View Full Version : 2023 Big Game
So, had lunch today with a nephew that lives in Crawford, and I've got a place to deer hunt now. When can we start applying for tags? I'm sure the process has only gotten more painful since my last effort.
hunterhawk
01-14-2023, 22:11
Its usually around the first week of april...
Looks like Crawford is either unit 53 or 63. In unit 53 4th rifle buck tag took 14 points to draw, earlier seasons took between 2 and 4. For unit 63 4th rifle buck took 8 points to draw, earlier took between 1 and 2. Might take a couple years before you can hunt unless you already have some points saved up.
Looks like Crawford is either unit 53 or 63. In unit 53 4th rifle buck tag took 14 points to draw, earlier seasons took between 2 and 4. For unit 63 4th rifle buck took 8 points to draw, earlier took between 1 and 2. Might take a couple years before you can hunt unless you already have some points saved up.
What about does? Not terribly interested in antlers.
Little Dutch
02-27-2023, 15:15
I've got my plan mostly figured out.
Elk and pronghorn draws I know where I'm targeting and which season.
Deer I know where I'm targeting but need to nail down the season and method of take.
I'll get a Moose point to maybe one day get a chance at a cow.
I need to figure out units for RMB Sheep and Goat still. Those two are pretty outside of my normal experience.
Little Dutch
02-27-2023, 15:21
What about does? Not terribly interested in antlers.
Unit 53 and Unit 63 rifle doe tags are private land only, so without even looking at the draw results your odds are better than average.
Unit 53 doe drew out at 0 preference points, with 22 out of the 27 applications getting a tag.
Unit 63 doe drew out at 0 preference points, with 31 of 44 applicants getting a tag.
So your odds are good.
No doe tags offered in these areas for muzzle loader or archery seasons.
Unit 53 and Unit 63 rifle doe tags are private land only, so without even looking at the draw results your odds are better than average.
Unit 53 doe drew out at 0 preference points, with 22 out of the 27 applications getting a tag.
Unit 63 doe drew out at 0 preference points, with 31 of 44 applicants getting a tag.
So your odds are good.
No doe tags offered in these areas for muzzle loader or archery seasons.
Nice to know, thanks! I'm a plain old rifle feller, no muzzleloaders or bows.
So, I applied for a doe tag, late rifle, on private land, in 063 - don't ask me for the actual code. When do the results come out?
Wait, code is D-F-063-P5-R.
encorehunter
03-22-2023, 10:11
Around mid June.
Little Dutch
04-04-2023, 10:02
Last day to apply. FYI.
The news about all the animal deaths this winter isn't very heartening.....
The news about all the animal deaths this winter isn't very heartening.....
Nope, with the CWD, Wolves and winter kill, they paint a bleak picture for the NW corner. But then, we will see.
Up to 3/6 for Moose, don't know how many it takes to get drawn in 7 for a cow.
Won't get Elk or Pronghorn, boys will likely get Late Elk and the younger and I might get a deer tag. Otherwise, I guess Archery gets used again. :)
hollohas
04-06-2023, 14:59
I hunted north of Vail last year. Hunted in the snow. Zero elk tracks seen over 4 days. We did see many wolf tracks. At first I thought it was weird we were seeing large dog tracks but no human tracks with them. For some reason I never considered they were wolves.
Until we spoke to a local deputy, he confirmed wolves had pushed the elk out.
I hunted north of Vail last year. Hunted in the snow. Zero elk tracks seen over 4 days. We did see many wolf tracks. At first I thought it was weird we were seeing large dog tracks but no human tracks with them. For some reason I never considered they were wolves.
Until we spoke to a local deputy, he confirmed wolves had pushed the elk out.
I've never heard of wolves north of Vail. A friend of mine has a cabin on the North Side of the Eagles Nest Wilderness which is just north of Vail and there definitely aren't any wolves there.
My nephew in Crawford says the deer are so thick around his place you don't really have to hunt them. Just find a comfy spot and wait for one to come along.
My nephew in Crawford says the deer are so thick around his place you don't really have to hunt them. Just find a comfy spot and wait for one to come along.
Hope it works out. Wait for a big, dry doe.
Still too much snow here so no deer or elk in the area yet. We had 14" of snow yesterday. I did follow a cow moose down Overland Road above Jamestown yesterday, and there was a cow moose with two yearling calves down canyon last week. If I draw a cow moose tag, I'll try dropping one in the yard. And, I'll call Irving.
hollohas
04-06-2023, 21:32
I've never heard of wolves north of Vail. A friend of mine has a cabin on the North Side of the Eagles Nest Wilderness which is just north of Vail and there definitely aren't any wolves there.They've been reported in Routt County with photo evidence going back years. But if your buddy hasn't seen any, they certainly must not exist. Afterall, wolves are known to stay put in one area so I'm sure they didn't make the short trip south to Vail.
They've been reported in Routt County with photo evidence going back years. But if your buddy hasn't seen any, they certainly must not exist. Afterall, wolves are known to stay put in one area so I'm sure they didn't make the short trip south to Vail.
