NW Colorado elk hunting
 

Anyone hunt near Craig, CO that could give me some info on the area? Had a friend talking about heading out that way in the future to hunt.

RE: NW Colorado elk hunting
 

I first hunted elk there, in 00 or 01, diy, otc rifle tag.....actually saw a bull elk! i think thats great mule deer country, white river nat'l forest, they have elk too, nto sure how it is nowadays,

RE: NW Colorado elk hunting
 

Not always but typically, most folks don't just "cough up the info." Most require that the inquiror demonstate how thoroughly they have already beat the bushes before for "popping the question." Since it is public land, thereare no "property rights;" therefore, most folks don't give up their honey holes or even the general area of their honey holes, especially on the pop quiz.

Useful info can be had.Tell us what ya got. How many calls have you made? To whom? What did you find out? Which direction from Craig you talking. Which drainages and near which landmarks currently hold your interest as possibilities? Which season? Rifle or bow? etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.
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So if your dad uses the 270 for elk, what are you going to be using?

RE: NW Colorado elk hunting
 

Ok here's a more specific question - How crowded is this area on the public land during rifle season?

EKM - I have beat the bushes and talked to some guys who have hunted out there. I spent quite a bit of time this week on the phone with a guy who lived in CO for 20 years and he gave me quite a few places to check out. I was trying to confirm what I had been told. Sorry that I'm not going to post what exact info they gave me. What I was hoping is some people would be nice and say, yeah I've hunted there and it's crawling with people, or CWD has reduced the herd in the area, the elevation in the area is 7000-9000 feet, etc. Wasn't expecting someone to say go over the second ridge, follow this drain, and I've got a 10 X 10 tied to a tree for you over there.......

On the gun, I've got a 7 mag....

RE: NW Colorado elk hunting
 

As far as Craig itself goesthere is nothing there elk-wise during hunting season, maybe during migration in the post season. Antelope and mule deer are right up to theedges of town. This is big country.... so which way from Craig are you talking.... and how far? 10, 25, 50, 75miles? .... Big country.

Towards Wyoming out in the sage brush, or up inthe Elkheadsor towards Utahin the deserty breaksor towards Steamboat and Zirkel Wildernessor towards the Flat Tops.... all different... which direction from Craig are you talking.... you got a map right? you've talked to CDOW right? they know the hunter concentrations and the land and the best places and the pressure patterns and they'll tell you.... evidence of that kind of diligence is what I was aluding to.... talking to anyone without a mapin front of you is a waste of fur, IMO. BTW, maps will tell you the elevations you speak of. CDOW website addresses CWD.

Pretty much anywhere in Colorado on public land within a mile of theroadis going to be "crawling with hunters" by private land standards, your mission is to get 3,4,5 miles back in and even then you will run across hard core hunters. No big deal, you just shoot the elk anyway.

RE: NW Colorado elk hunting
 

Thanks.

RE: NW Colorado elk hunting
 

Ive hunted around Craig alot. Lots of elk around, just a matter the time of year and how high they will be. Thats the basics, earily, gohigh, late if have the weather, could be low. I havent ran across too many "trophy" elk around there but lots of rag horns and if they are 5 or 6 points, usually nothing really tobrag about. Hope you have a good hunt.

RE: NW Colorado elk hunting
 

Thanks beech. I had heard not to expect any monsters. Just trying to get our feet wet!

RE: NW Colorado elk hunting
 

x2

I've hunted several wilderness area's in CO - many of those can even get really crowded... As an example, we were packed in several miles in a wilderness area hunting mule deer a few years ago... On opening morning, I get to the ridge I wanted to get to... We counted something like 15 hunters (they were all within a mile).... Was leaving the tent the next morning about shooting time, and immediatly see a couple of guys not 100 yards aways 'sneaking & hunting' along... Looking back it was harilious when our eyes met.

Not trying to rain on your parade, just want you to be prepared that no matter where you hunt, if your hunting public, be prepared for a lot of other hunters....

RE: NW Colorado elk hunting
 

blackheel, me being from new york I don't mind helping you out with what I know. I head north out of craig about 30 min, make a right and drive up the mountain. At the end of the road you will run into freeman resivour. There is around 30 campsites there with a picnic table on each site. There are hand pumps there for fresh water and nice out houses. It used to be $8.00 per nite. Trails that will take you where ever you want to go. I can't remember the name of the road you turn off, but it is really easy to get to. If you can find a map that shows freeman resivour, it will show you the road you need. I have been there 3 times and have killed 2 bulls bothe 5x5's. I have only seen 1 6x6 shot up there but it is always a fun trip. good luck.