Colorado Elk Hunt

[robinvt]

I just returned from 2 weeks in the wild west. Three of us headed west to southern Colorado for the 1st rifle elk season. We had either sex tags and didn't really know what to expect being first timers from the east.

It was an incredible journey. We saw more game in a week of scouting and a week of hunting that anyone would see here in the northeast in 5 years. To give you an example, we decided to keep track of everything we saw on the third day of scouting. We saw 18 elk, 40 turkeys, 4 coyotes, 3 black bear, 5 blue grouse, a bobcat, and . . . are you ready for this . . . drum roll please . . . 188 mule deer! All in one day!

Once the season started, we didn't see any elk for the first two days. On the third morning we were set up about a half mile apart. With in 15 minutes (7:20AM - 7:35AM) we killed two cows and a 5x5 bull. I took a cow at about 30 yards. It took the three of us 8 1/2 hours to gut, skin, quarter, and pack out all three elk. We were exhausted, but it was a good feeling that we did it all on our own. The two cows were about 400lbs and the bull was about 500lbs. Here are a couple of pictures.

Rob's cow elk



A couple of mulie bucks


My friend Dave's 5x5 bull


One of many scenic views


Enjoy . . . Rob

[MK-M-GOBL]

That's AWESOME Rob ;D Never had elk before but I've heard it's good eating. Do you have enough room for all that elk meat? and was trip self-guided?

[troutpro]

Wow, sounds like a great time. Something I would love to do. That is a lot of meat and a lot of weight to back pack out. Any more pictures?

mk-m-gobl-

but it was a good feeling that we did it all on our own

Sounds like it was self guided.

[robinvt]

Yes, it was a do-it-yourself type of hunt. We arrived there on a Tuesday and scouted through Friday. The season started on Saturday. It was a real learning experience. Things are much different in the mountains than I am use to here. From being at 10,000 feet above sea level, the air is mighty thin. Even after several days, it was still hard to climb and breathe. The weather can change on a dime from sunny and 70 to rain, high winds, sleet, and of course snow. If you're not prepared it really can turn into a life threatening situation.

We got roughly 40% of the body weight in meat. I couldn't believe the size of them when I walked up to my cow. I guess if you have taken a moose you know what I mean. We had the meat processed and frozen. Brought it back in 150QT coolers with dry-ice.

I'll see if I can post some more pictures.

. . . Rob

[robinvt]

Ok, here are a few more pictures.

Speed Goats on the praire


Elk Country


Mulies, Mulies everywhere




I think that is James West and Artimus Gordon on that train . . .

[browning204]

Aesome story and pics!!! Great job!

[bluemtchuck]

Congrats on your Elk,there will be some excellent eating there. I shot a small spike Bull a few years ago in Montana and the meat was topshelf. Isn't the country out there just beautiful? I saw all kinds of game also Moose,Pronghorns,Whitetails,Muleys and tons of Rabbits.

[mausermoe]

I got this bull elk more years ago than I like to think about. 1991 if I remember right. Colorado, NW corner, up in the Flat Top Wilderness area of the White River National Forest.

img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/MauserMoe/KenElk4.jpg
img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/MauserMoe/KenElk2.jpg
img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/MauserMoe/KenElk1.jpg

[robinvt]

Here you go. Nice bull, especially with a bow!

[mausermoe]

Thanks for posting my pix.
He was a 4X5 and probably that was my most memorable hunt of my life. We went out and did a backpack hunt in 1990, my buddy Randy, uncle and myself.
In 1991 my uncle and I went again and this time with my brouther. Made a nice shot on him at about 30 yard right through both lungs. He ran quite a ways and down the mountain from the 10500 ft. elevation I shot him at.
My brother hiked out and hired a guy to pack him out for us.