New Hunter - Unit 11 in Meeker, Colorado

[mls0391]

Hey everyone,

My name is Molly, and I am a fairly new hunter. This will be my third year going elk hunting without much success, which has prompted me to get more serious about it (call me ambitious or impatient). I go with my father and uncle who are experienced hunters, but the past two years I've gone, we've either got snowed out, didn't have the 4WD capability to get to the "good spots", or we only had the weekend to hunt. Not to mention, my dad and uncle are approaching their mid-60's so getting around can be a challenge.

We are hunting elk in Unit 11 for first season (Oct. 15th - 20th) this year near Meeker/Buford, Colorado. We currently have 5 spots picked out that I'd like to ask you fine people about your experience, if you've been/hunted there, or if you have any advice in general on how to fill my bull tag. The areas are as followed:

Sleepy Cat Peak/Ranch area

Dunckley Pass

Trapper's Lake

Highway 245 near Rifle Mountain Park

Dead Horse Loop near County Road 8

I am completely open to suggestions or advice. I need all I can get as an inexperienced hunter.

I appreciate and thank you for time and help!

Warm regards,

Molly

 

[Goatshoes]

I can't help you. On this but I can't resist saying that I drove through Meeker last year on my way to Caspar and thought if I ever won the lotto I would have to buy that ranch situated there right off the river. That place looks like a slice of heaven to me. Good Luck.

 

[HighDesertSage]

In my opinion, unit 11 is a bit low for 1st rifle elk. Probably be a few running around, but the big herds will start to migrate into that country until November. The specific areas you mentioned though I believe are in 12 and 24. Any of those areas will work, but you gotta put some distance between you and the roads. It is a very heavily hunted area, and 1st rifle, even though tags are supposed to be limited, can be pretty crowded. I think they still have over 700 tags leftover. Learn how to use the hunt atlas. I have found the areas CPW identifies as elk habitat to be quite accurate.

http://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/index.html?app=HuntingAtlas

Side note: I love Meeker, It's one of my favorite places in CO. Good Luck!

 

[duckhunt]

Welcome from Iowa

 

[Elkhunter24]

never hunted that area. but I can tell you is get on google earth and see what they look like and places you may want to go.

 

[mls0391]

I think you may be referring to Sleepy Cat Ranch, and you're right! Looks beautiful!

 

[mls0391]

Thank you for your reply! This is good information to know, and I agree. My dad and I talked about doing 3rd season since this is a lower elevation. My dad has been hunting this area with my uncle since the 90s and they actually had to stop hunting this area because of overcrowding. The hunt atlas is super helpful! Thank you once again!

 

[mls0391]

Thank you! Hopefully once I get my footing, I'll be able to contribute a bit more to this forum .