CO Unit 22 4th Rifle - Newbie Asking for Advice

[frank_anderson3]

All, this is my first post and am searching for guidance for my first ever elk hunt. I'm an active duty Marine who has been meaning to chase elk, but deployments and other operational commitments have seemingly screwed me for the last 15 years! But, now its my turn and I couldn't be more excited! I literally can't sleep at night...lol. My two other Marine friends had to bail out as their leave got denied; frankly, I'm praying my leave doesn't get canked too. That said, I'll be going solo. I've got a lot of time in mountains from various mountain training packages at high elevation in winter, so I feel comfortable with going at it alone.

I have followed Randy's guidance on E-Scouting and have enrolled into Elk101 (read it all twice). I have managed to locate a few areas through internet imagery that, according to Randy's teachings, should hold elk. Still, if anyone would be willing to impart their knowledge I would be in debt. Specifically, where to focus my search (not looking for exact locations) and where to not waste time in, and how to best / most effectively hunt this unit? Perhaps roads that lead to nowhere, etc? I've got two elk tags (one bull, one cow)--I'm not looking for trophies, just legal animals for meat and cool stories.

Again, any help is much appreciated. Thank y'all for your time.

 

[Muley_Stalker]

Normally, when I see a first post member asking where to hunt I ignore it. Here is a man fighting for our country on his first elk hunt. It also looks like he did everything else right.

I have no knowledge of unit 22, but i'm sure some of you have. Help this man out. He deserves it.

 

[frank_anderson3]

Sir,
Thank you. I hope didn't come off as a charity case. Thanks for the help--appreciate it!

 

[mixedbag]

Wish I could help.I've never been in the unit.If there's alot of snow the elk should be pretty accessible.Did you get any maps?Mytopo sells unit maps with all the roads marked and public/private.I would recommend the Colorado chip for your gps.I got one if you don't want to throw out the $100.If you get hold mytopo you should get a map in plenty of time
Have fun and good luck

 

[marksjeep]

Frank,

Thanks for your service! I haven't hunted 22 in several years, so that this all with a grain of salt. We used to hunt it 4th and late seasons for cows only. We'd run the roads and stop at every glassing point we could find. Glass, glass, glass. Then glass some more. Small herds of cows were usually found in the oak brush. Find a group of cows in a canyon a mile or two out, and figure out how to hike in on them. Right now there is very little snow up there. I'd start higher in the unit unless we get snow soon.

Good luck!

 

[publichunter1]

Welcome and good luck! I have never been in 22.

 

[frank_anderson3]

Wish I could help.I've never been in the unit.If there's alot of snow the elk should be pretty accessible.Did you get any maps?Mytopo sells unit maps with all the roads marked and public/private.I would recommend the Colorado chip for your gps.I got one if you don't want to throw out the $100.If you get hold mytopo you should get a map in plenty of time
Have fun and good luck

Nice! Thank you. I'm swinging by Cabelas tomorrow to grab a map, but before I do check out mytopo. I've also got OnX on my phone.

 

[frank_anderson3]

Mark, no sweat and thanks! Thank you for the gouge too. I plan to show up a full day early to scout. I plan to start on the east side of the unit and move west--I'll keep the high ground and try to follow travel / migration corridors b/w summer and wintering grounds. However, pressure will dictate. Will heed to your advice about starting at higher elevation.

 

[marksjeep]

I should have added, we always hunted west or southwest of County Road 5. I never spent time east of CR 5.

 

[frank_anderson3]

What are y'all's thoughts are focusing on burns during the 4th Rifle? Randy says bulls love to hang out in there as they offer fantastic security due to the abundance of obstacles. OnX shows quite a few burns in the area. My concern currently is the lack of snow / weather to push the elk into the area. I suppose their are some elk there year round.

 

[LuketheDog]

It will be easier to spot elk in the burns for sure, if they are there. I've never been to 22, so sorry I can't help you more. THANK YOU for your service though!

 

[frank_anderson3]

Luke, a thousand thanks! Perhaps I can find a hell-hole a couple miles from any road that has a burn on one side near food and water. I'll take another look at a couple layers on some map systems. Brother, I'm going to go hard for 6-days straight. I'll keep y'all abreast. Thanks again. SF.

 

[Bigjay73]

I'd help if you were Army lololol. Jk. Never been in 22 either. Hope you have some luck.

 

[frank_anderson3]

Haha! Appreciate it! Cheers!

 

[Western Traveler1]

I hope I'm not too late.
Haven't been in 22 for a few years and then it was 3rd rifle deer. After a couple days of hiking in a couple miles just to have a quad drive by close to me I realized it was better to drive, park and glass, and glass and glass. Bring chains. Passable roads most of the time that criss cross the unit but slick as glass when glazed or wet. It is loaded with gas Wells and pads. Glass off the pads but don't shoot from them. As stated above start at County road 5 from the highway..talk to the rig workers they can be very helpful. Find the pipeline path for another option to check out...
Thank you sir for your service!

 

[Zach]

PM sent

 

[frank_anderson3]

I hope I'm not too late.
Haven't been in 22 for a few years and then it was 3rd rifle deer. After a couple days of hiking in a couple miles just to have a quad drive by close to me I realized it was better to drive, park and glass, and glass and glass. Bring chains. Passable roads most of the time that criss cross the unit but slick as glass when glazed or wet. It is loaded with gas Wells and pads. Glass off the pads but don't shoot from them. As stated above start at County road 5 from the highway..talk to the rig workers they can be very helpful. Find the pipeline path for another option to check out...
Thank you sir for your service!

Fantastic gouge! Thank you tremendously! You fellas have been exceptional. Thank you, Western Traveler!