Yes, they’ve been in the Mt Zirkel Wilderness and north of Steamboat as in North Routt County/Steamboat Lake area. I know some people that claim they are in the Flattops but I also know a few people in the Steamboat area that spend a lot of time in the Flattops and they haven’t seen or heard them there. I wouldn’t use the term “North of Vail” to refer to Routt County and there certainly isn’t a resident population north of Vail.
So you're saying that Hollohas was seeing large dog tracks after all?
Wolves can cover a lot of distance. After all, that's how they've gotten here to start with.
hollohas
04-07-2023, 09:53
It's cool. If a couple people haven't seen any sign, it means the other people who have seen sign are wrong.
I've hunted there for 15 years, covered hundreds of miles bushwhacking on foot during that time and am super familiar with the animals there...but they haven't seen it with their own eyes so who's to believe my lying eyes.
Remember when Colorado DOW swore up and down there were no wolves in Colorado. Despite the fact a wolf collared in Wyoming in Jan 2014 was seen at the Grand Canyon later in 2014 and then killed by a hunter in Utah in late 2014?
But the confirmed wolves in Routt and Jackson county certainly wouldn't move a few miles further south. And they're surely the ONLY wolves in this state.
It's cool. If a couple people haven't seen any sign, it means the other people who have seen sign are wrong.
I've hunted there for 15 years, covered hundreds of miles bushwhacking on foot during that time and am super familiar with the animals there...but they haven't seen it with their own eyes so who's to believe my lying eyes.
Remember when Colorado DOW swore up and down there were no wolves in Colorado. Despite the fact a wolf collared in Wyoming in Jan 2014 was seen at the Grand Canyon later in 2014 and then killed by a hunter in Utah in late 2014?
But the confirmed wolves in Routt and Jackson county certainly wouldn't move a few miles further south. And they're surely the ONLY wolves in this state.
CPW isn't stupid and has always known where and when there have been wolves in CO. They couldn't declare it to be true becasue that would have opened a shit storm of having to comply with the ESA, establish a new wolf biologist position, create a management plan, along with creating every other ecological impact plans required around the ESA. Then there would be issues regarding having an ESA animal in areas that are heavily developed as far as people having to produce impact statements for building evrything from a dirt road to a home to a commercial property. Then they would have to figure out how to find all of that.
There's a reason why state game agencies play the game of "there aren't any mountain lions in this state' game.
Nope, with the CWD, Wolves and winter kill, they paint a bleak picture for the NW corner. But then, we will see.
Up to 3/6 for Moose, don't know how many it takes to get drawn in 7 for a cow.
Won't get Elk or Pronghorn, boys will likely get Late Elk and the younger and I might get a deer tag. Otherwise, I guess Archery gets used again. :)
A bleak picture it is. CPW released the latest license cuts in NW CO. https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2023/05/11/winter-in-the-northwest-big-game-hunting-license-impacts/
These are the units I hunt for cow and bull, bear, pronghorn, and usually buck or doe,. I was sure to draw a pronghorn buck tag but now hope I don't given the poor numbers and because my unit is sparce of animals anyway. Maybe next year will be better and I should draw a buck tag then. If I don't draw a cow tag in 23-24, not sure where I'll hunt bull but I will hunt elk somewhere without fail.
whitewalrus
05-30-2023, 11:28
Big game results coming out starting today.
Just got my moose results - unsuccessful and a preference point.
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I drew bear archery. I guess today is Moose and Bear results?
Will be interesting to see what the rest of the week brings.
I received notice that I didn't draw a cow moose license, along with a $58 bill.
Our old friend Irving, drew a muzzleloader cow moose tag in area 43! Irving helped me with my 2018 bull, so I want to be there for him when he gets one down.
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whitewalrus
05-31-2023, 10:55
Deer results today. Got my second choice - archery whitetail only.
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Little Dutch
05-31-2023, 15:03
Drew muzzle loader bear, waiting to hear on Elk and Pronghorn. Both of those are in the bad winter kill area though, so I'm not optimistic.
Drew my second choice for deer, unit 29 3rd rifle, knowing that I most likely wouldn't draw my first choice.
theGinsue
05-31-2023, 20:06
I received notice that I didn't draw a cow moose license, along with a $58 bill.
Our old friend Irving, drew a muzzleloader cow moose tag in area 43! Irving helped me with my 2018 bull, so I want to be there for him when he gets one down.
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Nice looking bull there.
I sure do miss Stu around the site. He kept things, er... lively and he's a really good guy.
Got my doe tag for unit 63!
Drew deer archery. So far I have bear and deer. The irony is I probably won’t be able to hunt this year and will just turn everything back in to recoup points.
Batteriesnare
06-01-2023, 09:40
Haven't hunted since high school, but was fortunately to be invited for a private land doe tag, which came through no problem. Looking forward to meat in the freezer this fall!
Drew my elk tag which I was pretty sure I would get so this year I have Unit 29 archery elk and unit 29 3rd season rifle deer. Time to start doing some hiking!
CPW doesn't care about anyone other than outfitters and out-of-state revenue, prove me wrong
When the guy at the desk said wtte "don't bother, leftover tags are the pumpkin patch" I gave it all up as a noob.
