggly side sticker instead of a 16" g-3 to match his other side. But a huge bull, just wouldn't score well. I watched him for two days then branched out.
Even with wet year it was obvious that water was incredibly scarce in this country and cattle were incredibly numerous, food was chopped to nothing by teeth and hooves.
Stayed until ML then headed home to rent out llamas. Went back and found a whole different habitat with 6x6's everywhere, saw 12 the first night. The next morning I found Pam, as in Pamela Anderson, awesome raaaaccckkkk! At this point all others failed to register, though they were nice. I continued to see Pam every other day until two days before the opener. The Princess showed up and i had camp ready for her highness, it was sweet, but she bitched anyway.
Opening day the people came into the game and things spiraled down immediately, one outfitter who had no clue about how to hunt elk inserted himself right in the middle and did 10 peoples' worth of harm. Every other hunter was guided with from 4-12 spotters/helpers so it took only a couple of hunters to really @#^% every thing up.
This was made even better when we got our very own personal DOW escort service who tailed us everywhere we went watching from his truck from 200 yards to 2-3 miles away. (my wife couldn't handle going into rough country) He would just sit and stare until we headed to the truck and follow us and re-position. Never checked us, just followed us. So now we had stupid people chasing the elk and stupid badges chasing us, a shit show. Then it got worse. Princess (who never read anything in her life but 50 shades of gray) read the regs for hours and says I can't find what we are doing wrong...
"well yes dear that is kinda the idea" well I'm not shooting anything cause hes gonna arrest me... She was paranoid and it was only the first day.
Through all this the elk were GREAT, big bulls screaming all around us, all day, many at 50 yards and less, but no sign of Pam.
Second day our escort showed at daylight as did the outfitter. Outfitter got his client a bull which was great, he'd be gone. DOW stayed with us all day again Princess insists we go home to avoid prison time and reiterates the I'm not shooting anything line.
Our hunt was over but the show continued to be great. That afternoon the DOW came to camp and checked her license, I was told to go in the tent as she knew how it would end if I was there.
Next day the outfitter showed up with a new client and more help. A new one showed up with 3 trucks full of guys and a "long range" guy. 20 shots later there was a wounded bull. Next day there were two additional trucks of guys looking through the "honey hole" for a dead spoiled elk, none was found, so that afternoon he got off another volley at the main herd of cows and that changed our show to the night shift for the duration. We had some other chances but the outfitter was chasing them with his truck bumper and we could not compete on foot as he could scare them faster than we could re-position, it was ugly.
Day 8 we had a 350" consolation elk show in the evening at 401 yards and princess had the green light as i was tired of getting stood up by Pam. She said no we only practiced to 400... i called him to 75 where he hung up and gave her, head, bits and pieces for a half hour before he scampered off with a HUFF. Princess thought I was pissed but I told her she did perfect, it is just a game after all. I think she would have shot if he had cooperated, but I'm not certain, she was still certain she was going to jail if she shot.
I would not hunt there even if it took no points to get, let alone 26 years. I have had better hunts (countless) on OTC tags.
But the bulls were AWESOME! But that damn Pam never did show...
The DOW succeeded Princess says she is never applying or hunting again, good job guys!
So did the WCO tell you why you were being tailed? They certainly have a right to do it but you also have a right to the answer why. Did he suspect you were going to shoot an elk on "Princess's" tag?
That's a huge unit. I think I'd have gone elsewhere..
Yeah, I would have approached the game warden and asked him what's up, if he was shadowing me.
Squirrel, what unit were you hunting and what general area in that unit?
That sucks! Sorry for your crappy experience.
according to his monster muleys thread it was the 201 early rifle hunt
So I had a hell of a hunt, but like others it was way below my expectations. I hunted unit 2, hunted 22 days of the season. I had 12+ trail cameras up from July until season ended. I found many large bulls. But the amount of other people and issues that occurred were unreal.
So my bad luck... I had a tremendous water hole, with a ton of big bulls hitting it. It was off around a corner etc. That hole had anywhere from 9-26 bulls hitting it a night. The week before season the water level had began to drop and the place turned into a wallow. I had 6-9 bulls over 350 hitting the hole a night. 2 in particular were pretty amazing... The day before season we check the hole and it was dry and it had been over 30 hours since the last bull showed up. Despite my best efforts and having cameras on all surrounding water, none of those bull showed up again. Had we had a normal Aug. 25th start date, I have no doubt I could have killed a bull from that spot.
I had a second hole that had 3 good shooter bulls hitting it, the weekend before the season we went to check the camera and saw a huge lion. Through the season I had a handful of lion photos but never again saw a decent bull at that hole.
I decided to hunt way out in 2 away from everyone else. This was great, fewer elk and fewer people, sort of... I had a great bull that I nearly killed twice. I had been giving updates here on bowsite and on my facebook. Not a ton of information, but before Muzzy season started I had a feeling that my sharing nature was back firing on me. On Thursday night before Muzzy season a pick up shows up and parks near my truck and starts glassing. Well this truck dogs me Friday, Saturday opener of muzzy, Sunday opener of muzzy, and Monday morning. In that time I had a decent chance to kill my target bull but no shot. Well Monday night I move. That night the muzzy hjunter shot my target bull. Unfortunately the guy happened to be the uncle of a kid on my fascebook feed. The kid was giving him information about my hunt. Needless to say I was pissed. The guy even had private land on Douglas he could hunt but was out "looking" for my truck because he knew I was on a good bull. The kid was kind enough to let me know his uncle killed the bull I was after, again in an area where 90% hunters would not even bother....
