I hunted 371 for 1st rifle as well this year. First elk hunt for me. Went in at the Tenmile Trailhead on second day of season and saw a hunter packing out a small 5x5. Unfortunately didn’t see any elk though but found some good sign. Already looking forward to my next hunt
I applaud the effort. I don’t want to sound arrogant but I’m a CO native, Hunted elk here my whole life. I could give you endless advice but I think the best for you guys is worry a lot less about temperature or elevation. Definitely focus the hunt where sign is most fresh.
@TheMaintenanceChannel I think that’s great advice. I think it just happened to be this time where the freshest sign is where we were the highest so that’s why we thought that. Always good to have advice from people who live in the area though. You guys would know best!
I'm and old man now and I've hunted elk all my life in Colorado. I live here. There have been many years I've never even seen a cow elk during the season even in areas I know they live. You said the elk won't be down low when the temperature is high but that's not really true. There will be those elk that live in that high country and there will be those elk that live in lower country. The best elk and most frequently successful elk hunts I've had have been in the Pinion pine country where the temp can get much higher than at higher elevations. 6800 feet or so. I hunt the front range in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Lots of private land around here and there have been heartbreaking times when I watch a nice big elk just across the fence walk safely away. Try to control your noise but it's not as important as when deer hunting, and watch your sky line and scent. Elk don't just run away if they don't wind you and you don't offer any immediate threat. Be comfortable with your rifle because shots come fast some times. Don't be discouraged and keep trying. The worst thing now is the CPW has lifted the price of out of state tags so high it's less expensive to just buy a beef.
That’s all great, appreciated advice. Elk tags are out of control. 800 for a tag and that’s AFTER you buy a 100 dollar small game tag to qualify to enter for an elk tag. Sounds like it’s just a crap shoot and the elk will be wherever the elk will be.
Ive hunted 371 3 seasons now, 2 archery and now 1st rifle. Its rough in there. Ive had some encounters but its def not "elk hunting" like you typically see. The elk are few and far between, the bulls are small and they are silent and unresponsive. I end up just sitting most mornings and evenings on a game trail. Total Ive spent almost 25 days deep in that unit. I think this season was my last season in there. Between the low elk numbers and the insane amount of dead fall I think it needs some time to recover from its winter kill a couple years ago.
Of course you weren't hunting when you weren't wearing your orange. Never forget the Colorado Parks and Wildlife is all about making money. They love to jump on those hefty fines.
Can't belive you guys were purposely not wearing your orange?! Do you think the laws dont pertain to you? Karma, maube thats why you didn't see any elk
Mad props for you to dive in and get after it... nothing better than personal suffering to learn... next year will be better 100%...
I agree. The first time doing something this new is always a big time learning experience. Thanks for the comment!
I hunted 371 for 1st rifle as well this year. First elk hunt for me. Went in at the Tenmile Trailhead on second day of season and saw a hunter packing out a small 5x5. Unfortunately didn’t see any elk though but found some good sign. Already looking forward to my next hunt
I applaud the effort. I don’t want to sound arrogant but I’m a CO native, Hunted elk here my whole life. I could give you endless advice but I think the best for you guys is worry a lot less about temperature or elevation. Definitely focus the hunt where sign is most fresh.
@TheMaintenanceChannel I think that’s great advice. I think it just happened to be this time where the freshest sign is where we were the highest so that’s why we thought that. Always good to have advice from people who live in the area though. You guys would know best!
Same! I don’t know if I want to go somewhere else or try that one again since it’s basically a guaranteed draw.
I'm and old man now and I've hunted elk all my life in Colorado. I live here. There have been many years I've never even seen a cow elk during the season even in areas I know they live. You said the elk won't be down low when the temperature is high but that's not really true. There will be those elk that live in that high country and there will be those elk that live in lower country. The best elk and most frequently successful elk hunts I've had have been in the Pinion pine country where the temp can get much higher than at higher elevations. 6800 feet or so. I hunt the front range in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Lots of private land around here and there have been heartbreaking times when I watch a nice big elk just across the fence walk safely away. Try to control your noise but it's not as important as when deer hunting, and watch your sky line and scent. Elk don't just run away if they don't wind you and you don't offer any immediate threat. Be comfortable with your rifle because shots come fast some times. Don't be discouraged and keep trying. The worst thing now is the CPW has lifted the price of out of state tags so high it's less expensive to just buy a beef.
That’s all great, appreciated advice. Elk tags are out of control. 800 for a tag and that’s AFTER you buy a 100 dollar small game tag to qualify to enter for an elk tag. Sounds like it’s just a crap shoot and the elk will be wherever the elk will be.
Ive hunted 371 3 seasons now, 2 archery and now 1st rifle. Its rough in there. Ive had some encounters but its def not "elk hunting" like you typically see. The elk are few and far between, the bulls are small and they are silent and unresponsive. I end up just sitting most mornings and evenings on a game trail. Total Ive spent almost 25 days deep in that unit. I think this season was my last season in there.
Between the low elk numbers and the insane amount of dead fall I think it needs some time to recover from its winter kill a couple years ago.
There are a ton of moose in there though!
371 is a tough one. Save some points up and we’ll get you on a good unit.
It’s Titled Elk Hunt!! Not Elk harvest/kill. No worries at all and I look forward to watching!!
I appreciate it!
That’s huntin! Hopefully CPW doesn’t watch this and write you tickets for not wearing your vests though!
Hopefully! I think we’ll be fine. We wore it most of the time.
@@PhilDoesItAll Well I'll bet you weren't hunting when you weren't wearing it.
@russellkeeling4387 just hiking and sightseeing while we had the orange off.
Of course you weren't hunting when you weren't wearing your orange. Never forget the Colorado Parks and Wildlife is all about making money. They love to jump on those hefty fines.
Can't belive you guys were purposely not wearing your orange?! Do you think the laws dont pertain to you? Karma, maube thats why you didn't see any elk
Oh yeah maybe that’s it. The orange vest gods told the elk to not come over to where we were at.