I’ll take this bait….I’ve got 18 points. So I’ve been over (point-wise).what it would take to draw several different weapon seasons in 20 for a while.
I am not applying to hunt elk in Co this year.
But my research keeps telling me I should consider this unit. Both of the late seasons, first rifle and muzzleloader are all under consideration. I hate the thought of my one big dump of elk points in Colorado being in a unit that only needed 2/3 of my gunny sack to procure. But I might never catch that next plateau of hunts(point -wise…creepy creepy)….so what units, pray tell does Seeth recommend I start considering researching if I want to hunt sometime after ‘23?
You can pm me if you don’t want it out here. I’m just curious what you think because I think I’m at a bastard point level and I need to either choose to pull a lower point hunt than my points could cover or risk getting too damn old to get up the mountain when I might or might not draw a slightly better hunt later.
I spent a night in a suburban once in September in 20, listened to bugles all night long, I have been saying for a long time…..one day I’ll hunt there….
I don't mind sharing my thoughts about the unit.
First off, the unit has an interesting herd dynamic. There are really two types of elk in this area - those that migrate and those that don't.
The migrating ones summer up on the national elk refuge and in Estes Park. Google "Estes Park" and "Elk" and you will see videos of 100s of elk running through town. These elk have such good sanctuary that they tend to migrate later than typical elk would. I saw this first hand last year as weather should have for sure been moving elk yet they were content to stay in the refuge right by the road.
The herds that don't migrate have learned where its public and where its private. The private from what I heard is generally all locked up with outfitter leases and there are a few outfitters that operate in the unit. Success rates and quality of bulls with these outfitters is extremely good due to these local herds and low tag numbers. Most NR that are applying for this unit are using the outfitter and having a successful hunt for 325"+ bulls. We saw two herds on private ranches both with absolute stud herd bulls.
You will not be the only ones on the public. Every day we met hikers (off trail just wandering like us through the mountains) and while those encounters were pleasant and not a big deal, hearing and crossing paths with dirt bikers was. Illegal ones at that since they were operating off trail.
Lastly, we found 3 forest roads that were illegally blocked off by I assume either outfitters work or nearby private land owners. I reported all of them to the game warden during my dealings with him and he mentioned that they deal with this issue every year and asked for me to send him the coordinates of where the locked gates/chains were put up. Two of these spots closed us off from accessing 1000's of acres of public.
Don't get me wrong, there are elk in this unit. I hear that the two late seasons can be a real blast
IF the weather is right and also the archery season can be fun if you can get on one of the local herds that is wandering on public instead of private.
For us, first rifle was typical post rut elk. When we finally found elk, it was a herd of all bulls tucked away behind some private in a nasty thick area giving what post rut bulls like - sanctuary. I later found out that this herd of elk is actually one of those local herds and they are there year round.
If you look at what it takes a resident to get a unit 20 archery or 1st rifle tag, you will see that it typically is only 2-4 points. With 18 NR points, that isn't a unit you should be looking at unless you are going outfitted. There are way better units to spend 18 points on.
