DIY Colorado Elk Archery Hunt Unit 14/15
Colorado
Contributors to this thread:
My son and I are planning on doing a Backcountry Backpacking Archery Hunt in Colorado we are driving from NJ. It was originally going to be for after he graduated college in 3 years but my wife said to go this year. So I have a lot to learn about what we need in gear, where to go, and also get in better shape for the hunt. I think we are going to be in GMU 14/15 . Based upon what I have read it has one of the largest herds of elk as well as a somewhat higher success rate than most units as well as being an OTC unit so we can buy the license at any sporting goods store and go vs. a lottery. Looking to hunt likely in the Steamboat Springs area most likely in the Sarvis Creek Wilderness.
So far I bought a Mystery Ranch Pack for both of us, a new sleeping bag rated for 15 degrees, a sleep pad and a Mountainsmith Shelter. I bought the Delorme InReach GPS and a backpacking stove It was tough finding equipment that would fit him since he is 6'5 and 260 lbs.
If anyone has done a trip like this I would appreciate any guidance you can provide since my time frame for research and getting everything together has been condensed? Is their anything I am forgetting? If you've hunted this area or can give me advise on a better area it would be much appreciated! We will be doing the first 6 Days of the archery elk season.
Thanks in advance!
My advice to anyone coming to Colorado is good boots, good pack, and good optics. I skimped on the optics parts with a Vortex Crossfire 10x42 but those do not affect my comfort. You are good to go with your pack. If you don't have good boots, buy them yesterday and start hiking in them to break them in. I'm not sure how your son's 260lbs is distributed between fat/muscle but either way if he lost extra fat or muscle, his body will be happier. Muscle takes a lot of oxygen and we seem to have a shortage of that stuff in Colorado. I would also say to get to Colorado a few days before your hunt to acclimate. You won't be 100% even after the hunt but anything you can get is more than you'll have coming off the plane and going straight into the mountains. I am a newer elk hunter as well and haven't spent time in that part of the state but good luck to you.
Gear-wise you should be fine. Your biggest challenge in the Sarvis Creek area (or in any of the NW OTC units) will be finding elk in only 6 days. Given your lack of elk experience, especially in that heavily-hunted area, I'd strongly recommend hunting from a mobile base camp and keep hitting different drainages and ridges until you find elk. Then pack in and spike camp if necessary to be close In the mornings. Otherwise you may be in for a nice six day backpack camping trip. In those units and that entire general area, "way back in" doesn't necessarily equate to finding elk.
Much of that higher published success rate comes from the outfitted ranches down low, where the elk flee as soon as the pressure hits. That said, there are a lot of elk and you can find them if you keep moving, putting on tire and boot miles, figure out where everyone else is hunting and hunt good habitat where they are not hunting. Good luck and enjoy the adventure!