To imitate a real life hunting situation do not shoot your bow for 2 days. Between the new mattresses, the comfortable linens and a spectacular backcountry setting, you might feel like settling in long term. It was a shocker to all of us. some nice bulls that score well over 300 inches. It may seem like a lot of work but if you are having trouble turning elk up close to camp, making a big move seems like the best option. As it turned out, the herd of elk were 2.2 miles from us the way the crow flies. Unguided drop camps are available in Colorado. After about an hour of watching the herd, the three rams, and enjoying our hot coffee/tea, the herd slowly disappeared into the timber to bed down. Not sure if you're a resident but either way, this is a great resource. Because we are passionate about meat care, we exclusively use Caribou Gear Game Bags. As the bull breaks through the clearing, Saeed shoots and the bull starts running. With eggs, bacon, and an unhealthy amount of coffee in our system, Saeed and I hit the trail an hour before daylight to make the 6 mile ride to the top of the mountain. "Serving big game hunters since 1994". Few people and plenty of animals in the tough to reach spots. These ranches are in Elk have great eye sight and their hearing is impressive! Also, hold out for a good bull! Then Ryan and Cliff discuss the upcoming Colorado Big Game Draw, including . This is the third largest Wilderness in Colorado. Great fishing, incredible scenery, and a true wilderness experience. During the hunting seasons, well-fitting tire chains with tensioners are required. Having layers, rain gear, lots of water, and food is key. Owing to a brief season, remote location, the highest safety standards and industry leading service, our wilderness experiences are operationally cost-intensive. is sour taste a physical property. Most likely, as a first time elk hunter you are going to shoot the first legal bull that presents an opportunity. Colorado has lots of elk and good trophy quality as the White River herd has improved in recent years. Maximizing your success takes time and sometimes extra money, hiring an outfitter for a drop camp. Im sure you have your state chosen already but now you have to filter through lots of units. Contact Us Self Guided Base Camps: We have complete ready to hunt wilderness base camps based on a 4 hunter minimum per camp. Colorado Outfitters License #284, Lone Tom Outfitting 2022 - All rights reserved. Wild Skies specializes in unguided, remote, but also very easily accessible cabin accommodations in Northwest Colorado near Craig, Colorado and in the heart of the Flat Tops,the first area in the United Statesdesignated to Wilderness. With a lot of patience, moving slow, and team work four of us crossed it without a hiccup. Book Our Cabins Elk Hunt Colorado with Ripple Creek Lodge Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations Facility Information Ratings & Reviews Site Types You may think you found the best glassing knob around but if it doesnt have a view into that 5% youll think its a dead zone. If you are hunting with a buddy, and dont have a decoy another great strategy is for you to get set up about 60 yards down wind of your buddy that is calling and the caller behind some kind of topography. The deer population fluctuates, but is around 70,000. If you want to have the DIY experience and increase success you may want to think about hiring an outfitter and doing a drop camp. This camp has a 16'x20' cook tent with wood heat and propane lights and cooking. However, bugling too much can send them running. Good luck this fall! However, in OTC units there are not as many herd situations as you may think. GMU 24: Approximately 90 percent of this unit is public land, primarily the White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Reserve your spot now to lock in this years rates. Hunters can expect to start their day with a hearty breakfast in the main lodge. He said he is confident with his shot and his 300 Winchester short magnum has never left him down. Since bugling is the iconic sound of the west come September hunters often just say All I want is to hear a bugle. So not hearing one is extremely frustrating. Pretty darn nice setup for . I plan on going out a month or two early to scout some. The Flat Tops Wilderness lies within the Routt and White River National Forest and is one of the largest primitive areas in the Rocky Mountains. I like to enjoy my time on the mountain and carrying camp shoes, a chair, fishing rod, etc is worth the additional weight to me. This deposit does not expire and will remain active until you draw the license. Craig-based outfitter with full-service guided elk and deer hunts (archery, muzzleloader and rifle) and drop camps into the Flat Tops Wilderness Area (GMU 12) and other public private lands (GMUs 4, 441 and 214). Rattling may seem like a whitetail trick but it can be very successful at calling in younger bulls. If the friendship is improved upon from the hunt youll have memories to last a lifetime even if you dont harvest an animal. animals exists every day of the hunt. OTC elk hunts are tough and success is very low. Eventually, one will respond and you will have an elk to focus on come daylight. This camp is located on the South Fork of the White River National Forest within the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, covering 235,000 acres. The White River is home to the largest elk herd in the world. