TheGreatWapiti 2023 Colorado Archery Hunt

[Thegreatwapiti]

I woke up this morning in a tent at 10,000'. Spent yesterday setting up camp. I will spend today organizing food and clothing and shooting my bow. I have an elk license and a bear license and have great pics of both from the last month.

Plan for tomorrow......4am wake up......out to my stand by 5:15.....shooting time is 6am......hunt until dark......repeat....repeat....repeat.

I have 10 days to hunt, then heading back to Denver for 3 days and possibly up to 10 more hunting days in later September. I will keep you updated!

If you look in the distance, that bull elk is looking right into my groundblind at 12 yards!! Stay tuned. Good luck everyone!

 

[Jake.]

Good luck out there!

 

[smw110136]

Keep us updated when possible. Good luck!

 

[.270Rem]

Find that bull you want and pick a spot. Then you can make it home for a Labor Day BBQ and be the hero with the fresh elk steaks for the grill.

Have a fine hunt and good luck.

 

[Elkhunter24]

Good luck!

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

I spent 13 hours in the woods yesterday. I tried to trust my trailcams. 1 location had tons of morning pictures so I went there from 5:30-11:30am. The second location showed mostly evening pics so I went there for the afternoon. I was at the 2nd location from noon until 7pm when a storm rolled in and forced me off the mountain. Didn't see an animal the whole day!

Day 2 - Trying a 3rd location this morning where I have hunted a lot in the past. Got on stand at 5:20. Have a great day!! PEACE

 

[noharleyyet]

Love following these early hunts. Best of luck!

 

[Slm864]

Go get ‘em! I’m always interested in seeing the results of those who have enough patience to sit travel areas in the early season. I have often thought about it but haven’t done it yet. Maybe your trip will convince me it’s the better strategy!

 

[MtnElk]

I spent 13 hours in the woods yesterday. I tried to trust my trailcams. 1 location had tons of morning pictures so I went there from 5:30-11:30am. The second location showed mostly evening pics so I went there for the afternoon. I was at the 2nd location from noon until 7pm when a storm rolled in and forced me off the mountain. Didn't see an animal the whole day!

Day 2 - Trying a 3rd location this morning where I have hunted a lot in the past. Got on stand at 5:20. Have a great day!! PEACE

How’s the audio action? They starting to pop off yet?

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

Have not heard a bugle in 4 days. I never bugle until I start to hear them.
Yes.....sitting on a water hole or at a travel corridor isn't the most exciting....but I enjoy the solitude.
Just had a mammal run by but couldn't get a close look. About 10" tall and 2' long with a bushy tail? The body was very white. Coyote, Martin, or some other forest creature!

 

[rhunter]

Hows the temps?

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

40 at night and 75 during the mid day. On and off thunderstorms last 2 days. Full moon.

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

4PM - There is thunder cracking all around me (sounds like sizzling bacon) and I am in a driving rainstorm at 10,500'. I hunkered down under a clump of pine trees and boughs and trying to ride it out. I just had hailstones bouncing all around me. Never been hailed on while elk hunting!

I'm dry here and I would get soaked walking in so I'm here for the duration. I got about 3 more hours of light so if it ever stops raining, I'll probably be the only hunter dumb enough to still be in the woods!

 

[elkfanatic]

I'd much rather be stuck on a mountain in those conditions than where I'm at. Sitting at home 90°, reading about guys that are out hunting!! I've got the whole week off of work, tags available for the unit I'd like to bow hunt, and my personal accountant says no can do, guess I'll have to wait till third rifle with my oldest boy. Good luck and enjoy your hunt!

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

Day 3. The woods were super wet and super quiet this morning. I hunted about 3 hours and nothing but silence. I went in to get organized and eat some real food.

This afternoon I am set up on a finger that is probably 400yds long and 80yds wide. I'm in the top corner about 35yds from an annual wallow.

I've seen Moose, Elk, and Deer in this field so I hope to atleast see some animals tonight during my 6 hours. I've been trying to figure them out for five days and they just don't seem to be moving. A mostly full moon at night gives them plenty of time to move around and feed. Also, there is green vegetation and water everywhere so no need to congregate. Still haven't heard a bugle. Might be a little early???

 

[Bowmannate2000]

Good luck!

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

I just had a hunter walk into the field I was hunting. Super cool guy, he was there to remove a trailcam. It turns out he and I have been watching the same animals this summer. He was taking his cams to a new location so no conflict! First time I have seen a human up here in about 4 years.

 

[Wyhunter]

I just had a hunter walk into the field I was hunting. Super cool guy, he was there to remove a trailcam. It turns out he and I have been watching the same animals this summer. He was taking his cams to a new location so no conflict! First time I have seen a human up here in about 4 years.

Public land hunting is a love/hate kinda thing. Without hunters, we wouldnt have people to fight for our passions, but it sure sucks to run into people 4 miles into the woods. I often wonder who is watching me take a shit

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

Public land hunting is a love/hate kinda thing. Without hunters, we wouldnt have people to fight for our passions, but it sure sucks to run into people 4 miles into the woods. I often wonder who is watching me take a shit

How did you know I was 4 miles into the woods? Are you watching me too?

 

[Hockaday2017]

Weather sounds a lot like where I was since Friday. Saw 20 bulls over the last 5 days. Called 3 into range. Partner missed one this morning. Bulls were very vocal last night and this morning...