Elk Hunt in Colorado

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Mike Ashcraft

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Oct 20, 2006
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Northglenn, CO
Just got back from an elk hunt in Colorado (my home). What a good time. Didn't put any food on the table but the time spent in the woods and with friends and family members was good. Can't think of a better place to be but in the Colorado mountains. Had lots of fun, laughs and mountain air. What a relief to be away from the city and all the negative news about shootings, robberies and car wrecks.
Been hunting elk for some 40 years and haven't figured the beast out yet. Just when you think you know what they are going to do, they change their patterns just enough to throw you off and keep you coming back. Guess if it was easy it wouldn't be a sport. Probably wouldn't hunt again if I knew what was going to happen the next hunt. We've been lucky the last couple years being blessed with some elk meat. This year all we can do is clean the ol' Model 70 and put her away until it's time to site her in for the big hunt next year.
This year we'll have to settle for store bought meat and memories of the hunt. Every bite of beef will keep our taste buds wondering when the next morsel of elk steak will come.

Mike
 
Hey there neighbor!

sorry to hear about the lack of elk steaks, but it sounds like you had a great time anyway. What part of CO did you go to?

I ask because i go for 3rd season elk (Cow tag) near Kremmling. waited to get my deer tag too long and ended up with that instead. this will be, weather permitting, my very first elk hunt.

I usually hunt deer up there and have gotten two for two. three years ago i took my bro-in law there for his first deer, but we couldnt find even one, usually they are thick as flies. we found out why, there was at least one wolf hanging around , we saw it. other hunters and land owners reported it as well.

as an avid elk hunter, can you give me any pointers that i could use for any cow/anterless elk? i dont hunt big game often, but i do hunt alot of small game, especially in the mountains. im using a .308 with 180 gr winchesters. Anything you can give me will be a great help, thanks! - Eric
 
Wow

I`ve been trying to get enough money to go on an elk hunt for a few years but every time I get the money, I lose the time. Heard from a friend that the television couldn`t show the beauty up there. Hope you had fun.:)
 
We were hunting near Crested Butte. Two for two is a darn good record. Don't really have any pointers but the 308/180 gr is plenty of bullet. I use a 270/150 gr Nosler Partition. My brother came up with the load for me. My gun likes it and puts the Nosler right where I aim it. A miss is always do to operator error.
Another thing I've figured out about elk hunting is the elk are where they are and that's where you'll find 'um. Sometimes that can take plenty of hiking.
The area we go is steep and rugged in areas and your right, woodstock72000, the TV couldn't show the beauty. Ya just gotta' be there.

Good luck.
 
Mike,
Good to see you post and share.

You Ashcraft's have the right attitude about Hunting, and that being the taking of game is just a bonus of the hunting experience.
You and yours do this in regard to everything outdoors.

Tell you what, I'll put a bug in Sadie's ear, and see what I can do about some Elk Steaks.

Adopted Uncles do have some pull, sometimes. ;)


Steve
 
I know what you're saying Mike. I'm sure it's not the same as when your Dad and big Brother went, but it's always great to be there! I took my Daughter last weekend and we did the same as you, enjoying the setting, but no action. We're going again Thursday just for the day. It's just to bad a guy has to make a living or I'd stay up there.
I do have some Elk steaks to eat though. A friend from Pueblo West got one down the first season in the Gore Wilderness, No. of Silverthorn. He called me on Sunday after they got 8" of snow. Did'nt want to make 4 trips in to pack it out, so I took a couple horses over. It was a much greater distance in then he though and we had to spend Sunday night on top with the elk. We sat around a fire that night as I cussed myself for not being better prepared. You think after 4-5 times I'd know better. I slept under my slicker and fed the fire when I woke up shivering. All I had brought along to eat was a candy bar and some peanuts (I know, I know the ELK). As we were loading the quarters in the morning I realized I could have had tenderloin on a stick. Some times the brain does'nt kick in till it's to late. I could blame it on a touch of hypothermia, but it might be that disease of old age C R S.
 
"A weekend fishing & hunting with friends and family, even if you're shutout, is far superior to the best day at work."

Glad you had a great experience and appreciate it exactly for that, rather than judging success by how much meat was put in the freezer.
 
Elk hunting in Colorado is a great experience. I just accompanied a relative for a hunt in the Durango area. Great fun. He scored a nice 5x6 bonus which just added to the enjoyment. I drew a tag for the third season and a friend is going to join me in the field. We use the hunting experience as a fellowship method. Good times.
 
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