FlatTop Wilderness Area

[DeadElephant]

I'm hunting in Unit 25 this year (Elk). I've never hunted this unit does anyone have any advice.
Thanks

[Mtn.man]

Be vewy vewy quiet.

[StagLefty]

Be vewy vewy quiet.

Had to change my underwear on that one Mtn. man [ROFL3]

[DeadElephant]

Call me Elmer [ROFL1]

[Mtn.man]

OK Elmer, it's a huge area, lots of Elk and No elk. Makes for alot of footwork, and alot of work if you get one.
We did horses way back when, was OK for the first 2 days, then a Mtn Lion spooked the horses and we spent 5 days looking for them.
So my experience with the FL Tops was not very good.
Hope yours is better.

[ridgewalker]

DeadElephant, did you get a cow or elk tag? Bow, muzzleloading or general rifle?

It is a good area, though as stated, it is very large. You probably won't find any major trophies, but good meat animals. Lots of elk, but you have to be ready (as everywhere else in CO) to move if no sign is found. As anywhere, walk a lot looking for animals and sign.

I always preferred to bivouac and cover lots of terrain; cold camp nightly overlooking trails, saddles or meadows. Stay at a good looking overlook until at least 9:00 a.m. After a few days with no sign, be willing to move to another area.

Check out every dark timbered area close to water and meadows. If in an early season, ie, bow or muzzleloading, use a cow call occasionally while stopping and watching around carefully for any movement. If you find a wallow, spend enough time researching it to see how recently it was used and the trails to and from it. If in an early season, they come to it during the heat of the day.

Number one item is don't be discouraged. Think positive that an animal WILL BE around the next turn. This is almost like calling them in. Kind of strange, but it seems to work. Enjoy every moment, because you will get old and not be able to do it forever.

Good luck!

[DeadElephant]

Thanks Gentlemen

This is a huge area over 250,000 acres. Only a few access points into the unit.
I haven't really decided where we'll base. Sweetwater lake and end of Coffee Pot Road seem to be the two primary. You could come in from the north out of Trapper Lake but its a good 3-5 mile hike before you reach Unit 25.

Looks to be a couple of access points from the East side that I haven't checked out yet.

Partner is bringing horses. I don't much care for them. But will admit that once an animal is down it sure is nice.

Going 3rd season, combo license but I still have a hard time shooting a cow. Also getting a muley license for the area. Thinking about getting a bear license in case mom decides she needs a new rug.

Will be camping/hiking the area a couple of times this summer.

Rex

[cowboykjohnson]

walked for 3 days up there and didn't see a pile of elk or deer crap... saw allot of cougar and bear tracks though.

[DeadElephant]

Cowboy.
Where'd you enter the area from?

[cowboykjohnson]

over by Oak Creek / Yampa, the area over by Garder reservoir.

[cowboykjohnson]

Co rd 7 out of Yampa, we drove to Still water reservoir then hiked in.

[DeadElephant]

Pictures taken from a trail camera focused on a carcass taken in this unit.

[cowboykjohnson]

Yep we saw plenty of sign of those critters all over the place. It probably didn't help that is was like 70 degrees and sunny during 3rd season when we were there.

[cowboykjohnson]

awesome pics btw.

[DeadElephant]

Yep just proves that nothing goes to waste.

Here kitty, kitty, kitty ... (don't know bear call)

[Colby]

DeadElephant,
You said that you have a combo license for third season, you better check that again. If by combo you mean either sex, I'm pretty sure that they don't have an either sex for third season. Either sex tags are only available 1st and 4th, and you can bet that up there the game warden will check you.

I would avoid the Sweetwater area. Lots of outfitters running out of there, plus many more people. If you go up Coffee Pot, there will still be lots of people, but much more room to spread out.

Colby

[DeadElephant]

Colby,

Fingers were faster than brain. My combo is deer/elk. Either sex on deer through the draw, just doing an otc for 3rd season Elk which will be bull.

I was afraid the outfitters would be pretty thick at Sweetwater.

Rex

[Colby]

Rex,
Not trying to be a know-it-all, just don't want you to get in trouble because the CO Dow makes it so hard to understand all the hunt codes.

The only either sex deer tag for unit 25 3rd season is a "Private Land Only" tag. Look at your hunt code on your license, if it says DM-025-O3R it is a buck tag for 3rd in 25. If it says DF-025-O3R, it is a doe tag for 3rd in 25. If it says DE-025-P3R, you need to go trade it in because the "P" means private land.

I wish you luck, feel free to give me a shout if you have any questions about the unit.

Colby

[DeadElephant]

You are correct. My deer tag is for buck.