GMU 28

Unsatisfied with my efforts during muzzleloader season earlier this year, I'm thinking about getting a left over license in GMU 28 for next month. I know how it is to ask about where people hunt, so I thought I'd narrow down my questions and ask

1) Is there a processor up there that someone likes?

2) Where should I avoid? I've never had to scout a new area all by myself, but right now that is the plan. I had an initial plan to hunt out of a cabin, but that sold five days ago. While that is a bummer, it untethers me from needing to stay near Tabernash. In my minds eye I plan to do some Hummer style scouting and go check things out several times before the season starts.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Should be cold enough this time of year up there that you should be able to just quarter it up and bring it back home and do it yourself.

I thought about it. I could turn off the heat in my garage and keep it out there while I figure it all out as well I suppose.

Scouted around for a few hours today. I saw enough moose poop that I'm really surprised I didn't run into any. As mentioned, I've never hunted this late, or in this area, so I'm not real sure what to expect. For instance today I drove past a sign saying that the road was closed to wheeled vehicles after Nov 15th, which makes me wonder if I'd even be able to get up there if I wanted to. Although, there were a lot of parking lots for snowmobiles much further past that sign, so I really wonder how far back I'd have access. I'm going to try a new spot though, since I mostly saw moose scat, and maybe one pile of elk.

Moose?
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9d...=w1113-h626-no

This fox was not scared of me. Have a minute and a half long video of him paralleling me on the road.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jv...=w1113-h626-no

Yep that is moose alright. Elk are probably quite a bit higher up and I think they get pushed out by the moose.
That Fox is awesome! Nov. 1 and they are in trouble! I really want to get some pelts/fur this year

I see some Swift foxes out in Pawnee that are gorgeous, but my house is so small that I already have no more room for mounts; not to mention it'd make my place look like a hunting lodge.

While there are a lot of elk in that unit there are a lot of hunters also. I've been in the area south of Hot Sulpher Springs, I believe it's called something like Church Ranch, but way to many "truck" hunters. Constant pickups and ATVs driving the area until they, maybe see something. I've heard the northern part can seem like a "war zone". The southern part of Williams Fork is rugged/dense and mostly only accessable by hiking in. 2 other areas, if I was to go back in that unit would be, the eastern area around Mt. Epworth or southwest of Frasier around St. Louis Lake. The Epworth area can get a little dicy, depending on snowfall amounts.

That's the kind of info I'm looking for. I'm used to walking in, so that's what I'd prefer. Colorado hunting Atlas shows a small pocket near where I was looking, but I went a few miles too far East. The highest elevation around there is only around 10,200-10,400. I'm usually under the impression that elk go up high, but I assume that is relative to the area. If they want to be higher than 10,000, do they go to a higher area, it just go high as they can get?

They might be high now but you have to keep in mind d that when the snow starts piling up they move down to the bottom of the valley. You are going to have to keep an eye on their movements and the weather when your season gets nearer.

The corado atlas shows their migration patterns and wintering areas.

The Atlas is where I was getting the location info. Very useful. I need to check the Atlas info against my regular hunting spot that has a resident heard.

According to the rangers, the largest concentrations summer up high in the southern Williams Fork area. But their winter grounds are down around the Colorado river. So a lot will depend on weather, as always seems to be the case.

I figure since this is my first hunt in a new area and new season, everything will end up being kind of a cluster, I mean learning experience. I'm trying to set my expectations to accurate levels at the very least.