1st/2nd/3rd Rifle Elk- Anything good?

[.455_Hunter]

Anybody out hunting in the rifle seasons?

Where?

See anything?

Get anything?

[Sawin]

I got back early from a successful hunting trip on Wednesday 11/3, shared second rifle season for deer/elk in GMU20. I had scouted a bunch of area the last few years and have had great success in both of my hunts in the spots I scouted the heaviest. Getting out there and knowing the terrain and where the sign leads you is the best way in my experience.

This year was a beefy bruiser of a muley buck taken at 387m from a shooting position downhill and east of the hillside he was on. Bright sun behind me lighting up the hill he was on made for some beautiful colors and great viewing without any rush to take the shot.

Had him on the ground at 8:10am, cleaned by 9:00, dragged downhill and hung by 11:00 and on the way out by noon, all by myself.

[Hummer]

I got back early from a successful hunting trip on Wednesday 11/3, shared second rifle season for deer/elk in GMU20. I had scouted a bunch of area the last few years and have had great success in both of my hunts in the spots I scouted the heaviest. Getting out there and knowing the terrain and where the sign leads you is the best way in my experience.

This year was a beefy bruiser of a muley buck taken at 387m from a shooting position downhill and east of the hillside he was on. Bright sun behind me lighting up the hill he was on made for some beautiful colors and great viewing without any rush to take the shot.

Had him on the ground at 8:10am, cleaned by 9:00, dragged downhill and hung by 11:00 and on the way out by noon, all by myself.

Wow, congratulations! Knowing an area well is so important. But I think area 20 is particularly difficult to hunt because of the checkerboard of public and private lands. Pics are always appreciated.

Unfortunately, I missed my 2nd season elk and bear hunt in the Flat Tops for the first time in 35 years because of a delay in a federal court trial where I had to be. Tag soup and very disappointing. But I'll hunt 3rd season buck deer in GMU 21 south of Rangely. Lots of unknowns there for me.

[.455_Hunter]

Congrats on the deer!

We have hunted elk in GMU 20 quite a bit with some limited success. You definitely have to know the elk's habits to find a NF spot where they move off RMNP and the private holdings. It's frustrating to hunt all day, seeing nothing, then watch the herd chillaxing on the golf course and hanging outside your motel room in Estes Park.

[Sawin]

Congrats on the deer!

We have hunted elk in GMU 20 quite a bit with some limited success. You definitely have to know the elk's habits to find a NF spot where they move off RMNP and the private holdings. It's frustrating to hunt all day, seeing nothing, then watch the herd chillaxing on the golf course and hanging outside your motel room in Estes Park.

Thanks!
Yeah I agree 100%. The elk have a luxury resort lifestyle there in Estes Park and RMNP. I spent some time near Drake and Glen Haven before the fire last year, but know Meeker Park, Johnny Park, Taylor Mountain and the Bunce School areas really well too. There’s definitely elk, deer and moose all over the place behind Meeker Park Lodge.

[Sawin]

I only took a couple pictures, was pretty busy . But here’s the moment I walked up to him and dropped my backpack.

[TRnCO]

I went and spent 5 days camping with 3 of my brothers, only 2 had elk tags, and one brother finally connected on a small 4x5 bull. Helped pack him out.

They were hunting unit 67, where my family has hunted since the late 60's. Opening day one of my brothers saw nearly 100 elk but just couldn't get a shot for a multitude of reasons. It was nice sleeping in every morning and the pack out wasn't too bad.

[.455_Hunter]

I went and spent 5 days camping with 3 of my brothers, only 2 had elk tags, and one brother finally connected on a small 4x5 bull. Helped pack him out.

They were hunting unit 67, where my family has hunted since the late 60's. Opening day one of my brothers saw nearly 100 elk but just couldn't get a shot for a multitude of reasons. It was nice sleeping in every morning and the pack out wasn't too bad.

I have never hunted GMU 67, but have driven by it couple times. That starts to get into the part of the state that I have little direct experience.

[Hummer]

Thanks!
Yeah I agree 100%. The elk have a luxury resort lifestyle there in Estes Park and RMNP. I spent some time near Drake and Glen Haven before the fire last year, but know Meeker Park, Johnny Park, Taylor Mountain and the Bunce School areas really well too. There’s definitely elk, deer and moose all over the place behind Meeker Park Lodge.

I went and spent 5 days camping with 3 of my brothers, only 2 had elk tags, and one brother finally connected on a small 4x5 bull. Helped pack him out.

They were hunting unit 67, where my family has hunted since the late 60's. Opening day one of my brothers saw nearly 100 elk but just couldn't get a shot for a multitude of reasons. It was nice sleeping in every morning and the pack out wasn't too bad.

Congratulations, it's not easy connecting with elk in any public land area during the rifle seasons.

In 1984, I took my first elk off the Bunce School Road in GMU 20 about a mile from our mountain cabin. Still live here but mostly hunt the west slope where big game density is much higher. Tomorrow I head west in prep for 3rd season deer and hope to meet up with an esteemed forum member who is hunting elk there. Maybe we'll get together for supper at a remote country diner.....

[osok-308]

I'm honestly pretty new to hunting (went a few times with my dad 15 years ago. He now has dementia and can't go with me. my plan is to use his rifle to take the animals he never did. I went to game unit 46 2nd rifle season for elk this year. Grabbed a mule deer tag just in case. Hiked miles so into the mount Evans wilderness area. I saw scat, tracks scrapings, and elk hair on the ground, but no animals.

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