kbhillhunter
Active member
Does anyone have any experience hunting in the Flat Tops or Weminuche areas of Colorado? A friend and I are looking at these areas. Targeting 1st or 3rd rifle.
DIY Colorado Wilderness Hunt
- Thread starter kbhillhunter
- Start date
I've hunted them both,more elk per square mile in the flat tops along with more hunters and outfitters...the Weminuche is very rugged country less hunters and a better chance at a quality bull as for which season I like 3rd rifle but the weather can get ugly pretty quick especially in the flat tops!
Big Tex
New member
I've archery hunted the Weminuche several times. Success is definitely hard fought, its big country and straight up and down...but if you can get in deep and high enough there are some nice bulls. I've hunted 5-10 miles back and have yet to encounter another while hunting....Did I say it was tough country.
grandejuan
Active member
In early to mid September, I've found lots of elk way above timberline in the San Juan river drainage. I was sheep hunting and was a bit surprised to find elk up with the sheep. This is +12,000 ft. on the continental divide. I ran into a couple of groups of archers on my way in who were not having much luck at the 9000 ft level. Be prepared for very wet weather. Its the end of the SW monsoon season, and other than my ride in I was in rain gear all day every day. FWIW. GJ
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grandejuan
Active member
My feeble brain farted. I thought you were archery hunting. My bad. GJ
davinski
Well-known member
Never hunted either myself, but FWIW you can catch a train into (and out of) the Weminuche Wilderness. A buddy and I did that once for camping/fishing, it was pretty cool. It is all very steep in every direction away from the two stops available. I always thought that would make a good episode of Fresh Tracks, hint, hint Randy.
https://www.durangotrain.com/wilderness-access#.WHhTfxsrLD4
https://www.durangotrain.com/wilderness-access#.WHhTfxsrLD4
LuketheDog
Well-known member
I've hunted archery in the Flat Tops, on the east side. There are lots of elk, but you have to get far away from the trails/trailheads to get away from other hunters and backpackers, and the terrain can get rough real quick. It can be a lot more rugged than you think, but getting up on the high benches is a great way to cover ground and do some spotting, at least where we were. There is good fishing in many of the lakes as well. 1st Rifle would be my choice if I wasn't bowhunting. The weather can get pretty nasty in any season, even archery, but if you're used to backcountry hunting you should be prepared for bad weather.
