MinneFoCo
Member
Introduced myself a week or so ago in the welcome forum, but a brief rundown about me...new to the west and new to big game hunting.
I'll be public land hunting on the western slope of Colorado first season rifle this year. Being new to the area and new to hunting I've read and watched tons of information about hunting this fall.
Seems like finding these awesome animals is more than half the struggle (I could very well be wrong about this). I've gone out a few times to learn the lay of the land and look for elk too. Maybe spotted a few a LOOOONG WAY off. Here's what I've come across as far as help looking for animals.
Get away from trails, check northern slopes for game trails and bedding areas...might head to southern slopes for evening feeding. Look for benches between water sources, wallows may be found upstream from headwaters of streams, in a newly burned area elk like the new grasses and Aspen that grow in place of old pines, if I stumble across an Aspen stand without bark it's probably a wintering ground.
how does all this sound? On one scouting trip I (unfortunately) ran into some sheep and shepards. Is this good/bad? I figured this wasn't ideal due to the presence of men. Does anyone have any pearls of wisdom they would like to share? I am thinking of hunting GMU 12,23,24, or 131...have tag and am ready to work!
Thanks!
I'll be public land hunting on the western slope of Colorado first season rifle this year. Being new to the area and new to hunting I've read and watched tons of information about hunting this fall.
Seems like finding these awesome animals is more than half the struggle (I could very well be wrong about this). I've gone out a few times to learn the lay of the land and look for elk too. Maybe spotted a few a LOOOONG WAY off. Here's what I've come across as far as help looking for animals.
Get away from trails, check northern slopes for game trails and bedding areas...might head to southern slopes for evening feeding. Look for benches between water sources, wallows may be found upstream from headwaters of streams, in a newly burned area elk like the new grasses and Aspen that grow in place of old pines, if I stumble across an Aspen stand without bark it's probably a wintering ground.
how does all this sound? On one scouting trip I (unfortunately) ran into some sheep and shepards. Is this good/bad? I figured this wasn't ideal due to the presence of men. Does anyone have any pearls of wisdom they would like to share? I am thinking of hunting GMU 12,23,24, or 131...have tag and am ready to work!
Thanks!