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Post by scrub-buster on Sept 7, 2019 22:23:08 GMT -5
I'm amost halfway through my elk hunt in Colorado. I'm carrying a longbow and my friend is carrying a compound. It's been warm and the bulls aren't talking yet. We've been covering lot of ground and hunting over wallows and watering holes. Still no sightings yet. We covered 10 miles today and found what looks like an elk oasis at the bottom of a wooded north facing hillside and a meadow. We followed an elk highway 2 miles to that spot. I knew it had to lead somewhere good because it didn't have any offshoot trails. We glassed the area from the meadow above and backed out. We are going back tomorrow and hunting it until dark. On the way back to camp we found what looks to be mountain lion sign. One aspen tree had claw marks going 30' up. The altitude isn't bothering me. We've been well above 11,000'. My body is handling the terrain great. My legs feel fine. I had one close call when I slid 20' down a rock cliff until a large rock stopped me. I got some scrapes and bruises but nothing major. I was able to hold my bow up and turn away from the side with my handgun. Nothing got damaged except for my pants. It was funny once I stopped sliding. I've taken over 2,000 pictures so far. Once I get home and go through them I'll post some for you guys to see. I'll try to post updates when service allows.
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Post by scrub-buster on Sept 7, 2019 22:26:39 GMT -5
I think that elk oasis has been a great spot for decades. We stopped for lunch in a wooded ridge 150 yards above it. We found an old brush blind and several aspen trees with initials and dates going back to 1928. We think the rifle hunters sat on that ridge and hunt that bottom area.
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Post by Sasquatch on Sept 7, 2019 22:56:42 GMT -5
Thanks for thinking of us! Sounds like an awesome adventure. Here's hoping that you sink a broadhead into the biggest elk on the mountain! Looking forward to some hero shots.
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Post by esshup on Sept 7, 2019 22:59:03 GMT -5
Try and get there and into position before first light. Elk seem to not want to be out in the open during the daytime. Glad that the altitude isn't bothering you. How was it the first few days there at altitude? When I was there in November the first few days were like breathing thru a straw if I did any strenuous exercise (like splitting wood with a maul), but I got used to it pretty quickly.
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Post by scrub-buster on Sept 7, 2019 23:15:12 GMT -5
I'd be happy with a cow elk. We bought either sex tags. I've felt fine since day 1. Our first camp was at 10,600. My doctor gave me a prescription for something that would help with it.
My redneck garden sprayer shower set up is working great. Especially when we boil some water and pour in the sprayer. It's nice having a hot shower without driving an hour into town.
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Post by scrub-buster on Sept 8, 2019 9:29:28 GMT -5
On the way into town this morning we saw a bachelor group of mule deer. There were some big bucks in the group. I got some pictures through the scrub oak.
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Post by ukwil on Sept 8, 2019 9:50:04 GMT -5
Sounds like a blast. Good luck and I cant wait to see pictures
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Post by schall53 on Sept 8, 2019 11:13:39 GMT -5
Thanks for posting and good luck. Post a picture WHEN you get your elk.
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Sept 8, 2019 11:13:56 GMT -5
Sounds like a good time so far!
I have the weed sprayer shower set up also, it's surprising how well it works.
What are the temps like at that elevation? I'm heading out there Thursday and still debating how much clothes to pack.
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Post by nvg on Sept 8, 2019 11:39:57 GMT -5
Wishing you and friend a safe and successful hunt. Will be looking for pics when you post them. Take care
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Post by scrub-buster on Sept 8, 2019 11:52:29 GMT -5
Sounds like a good time so far! I have the weed sprayer shower set up also, it's surprising how well it works. What are the temps like at that elevation? I'm heading out there Thursday and still debating how much clothes to pack. It's been pretty warm so far. I've barely used any of my base layers. 70's during the days
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Post by treetop on Sept 8, 2019 13:43:26 GMT -5
I'd be happy with a cow elk. We bought either sex tags. I've felt fine since day 1. Our first camp was at 10,600. My doctor gave me a prescription for something that would help with it. My redneck garden sprayer shower set up is working great. Especially when we boil some water and pour in the sprayer. It's nice having a hot shower without driving an hour into town. Nothing wrong with a cow they eat just fine 👍 Any thing you take is a trophy your out of state hunting an area you don’t know hunting something you don’t know a lot about or at least I don’t Hunt hard take it all in sure sounds like all your hard work this spring is paying off
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Post by esshup on Sept 8, 2019 20:22:24 GMT -5
I'd be happy with a cow elk. We bought either sex tags. I've felt fine since day 1. Our first camp was at 10,600. My doctor gave me a prescription for something that would help with it. My redneck garden sprayer shower set up is working great. Especially when we boil some water and pour in the sprayer. It's nice having a hot shower without driving an hour into town. Nothing wrong with a cow they eat just fine 👍 Any thing you take is a trophy your out of state hunting an area you don’t know hunting something you don’t know a lot about or at least I don’t Hunt hard take it all in sure sounds like all your hard work this spring is paying off Agreed!!!! Heck a cow or a raghorn can be a trophy, it all depends on the hunt.
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Post by scrub-buster on Sept 8, 2019 22:08:56 GMT -5
We hunted the green bottom on the back side of the mountain. We walked to within 80 yards of a small bull before he winded us. It was very windy this evening. We hunted until dark with no more sightings. I think we are the only ones in that area. The front side has a good amount of hunters and horseback riders. We are going to stick with that area. Theres a water source and a fresh wallow. The meadow is damp and bright green. Everywhere else is turning yellow already. That spot still looks like spring time.
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Post by esshup on Sept 8, 2019 23:22:34 GMT -5
We hunted the green bottom on the back side of the mountain. We walked to within 80 yards of a small bull before he winded us. It was very windy this evening. We hunted until dark with no more sightings. I think we are the only ones in that area. The front side has a good amount of hunters and horseback riders. We are going to stick with that area. Theres a water source and a fresh wallow. The meadow is damp and bright green. Everywhere else is turning yellow already. That spot still looks like spring time. I'd go make a ground blind if at all possible and sit at the wallow from before sunrise to last legal shooting light.
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Post by duff on Sept 9, 2019 5:26:28 GMT -5
Awesome hunting. My coworker is in CO this week and then WY next week. He drew premium rifle tags in both states. He is after mule deer though.
Good luck
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Post by scrub-buster on Sept 9, 2019 13:25:25 GMT -5
Went sight seeing today. Climbed the mountain to 11,925' elevation. My goal was 12,000' but it got to dangerous to continue. I was well above the tree line.
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Post by Woody Williams on Sept 9, 2019 13:45:12 GMT -5
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Post by Woody Williams on Sept 9, 2019 13:46:01 GMT -5
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Post by Woody Williams on Sept 9, 2019 13:46:34 GMT -5
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