Anyone hunt elk in GMU 20?

[Robb]

Whoops... this should have gone in the Hunting forum.


Son wants to hunt elk and I'm not a successful elk hunter, never dropped one. Only now am I thinking I'm getting deer figured out. I've got the paperwork in front of me and I'm going to put in for late season for GMU20 for him and it will be a learning experience for both of us.
Anyone have any pointers for late season in that area? Not asking for your favorite fishing hole, just generic info/tips if you care to share.

[Hummer]

First, it looks like you'll need 3-4 preference points to draw a bull tag in late seasons there, but probably not for cow elk. Elk density is low but the bull/cow ratio is high so chances of taking a big bull are pretty good if you can find elk.

I grew up in 20 and know the area well but haven't hunted there in many years. The area is thoroughly checker boarded with private land and public, so you'll need to be careful to know the boundaries by using GPS and maps. Most elk move out of the high country when snows build up 1-2 ft., but some, particularly bulls remain along ridge tops and adjacent slopes where forage is exposed by wind and sun. You won't find elk in the populated canyons so you'll need to seek out the remote areas in between. The areas just outside RMNP near grassy meadows would be a good bet....

[Rucker61]

GMU 20 has a lot of private land. Do you have contacts or permission?

[Robb]

Nope, No contacts or permissions. Don't know the area. I know Pole Hill but access there is tough in Dec.