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Your 2024 Elk Hunt

Just_Hangin_N_GA said:
This is very timely @Camelcluch, as I got asked to go this past year for the upcoming 2024 Colorado elk hunt. The bad thing is we are both from Georgia and I have never even been to Colorado or know anything about elk hunting.
The idea is to archery hunt in September. We plan to drive out and camp to try and make it budget friendly but have no clue how to even start locating a good place that hopefully these ignorant Georgians to elk hunting could at least be in the game.
Is there certain areas of Colorado more concentrated with elk that would be a good starting point?
Is there designated camping spots for hunters or are we allowed to camp where ever?
Are you allowed to carry a pistol while elk hunting... just for protection... from what ever I need protection from that I don't know of yet.
What kinda backpack?
What kinda boots?
Do I need something sterilize water?
Is it better to tent camp or hammock camp?
Never mind, I could go on and on just because I have no clue. I am so excited at the the opportunity but realizing that my chances of seeing an elk while actually hunting would be a miracle based on my ignorance.
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I'm gonna answer these in what I view as order of importance. First is boots. If your feet are trashed, your hunt is over. About any boot will work as long as it fits your foot well. Pair them with good socks and always have leukotape or KT tape for hot spots. Next for me is the pack, esp if you plan to backpack into an area. There are lots of good options in frame packs. The important thing here again is making sure it is one that fits you very well. Kifaru, EXO, Kuiu, Stone Glacier, Mystery Ranch, etc. I migrated to kifaru but I think the smart money here for whitetail guys that might also use the pack at home is to get a good frame and bag in the 2-3k cu/in range and a camp bag for if you decide to pack in somewhere. CO has strong populations of cats and bears so a sidearm is up to you. I havent seen a cat but have had 40 yard or less encounters with bears 3 out of 6 hunts. 2 of those being in camp at night. Water sterilization will be very important if you pack in rather than truck camp but I would still advise having it even if you plan to truck camp. Could be as simple as drops or tabs or you could opt for other filtration options. Tent or hammock is a personal choice. If I am packing in somewhere, I am hammock camping. Truck camping I would lean tent with a cot. Not sleeping on the ground if I can help it. Food will depend on if you are truck camping or packing in as well. Truck camping gives you more options but I havent had any issues food wise packing in either. Focus on high protein, high fat foods and make sure you are eating. It is easy to not eat enough out there because, the altitude can suppress appetite and the excitement of the hunt will too. Depending on the area you hunt and how much ground you cover, you can easily burn 9-10k calories a day. Yes you can get on elk as a newb and you might even kill one first trip. Not many people would call the unit I hunt a "good" unit but I have not had a trip yet that I didnt have at least one bow range encounter.
 
BTaylor said:
I'm gonna answer these in what I view as order of importance. First is boots. If your feet are trashed, your hunt is over. About any boot will work as long as it fits your foot well. Pair them with good socks and always have leukotape or KT tape for hot spots. Next for me is the pack, esp if you plan to backpack into an area. There are lots of good options in frame packs. The important thing here again is making sure it is one that fits you very well. Kifaru, EXO, Kuiu, Stone Glacier, Mystery Ranch, etc. I migrated to kifaru but I think the smart money here for whitetail guys that might also use the pack at home is to get a good frame and bag in the 2-3k cu/in range and a camp bag for if you decide to pack in somewhere. CO has strong populations of cats and bears so a sidearm is up to you. I havent seen a cat but have had 40 yard or less encounters with bears 3 out of 6 hunts. 2 of those being in camp at night. Water sterilization will be very important if you pack in rather than truck camp but I would still advise having it even if you plan to truck camp. Could be as simple as drops or tabs or you could opt for other filtration options. Tent or hammock is a personal choice. If I am packing in somewhere, I am hammock camping. Truck camping I would lean tent with a cot. Not sleeping on the ground if I can help it. Food will depend on if you are truck camping or packing in as well. Truck camping gives you more options but I havent had any issues food wise packing in either. Focus on high protein, high fat foods and make sure you are eating. It is easy to not eat enough out there because, the altitude can suppress appetite and the excitement of the hunt will too. Depending on the area you hunt and how much ground you cover, you can easily burn 9-10k calories a day. Yes you can get on elk as a newb and you might even kill one first trip. Not many people would call the unit I hunt a "good" unit but I have not had a trip yet that I didnt have at least one bow range encounter.
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That is a lot of great advice and information. So much to take in and prepare for.
I need to find somewhere to try some packs and boots as these items aren't cheap and they fit different for everyone.
In your experience which do you enjoy more; truck camping or packing in?
I will do whatever it takes to have the best chance at an elk.
 