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. The muzzleloader season is in mid-September. But when you get discouraged its best to soak in the little things! An attached cook tent provides a separate space for our guides to prepare meals. This is uncommon and if you have the opportunity to see that enjoy the moment and good luck killing the herd bull, youll need it! But remember, you are hunting an OTC unit and over calling can be the difference between killing a bull and never seeing an elk. Success is high and hunting easier physically than our pack-in mountain hunts. We offer the finest in Colorado elk hunts, big timberline mule deer, trout fishing and summer horseback vacations. Thanks for all the information guys I just need to decide on an area and start the planning. Just because they take you in on horseback for 8 miles does not mean you wont see anyone. Some callers believe this only works on a herd bull. These hunts are very popular especially at the end of the 2nd or 3rd rifle seasons and You can also go off-road into additional expanses of the . When you talk to the references remember that, that is what they are, references! We will ride into each camp every other day to check on you for safety purposes, any needed The following day back your range up by maybe 5-10 yards. No matter the hunting pressure in the area elk still rut they just do it more in the dark than they do during the day. Includes: Five full days of guided horseback hunting, eight nights lodging and meals. The client tent is also 16'x20' with wood heat and propane lights, cots with pads - very warm and comfortable. you are interested in. The White River valley east of Meeker and Buford is home to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area of Colorado and the Elk, deer and moose find the area quite pleasant in the summer. Unlike drop camps where you have to cart gear and setup a tent only to haul the drop camp back out at the end of your hunt and perhaps ride horseback for three to sixhours to get in and out of the camp,you can hunt right out the door at Wild Skies Flat Tops cabin. Thank you for stopping by, we look forward to hearing from you! Where we hunt. These are the original cabins built by Ed Budge in the 1920s. Plus, reserving now will lock you in at current pricing. When we got to the opening that Saeed and Bobby both shot at elk in we were amazed to see nothing but tracks. My fear was I would pick a trail head and scout it and come season I get there to see its swamped. I've DIY hunted otc archery in the flat tops wilderness and west elk wilderness. Before pissing them away to become a hunting guide, Cliff earned degrees from Stanford University and University of Chicago's . There just wasnt another shot. Colorado residents can draw with 0-1 point. You are using an out of date browser. Our guided hunts never have more then twelve hunters at a time and we provide at least one experienced guide per two clients. Trophy elk hunting on ranches where a 300"+ bull is possible. You can safely assume you have an hour that they will still be up feeding. Costs vary depending on the property and availability of landowner vouchers so call for details. Hunters who reserve a spot ahead of the draw have first priority. The last two hours of the ride were done in complete darkness. I think drop camps run about $1800-$2000 per hunter now. Yesterday it was the garden of Eden, elk everywhere; now I didnt see any with my naked eye. Mental toughness and physical fitness go together like Forest Gump and Jenny. This area has the largest elk herd in the world with a cow to bull ratio of 4:1 and you can drive right up to our front door. habitat to hunt we can find the herds and offer you an excellent opportunities to see and encounter elk. Elevations range from 7,640 to 12,354 feet. Jun 30, 2021 #6 Mighty Mouse WKR Joined Jun 21, 2019 Messages 1,781 Location Oklahoma Wildlife in the area include elk, mule deer, black bear, big horn sheep, mountain , antelope, and an occasional moose. If you are confident that you can comfortably spend a night alone and away from camp means that you are less concerned about getting back to camp before dark. Get on a ridge and start walking. The farther a hunter hikes from the main trails and camps, the less pressure they will find. In 2002, the Flat Tops Wilderness was scorched by the "Big Fish Fire," a wildfire that swept through the cradle of wilderness surrounding Trapper's Lake. This letter is intended to provide potential and returning clients information about the upcoming hunting season. These are high quality, fully furnished camps and the rate includes game packing and nightly radio checks at night. Honestly, it doesnt matter! Advance reservations take priority. What makes this area excellent for elk archery hunts is that because we have lots of elk the opportunity to encounter The plan was, to get up above them more and out of eye sight but not too much so that we would be sky-lined. With a permitted area of nearly 100 square miles, we invite you to experience a true wilderness elk hunting adventure. (Oct 22ndish) Then didnt see but one live cow, and two small small bulls One Live mature 170 ish live deer on that signature danger bound off, and a small buck taken . For cancellations made less than 90 days prior to the arrival date, the exact reservation may be transferred to another guest, or the payments received will be forfeited. When we return to the lodge after dark, a home-cooked dinner will be waiting. The guides have all worked up here for years and have an excellent knowledge of elk hunting and the Posted by on April 13, 2023 | Featured | best seats at staples center for a concert on April 13, 2023 | Featured | best seats at staples center for a concert Arrival Day: Arrive in the afternoon, get organized and relax before dinner. When you are talking to an outfitter and asking questions the honest outfitter that sets true expectations will most likely be the one you are happiest with. The Flat Tops Wilderness uplift is a prime elk habitat. The best thing to do is to prepare for and maintain fitness WELL IN ADVANCE of the hunt. The early hunts will enable you to hunt elk The big takeaway is shot placement is everything and if you end up making a poor shot, own it and dont blame the broadhead. We were finally in position on a little bench on the hillside, just big enough for the four of us. If you hike 3 miles with weight on your back at home before getting tired you can do 1 mile in the mountains. Thank you very much for the info! Cloudflare Ray ID: 7b9bde17fa2924c1 From: littlehorse 05-Jul-15 I have to agree with you guys. Have to filter through lots of elk were 2.2 miles from us the way crow! 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