GMU 14 elk?

[oinco]

My archery hunting buddies who could get out have been totally skunked- only animal they've seen is an owl....obviously it has been warm-but now I am getting pretty nervous about choosing 14 for third rifle.
Lots of elk in pre-season scouting, and obviously the response to pressure makes sense-but wanted to know if others on here have had good luck in the area? I am not used to so much dark timber-

Thanks!

[CO Hugh]

I hunted in Unit 14 several years. I moved onto greener pastures, but that is more about finding a hunting camp to join. We hunted it first season and while we did not have great luck there are elk in the area. By third season the snow may push them low.

Make sure to get a good map and review. The DOW online maps showing habitat are very good for planning. Also check the DOW harvest statistics and website, my buddy suggests looking at the harvest report and compare the recreational days to the number of hunters, which will provide an average of how long it takes to bag an animal. For example 300 recreational days and 100 hunters, approximately 3 days to tag an elk.

One problem with almost all of the unit is that it is steep terrain and make sure you plan for getting your elk out. Now having done it successfully, I am not sure how we would have ever gotten the elk out from some of the places we hunted.

We also hiked a ot and i think that just wears you out and moves the elk. I recommend finding a good spot and stand hunting. Just finding the elk may take a lot of time or a few seasons. Probably better to hunt one area and learn it closely then move around.

Here are some suggestions, along rabbit ears pass just before US 40 hooks to Steamboat, on a map it will look like a horseshoe, there is a trail near a large traffic sign and parking area. You hike in about 45 mins and there is a lot of area to hunt. Most of it is steep and we would go down the side of the mountain and back up. I suggest finding a spot where there is some sign and setting up a stand and waiting. There were some wallow areas in there on the side of the mountain. You should also see track at the tops as the animals come up and go across. I have seen 1 elk taken in there, we saw a couple of cows, and my friend claims a couple of bulls. During first season they bugle in there. Look at the map carefully because when i took my GPS coordinates, while it felt like we had worked back close to US 40, there is another small ridge before the road. So if going down, we would have to go up a hill, then down before hitting the road. It overlooks Catamont lake.

Going North, there is a road to Walden, I think it is called Buffalo Creek Pass. There is some area up there. Though by third season there will probably be too much snow and it won't be huntable, or the elk may not be there.

North of town there are some areas strawberry park, fish creek and elk park. You can drive most of the way, but the road has some soft spots and once we got stuck in a mud hole when it had not rained in a while up there. I think in elk park we saw an outfitter set up there with chains on all 4 truck tires, so it can be difficult to get out. It may also be crowded. At first season it was too low, but third may work. For these areas you take the road past the high school.

Farther north of steamboat you can go toward Steamboat Lake. I think most of the accessible hunting is north of Seedhouse Road to the WY state line. Check the map to stay in the correct unit. Areas up there are near Hahns Peak and Farewell mountain areas. There are forest roads up there. Also off of Seedhosue there is some national forest access. In this area east of Steamboat Lake, there are some meadows and dark timber. As there are a lot of roads it may be crowded. But in third season the elk may be low. One hunter told us he bumped a heard around there in the morning. It is steep country and could be tough getting out. From the information we got and looking at a map, area is the best description, drive on the forest roads to find a good spot around Steamboat Lake.

There is also a trail from Perl Lake park, to the back of the lake and up into the forest pushing toward the Continental divide. We saw sign and heard a couple of bugles but did not see anything. It is also steep and non motorized access, so good luck getting an elk out. I was not impressed but offer it up.

I last hunted there in 2005 so access and roads may have changed. Check with locals and DOW. If 3rd season is any GMU then i have heard that round Bear's Ears Mountain is good. I don't know how to acess it or if people are referring to another specific peak. Some of the adjacent units are supposed to be good, so check around.

I hope that helps and good luck.

[oinco]

CO Hugh,

WOW! I can't thank you enough! explicit and beneficial for sure-it is nice to see you confirm with experience what we were seeing on the maps and in scouting.

If nothing else, we'll burn lots of calories!.

[CO Hugh]

Yup, Oinco, let me know if you have other questions or I can help.

Usually the Elk like to go down low to the farms, and you can see them feeding in the evening, even at first season. So driving down from Rabbit Ears, they are in the hay fields. If you could find some public access to their trail, you may be able to get one.