CPW doesn't care about anyone other than outfitters and out-of-state revenue, prove me wrong
When the guy at the desk said wtte "don't bother, leftover tags are the pumpkin patch" I gave it all up as a noob.
Well, when you look at all of the local meetings and roundtables that CPW holds througout the state during the year and look at who shows up for those meetings it's not individual resident hunters. People don't even show up for the online Zoom connections.
Well, when you look at all of the local meetings and roundtables that CPW holds througout the state during the year and look at who shows up for those meetings it's not individual resident hunters. People don't even show up for the online Zoom connections.
How readily available is the info to know when/where those meetings are held?
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Drew elk.
How readily available is the info to know when/where those meetings are held?
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Drew elk.
The schedules are posted on the CPW website along with all of their social media pages.
How readily available is the info to know when/where those meetings are held?
?-
Drew elk.
You can subscribe to CPW news and info from here. Select the areas of interest that you want info about:
https://state.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5144ed31c5f2ba642e0393361&id=89503128b0
encorehunter
06-02-2023, 05:15
The wife and I drew our buck tags. One of our local ranches we hunt dropped out of the ranching for wildlife program. Neither of us drew elk. She had 4 points for a cow hunt that took 4 last year. With the ranch dropping out, it will be interesting to see what the points required fie the other two ranches are.
no moose, no elk tags for me this year. Did draw my doe deer eastern plains rifle tag and will probably get OTC archery for antelope, so we won't starve this next winter.
You can subscribe to CPW news and info from here. Select the areas of interest that you want info about:
https://state.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5144ed31c5f2ba642e0393361&id=89503128b0
Thanks. Apparently I was already signed up but just had to adjust subscription settings.
whitewalrus
06-02-2023, 09:00
no moose, no elk tags for me this year. Did draw my doe deer eastern plains rifle tag and will probably get OTC archery for antelope, so we won't starve this next winter.
Archery pronghorn is a tough one. Do you try to spot and stalk them? I?ve considered getting a tag just to have some fun before anything else opens.
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whitewalrus
06-02-2023, 09:02
Drew deer archery. So far I have bear and deer. The irony is I probably won?t be able to hunt this year and will just turn everything back in to recoup points.
If you are hunting the areas with high winter kill, this may be the year to hang on to your points. Though it always sucks to have wait another year.
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If you are hunting the areas with high winter kill, this may be the year to hang on to your points. Though it always sucks to have wait another year.
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Not a high winter kill area as far as I know, though I should try to talk with the assigned biologist for the region to make sure of everything.
Archery pronghorn is a tough one. Do you try to spot and stalk them? I?ve considered getting a tag just to have some fun before anything else opens.
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I'm blessed in that I live on 40 acres and the antelope are near by often. So I usually set up my ground blind and try to be in it when they come to visit. This pic. is out the back window of the house.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50335221781_e1fca090f7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jFXaMp)IMG_0164 (https://flic.kr/p/2jFXaMp) by Tim Richard (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156405073@N02/), on Flickr
Little Dutch
06-02-2023, 15:09
Not a high winter kill area as far as I know, though I should try to talk with the assigned biologist for the region to make sure of everything.
NW corner of the state.
https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2023/05/11/winter-in-the-northwest-big-game-hunting-license-impacts/
EDIT - just checked my mail. I missed on all of my tags except for bear. Bummer.
Put in for 10 tags between the boys and I...big goose egg.
Might be the year to break out the bow and maybe do an out of state hunt. First year blanked since 1980.
Put in for 10 tags between the boys and I...big goose egg.
Might be the year to break out the bow and maybe do an out of state hunt. First year blanked since 1980.
Wow! I drew the goose egg too, on deer, elk, pronghorn and moose. It's the first time in many years that I haven't drawn a cow tag so that I could hunt both cow and bull.
The CPW will likely have some serious budget problems for this year and next, which will eventually translate to higher hunting fees.
Upcoming 2025-2029 big game season structure meetings:
https://engagecpw.org/big-game-season-structure?utm_source=ehq_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ehq-Colorado-Parks-and-Wildlife-2025--2029-Big-Game-Season-Structure-Process--Public-Meetings-Reminder&utm_source=ehq&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=website
Anybody ever get an OTC elk tag? Are they obtainium, unobtainium, or just a pipe dream?
Wow! I drew the goose egg too, on deer, elk, pronghorn and moose. It's the first time in many years that I haven't drawn a cow tag so that I could hunt both cow and bull.
The CPW will likely have some serious budget problems for this year and next, which will eventually translate to higher hunting fees.
Yep. I've harvested 39 Elk, and I've seen a lot of change in this state. I might be nearing the end of the pursuit of Elk. We are thinking of going to NE, SD or AR for Deer and Pheasants this year. I might check out the secondary draw too.
Anybody ever get an OTC elk tag? Are they obtainium, unobtainium, or just a pipe dream?
I did in 2017 for a cow in 16/161... but who knows nowadays, especially with the hard winter kill scenario that corner of the state is under this year.
