Flattops Wilderness Area Colorado

[pistolhuntermn]

 ???I have hunted north of the Flattops in Zone 12 for 6 self guided elk hunts. I am looking at hunting the Flattops for 2007. I will either bow, muzzle, or pistol hunt. I have 11 preference points. Any body hunt or been in the Flattops. I am looking for recommendations on areas to start looking at or contacts of people to talk to. I am looking for areas that will have less hunting pressure off of the main trails and hard to get too. I am open to hunting with somebody that allready hunts the Flattops also. Thank you.

[fowler]

I would hate to see you waste 11 preference points on the Flat Tops! It's a fine area to hunt but unless its changed I though it was over the counter tag area. Save that many points for one of the prized Ranching-for-Wildlife tags like the Hill ranch. As for the season of choice it just matters what way you really want to go it is a great area in all the seasons as it has one of the biggest herds in the state.

[AuProspector]

I've spent over 20 years going up the "Coffee Pot Road" (South Side, I-70 and the Colorado River at Dotsero).  I've seen only approximately 25% of that country.... even with using 4 wheelers and/or horses, it's a hugh place.

You can take the road all the way to the end to the rustic "Budges Resort."  No lights (oil lamps),no heat (wood stove in cabins),no phone, on the edge of the wilderness area.  A very tuff road for the last 5 miles, but well worth it for a meal/shower.  Many places to hunt between 10 miles and the last ~35 miles of the Coffee Pot.  I like the south side of the road. 

At the Ute camp ground, a mile or two passed "Deep Lake", there a trail that will take you back in. 

There are a number of outfitters that work out of that area, but don't let that get you down.  It's a huge area.  If you don't mind getting back into the timber, you'll have success, just remember the elk have been hunted hard in that area and they know the safe spots.  Getting your elk/deer out can be problematic if you don't have a horse.

Good country to start hunting from is just after the sign that says, 10,000' alitude.  Even if you don't get anything, the scenery is worth the trip.  (BTW, I've been in "White Out Snow Storms" in July up there.  If a big storm comes in, your gear may be there all winter until the thaw comes in May/June.


Also,
At "Broken Rib Springs", there's a small parking lot/spring with good water, with a sign pointing down the valley to "Grizzley Creek".  Excellent fly fishing.  However, It's about 2 miles down to the creek, but feels like 40 miles back up to the car.

During hunting season, F&G shut down some of the 4 wheelers roads.

Good luck.

[pistolhuntermn]

  Thank you for the responses. That will give me alot to research. So far I had been looking at access from the north from FR 12 or Trapper Lake Road to access Zone 24. Coming from the south would that be in Zone 33, 25 or still in 24?

 I can't do the Ranching for Wildlife as a non resident on a self guided hunt. As you said I'm not going to use my 11 preference points on the Flat Tops. I'm saving up for some better limited areas. The flattops are limited draw during the Archery, Muzzle, 1st rifle and 4th rifle. The draw for bow says minimum of 0 points to draw or 1st rifle I believe was minimum of 0 points for draw. I might draw with 0 or maybe only use 1 or 2 points.  Muzzle I would need too many points (7) to draw.  Colorado now lets you keep the rest of the points. I won't loose all of them if I draw. I'd like to do the Archery when the weather is nicer, less people, and be able to hunt them during the "rut".

What season do you go back in and what do you hunt with?

[BeanMan]

Pistol,

I've not spent much time in the Flattops but I will put a plug in for unit 61 for your elk hunt.  You would draw it next year with your points, The bulls might be a touch better in unit 10 or 2 but it may be a very long time before you draw that, maybe forever.  I was with a bowhunting friend in 61 last week and watched him miss a very nice 365 bull at 30 yards, the arrow deflected off of a  tiny oakbrush limb.  Be glad you can't waste your points and time with a RFW hunt.  Some of those ranches might have great bulls but most bend over backwards to make it difficult for a person who just draws the tag (as oposed to paying big bucks for it) to get a good one.  I wasted a pile of deer points on one and regret it to this day.


BeanMan