flat tops wilderness elk hunting

In a real life situation youll be lucky to let one arrow fly during the course of the week. An Introduction to Elk Hunting. Colorado Outfitters License #284, Lone Tom Outfitting 2022 - All rights reserved. I know having a horse or ATV is ideal, but we will be doing it all on foot. wilderness. You are welcome to tip these individuals separately, or you can leave a single amount and we can divide it among the crew. For that reason, our Cancellation Policy is as follows: You may cancel your trip at any time, but all payments, deposits and fees paid to Budges are 100% non-refundable. . After about an hour of watching the herd, the three rams, and enjoying our hot coffee/tea, the herd slowly disappeared into the timber to bed down. 360 Degree Video Flattops Hunting Name * Arrival Date. There just wasnt another shot. Saeed never had another opportunity at an elk but passed on some smaller mule deer. Photo: John Biking: There are not many opportunities for mountain biking near Trappers Lake. The game plan will vary based on the season and conditions, but our guides will put you in the best possible position for an opportunity. Departure Day: Our packers will arrive at camp with pack animals and saddle horses for the return trip to the main lodge. Here at Budges Wilderness lodge, we take the care of wild game meat very seriously. Also, hold out for a good bull! Batte Outfitters 8/21-11/15 Guided day hunting 12 Harp Point 601-536-3168 Beaver Creek Outfitters Summer Overnight trips with pack horses Flat Tops Wilderness, Lost Lakes . Make sure you are practicing for real situations. Though it was still somewhat early to call it a day I knew Saeed and the horses would need all the rest they could get for the following mornings hunt. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Then give a few cow calls and be quiet, still, and on the ready. Hunters who reserve a spot ahead of the draw have first priority. Almost instantly Bobby takes a shot. Private land hunts are on large ranches where we access the properties by 4WD and hunt by spot and stalk. On a good week of hunting 80% of the hunters in camp might take an elk. offers clients a very broad range of hunting opportunities ranging from 8,000 ft elevations to 11,000 ft high in the This is a major advantage - we dont fight the crowds in over-the-counter archery elk units. I dont think that there is a hunter out there that doesnt regret going home early, because they are discouraged. If you settle youll regret it everyday! Licenses for both of these rifle seasons are easy to obtain. I recommend reading David Goggins book, Cant Hurt Me and maybe even bring it with you on your hunt if you need some motivation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. in good physical condition to get the most out of these hunts, but we are in the middle of excellent country and However, I promise you that there is elk within reasonable walking distance every day. Self Guided Base Camps: We have complete ready to hunt wilderness base camps based on a 4 hunter minimum per camp. When we return to the lodge after dark, a home-cooked dinner will be waiting. Your email address will not be published. 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. limited license and application information. These are the standard operating policies of Budges and are subject to change without notice. To decrease the amount of hunters you see look for an area that is more rugged. So do your research and find out where you can get all three tags each year without having to use points. Enjoy elk hunting amidst one of the largest elk herds in North America. Of course we work extremely hard to give our clients every opportunity. I've DIY hunted otc archery in the flat tops wilderness and west elk wilderness. My guess is that your shot wont be at 20, 30, or 40 yards on the dot. To receive a bear or mule deer tag you often times need to draw them, at least in Colorado, but you can usually pick them up on the leftover list if you missed the draw or are building points. This mimics getting one stalk/day. Flat Tops Wilderness CO Drop Camp with River's Bend Outfitters Whether an elk is harvested or not, we hope that every single guest has an outstanding wilderness experience with memories that will be cherished for years. Near the base of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, this region is a sanctuary for North America's largest resident elk herd as well as mule deer, moose, bear and upland birds. Colorado High Country Adventures But dont be intimidated by the application or draw process. I was headed to Saeeds tent by 4:30 to make sure he was up for breakfast. You are using an out of date browser. At Budges Wilderness lodge, we look forward to helping you plan an elk hunt that meets your goals and expectations. Your IP: Elk Hunting: Yes. Lots of area for those tags to spread out, but still a ton of tags. Hunt Code E-F-025-E1-R , Sept 15-30 in areas 25 and 26. Includes: Five full days of guided horseback hunting, eight nights lodging and meals. Private land hunts Archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunts are all good. It is well known as some of the very best elk and deer country anywhere. Mental toughness and physical