Just_Hangin_N_GA said:
That is a lot of great advice and information. So much to take in and prepare for.
I need to find somewhere to try some packs and boots as these items aren't cheap and they fit different for everyone.
In your experience which do you enjoy more; truck camping or packing in?
I will do whatever it takes to have the best chance at an elk.
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Until you learn an area, I would encourage truck camping. It gives you much more flexibility to switch areas and cover more ground. Some folks will plan to hunt a big loop or area with camp on their back and that is certainly an option but I would wouldnt advise anyone to try that on their first hunt for sure. My backpack hunts have been hiking in to a spot and hunting from there, not moving camp. That particular area is not conducive to hunting in a big loop without having dropped a second vehicle at an exit point and most of my hunts have been solo.
 
Just_Hangin_N_GA said:
That is a lot of great advice and information. So much to take in and prepare for.
I need to find somewhere to try some packs and boots as these items aren't cheap and they fit different for everyone.
In your experience which do you enjoy more; truck camping or packing in?
I will do whatever it takes to have the best chance at an elk.
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Packing in is more fun to me from an adventure standpoint. Unless it storms, storm above 10k feet suck.
 
GreginPA said:
Timely Thread for me. I'd like to do an OTC elk/mule hunt. I'm not married to a particular state, CO seems great. I was planning to talk to a bunch of outfitters at the GAOS Harrisburg show and just pick one.

Bad idea? Good idea?

While I don't mind roughing it, since this is probably a once in a lifetime or once a decade trip for me I'd prefer a lodge, rather not share it with a bunch of idiots who stay up all night drinking. I think my biggest questions are about the logistics of getting the meat home if I fly. Same thing with getting any taxidermy shipped. Also nervous about picking the right outfitter.

Why is CO losing OTC non-resident elk?
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Sorry for the late response. Just like the rest of the west, Colorado mule numbers are down. However, we still have great deer hunting. Outfitters are not a bad choice especially if you are looking for the experience. You will learn a lot if you decide to come back. Many of the game processors will ship meat back for you. If you are with a guide that is a question to ask for sure. For a DIY, you can sign up as a FedEx freight service and ship. “Fish” boxes are about $20 a piece and hold about 50 pounds. FedEx overnights the meat to your door. Same can go with taxidermy but that will definitely have time.
 
DKenny said:
Also, just because OTC is going away doesn't mean you won't be able to get a tag. There are several Colorado units that you can draw with 0 points, especially for archery.

I did my first DIY hunt last year driving to Montana from the Hampton Roads area of VA. I learned so much and was able to see what works and doesn't work for gear. OP is right, you probably already have a ton of the gear that you already need. This year I am in between Montana again (good draw odds with 0 points for BG game combo) or burning 6 Colorado points on a muzzleloader tag.
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You are right with the zero point units. Non resident isn’t going away just OTC. The down part is the draw sticks you in one unit and at this point the tag numbers are so high it may as well be OTC. Most of the zero point units are very low numbers due to high pressure over the last twenty year. Last year Colorado had more non resident archery hunters than resident. Things are changing not going away for good. Just no more drive up and buy a tag as a last minute trip.
Quick edit: Last year I went 0 for 9 in elk draws. That was seven states worth of applications. I have points in all of them.
 
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Just_Hangin_N_GA said:
That is a lot of great advice and information. So much to take in and prepare for.
I need to find somewhere to try some packs and boots as these items aren't cheap and they fit different for everyone.
In your experience which do you enjoy more; truck camping or packing in?
I will do whatever it takes to have the best chance at an elk.
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Boots, you can go to a REI, Scheels, or any major hunting or outdoor store.
Just like my email, packs will vary after you decide what type of hunt. A pack doesn’t have to brake to bank in certain situations.
 