I'll be going after a bull again this fall, but first rifle this time. It'll be the second time ever hunting a bull... first was unsuccessful. I have only ever taken cows up to this point.
Little Dutch
06-07-2023, 15:25
Anybody ever get an OTC elk tag? Are they obtainium, unobtainium, or just a pipe dream?
You just walk in and buy an OTC tag.
Where to go to get a good chance of getting one is another issue of course. I'm anticipating my OTC area being nothing but a sea of orange this year with the hard tag limits up NW.
You just walk in and buy an OTC tag.
Where to go to get a good chance of getting one is another issue of course. I'm anticipating my OTC area being nothing but a sea of orange this year with the hard tag limits up NW.
Got some private land and a local to hunt with, so it might be worth a chance. Freezer space is another story.....
Little Dutch
06-08-2023, 09:22
Got some private land and a local to hunt with, so it might be worth a chance. Freezer space is another story.....
I'm envious. If you haven't yet, verify his land is within the OTC hunting units before buying. Good luck, I'd like to see the pictures of you getting one.
I'm envious. If you haven't yet, verify his land is within the OTC hunting units before buying. Good luck, I'd like to see the pictures of you getting one.
It is. He straddles the border of 53 & 63, I've already looked it up.
So, my doe tag came this weekend, and it looks like it's good from Sept 01 through Oct 31st - two months! Is that right? Is that normal? Seems like the last one I got in 2016 was only like, 10 days! Am I seeing things?
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So, my doe tag came this weekend, and it looks like it's good from Sept 01 through Oct 31st - two months! Is that right? Is that normal? Seems like the last one I got in 2016 was only like, 10 days! Am I seeing things?
94164
Yes, private land only tags often have longer seasons associated with them. The idea behind private land tags is that they are supposedly for landowners to use to cull deer/elk on their property as well as make up for the fact that private land doesn’t get the hunting pressure that public does. The longer season makes up for fewer hunters.
Yes, private land only tags often have longer seasons associated with them. The idea behind private land tags is that they are supposedly for landowners to use to cull deer/elk on their property as well as make up for the fact that private land doesn’t get the hunting pressure that public does. The longer season makes up for fewer hunters.
Cool, thanks! Means my chances are better!
Wow! The stars shined upon me this morning. I received an e-mail from CPW that a hunter who drew a cow moose tag in Area 20 has returned it, and I was the next person on the list. Now it's mine! It is my 2nd moose tag in 5 years, after taking a bull in 2018, six miles from our home.
The season is 14 days beginning Oct. 1st in the unit where I live, and moose often move through or hang out in the yard. This time I won't have to gather a team of 6 friends to drag 3 sleds 3.5 miles off of Pawnee Pass in a foot of snow. Just sit on the porch, sip hot toddies and strum the banjo, right?
My friend Irving will also be hunting cow moose, but he has a muzzleloader tag for 9 days beginning Sept. 9. We'll be looking for a couple of big dry cows.
whitewalrus
07-18-2023, 08:56
Wow! The stars shined upon me this morning. I received an e-mail from CPW that a hunter who drew a cow moose tag in Area 20 has returned it, and I was the next person on the list. Now it's mine! It is my 2nd moose tag in 5 years, after taking a bull in 2018, six miles from our home.
The season is 14 days beginning Oct. 1st in the unit where I live, and moose often move through or hang out in the yard. This time I won't have to gather a team of 6 friends to drag 3 sleds 3.5 miles off of Pawnee Pass in a foot of snow. Just sit on the porch, sip hot toddies and strum the banjo, right?
My friend Irving will also be hunting cow moose, but he has a muzzleloader tag for 9 days beginning Sept. 9. We'll be looking for a couple of big dry cows.
You hit the lottery twice in 5 years! That?s great, congratulations.
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Little Dutch
07-18-2023, 09:07
Wow! The stars shined upon me this morning. I received an e-mail from CPW that a hunter who drew a cow moose tag in Area 20 has returned it, and I was the next person on the list. Now it's mine! It is my 2nd moose tag in 5 years, after taking a bull in 2018, six miles from our home.
The season is 14 days beginning Oct. 1st in the unit where I live, and moose often move through or hang out in the yard. This time I won't have to gather a team of 6 friends to drag 3 sleds 3.5 miles off of Pawnee Pass in a foot of snow. Just sit on the porch, sip hot toddies and strum the banjo, right?
My friend Irving will also be hunting cow moose, but he has a muzzleloader tag for 9 days beginning Sept. 9. We'll be looking for a couple of big dry cows.
Congratulations!
Wow! The stars shined upon me this morning. I received an e-mail from CPW that a hunter who drew a cow moose tag in Area 20 has returned it, and I was the next person on the list. Now it's mine! It is my 2nd moose tag in 5 years, after taking a bull in 2018, six miles from our home.
The season is 14 days beginning Oct. 1st in the unit where I live, and moose often move through or hang out in the yard. This time I won't have to gather a team of 6 friends to drag 3 sleds 3.5 miles off of Pawnee Pass in a foot of snow. Just sit on the porch, sip hot toddies and strum the banjo, right?
