Changing units?

[Nm645908]

Long time reader/listener, but I need some guidance.

Little back story the old man and I have been hunting with my uncle (my dad's brother) and his wife for the last, well for me six years. They have hunted for years since the mid 90s in the same area around GMUs 3 and 4 north of Craig. Well almost two years ago my uncle was involved in a wreck while he was driving a plow. Not his fault, but that is another topic and or story. We normally do second season elk and first season deer, or what they call second season deer as well. this year it starts on the 20th of October. But its looking like its just going to be and my dad, and we have been skunked for the last 4 years. Almost to the point of insanity that we keep going back, I've watched the same valley for deer and elk and nothing, even as the young and nimble one who hikes back into Forest Service land nothing. So, my question is it time to move but where is the question? I've looked at the state maps and the BLM maps and the FS maps, looked at the overlays for migration and winter spots and due to familiarity with the GMUS 161, 6, 17, and 18. is it time to make the move and not put in for the same tags. And just do some scouting this summer?

Any input would be great.

[Irving]

Have you seen other hunters taking game out of your area any of the last four years?

[hunterhawk]

I would move. I have been in elk everywhere I have hunted.. if you arent seeing elk it is time to move.. I archery hunt so i still haven't had all the stars align but im at least seeing elk. Dont get me wrong I still like hiking and being out in the woods..but the point of hunting is to see animals and have opportunities. Scout this summer.. but not sure how well scouting in the summer does for finding them during rifle. Good luck!

[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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[Shooter45]

Areas around Craig on the flats are great for the really late season 3rd some but definitely 4th. It depends on the weather and when they migrate. All of the areas around Craig are their wintering grounds. Just south of Craig at areas 13 and 14 is one of the biggest herds in Colorado within the White National Forest for the earlier season. I wasn't up there last year but hunting on the Flat Tops in north side of 12 I've started seeing more deer there than I have ever. I've been hunting there since 2002. My good friend also hunted near Craig during 4th season on a Ranching For Wildlife area up there. He bagged a big cow after a few days.

Last year I hunted 3rd season near Lake George for elk and while the elk were not to be seen by me, I saw more big mule deer than I have in years. I think it takes 2 points to draw a tag there for deer but there are some really nice bucks in there and big numbers as well. Lots of road hunters in that area but if you get off the beaten trail very far at all I was seeing deer every turn I took.

[fj605]

First season around Walden gets a lot of pressure. We hunt the State Forest/State Park and surrounding areas and the last two years it's looked like a pumpkin patch. We're debating changing units and/or seasons this year.