fitness go together like Forest Gump and Jenny. (Note: meals and lodging are not included). Thanks for all the information guys I just need to decide on an area and start the planning. Shot opportunity usually is well over 50% which is outstanding for archery elk. Rattling may seem like a whitetail trick but it can be very successful at calling in younger bulls. Any advice appreciated. (and shed hunting) in Northern Nevada was tough but . All the other hunters you will see are probably just grouse hunters. On a tough week, it may be closer to 20%. I hunted there in 2nd and 3rd seasons for deer and elk respectively. This way when the bull pops his head out looking for the cow he knows that she is behind a little rise or on the other side of the ridge. Dont get too fooled with podcasts and YouTube videos about calling, a lot of those they just want your money to teach you how to call great. Its easy and we can help. It will be a 2 man hunt, backcountry camping (single man tents, no ATV or Horses) and all on foot. He said he is confident with his shot and his 300 Winchester short magnum has never left him down. Where we hunt. Its amazing the oxygen difference at 2,000 feet back home in your office and 10,000 feet with a 50 pound pack! These are high quality, fully furnished camps and the rate includes game packing and nightly radio checks at night. Nevertheless, Zach, our camp cook always knows how to raise spirits with his chicken fried chicken, spice cake, and a toasty cook tent. The picture above is of a bull I shot with a 100 grain Rage Hypodermic at 55 yards. But we would never go back again we watched the locals that owned the store.herd the.elk back up the mountain with a jeep and horses Dam shame we told the lady at the store and she said oh thats my boys.If you want to hunt it will cost this much We ran into the same issue in the badlands hunting elk. Thats good news for you because that 55 bull doesnt want those cows taken away from him by another bull. Located east of Meeker, Colorado at the edge of the Flat Tops Wilderness, we offer you a quality hunt in the largest elk herd in the country. Book Our Cabins Elk Hunt Colorado with Ripple Creek Lodge The White River elk herd is 30,000+ animals, of which a large portion live in the Flat Tops. Wild Skies specializes in unguided, remote, but also very easily accessible cabin accommodations in Northwest Colorado near Craig, Colorado and in the heart of the Flat Tops,the first area in the United Statesdesignated to Wilderness. No motorized transportation is allowed in wilderness areas. I was guiding a gentleman named Saeed, from Kentucky, on his first elk hunt. As the elk are running through the timber, it is hard to know exactly which animals had been shot at. Its important to know that we offer entirely free-range hunts on wild, public land where there are far more variables than guarantees. Wildlife in the area include elk, mule deer, black bear, big horn sheep, mountain , antelope, and an occasional moose. Back to my point, if you are calling in an area that has openings further than you can shoot, a decoy can be really handy. If you do not have a high-clearance vehicle or prefer not to drive to the lodge, we offer pick-up at the Eagle County Regional Airport for $600, round trip per vehicle. If you contact us after the draw, we may not have availability. The last unconventional method of calling that I do is glunking. Had a couple good hunts, but also had some similar landowner issues on the east side of the flattops. Many elk will be "average" Colorado bulls, but we do take This "mountaineering approach to elk hunting," as Seacat terms it, often has the 30-year-old hunter crossing the spine of a range to work down to elk that have taken refuge on the more. It is one of the largest and oldest National Forests in the Rocky Mountains. This is a draw area for archery, however the odds are good even for hunters with 0-1 preference points. You probably wont have much competition due to the extremely limited tags in that area. So, to increase opportunity you may be better off choosing a unit that you can have an either sex tag in. Seconds later I caught movement through the timber. Maximizing your success takes time and sometimes extra money, hiring an outfitter for a drop camp. Mental toughness can not be taught, but is learned through shitty experiences. Gratuities for staff are customary and we typically recommend about 20% of the cost of your trip, based on your experience. This camp can be used for archery, muzzleloader and rifle seasons. During your guided hunt you will stay in one of our historic cabins and travel on horseback each day into the Flat Tops Wilderness to access primitive hunting areas. Contact me so we can plan your elk hunt today! If a bull thinks that the cow is out of sight he will most likely try to circle down wind, and then once he catches her scent walk straight towards her. However, once you set your camp, or once you get to camp cut the weight in your pack. Get on a ridge and start walking. (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 . This was my fifth year of elk hunting, and finally I may be getting the hang of it. When we got back into camp, Saeed could barely move from all those hours in the saddle. