Colorado Hunting help for Newbie

[DoubleA]

Hello all,
I'm new to Colorado and will try Elk / Mule Deer if I can draw a tag for them this year.  I really have no idea where to try to draw for since I don't own land nor do I really know anyone that does.  I was thinking of trying for Ft Carson this year, 1) it's close and 2) since I am not Army, I thought there may be a smaller number of Soldiers applying for that area this year due to deployment..  (Been there done that, may God be with them) 3) season length I hear is a month or more, but dependant on the Base Commander..  he choses when you can and can't hunt on the 'Range".

I will be using a 7mm, scoped and all, been "sighting it in" for over a year, and hope to be carrying a new RSRH 44mag scoped as well.  

What I'm looking for is advice on areas, if mine is a good choice or not, and if anyone has hunted on Ft Carson, and general advice on shot placement, bullet weight, need accesories...  what ever you pros want to give a young lad....

Thank you much in advance.....  please try to keep the caliber choices to a minimum.

[Wijbrandus]

DoubleA,

Hope you have fun.  I too am going on my first elk hunt this year, assuming I can get a tag.  I'm going to be drawing for Unit 20, Estes Park area, since I have a coworker who is going to take me up there and knows the area.  He's going to "show me the ropes" of an elk hunt, so to speak.

One thing I did was check out the Colorado DOW website.  It contains all sorts of information on chance of the draw, success rates, etc.  This may help you decide if you have a decent chance at getting a tag there.

Another option, if you are ex-military, is talk to the guys at the Air Force Academy.  They may give you permission to hunt the private land there.  I'm not quite sure on all the possibilities, but I've been told good things about their land.

Keep us in the loop.  April 1 isn't as far off as you might think for a deadline.

~Robert

[Deke]

Wijbrandus & DoubleA,

Welcome to Colorado.  I hunted Colorado for the 1st time last year so I can offer you some good advice.  Do make use of the DOW website since it has good stats on draw and hunter success.  Do call the CDOW since I found them to be very helpful (especially in filling out the applications).

I got and filled a doe mule deer tag through the draw as my 1st choice.  I was unsuccessful for elk on the 1st and 2nd choices of the draw, but was successful for cow on the leftover draw which I did not fill (passed up a shot 1st 30min of shooting light on 1st day and could not get close enough afterwards).  Be sure to check the leftover draw box since you will have another chance in the 2nd draw if you do.  After that you are looking @ an auction process for leftover draw tags in August or over the counter later.

As for tips, I see that you are already on the right track by hunting w/a friend who is more familiar w/the areas and you are pursuing access to areas (given that there good of course) that others may not be able to hunt (the season may also be better even though the commander determines it).

If you have never elk hunted, don't underestimate the size/toughness/wariness/rugged terrain.  The best advice I can offer is read up as much as you can and talk to other hunters.  It is a VERY good idea to have help and a preplanned way to get your animal out.

Deke

[Good Old One Shot]

Hey There,
Glad to see that I am not the only hunter here in CO.  I just got into junting less that a 1 1/2 yrs ago and can't stop.  You may want to look into a State Wildlife Area.  For elk, if you can, I would try for estes park.  It is now a CWD unit, so you can even buy an over the counter tag.  There are also nice muleys in there.  You can go in the National Forests here if all else fails if you are within your area.  Hope I helped.
:-)

[Deke]

One Shot,

Are you sure about being able to hunt Estes Park, did not know that it could be hunted?

Deke.

[Wijbrandus]

One Shot is referring to the Game Unit 20, called Estes Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park is blocked from hunting, but there is a sizeable portion of huntable wilderness (National Forest, BLM, etc.) surrounding the town of Estes Park that is not RMNP land.

Not to mention the freakin huge herds there.

~Robert