Bigterp said:
Thanks for adding that detail about fish boxes, we drove & pulled an enclosed trailer & it ate us up on gas. In hindsight we could’ve made due with just the SUV & found a way to get the meat home & for what we spent in gas/ time I would strongly consider really pairing down my gear list & flying…….
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Another option. We had 3 guys in a pickup with a 6.5' bed and my Softopper. The bed was packed but, part of the gear in the bed was a small chest freezer and generator. It would have allowed us to keep cool and bring home a little more than one elk. If we got two our plan was to buy a hitch hauler and large cooler. Three elk? Well that would have been an awesome problem to try to solve. :)

My dad and other family members have been out 10+ times. They always truck camped and took ATV's so a trailer was necessary. They always had a large chest freezer and generator on the front of the trailer. This allowed them to bring home several animals at a time, and back then they usually did.
 
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GCTerpfan said:
Another option. We had 3 guys in a pickup with a 6.5' bed and my Softopper. The bed was packed but, part of the gear in the bed was a small chest freezer and generator. It would have allowed us to keep cool and bring home a little more than one elk. If we got two our plan was to buy a hitch hauler and large cooler. Three elk? Well that would have been an awesome problem to try to solve. :)

My dad and other family members have been out 10+ times. They always truck camped and took ATV's so a trailer was necessary. They always had a large chest freezer and generator on the front of the trailer. This allowed them to bring home several animals at a time.
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Totally agree the 3rd guy to split driving & cost would’ve made the difference!
 
Just a quick thought on groups for hunting. I would try to keep a group under 4 unless everyone is will to split up. After 4 it becomes difficult to manage everyone and keep everyone happy. Two is my favorite once you know you can spend a week or so together. Three and four are good because you can mix up and split if a few need time apart.
 
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hokiehunter373 said:
You guys that fly out: assuming you're using some sort of lodging instead of packing in and camping? If I'm wrong, how in the world do you fly with everything?
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I flew out with my gear. We got a rental and camped the majority of the time.

It was actually really easy. Carry-on, checked bag (pack) and loaded bow case.
 
Boots that fit right are big in the toe à whole thumb width loose for both down hill and bending without bumping your toenails.snug boots cause blisters and loose toenails..need short toe nails too....go for light weight and breathable over water proof weight.groops of three are good for 2 shooting angles and à caller.no more than that.elk like the cool spots in the creeks with the mud and wallows when its hot.and will come down to drink in the afternoon while the heard is bedded.
 
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If I fly again, it'll be even easier if I don't buy a compound.....but bow cases hold a lot of gear.

I say this and a guy elsewhere posts a like new Bowtech Prodigy for $200....
 
Flying isnt super hard. Bow case stuffed with extra clothes and your pack. I went to Alaska with 45 pounds total and that included the weight of the hard case. Make sure you have a place to pick up supplies. In store pick up at Walmart is sweet. Order a few days ahead and pick up your supplies as you drive through.
 
hokiehunter373 said:
You guys that fly out: assuming you're using some sort of lodging instead of packing in and camping? If I'm wrong, how in the world do you fly with everything?
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You can’t carry more than you can fly with on the mountain.

Pretty simple.

Of course, driving allows you flexibility and risk management from a gear standpoint.

But two checked bags and a carry on is 100+lbs of gear. I have gone four nights from a backpack, and had at most 40lbs plus bow.
 
I am planning to go for three weeks, possibly longer. There are actually two groups of us going, with two of us driving with plans to arrive 5 September, four guys going for last 10 days of September, and two others flying out and overlapping the middle. My plan is to once again pull my 24' camper from VA to CO. Its a 1977 Argosy (painted version of the Airstream). Other than increased fuel consumption, don't even know its behind the truck but does increase travel time due to increased fuel stops. We plan to set up the camper as a base camp and then do 2-3 day excursions into the back country on a rotational basis. With that said, I'm looking for recommendations on gear for the backcountry. From pack on down. Ive done some overnight river kayak trips so I do have some gear for overnight but very limited. With that said, what are the absolutes that must be in the pack for say 2 nights in back country, 7-10K elevation, mid September.
 
Thanks for this thread! I'm planning on driving up from Oklahoma in September.
 
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