Start at a reasonable range that you are fairly competent at shooting. Ive hunted units 11,22, and 211 before but never have ventured into the Flat Tops. As a rule of thumb, just know that you are going to see other hunters and use that to your advantage. True on the adjustment. A mix of cows, calves, small bulls, and one very large bull. Have several places selected as backups. How about build one if it has been raining for 3 days and everything is soaked, or maybe you fell at a creek crossing and the tinder that you carry is soaked. The first night will be spent in one of our cabins at the main lodge. We offer hunts during the first and second rifle seasons in Colorado. Average costs: Guided hunts average $5500-$6500 for elk, $6500 for mule deer and $3000 for antelope. Saeed pulled out his Jetboil to make some coffee and tea for us while I pulled out by binoculars to glass the surrounding mountain sides. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7b9bde17fa2924c1 Sounds like I need to set aside more time for scouting. Thank you for stopping by, we look forward to hearing from you! Roughly 100 miles of fishable streams are in the Flat Tops Wilderness. 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. The best way to reach us . There was no blood. JavaScript is disabled. If you are hunting with a buddy, and dont have a decoy another great strategy is for you to get set up about 60 yards down wind of your buddy that is calling and the caller behind some kind of topography. You may think you found the best glassing knob around but if it doesnt have a view into that 5% youll think its a dead zone. Eventually, one will respond and you will have an elk to focus on come daylight. The White River National Forest is well-known for its elk, mule deer, moose, and black bear hunting opportunities. Being in a limited draw unit creates a high quality hunting experience. Regardless of where you are at the elk will act the same..if it is warm during the day (40 degrees and greater) hunt the dark timber on the north facing slopes as far from the truck as you can get. Semi-guided horse pack in tent camp hunt for bull or cow and deer for only $2495 Most of the outfitters in this region bring hunters into the draws that lead into Colorado's Flat Tops Wilderness, GMU025 because it requires less time and effort. Being able to shoot with a pack on, bino harness on, and on uneven ground is paramount. I know having a horse or ATV is ideal, but we will be doing it all on foot. You are using an out of date browser. The wilderness designation means no motorized vehicles of any kind are allowed in this beautiful, pristine area. a.) Saeed pulled into the pack station to unload his vehicle and get it packed on the horses and mules. This 2,500 acre ranch will be yours during your stay. I hunted the second rifle season in the flat tops area for several years in a row, in the 80's, with several friends from Oklahoma. No motorized transportation is allowed in wilderness areas. Not sure if you're a resident but either way, this is a great resource. As the bull breaks through the clearing, Saeed shoots and the bull starts running. 300+ is very common. Colorado residents can draw with 0-1 point. Contact us now to get started. . Hunting with a buddy is key to elk hunting: two hunters is ideal for a caller/shooter set up, you can bounce ideas off of each other, and help keep each other motivated. I dont recommend shooting an animal past 60 yards with a bow because too much can happen during that split second your arrow is in the air. During the hunting seasons, well-fitting tire chains with tensioners are required. good starting in September when resident herds are reached by horse and right through the late rifle hunts when However, I promise you that there is elk within reasonable walking distance every day. Hunt Code E-F-025-E1-R , Sept 15-30 in areas 25 and 26. Let me tell you, the faster you get over there the more time you have to sneak into a good spot to ambush them and the more time you have for your heart to calm down after your sprint! However, in OTC units there are not as many herd situations as you may think. Great fishing, incredible scenery, and a true wilderness experience. Not to be out-matched by the unparalleled fly-fishing, Elk Creek Ranch also offers an abundance of world-class big game hunting opportunities. It is well known as some of the very best elk and deer country anywhere. Remember that a legal bull in an OTC unit is a trophy, especially with a bow. elk can be found anywhere on any day. With spirits at an all time low, it was going to be a long ride back to camp. 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. When you talk to the references remember that, that is what they are, references! Since bugling is the iconic sound of the west come September hunters often just say All I want is to hear a bugle. So not hearing one is extremely frustrating. Hunters can expect to start their day with a hearty breakfast in the main lodge. The Flattops which also include GMU's 23, 231, 24, 25, 26, 33, and 34) host the largest migratory elk herd in the world, about 40,000 . We will ride into each camp every other day to check on you for safety purposes, any needed 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. . bowhunting elk), OtoPro SoundGear Phantom and Impulse Review, Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB Rangefinder Review, Toric UHD 2.5-15x44mm FFP Hunt Series Riflescope Review, Hunting Big Mule Deer after Mid-October with Cliff Gray. Join us as we travel our ranch roads horseback, by pickup truck, on ATV or on foot to check on wildlife, cattle and pasture. With a permitted area of nearly 100 square miles, we invite you to experience a true wilderness elk hunting adventure. Its still relatively warm in September and elk are more active when the day is coolest. Wildlife in the area include elk, mule deer, black bear, big horn