1st time back country hunter-looking for advice.

[tryitagainhunting]

Hi, 1st time back country hunter looking for a Colorado Elk hunt.

I plan on hunting with rifle on public land. Looking for any advice, tips or general information on unit 30.

Has anyone ever hunted that unit and had any luck.

Thanks much!

 

[wannakillabigbull]

I’ll say that having spent most of my life in Grand Junction and knowing plenty of other fellow hunters, not a single one I’ve ever known chose to hunt unit 30 for elk even though it was in our backyard. In that region there are other units that typically have more elk and much higher success rates. Any particular reason you’re choosing 30?

 

[Addicting]

Welcome!

 

[COEngineer]

wannakillabigbull sounds like he's trying to keep you out of his honey hole! LOL

When you say "back country" do you mean, backpacking? If so, have you done any other backpacking? Multi-day?

 

[wannakillabigbull]

wannakillabigbull sounds like he's trying to keep you out of his honey hole! LOL

Just trying to help out a first timer. Like I said, nobody I know hunts elk in 30 and there's a reason for that. There's the most recent stats for all manners of take for OTC elk units in that region.

Unit Bulls Success
21 221 19%
30 49 11%
31 175 24%
41 128 14%
411 80 22%
62 495 17%

Perhaps the OP doesn't know that so I'm just trying to make him aware if he isn't. I no longer live or hunt there so he's welcome to have my honey holes in 21, 41, and 62 if he wants.

 

[land7601]

I hunted unit 31 last year during 1st rifle. I can tell you that the elevation is much lower than you would imagine, and will be even lower in most of 30. Not sure where you are coming from, but the country in 30 won't look like what you imagine. There is a ton of oil and gas exploration in the area and you really are out of the mountains and higher country you normally think of when you think elk hunting. The trees and landscape are just weird, but that is Grand Junction if you ask me. In my opinion it really isn't backpacking habitat and with the amount of roads we ran into, it is hard to really hike in anywhere.

With that being said, we did spot two bull at about 1000 yards. Only two elk we saw the entire trip though.

Let me know if you have anymore questions, like I said I hunted unit 31 but I was all over the area and am somewhat familiar with the Grand Junction area.

 

[pabearhunter]

Welcome aboard.

 

[SFC B]

Welcome and good luck!

 

[tryitagainhunting]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

No particular reason I was going to choose unit 30. I am open to other areas and will continue to research that area and surrounding areas. This is my first post and just starting the research portion of the hunt.

I have done 15+ years of mule deer hunting (on own) in Wyoming and have done a Colorado Elk hunt and cat hunt (guided). I am willing to pack in for a couple nights if needed. Just want to get as far away from people as I can. In Wyoming I am out walking for the day but always return to camp for the night.

Thanks again for the replies.