Changing units?

[CO Hugh]

I hunted 3 and 301 several years ago, I personally thought too much hunter pressure and not enough elk. Also the elk are small. People have told me it is not good there until snow pushes the elk down.

I have been fairly successful since 2007. One recommendation is to find them. Elk migrate and may be in very different places in the summer compared to first or second season in October and even later in November. Generally it seems to be helpful if you hunt an area, closed to motorized travel, though not necessary wilderness. Also if there is an area around your hunt location, say above or below where motorized access or hunters are available then the elk may move through your area, leading to success.

I also strongly believe that if you are not seeing elk in groups of at least 4-6, preferably much larger then find a new location. Trying to find singles and pairs of elk is not a successful strategy. I have seen heads of exceeding 25 now.

I haven't hunted the area in a long time but if you want around Craig, try Units toward Steamboat, 14, 214, or I think 5. South of Craig i believe units are 12 and 13 going toward Trapper's Lake. I have heard good things about Bears Ears Mountain, but I have never hunted it.

Units 16, 161 near Walden may be good, there is not a lot of road access, check harvest stats. Also I have always heard that Unit 18, Middle Park is a pain as it is crowded and hard to find elk unless you have a spot staked out, ie where others can't get to. I have also heard that later season is better in Middle Park with snow to drive them down.

[Firehaus]

I hunted 3 and 301 several years ago, I personally thought too much hunter pressure and not enough elk. Also the elk are small. People have told me it is not good there until snow pushes the elk down.

I have been fairly successful since 2007. One recommendation is to find them. Elk migrate and may be in very different places in the summer compared to first or second season in October and even later in November. Generally it seems to be helpful if you hunt an area, closed to motorized travel, though not necessary wilderness. Also if there is an area around your hunt location, say above or below where motorized access or hunters are available then the elk may move through your area, leading to success.

I also strongly believe that if you are not seeing elk in groups of at least 4-6, preferably much larger then find a new location. Trying to find singles and pairs of elk is not a successful strategy. I have seen heads of exceeding 25 now.

I haven't hunted the area in a long time but if you want around Craig, try Units toward Steamboat, 14, 214, or I think 5. South of Craig i believe units are 12 and 13 going toward Trapper's Lake. I have heard good things about Bears Ears Mountain, but I have never hunted it.

Units 16, 161 near Walden may be good, there is not a lot of road access, check harvest stats. Also I have always heard that Unit 18, Middle Park is a pain as it is crowded and hard to find elk unless you have a spot staked out, ie where others can't get to. I have also heard that later season is better in Middle Park with snow to drive them down.

Great advice except for any advise to hunt 14,15,16 areas. Did a drop camp in 14 1st rifle last year. Nothing. Even the ranger said It has way too much hunting pressure and the elk are behaving like wolf packs are in the area. Constantly hiding and not moving around like they usually do.

I was scouting in 15 for archery last year. So many people...


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[GilpinGuy]

<snip>So many people...

This is the main problem in many areas. We're being inundated.

The unit we've hunted successfully for 20 years is basically a crap shoot now. Used to be 2 or 3 out of 5 of us used to get one every year. Now it's 1 every year or so. And the number of hunters we see skyrocketed. No coincidence.

[Firehaus]

This is the main problem in many areas. We're being inundated.

The unit we've hunted successfully for 20 years is basically a crap shoot now. Used to be 2 or 3 out of 5 of us used to get one every year. Now it's 1 every year or so. And the number of hunters we see skyrocketed. No coincidence.

Stepping up your training is a must. See a gnarly area down in a canyon that no one would dare go into let alone pack an elk out of...that’s where you need to go. Embrace the suck.


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