My friend Irving will also be hunting cow moose, but he has a muzzleloader tag for 9 days beginning Sept. 9. We'll be looking for a couple of big dry cows.
Congrats. I too get to go on along on a cow moose black powder hunt. My neighbor drew the tag and has asked me to go along to help. Looking forward to some more moose meat.
Congrats. I too get to go on along on a cow moose black powder hunt. My neighbor drew the tag and has asked me to go along to help. Looking forward to some more moose meat.
That should be fun. You might practice the cow whines and bull grunts.
went with my neighbor to do a little scouting for his cow moose Saturday and holy crap was there a lot of people in the area he plans to hunt. Hikers, bikers etc. Going to be interesting if there's still that many people out and about when time to shoot a moose.
Speaking of moose, we didn't see any but did find some fresh sign.
Little Dutch
07-24-2023, 09:39
went with my neighbor to do a little scouting for his cow moose Saturday and holy crap was there a lot of people in the area he plans to hunt. Hikers, bikers etc. Going to be interesting if there's still that many people out and about when time to shoot a moose.
Speaking of moose, we didn't see any but did find some fresh sign.
People population depends a lot on the area of course. When it gets cold the people may disappear for you.
Elk season often overlaps with moose season as well. I have limited experience, but the bulls didn't come into the area until the elk hunters bailed. I didn't see much over the weekend, but most of the elk hunters went home Monday and the bulls rolled into the valley Tuesday. For my area, it was about knowing where they were going to be and waiting until they came in.
Glassed up a big daddy moose near Caribou tonight..
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Glassed up a big daddy moose near Caribou tonight..
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Son of a......
whitewalrus
09-02-2023, 09:43
That is a nice one to find....
Glassed up a big daddy moose near Caribou tonight..
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My neighbor made quick work of his hunt this morning. Had a nice bull and cow moose spotted before shooting light. Got close enough and my neighbor got his cow just after shooting light. Problem is the bull didn't want to leave her. Lucky for us another hunter showed up with a bull tag, so he got to fill his tag. That hunter was a 79 y/o, and got his first moose. Before we were able to get all the work done, a game warden showed up and checked tags. Couldn't get the warden to carry a load back to the truck for us. slacker..said he had more work to do...LOL
My neighbor made quick work of his hunt this morning. Had a nice bull and cow moose spotted before shooting light. Got close enough and my neighbor got his cow just after shooting light. Problem is the bull didn't want to leave her. Lucky for us another hunter showed up with a bull tag, so he got to fill his tag. That hunter was a 79 y/o, and got his first moose. Before we were able to get all the work done, a game warden showed up and checked tags. Couldn't get the warden to carry a load back to the truck for us. slacker..said he had more work to do...LOL
Was that in Caribou? Was up there last evening and ran in to a muzzy hunter that said a cow and a big bull were taken in the meadow south of Caribou Hill that morning. If it was I spent some time Friday morning showing the old guy that was out scouting with his grandson and a friend some pics of the moose I posted above.
Yep, that was us. I'm not real familiar with the area but now that you mention Caribou hill, I remember my neighbor mentioning it. The old boy that got the bull had his grandson with him and a cousin and they called in more help for the pack job.
Nice, I talked to the old guys for a bit on Friday morning and was showing them the pics of the bull above and the old guy looked pretty happy to see them. They gave me some tips on elk in the area that I hope pan out.
But yeah, you would routinely glass up to 8 moose at a time on those meadows south of Caribou hill morning and night, pretty much a sure thing if you had a tag. I run in to them every morning walking in in the dark, this was last Monday morning as the sun peaked over the horizon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q05xRnOeiZs
Nice, I talked to the old guys for a bit on Friday morning and was showing them the pics of the bull above and the old guy looked pretty happy to see them. They gave me some tips on elk in the area that I hope pan out.
But yeah, you would routinely glass up to 8 moose at a time on those meadows south of Caribou hill morning and night, pretty much a sure thing if you had a tag. I run in to them every morning walking in in the dark, this was last Monday morning as the sun peaked over the horizon.
Always fun to watch those beasts. I loved hunting moose around Caribou and up the Horseshoe Creek drainage.
What area did you get your elk tag for, 29?
Always fun to watch those beasts. I loved hunting moose around Caribou and up the Horseshoe Creek drainage.
What area did you get your elk tag for, 29?
Yes, 29. No chance at a shot yet but called one in above Rainbow lakes opening day that came in silent behind me and all I heard was the crashing in the trees and hoof beats as it realized what was going on and ran off. Lost a real nice bull in the trees that I had gotten within 60yds of after glassing it up from Caribou Hill at dawn. Last night had a small heard run across the road in front of me at the Caribou Hill parking lot as I was leaving after dark and have glassed up a few that I was not able to locate later on. Trying to figure out how to get up more on the weekdays vs weekend but work schedule is a bitch at the moment.
went with my neighbor to do a little scouting for his cow moose Saturday and holy crap was there a lot of people in the area he plans to hunt. Hikers, bikers etc. Going to be interesting if there's still that many people out and about when time to shoot a moose.
Speaking of moose, we didn't see any but did find some fresh sign.