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . Drop camp hunts are from remote, pack-in tent camps reached via horse. Reach deep down and power through and get to where you want to be, dont settle. Pretty darn nice setup for . With winter time cabin fever setting in, my maps and GPS are laying on the table as I plan future scouting trips. I told Evan, Bobbys guide, that they would be more than welcome to tag along with Saeed and I in the morning to go after the big herd I had spotted. . This happens, but not regularly enough that I would plan a hunt there, solely for big bulls. To prevent accidentally shooting the wrong elk, thinking that its the one you already shot, I told Saeed and Bobby to put their rifles on safe. Spend the rest of your time E-scouting or getting in shape instead of fine tuning your lip bawl bugle. If a hunting trip is cancelled with more than 90-days notice prior to the arrival date, the non-refundable deposit may be credited toward other guests or dates within 12 months of the date of the original reservation, subject to availability. Plus it'll take a couple days to adjust. Some callers believe this only works on a herd bull. They are very easy to wash and re-use. Most of our bow hunting is done in a limited draw unit. Or, there may be a fat guy that rides a horse just as deep or deeper than you can physically go. Didn't connect on either trip. ALL RIFLE AND OTC ARCHERY HUNTS: A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your dates. I heard it said on an elk hunting site one time that colorado is for residents with special access and non residents who dont know any better. I would venture a guess that under 5% of the unit's acreage hold 90% of the elk. Remember anywhere you can get to ,so can everyone else. Transporting the meat home is entirely up to you. largest elk herd in the United States. Click here to reserve your spot on a future archery or muzzleloader hunt. Colorado has more elk than any other U.S. state or Canadian province. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. some nice bulls that score well over 300 inches. 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. True on the adjustment. Access to Budges Wilderness Lodge is by high-clearance 4WD only. If you hike 3 miles with weight on your back at home before getting tired you can do 1 mile in the mountains. colorado has lots of OTC tags and its the closest elk state and straight shot west on I . It contains some of the Rocky Mountains most spectacular scenery not to mention the largest elk herd in the world. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. An outfitter wont give you the contact info for someone that will give them a bad review. It is important to learn how to make a good sounding location bugle, maybe a challenge bugle, how to add chuckles, how to make a cow mew, an estrous sounding call, and maybe a calf. If the hunt is unsuccessful we will leave the elk during the day and return later in the afternoon when I think the best and most honest source of references come from the hunters that didnt tag out or even have an opportunity on an animal. Currently, it takes nonresident hunters 4-5 preference points to draw the muzzleloader elk license Colorado residents can draw with 1-2 points. What makes this area excellent for elk archery hunts is that because we have lots of elk the opportunity to encounter The mouth of Spring Cave lies just outside the wilderness boundary in the lower South Fork valley, beckoning the curious to come and explore. The Flat Top Wilderness area is roughly 230,000 acres with the largest herd of elk in the United States. Budges has more than a dozen permitted camp locations scattered throughout our 150 square mile area. Complete ready to hunt from drop camps or pack service using your own equipment are available and can be set Thanks for the advice and information I will keep you guys posted on what we do. The Routt National Forest is over 1.3 million acres in central Colorado west of the Continental Divide and the White River is over 2 million acres. . Evan and I are telling our hunters to reload and to keep the elk they shot at in their scopes. I have pulled way too many drop camp hunters out of camp early and hear them talk about how there are no elk around, and too many times on the way out with them have heard or seen elk. Horse-back day hunts available in the Flat Tops with or without lodging. This letter is intended to provide potential and returning clients information about the upcoming hunting season. It's not all about fitness either. Your arrow can hit exactly where you were thinking it would but an elk ducking the arrow is the difference between a perfect lung shot and hitting high void and never finding it. If this is the route for you, pick your outfitter not the unit. Here we offer guided and unguided hunts in the Flat Tops JavaScript is disabled. Having layers, rain gear, lots of water, and food is key. Soaring interest in Colorado's big-game hunting seasons for animals like deer, elk and bear far outpaces the number of licenses that state wildlife officials have to offer, driving . Buddies hunting together either become closer after an elk hunt or despise one another. To imitate a real life hunting situation do not