sheep, mountain , antelope, and an occasional moose. Its more important when things are slow and you start thinking about quitting. Day 2: After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, we will saddle up, make the ride to your wilderness camp, and get settled in. we know where the elk wallow. Chances are that if you are from the east coast this is not a feasible option for you. Ripple Creek Lodge offers accommodations in comfortable cabins, guided fishing adventures, trail riding excitement and relaxing family vacations in the unforgettable Flat Tops Wilderness Area and White River National Forest. Click here to reserve your spot now. Saeed pulled out a cigar in celebration and talk of how he is going to mount the bull begins to be tossed around. Even if youre planning a rifle hunt, we highly recommend that hunters save up points for a limited muzzleloader hunt or archery hunt down the road. We have updated our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy as of May 5th, 2020, Colorado OTC Archery Elk - Hunting in a Group vs. Alone & Number of Tags. Choose to hunt from our cozy main lodge, or a remote wilderness camp. The more you train before the hunt the happier youll be and the more hunting youll get in! (802) 345-4230 Colorado Elk Hunts in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area Budge's Wilderness Lodge HUNTING The White River is home to the largest elk herd in the world. by Jim Bulger, Hunter Outreach Coordinator & "Dean" of EHU . However, know that ounces equals pounds and pound equal pain. Your IP: I was guiding a gentleman named Saeed, from Kentucky, on his first elk hunt. It may seem like a lot of work but if you are having trouble turning elk up close to camp, making a big move seems like the best option. The flatops are pretty high in elevation. A mix of private land, forest service and wilderness area will be hunted. Archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunts are all good. The balance is due 60 days prior to arrival and is non-refundable. These are the standard operating policies of Budges and are subject to change without notice. It is one of the largest and oldest National Forests in the Rocky Mountains. Almost instantly Bobby takes a shot. The White River valley east of Meeker and Buford is home to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area of Colorado and the If we get one that's a bonus to me. I recommend reading David Goggins book, Cant Hurt Me and maybe even bring it with you on your hunt if you need some motivation. It may be day 4 and you havent seen or heard an elk. supplies or to pack out animals. Performance & security by Cloudflare. The client tent is also 16'x20' with wood heat and propane lights, cots with pads - very warm and comfortable. It can help you locate animals and help you call them in. Elk know the areas that are conducive to their feeding, bedding, traveling, and safety habits. Colder weather and the chance of snow can work to the hunters advantage, causing the animals to be more active throughout the day. Its super easy to ask yourself why you are there and think about the million other useful things you could be doing with your time. Arrival Day: Arrive in the afternoon, get organized and relax before dinner. My buddy and I are planning an elk hunting trip for not this fall but next 2016 season. This may help to dissuade other hunters from going to that unit or part of the unit. Adventures. Ripple Creek Lodge's guided hunts take you deep into the Flat Tops Wilderness Area of Northwest Colorado, These hunts are conducted entirely on horseback in Game Management Unit 24 on the White River National Forest. Steve Bland I know that my first arrow of the day is not my best shot of the day. The best thing to do is to prepare for and maintain fitness WELL IN ADVANCE of the hunt. In addition to the antlers on the wall, a freezer full of elk meat to share with your family and friends is one heck of a souvenir! It is slightly geared towards archery hunters. Once you learn the hot spots for elk it gives you a great place to start the following year. Advance reservations take priority. This area has the largest elk herd in the world with a cow to bull ratio of 4:1 and you can drive right up to our front door. Hunters often ask about success rates on our wilderness hunts. You can safely assume you have an hour that they will still be up feeding. hunting seasons starting in early July and running into December. Evan and I were out front with Saeed and Bobby right behind us. Upon drawing your tag, a 50% non-refundable deposit is due immediately to secure your dates. Licenses for both of these rifle seasons are easy to obtain. Rattling may seem like a whitetail trick but it can be very successful at calling in younger bulls. You will find a few on top during the first couple days but they will quickly get pushed off. Stock SUVs and Pickups can make the trip, just take it slow. There are a million articles out there about getting in elk shape, if you havent read any check this one out: Getting in Elk Shape. A $500 non-refundable deposit reserves your spot and locks in your price at the current rates. No matter the hunting pressure in the area elk still rut they just do it more in the dark than they do during the day. This vast country offers clients a very broad range of hunting opportunities ranging from 8,000 ft elevations to 11,000 ft. We rarely encounter other hunters in this area of the Flat Tops Wilderness. Fly-Fishing, elk Creek ranch also offers an abundance of world-class big game hunting opportunities rifle. Arrive in the Flat Tops wilderness just take it slow as many herd situations as you think! We invite you to experience a true wilderness flat tops wilderness elk hunting hunting trip for not this fall but next 2016 season I. Hunters can expect to start the following year advantage, causing the animals be! 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