We also saw lots of all kinds of sign when I went with him on 8-26. Glad the ATV string cheese incident that day didn't put him on injured reserve. LOL
My neighbor made quick work of his hunt this morning. Had a nice bull and cow moose spotted before shooting light. Got close enough and my neighbor got his cow just after shooting light. Problem is the bull didn't want to leave her. Lucky for us another hunter showed up with a bull tag, so he got to fill his tag. That hunter was a 79 y/o, and got his first moose. Before we were able to get all the work done, a game warden showed up and checked tags. Couldn't get the warden to carry a load back to the truck for us. slacker..said he had more work to do...LOL
LOL, I didn't hear the part about the warden, but I think I got the abbreviated inebriated version tonight after you guys left.
Day one of 2023 cow moose hunt has concluded. Walked a few miles in a nearby area where moose have frequented lately. Lots of tracks and other sign but no very fresh scat. Will be looking in areas not far from a road, unlike in 2018 when I took a bull moose 3.5 miles up Pawnee Pass and sledded it back down in a foot of snow with six helpers.
A friend called and delivered an ATV and trailer to help if I get one down. 13 more days to run across a big cow. The rifle's ready in case one ambles through the yard.
This evening, Mrs. Hummer served a delicious moose heart dinner. I was given the heart by another cow moose hunter that didn't want it. A good tidings dinner, along with peach margaritas.....
Moose rifle is the only big game season going on now, and there are but two of us hunting in area 20. Tomorrow, I'll be working another drainage.
MMmmm, love heart, from any big game.
good luck
My elk season ended this past Saturday. I hunted a draw unit and was in elk at some point almost every day I was up there. The previous 5 years of hunting unit 38 OTC provided me with one elk encounter 3 years ago where I called one in and it came in silent behind me, other than that I spotted a couple a long ways away.
This year was great, actually got some stalks in for the first time and learned a few things, mainly calling elk solo if difficult at best, I could get them to come in but they would stop just out of range when they couldn't see the elk they were hearing the sound come from.
The highlight was Thursday morning the 21st where I got to a high spot at 5am where I could get a pretty good view of the surroundings and listen and glass down in to the various meadows and openings. The elk were bugling everywhere and I could hear a large one bugling right below me, I let out a few cow calls and he responded almost immediatley. I dropped down from the ridge and headed straight for him letting out a cow call here and there and as I got down to the flats I stumbled in to a smaller bull between a couple trees just to the left of me at 30 yds, I froze and he looked at me for about a half a minute and then he moved on. I dropped in to one of those mining exploration holes that are everywhere up there and watched a second smaller bull walk through the same opening. I was still set on the bigger bull in the trees across the meadow when I heard some clacking. The two bulls in the trees 30yds from me moved back in to the opening and were sparring with each otehr. I watched a bit and thought I took some video but all I ended up was a blurry pic. Anyway I was thinking about how do I get past these smaller bulls to get to the big guy in the trees across the meadow when I came to the revelation that wtf was I thinking? I had two bulls right in front of me at 30yds, a chip shot. One was a 4x4 and the other a smaller 5x5. I then came to my senses and decided to go for either of the two if a shot was presented. They had begun to move off by then so I gave chase but in the end I could not get any closer than 59yds and I wasn't willing to take that shot. A lot of coulda / shouldas have been floating around in my head since.
Was once again on a bull at first light Saturday morning and stalked him only to lose him in the trees and then find him again and then lose him. Came home empty handed but the encounters I had were incredible compared to the last 5 years of what I call elk hiking.
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DEF90, that had to be a great experience to see all of that all play out! Rare and forever memorable. Too bad you didn't connect in the end, but that's hunting....
Today, I stalked through good moose area but no sighting. Bull grunts didn't produce anything. Then hiked too far through low yield areas. Late afternoon I came across a cow and bull calf. They were on private about 300 ft. from the national forest. It's tough bushwhacking along the creek, but I'll look there again early tomorrow, and maybe I'll get lucky and not get trampled.
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Hummer, send me your email address in a DM. I know exactly where you can go get a moose in 20 so will send you a screenshot from OnX with pin drops to go checkout. There's two options actually, both with vehicle access to close where you'd shoot one. One of the areas is not easily accessed though, and needs a good 4x4 vehicle, but damn near every time i've gone up there in the last 3 years, i've seen moose.
HBARleatherneck
10-04-2023, 14:15
Hummer that would be a great hunt. I have never gone for Moose. Maybe in the future with my boys.
Today we were working on the barn. The herd that is usually on my property were grazing about 290 meters out from the house.. I decided to take a break and shot this buck. We have 3 antelope and 5 deer tags to fill. My boys love to hunt and provide meat for the family.
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00-S1C6u1JpJ8zTlcO2IVKtioQDNHNr8ExXqmWVtd53LO3yTEjNTC _y1qPcfnozfoCP5cYdfB3jRoL_VZILaXEufg?cn=THISLIFE&res=medium&ts=1696450168
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00-S1C6u1JpJ8zTlcO2IVKtioQDNHNr8ExXqmWVtd53LO1Yazrae2 _bTanppGtOU8jhV7ntXQOewWgszVPDOQPWWw?cn=THISLIFE&res=medium&ts=1696448034
its not really hunting though. its more like shooting for meat.