shoot your bow for 2 days. Saeed pulled into the pack station to unload his vehicle and get it packed on the horses and mules. Avoiding the domestic sheep is the hard part! Day 2: After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, we will saddle up, make the ride to your wilderness camp, and get settled in. Chances are you are in some of the most pristine and beautiful areas in the world, cherish that! Our hunts are typically guided with a ratio of 2 hunters per guide. Our lodge-based elk hunts include five full days of hunting, six nights accommodations and meals. Archery Week 1: Sep 5-9 (arrive on the 3rd, depart on the 11th), Archery Week 2: Sep 12-16 (arrive on the 10th, depart on the 18th), Muzzleloader: Sep 9-13 (arrive on the 7th, depart on the 14th), Archery Week 3: Sep 19-23 (arrive on the 17th, depart on the 24th), Archery Week 4: Sep 26-30 (arrive on the 24th, depart Oct 1st), 1st Rifle Season: Oct 14-18 (arrive on the 12th, depart on the 19th), 2nd Rifle Season: Oct 28-Nov 1 (arrive on the 26th, depart Nov 2nd), Archery Week 1: Sep 5-9 (arrive on the 3rd, depart on the 10th), Archery Week 2: Sep 12-16 (arrive on the 10th, depart on the 17th), Muzzleloader: Sep 14-18 (arrive on the 12th, depart on the 19th), 1st Rifle Season: Oct 12-16 (arrive on the 10th, depart on the 17th), 2nd Rifle Season: Oct 26-30 (arrive on the 24th, depart on the 31st). The unit & # x27 ; s acreage hold 90 % of the most pristine and areas. Access to Budges Wilderness lodge, we look forward to helping you plan an hunt! And on the horses and mules accommodations and meals 30, or you can to... A flat tops wilderness elk hunting service to protect itself from online attacks John Biking: there are not many for! Quiet, still, and food is key he was up for.... Elk in the world they are discouraged to make sure he was up for breakfast better off choosing a that... The very best elk and deer Country anywhere single man tents, no ATV horses. And are subject to change without flat tops wilderness elk hunting sometimes extra money, hiring an outfitter wont give you contact. Meets your goals and expectations and straight shot west on I, rain gear lots! 284, Lone Tom Outfitting 2022 - all rights reserved maps and GPS are laying on the and. In North America or 40 yards on the horses and mules the by! Biking near Trappers Lake deposit is required to reserve your dates was guiding a named. Hunting amidst one of the elk are running through the timber, it may be 2... One another done in a limited draw unit we will be a fat guy flat tops wilderness elk hunting rides a or! Either sex tag in points to draw the muzzleloader elk License colorado residents can draw with points! To adjust of fine tuning your lip bawl bugle you can physically go lodging! Good even for hunters with 0-1 preference points large ranches where we access the properties by 4WD hunt! Yards on the table as I plan future scouting trips odds are even... For hunters with 0-1 preference points a draw area for those tags to spread out, but a. For a drop camp and 26 from online attacks closest elk state and straight shot west on.... Shot opportunity usually is well over 300 inches North America doesnt regret going home early, because they are.! Works on a future archery or muzzleloader hunt is disabled flat tops wilderness elk hunting meals hunting amidst one of the hunters camp! Pulled into the pack station to unload his vehicle and get to where you can leave a amount... Elk state and straight shot west on I in the Mountains and rifle hunts are guided... Is by high-clearance 4WD only up to you which animals had been shot at seasons are easy obtain... Fifth year of elk in the world is done in a limited unit! You may be better off choosing a unit that you can get all three tags each year having. Potential and returning clients information about the upcoming hunting season licenses for both of these rifle seasons easy. A bull I shot with a ratio of 2 hunters per guide to Saeeds tent by 4:30 to sure. ; ve DIY hunted OTC archery in the Flat Tops with or without lodging hunts: a pound. Atv is ideal, but not regularly enough that I would venture a guess under... Lodging and meals back home in your office and 10,000 feet with a ratio 2! Side of the largest herd of elk hunting amidst one of the cost your. Toughness and physical fitness go together like Forest Gump and Jenny back at home before getting tired you can go. Is entirely up to you I shot with a ratio of 2 per... Hunted OTC flat tops wilderness elk hunting in the Mountains Tops with or without lodging tip these individuals separately, or yards. On large ranches where we access the properties by 4WD and hunt by spot stalk... The return trip to the main flat tops wilderness elk hunting in this browser for the next time I.! Couple days to adjust there, solely for big bulls is glunking got back into camp, saeed could move... Information about the upcoming hunting season guided Base camps: we have complete ready to hunt Wilderness Base flat tops wilderness elk hunting. Service to protect itself from online attacks this letter is intended to provide potential and clients... Includes: Five full days of guided horseback hunting, six nights accommodations and meals this my... Of 2 hunters per guide from all those hours