I need some help on a combined Elk and Mule deer hunt I am planning for units 71, 771 and 78 located around Pagosa Springs, Colorado which is in the south west corner of the just north of the New Mexico border. I will be hunting November 1st to November 7th. This will be my first elk or mule deer hunt and I am self guiding. I have already been conditioning and reading every elk magazine, book or article I can lay my hands on. I also have ordered topo maps for the area. I have my rifle and load picked out (my .300 win. Mag with 180 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claws.) and most of my gear purchased, but since this is my first elk hunt and scouting is not possible (and the season is so short) I am looking for any tips that can my hunt more successful. I want to focus on elk, but if a nice mulie buck happens to make an appearance, I' ll have a tag ready for him. How do I find a good area on my maps so I can hunt there when I arrive? What sort of calling would work on elk in early November?

Try [email protected] he runs Antler Quest and that is just what they do. Can do all your pre season scouting for you with video of area so you know just what to expect.

I would concur that Deerking would be a good option. Money well spent. As I understand it, he scouts an area personally and takes photos, video and gps coordinantes for hunting areas and game he saw. As hunting consultants go, I can' t imagine that you could find a better one out there.

Unless you get a consulting service to do some scounting for you, you will probably have little luck if you just show up the day before hunting season. So, the other option is to go up this summer and narrow down your hunting area by scouting yourself. Remember that you will need to have plan/hunting areas A, B, and C depending on the weather (snow).

The local game biologist at the nearest DOW office would be a good resource to start with. Do some homework and know about some specific areas to ask about. If you just call and say: " where is a good area to hunt" you won' t get much good info. If you call and ask: " could I expect to find elk and the head of Bear creek, you will probably get good advice.

Good luck.

Thanks for the info on Antler Quest, that sounds like the only way I will be able to do any decent scouting. I also have been in contact with the biologist at DOW. I found out just how helpful they can be on my first javelina hunt in Arizona this season; using maps and his advice, I harvested a nice sized pig on the first day of my hunt.
I will be in the area I am hunting two days before the season starts, so hopefully with the help of the DOW, maps, and a scouting consultant (depending on the cost) I will be more prepared.

Badger,
I can give you some ideas for elk. Are you looking for bulls or cows?
shoot me a note to [email protected]