We were just continuing our work on this. (pics are various ages not current)
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00-S1C6u1JpJ8zTlcO2IVKtioQDNHNr8ExXqmWVtd53LO0NS53bpQ II_jwFRFr9GIL0rnHjCyIZu59oV2we_kMG9A?cn=THISLIFE&res=medium&ts=1696459705
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00-S1C6u1JpJ8zTlcO2IVKtioQDNHNr8ExXqmWVtd53LO3VwU69EN mu5SoNvkvPEb4G4xJ2Twu75QF_jizMkB1ZdA?cn=THISLIFE&res=medium&ts=1696450193
Congrats HBAR. Good eatin' right there.
Yes, congratulations, HBAR. We love pronghorn. Should have drawn this year but for the 89% cut in NW CO licenses.
Sawin, thanks for the moose tips. It was great talking with you this afternoon. Many thanks for your sharing insights about backwoods places nearby. I hope you connect with that big bull elk you spotted on the mountain. I would be proud to help out with that one.
Following up on the moose hunt, yesterday morning soon after first light I was on site but didn't see the cow. It was a beautiful morning with fresh snow on Sawtooth Peak and Mt. Audubon, and frost on the ground all around. As I got ready to bushwhack through the willows on a hunt I heard a long, deep bellow from a moose. There she was, stepped a few feet beyond a clump of willow on public land. I hurried down a slope to get closer and took a sit with the sling. I didn't waste a moment and took the shot. It was a single heart shot from 60 yards, 120 gr. Barnes Vor-TX in 7mm-08, Kimber Adirondack w/ SilencerCo Omega 300. She turned, stepped 25 yards and died. Damned reality, I had a moose down.
Good golly, those critters are big when you get them on the ground! Probably an 850 lb. cow. And it's daunting working alone. Once all processed and laid out, I headed home to load an ATV that a friend had loaned me. It took seven trips ferrying to the truck. It was only a few hundred yards but uphill, and it was a savior! By 6 pm, I was on the way home. I left the meat spread out in the truck as temps dropped to 37 degrees. I had backed the truck up to the electric bear fence. I spent the day today preparing and moving parts into refrigeration, cleaning and setting up to do butchering, then dug in. Have a good two days of work to trim, cut and vacuum pack everything. A moose in the freezer is a good thing.
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This is one of my favorite threads. Congrats to everyone. I dont hunt much anymore but I appreciate you guys sharing your stories.
A daunting task alone. Congrats Hummer, nothing better than moose meat in the freezer.
BladesNBarrels
10-05-2023, 08:48
Congratulations Hunter Hummer.
Thanks for posting your progress and success.
Little Dutch
10-05-2023, 10:50
I'm envious of your successes. Congrats on your good outings everyone.
I don't even bother, CPW only cares about out-of-state-$$$
Congratulations again, Hummer! It was great chatting with you last Thursday. I will be heading up to your neck of the woods on Friday afternoon looking for my bull. Season starts on Saturday! You're blessed in two ways in my eyes. That Cow Moose and the fact you're carrying around the rifle of my dreams too. I think everyone knows my favorite is 7mm08 - but i just have a Remington 700 and it's not threaded. Maybe someday I'll get a custom rifle made to my preferences like that one [Beer]
Thanks, Sawin,
The 7mm-08 really is sweet. Developed in 2008, it's a necked down .308 that shoots faster and flatter than the .308, and when suppressed, the recoil, muzzle rise and blast are contained so that it's very soft shooting. And I'm sold on the 120 grain Barnes Vor-TX lead free cartridge. It mushrooms quickly, and placed properly it drops them fast. For me so far, two moose, two buck mulies and two buck pronghorn. Have yet to use it on elk, but next year....
As for the little Kimber Adirondack, I bought it for the threaded 18" barrel. With the suppressor on, it's shorter than my old Winchester 54 aught six and more than 2 1/2 lbs. lighter, ammo and all. And the balance is perfect. I don't like the action, it's glitchy. But if it's kept well lubed, it works. Maybe the stainless parts need a few more years of break-in.
Sawin, I hope you have a great hunt on the mountain. With patience, I know you'll connect with the monster bull. I'm serious about helping with the packout, if you like. I live only seven miles from your starting point, and I'd enjoy getting into the tundra.
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The 7mm-08 really is sweet. Developed in 2008, it's a necked down .308 that shoots faster and flatter than the .308, and when suppressed, the recoil, muzzle rise and blast are contained so that it's very soft shooting.
Congrats on the Moose, and a nice rifle too.
The 7mm-08 was on the scene by 1958, and removed from Wildcat status by Remington in 1980.
Congrats on the Moose, and a nice rifle too.
The 7mm-08 was on the scene by 1958, and removed from Wildcat status by Remington in 1980.
Thanks, Mark, I should have looked it up again instead of relying on senior memory. My limited experience with the 7mm-08 shows that a heavy magnum rifle and heavy bullets aren't necessary for big game. A long barrel is no advantage unless one shoots big game at 500 yards and more. The weight saving of a light rifle makes it a joy to carry.
