Hunters who reserve a spot ahead of the draw have first priority. Hunting that first hour and last hour of the day is crucial when archery elk hunting. However, I bet there will be a time during the hunt that youll glass up elk that you cant efficiently hunt from your base camp. In some cases, we will return to the lodge for a simple lunch. Activities at Trappers Lake Trappers Lake, Colorado. If you have the OnX Hunt app you can transfer points from Google Earth onto it or you can just use the app and look at the satellite/contour lines to find elky areas. Flat Tops Wilderness Elk Hunting: The White River valley east of Meeker and Buford is home to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area of Colorado and the largest elk herd in the United States. I have taken 2 elk (my first) and a muley buck and LOVE the area. Contact. Of course weve made some upgrades since then, including simple bathrooms, lights, and propane heat. This is a post-rut elk hunt. The first evening was spent glassing a hillside in preparation for the opener the following morning. Our wilderness camps are simple yet comfortable, with 16x20 wall tents and wood burning stoves, along with large cots and thick pads. I immediately caught glimpse of three very large Rocky Mountain Bighorns on the adjacent mountain. The Flat Tops Wilderness uplift is a prime elk habitat. From: FORESTBOWS 31-May-20 Hey guys! Be ready to adjust . the elk began their migration north and west to the lower high-country desert wintering areas. we know where the elk wallow. Chances are that if you are from the east coast this is not a feasible option for you. The podcast starts with an update on current winter conditions in Colorado and how they are affecting deer and elk. Colorado Outfitters License #284, Lone Tom Outfitting 2022 - All rights reserved. This camp is located on the South Fork of the White River National Forest within the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, covering 235,000 acres. . Advance reservations take priority. I know having a horse or ATV is ideal, but we will be doing it all on foot. Flat Tops Wilderness spans the Routt National Forest and White River National Forest. When treated right, elk meat is as good as it gets! Saeed, now more calm, pulled his rifle up. Chances are that what you see in person will change some of the places you chose but at least you have a game plan on the first morning. However, you can use your rain gear as a layering system. Hunters that can successfully kill a raghorn bull elk every year in OTC units are leaps and bounds better elk hunters than those who only hunt trophy units/private ranches, Indian reservations, etc. On the flip side, do not overlook easy to access spots. The little nooks and crannies are often times what hold elk. LEARN MORE Our Flat Tops Cabin Colorado Elk Hunting - Guided Hunts at Ute Lodge. So get on Google Earth and start looking for elk areas. These hunts are very popular especially at the end of the 2nd or 3rd rifle seasons and This is a great strategy if you need to cover ground and still be actively hunting. I understand it is a business for them but to want to "own" those animals and keep them on their land just to make a profit to me that is unethical and really chaps my butt. Missing a morning or an evening is really like missing 15% of a 5 day trip, just because the odds of killing something in the morning/evening is so much higher than the rest of the day. This was my fifth year of elk hunting, and finally I may be getting the hang of it. However, some units still offer either sex tags during archery season. BIG GAME HUNTING Elk Flat Tops Wilderness Co Jamen Mar 21, 2015 Mar 21, 2015 #1 Jamen Well-known member Joined Oct 5, 2013 Messages 590 Location North Dakota My buddy and I are planning an elk hunting trip for not this fall but next 2016 season. Once you figure a handful of those spots out, youre golden. *** Flat Tops Wilderness Summer Pack Trips and Trail Riding: We offer guests outstanding trail riding into the wilderness on a day basis, or we can arrange for progressive, overnight pack vacations. If you come from sea level and camp at 10,000 feet I will almost guarantee you will experience some sort of altitude sickness. Also, hold out for a good bull! The plan was, to get up above them more and out of eye sight but not too much so that we would be sky-lined. This 2,500 acre ranch will be yours during your stay. Let me tell you, the faster you get over there the more time you have to sneak into a good spot to ambush them and the more time you have for your heart to calm down after your sprint! In just a few years, you could experience the thrill of hunting bugling elk during the rut! Lisa Bennett. you are interested in. Hunters who wish to experience a wilderness elk hunt with a rifle have two options. 12888 County Road 8 - Meeker, Colorado 81641 Saeed and I made it back to camp a couple of hours before sunset. The only way you find these kinds of spots is spending time there. Expect to return to camp after dark, where our guides will prepare a hot dinner before setting in for the night. To learn more and for help with your application, see our limited license and application information. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the best hunting spots, local culture, and zip codes in Colorado.As a hunter, you. Colorado Elk Hunts in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area Budge's Wilderness Lodge HUNTING The White River is home to the largest elk herd in the world. Cows started to appear left and right much closer and we could see bulls meandering through the thick dark timber. Plus, reserving now will lock you in at current pricing. Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations Facility Information Ratings & Reviews Site Types Whether you're looking for a wilderness elk hunt, a trophy mule deer hunt, or fly . The following morning we were up earlier than usual for our long ride. The good news is that for the hunters the are consistent and keep trying year after year will soon become stone cold killers! Being able to shoot with a pack on, bino harness on, and on uneven ground is paramount. Filter through the layers and you can find many trail heads, herd patterns, winter grounds, summer grounds, migration routes, etc. Its still relatively warm in September and elk are more active when the day is coolest. Pull your bugle tube out and tap the end. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. People in the easy spots. Is pack out assistance included in the $500 once season opens? . When we finally made it to the bowl that the elk were in, I was disappointed. These are the standard operating policies of Budges and are subject to change without notice. Hunts do not include the cost of the necessary Colorado licenses. Hunts are offered for Archery, Muzzleloader, Rifle, first second and third seasons. Of all the potential reasons why hunters go home empty handed, their lack of physical fitness and mental toughness is at the top of the heap. However, I promise you that there is elk within reasonable walking distance every day. (Oct 22ndish) Then didnt see but one live cow, and two small small bulls One Live mature 170 ish live deer on that signature danger bound off, and a small buck taken . We have updated our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy as of May 5th, 2020, Colorado OTC Archery Elk - Hunting in a Group vs. Alone & Number of Tags. . Once you become familiar with an area youll find that you capitalize on prime hours a lot more! Upon drawing your tag, a 50% non-refundable deposit is due immediately to secure your dates. Hunters can expect to start their day with a hearty breakfast in the main lodge. Our large hunt area and number of camps allows us to increase your chances. I have used other people pusing animals to my benefit. It's not all about fitness either. Guided hunts are limited to six hunters per week with 2X1 the standard guide to hunter configuration and 1X1 hunts Call around and talk to several outfitters and ask for references. I am not sure where the Flat Top wilderness area is. No exceptions. Then you'll know what access will work. There was a little bit of snow on the ground in spots which helped us see exactly where the elk were standing. Great fishing, incredible scenery, and a true wilderness experience. Size:235,035 acres Elevation: 7,600 to 12,994 feet Miles of trails: 160 Year designated: 1975 Elk, deer and moose find the area quite pleasant in the summer. For example, you glass up some elk feeding at daylight and you know they are headed towards the dark timber to bed. Once you are familiar though, getting turned around is less of an issue and finding your way back to camp becomes second nature. Cliff and his outfit have been guiding elk and mule deer hunters in Colorado's Flat Tops Wilderness Area for over 30 years so needless to say, he is a book of knowledge when it comes to hunting big game on public land. In stark contrast to the West Elk's steep and rugged terrain, the Flat Tops pretty much takes after its name sake, with the occasional peak rising 1,000 feet above the high plateau. The Flat Tops Wilderness is at an altitude of 10,000 to 11, 000 feet. The Flat Tops are part of the White River Plateau with an average elevation of about 10,000 feet. Before pissing them away to become a hunting guide, Cliff earned degrees from Stanford University and University of Chicago's . Best advice anyone can give you is to have Plans A-Z. https://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/index.html?app=HuntingAtlas, First Rifle Elk in Colorado - Need Advice, Colorado elk units OTC/limited discussion, Florida man going on OTC rifle elk hunt (prev. If you are backpacking into the mountains or are getting packed in via horseback you most likely wont be taking a target along with you. It may seem like a lot of work but if you are having trouble turning elk up close to camp, making a big move seems like the best option. #3. The following day back your range up by maybe 5-10 yards. Choose to hunt from our cozy main lodge, or a remote wilderness camp. The Flat Tops are covered up in elk. This is the third largest Wilderness in Colorado. We tied up the horses and ate a little snack before closing the last little distance. In most cases, you will stay out all day and we will provide a sack lunch. Shouldnt have to venture to far from the trailhead either. 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