Hey guys, just got back from Colorado. I didnt get my tag onto an elk but I had a great time anyway. It my first elk hunt and didnt realize howawesome these animals are. A bull a 50 yards bugling and crashing his way through the timber is really impressive. I saw a ton of mule deer and am already planning next year, except I think i will put in for a mulie tag next year. I would have had many shots at decent bucks.

Well now onto Whitetails. I got out twice this weekend and just saw does but couldnt get a shot off. Great to be hunting again. Good luck

mnpurple,

glad to hear you had a great time on your elk hunt. If you dont mind me asking, what unit did you hunt? I am planning my first elk hunt next year and have just started my research. i also thought about getting the mulie tag just in case.

Are you guys home state seasons open yet or what, hasn't been much activity on here yet?????

My season, Missouri, opened on the 15th. I have been outa few timesand have seen anything exciting yet. It's still a little warm. This weekend i'm heading up north to my hunting cabin for three full days of hunting. hopefully the report will be better by then.

Mine is open but I haven't had any bucks within range yet. I have not had many chances to get out there either. This weekend will be a good time for me to get out and hopefully I will find a good buck within range.

The season starts for me on Saturday. I have had several bucks coming though my area. They normally stay on track until about 1/2 way though October so hopefully I will have good news sometime next week.

-john

Got back from Colorado Tuesday night. The weather was miserable but the hunting was ok. I got within 75 yards of over a dozen bulls, but I never got one shot. I was as close as 38 yardsto a really nice 5X5, but just as he was clearing the oak brush the wind shifted and he nosed me. I also spent over 2 hours kneeling in 18 inches of snow 70 yards from 10 cows and another nice 5X5 hoping one would wonder by. However, they all got up and just meandered off the opposite direction. It was fun but frustrating at the same time. The mule deer were plentiful, around everyone else. My dad shot a really nice one (160's or low 170's), but I never had an opportunity at anything but a very small forky so I came home empty handed. In a week of hunting we had one evening and one morning of good hunting and then the snow moved in and really made it hard on us. Spot and stalk hunting in knee deep snow is not easy. In fact, it really made me mad a few times. The 30 mph winds weren't too much fun either. All in all, the weather screwed us, but it was a nice time anyway.

drhnt, I hunted in unit 78 between Pagosa Springs and Wolf Creek pass. There is plenty of public land in this unit and like most things, if you pack back in and get away from any parking spots, you will experience a much better hunt with animals under little pressure. We saw quite a few animals, but they were just getting going with the rut so there wasnt a whole lot of bugling.I cant speak for anywhere else, but in this unit I would definitely try for a mulie tag. If I go again next year I am considering applying for a muzzleloader tag, just to be able to reach out there a little farther.

My 2 biggest tips, get in shape, and get out there 2 days before you hunt, just to do some moderate hiking. My first day and a half were hell, I was sucking wind like crazy then it was like a switch turned on and I was fine after that. But I also come from about 900 feet of elevation and went to 9000 feet. I dont have much experience but am willing to help. Sounds like huntingson may be more xperienced than me with elk.

Missed a chance at a big 5 point today. He would have scored high 60's - low 70's. Here in PA you need at least 3 points to a side. Well I didn't notice the third tine until he stepped in behind a shrub and didn't present a good shot afterwards. Oh well still have a couple more weeks.

Hey everyone, sorry haven't posted in a while. Season opened for me OCT. 1, been hunting like a blood hound. Got busted out once, deer went thru the thicket behind me. Not seeing alot of daytime movement. Probably due to the temp's here. (80's and 90's almost every day) Sweat like a dog trying to hunt in those temps. Things are looking better though. Temp's are gradually dropping. Should be in low 40's this Sat. I have the perfect setup waiting for Sat morning. Wish me luck. LOL I need all I can get. Has anyone else here been seeing deer regularly? I just am not sure what's up right now. I usually would have at least seen a doe or yearling buck. Even rifle hunting I usually have deer at less than 20 yds by my second hunt. Anyway, maybe it will pick up closer to te rut. I intend on leaving the gun season alone unless my kids wanna go to the box blind later. I will get a shot with my bow this season. I just feel it.

Later, LT