Colorado unit 26 flat tops

[MIhunt44]

Myself and 2 buddies are heading out from MI for an elk hunt, early season. We're going back to a spot we hunted last year, I'm hoping I may find someone with some info/knowledge about an area in unit 26 in the flat tops wilderness for a possible plan B. I have the spot I'm interested picked out, hoping to find info on access, pressure, and anything else someone may be kind enough to share.

thanks in advance and good hunting.

 

[Jwill]

I once did an armed hike up around Hooper and Edge Lakes.

 

[JohnCushman]

Welcome to HT

 

[land7601]

Welcome! I've hunted parts of 25 and parts of 26 in the past. What season and where are you thinking?

 

[Deleted member 22670]

What season?

 

[Mason326]

Always heard there were quite a few hunters and also outfitters up in the Flat Tops. Also that you can get snowed out in the later seasons, in which case the elk move out. Of course that doesn't really apply to early season... I was planning a hunt in that area until a surprise baby due in October pushed me into 4th season!

Good luck, hunt HARD!

 

[SFC B]

I hunt 26 on the East end of the FT area. If you have some specific questions feel free to PM me and I'll try and give you some info accordingly.

 

[Pelican]

I hunted unit 26 for several years for deer, but not elk. A PM would be a good idea if you do not want to reveal your intended hunting area.

 

[accountantsanonymous]

I hunt 26 on the East end of the FT area. If you have some specific questions feel free to PM me and I'll try and give you some info accordingly.

I've spent 4-5 days this summer scouting this part of 26. Mind if I pick your brain with a few questions I have about what I've found so far?

 

[SFC B]

I've spent 4-5 days this summer scouting this part of 26. Mind if I pick your brain with a few questions I have about what I've found so far?

Feel free to pm me.

 

[Redman]

Hunted it myself in 17 and ran into some guys from MI maybe it was you! Feel free to PM me with questions.

 

[accountantsanonymous]

Feel free to pm me.

Will do. Appreciate that.

 

[DouglasR]

How’d the hunt go?

 

[blacksheep]

I hunt in 231, the next unit up and we have pretty good success. Good luck in 4th season. Tough elk hunting, but good mulley hunting. Should be close to rut. I saw some monsters last fall.

blacksheep

 

[RockTenn10]

I hunt in 231, the next unit up and we have pretty good success. Good luck in 4th season. Tough elk hunting, but good mulley hunting. Should be close to rut. I saw some monsters last fall.

blacksheep

Hey Blacksheep, this is an older thread, but I'm looking to hunt 26, 12, 231, etc based on what non-resident tags I can draw. I'd be hunting solo and planning to hike in a few miles (33, well above average fitness). This is my first trip out west so planning to do some glassing and use more whitetail strategies (I'm from PA). Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated!

 

[blacksheep]

The whole tag allocation is about to change. Less out of state tags from what I understand. Do you homework. Look at the harvest numbers, available tags and units where you can draw with little to no points. They are popular units with lots of hunters. In early seasons I have noticed that elevation is key. The elk will stay high until the snow comes in. Bulls are easy to draw, cows can be harder. Unit 26 is 17:100 bulls to cows and about 50% public land. Look at goHUNT for their unit breakdown and and draw odds. Look for units that have a lot of public land. There are some that have trophy elk that are landlocked on private ground. Be prepared to hike 2-3 miles to get away from other hunters for a better chance to see elk. There will be a lot of hunters closer to the trailheads. Watch the weather, have good gear and take your time. Get a good fitting pack. Your gonna spend some money for sure $450 and up. You will learn fast that the lighter you pack is the better. Leave the stuff you don't need in camp. Good luck.