Thanks, Mark, I should have looked it up again instead of relying on senior memory. My limited experience with the 7mm-08 shows that a heavy magnum rifle and heavy bullets aren't necessary for big game. A long barrel is no advantage unless one shoots big game at 500 yards and more. The weight saving of a light rifle makes it a joy to carry.
Too many 8's!
Congrats to all you successful meat makers! My chance is next weekend.....
Thanks, Sawin,
.....
Sawin, I hope you have a great hunt on the mountain. With patience, I know you'll connect with the monster bull. I'm serious about helping with the packout, if you like. I live only seven miles from your starting point, and I'd enjoy getting into the tundra.
That is an incredible offer, Sir, and I hope to be able to take you up on that offer! I will be heading up your way this afternoon and getting after 'em tomorrow morning when the season opens. If I get a big'n, I'll definitely call you!
The early snow ahead of first rifle definitely moved the herd I’d been watching during the late summer and early fall, so wound up spending the first two and a half days trying to find them… when I did, they were in private land and would never come to the national forest when bugling or chirping at them… woke up to a screaming banshee bull Monday night last week, 5 times between 3:30 and 5:30, but come dawn he was a ghost. If I only had a moose or deer tag, I would have been fine… saw 4 of each and once at the very same time… ever had a mule doe and moose come poke their heads out to see who was bugling and then have the doe snort three times at you as she trots away? That was fun.
Next up is a buck tag for unit 20 in second rifle… so I’ll be up there again soon, Hummer!
Bust here. Had a doe tag, nothing but bucks standing in front of my blind staring at me. Then the heel spur and plantar faciitis I've been enjoying so much decided to morph into a plantar fascia tear, which is wonderfully painful. End of hunting, tag soup again. Fuck me. But had a wonderful visit with my hosts, who live in an incredible place and location.
Mick-Boy
11-07-2023, 09:41
I was able to connect with a cow elk immediately after getting home from a Modern Day Sniper course. Awfully convenient to have the rifle, tripod, bag and ammo sitting out waiting to be put away. She was quartering away and I misjudged the angle. I missed the heart but got both lungs and she laid right down. I opened her throat when I got to her because dying of a tension pneumothorax is supposed to suck.
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My wife filled her doe tag (rifle), and my oldest filled his tag (archery) with a doe as well.
I love a full freezer.
encorehunter
11-17-2023, 10:19
My wife and I both had buck tags this year, and I had a bull tag. We saw hundreds of does, no bucks until last night. Both of us were able to get small bucks within 30 minutes of each other. Last night was the last day we could hunt, so I was not being too picky, just filling the freezer. The 6.5 Grendel worked great along with the suppressor. We could have easily shot another animal out of either herd, as they didn’t spook with the shot. One buck was at 30 yards, my wife’s at about 50 yards.
encorehunter
11-18-2023, 19:03
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I finally got the pics to upload. I hate new phones. The processor said the bullets tore up the opposite shoulders pretty good. We probably lost about 10 lbs of meat on each, so I am going to be looking for some bonded bullets or figure out how to miss the opposite shoulder.
Firehaus
11-18-2023, 21:07
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I finally got the pics to upload. I hate new phones. The processor said the bullets tore up the opposite shoulders pretty good. We probably lost about 10 lbs of meat on each, so I am going to be looking for some bonded bullets or figure out how to miss the opposite shoulder.
What Grendel ammo did you use?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
encorehunter
11-19-2023, 05:46
Hornady 123 SST. I have been looking for some different bullets, but the SST and OTM are the only I have found in stock. I checked at Scheels and Bass Pro a couple weeks ago while I was in Springs with no luck. I have hunted with accubond for years,
Interesting suppressor cover on your wife's rifle. :)
encorehunter
11-19-2023, 12:54
Interesting suppressor cover on your wife's rifle. :)
She was fixing her hair when we saw them. Apparently it didn’t affect the sight picture of the scope, and it didn’t fall off when she shot. You know women. They have to look good out in the woods. I’m surprised she didn’t put her hair back up for the pictures. She was too excited and forgot.
No criticism from me! I enjoy creativity and adaptability, it just caught my eye as I'd like to get a can some day and always like to look at what people are using.
congrats on the freezer fillers guys, and gals.
Mick-Boy
11-25-2023, 11:43
She was fixing her hair when we saw them. Apparently it didn’t affect the sight picture of the scope, and it didn’t fall off when she shot. You know women. They have to look good out in the woods. I’m surprised she didn’t put her hair back up for the pictures. She was too excited and forgot.
My wife was thrilled the last time she cleaned a deer and remembered to put her hair up *before* we started working on the animal. I guess having a clip handy would be one way to remember. [Beer]
I beleive that my eastern plains freezer filler had gotten frost bite on the ears at some point.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53386463595_fc22c3f137_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pkzzET)IMG_20231202_141349252 (https://flic.kr/p/2pkzzET) by Tim Richard (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156405073@N02/), on Flickr
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