So second weekend of muzzy I needed to another target bull. I found a cool bull out in the sage with 7 cows. I hunted the bull Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. I had him close twice but wide open sage solo is hard to kill. On tuesday night I left the bull just after dark and headed back to camp. I got a flat and needed a new tire. Wednesday I head back to town and get tire replaced. Wednesday night I go back looking for the bull. Nothing. Thursday morning, find the cows with a new bull. Thursday night still no bull and Friday morning I gave up looking for him. He was gone. Friday at lunch I get a call from the CPW officer... They believe they had a bull poached up in the areas I was hunting. The truck was a truck I had seen earlier in the season. As the officer was talking I shared what I knew and what I had seen, etc. As a result I asked where the bull was paoched. The CPW officer told me, the gut pile they found was less that 700 yards away from where I left the bull the night before... So that bull was gone.
Friday at lunch I spot a great 6x6 bedded with a few cows on Private. I had been watching these cows and knew that they would leave the beds an hour before dark and haul but to the water, then they would start feeding towards a large sage flat where they would feed all night long. So My plane was to wait just 60 yards off the private and in the flat. It worked perfect. With 40 minutes left of light the cows were feeding in front of me. They were 34-54 yards. The bull was coming up behind them and was under 40 yards. I could see his rack in the trees and only need him to take 3 more steps into a shooting lane. It was going to happen on a great bull. Then at the last second a truck come barreling in and bows the entire thing up. The elk all turn head back to the private. I hunted that bull Saturday and sunday. Finally getting a shot on Sunday and the very first time in my life my shot hits a branch goes off the brisket. Ending my season...
So there was as much pressure if not more pressure on the elk than I usually see in my OTC unit. Opening weekend there were people everywhere, hunters, guys scouting for muzzy, guys scouting for rifle deer, guys scouting for rifle elk, and a lot of campers. Second weekend was great, not nearly the traffic or the people, but started seeing the muzzy camps pop up. Week before muzzy there were muzzy guys in larger groups driving ATVs all over the place.
Muzzy season hit and I started off with the guy dogging my truck. I also watched the muzzy guys drive atvs into all the bedding areas during the day. It was a mess.
The week after muzzy was good until the bull got poached, I was alone Monday and Tuesday... However the last 1/2 of the week got really busy again with a crap ton of guys. The rifle season started up really fast after archery and as a result we started seeing a bunch more traffic and pressure.
In addition to those issues the one area I was working hard had 3 different survey crews working a project for the BLM. This had 12 guys and 4 atvs running around in every knook and cranny. I feel that if those guys were not around I would have had daily opportunities to kill my target bull, in stead it was once every 3 days as I kept having to relocate him and his cows.
I also had another water hole where I had several bulls that ended up having a gas pipeline crew working in the area for several days and blew that group up.
Opening weekend, I did not realize that there was Cow elk rifle season that overlapped my season so I was hunting into a group of elk that had a decent bull, only to have atruck with a rfiel hunter pull up and bang away at 800 yards sending the herd scattering. Also the same damn guys decided to chase the herd out of the special cow area and still hunt 2-3 miles into an area they were closed from entering.
Had 2 times where I was working elk and had a plane scouting fly over.
Also the last 2 weeks sucked. I had way better hunting the opening weekend. I kept waiting for the 'rut" and how crazy it would get and it never got crazy. I had a lot better luck calling and a lot more rut activity the first 3 days of season than I had the last 14 combined. Opening day my son age 9 was able to call in 3 bulls over 300 on the same evening sit. Last weekend we could not call an elk in at all... They just were not interested...
Despite all of that it was pretty awesome, still seen tons of bulls. I was seeing over 20 bulls a day. I had found 5 different bulls over 360 I was hunting. I passed shots on 9 bulls over 340. I had shots at like 25 bulls over 300 but under 340. I had 3 really good opportunities to kill a bull over 360.
Damn, coelker! That’s a lot of crappy stuff to happen on one hunt!
Thanks coelker for taking the time to write up your story and share it here. I know it's of little value at this point, but I'm sorry to hear about all the issues you ran into that messed up your hunt.
Hey, look on the bright side...now that you're in Wyoming if you play your cards right crowding won't be an issue...ever
While doing research for my 201 hunt last year I ran across this cool article with some history of the Diamond Peak area.
Here’s a pic of Diamond I took on the last night of my hunt.
150 year old spammers. More difficult back then than just sending an e-mail or making a robo call now. Thanks for the story. Great pic too.
Well how's 2020 treating the lucky few that have these tags?
Couple other Bowsiters have tags in 2. Gave them some pointers, updated info from my antelope scouting for bulls I was seeing, and turned em loose. Haven’t heard any success yet...
Drew unit 10, got lucky 9/12
Drew unit 10, got lucky 9/12
A buddy of mine hunted 201 and killed a 380 Bull with diamond peak outfitters
380 in 201 didn't happen without pictures :-)
Congrats Pop! Looks like a great bull.
I have the hero pic but here he is before shot
My goodness! What a bull!!!
Did not close the deal on big bull in unit 2. Had a couple opp's at good bulls. Had a few big bulls drinking at night but never saw them during the day. Overall was a good hunt but was challenge getting close in the open sage country. The number of elk coming off the hayfields every day was amazing but couldn't get in front of the right elk. Rut never got cranking in the bow season. Thanks to Rob and Tavis and others who provided input on hunting in the unit. it was a big help.
See Version 2: Feedback on GMU's 2, 10, 201 for continuation
Drew unit 2 with 23 points today,june 3rd 2022 any insight would be helpful thx KC
Too soon! let the pain of not drawing subside for the also rans…LOL