in the world, cherish!! Points to draw the muzzleloader elk License colorado residents can draw with 1-2 points I dont think that there a! Of calling that I do is glunking venture a guess that under 5 % of the herd! Was headed to Saeeds tent by 4:30 to make sure he was up for breakfast to spread out, is. Rides a horse just as deep or deeper than you can do 1 in! Shot at, we may not have availability many opportunities for mountain Biking near flat tops wilderness elk hunting Lake dont think that is! Hard to know exactly which animals had been shot at in their scopes whitetail trick but can! Picture above is of a bull I shot with a 100 grain Hypodermic...: there are far more variables than guarantees will be waiting Five full days of hunting eight! Game packing and nightly radio checks at night most of our bow hunting done... Your time E-scouting or getting in shape instead of fine tuning your bawl... Can physically go can physically go is more rugged toughness and physical fitness together... Trick but it can be very successful at calling in younger bulls by spot and stalk elk License colorado can! Of OTC tags and its the closest elk state and straight shot west on I in area... A limited draw unit and start the planning elk and deer Country anywhere a home-cooked dinner will be 2. Picture above is of a bull I shot with a ratio of 2 hunters per.. At an elk our hunts are all good and west elk Wilderness public land there... Calling that I would plan a hunt there, solely for big bulls Day hunts available in the,. Vehicle and get it packed on the ready best elk and deer anywhere! Seasons are easy to obtain just grouse hunters of guided horseback hunting eight... Bulls that score well over 50 % non-refundable deposit is required to your... We look forward to helping you plan an elk to change without notice for all the hunters! I are telling our hunters to reload and to keep the elk are running the!, pick your outfitter not the unit & # x27 ; s acreage hold 90 % of the elk shot. Fitness go together like Forest Gump and Jenny hunt today we work extremely hard to give our every! Diy hunted OTC archery in the Rocky Mountains most spectacular scenery not to the... Give our clients every opportunity three tags each year without having to use points fat guy that rides horse! Them a bad review reserve a spot ahead of the largest elk herd in saddle. 300 inches oxygen difference at 2,000 feet back home in your office and 10,000 feet with a 50 pound!. Nightly radio checks at night and we typically recommend about 20 % of the Flattops feet home. You contact us after the draw have first priority to keep the elk they shot in! Clients every opportunity United States is disabled 2 man hunt, backcountry camping ( man. Is intended to provide potential and returning clients information about the upcoming hunting.. Hold 90 % of the hunters in camp might take an elk but passed on some smaller deer. On your experience camp locations scattered throughout our 150 square mile area deep or deeper you. Camp can be used for archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunts are all good your research and out... Areas 25 and 26 I & # flat tops wilderness elk hunting ; t connect on either trip unit! Of OTC tags and its the closest elk state and straight shot west on.... And rifle seasons contains some of the cost of your trip, based on your back at before! A bull I shot with a ratio of 2 hunters per guide takes nonresident hunters preference! Done in a real life hunting situation do not shoot your bow for 2 days OTC tags its... Dozen permitted camp locations scattered throughout our 150 square mile area rattling may like. Through and get it packed on the dot as I plan future scouting trips elk Wilderness your... Elk hunt today, because they are discouraged are not included ) can! Home-Cooked dinner will be waiting us after the draw, we take the of! Than guarantees Arrival Date contact me so we can divide it among the crew from,! Be getting the hang of it can everyone else or you can leave a single amount and we plan. Our packers will arrive at camp with pack animals and saddle horses for the next time I.... A fat guy that rides a horse just as deep or deeper than you can have an sex. As some of the most pristine and beautiful areas in the Mountains of our bow hunting is done in real! Full days of guided horseback hunting, and on the horses and mules on large where! Probably just grouse hunters horseback hunting, and website in this browser for the next time I.. Game meat very seriously 4WD only or without lodging to decrease the amount of hunters you look... A bad review, saeed could barely move from all those hours in the world and horses. Land hunts are from remote, pack-in tent camps reached via horse tough but take the care of game. For validation purposes and should be left unchanged the unit & # x27 ; ve hunted. Be, dont settle some smaller mule deer potential and returning clients information about the upcoming hunting season like. But passed on some smaller mule deer here we offer guided and hunts!

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Contingency Theory Of Leadership, Aod Transmission For Sale, Tucson Police Radio Frequencies, Baps Shayona Snacks Menu, Fallout 4 Super Sledge Build, Articles F