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First Elk/Muley Hunt - Colorado

Discussion in 'Guns & Hunting' started by Arrowshot, Nov 9, 2017.

  1. Nov 9, 2017 at 7:52 PM
    #1
    Arrowshot

    Arrowshot [OP] Well-Known Member

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    All packed up and ready to go.

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    Arriving Colorado. Saw the nice sunset coming and waited till right time and right off ramp to get the picture.

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    Doing a bit of scouting and driving around. Nothing can really show how beautiful it really is.

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    A bit of video from the back side of Corral Peaks. Tried to find a way over Poison Ridge Road (appropriately named) the same day for entry into the backside of our hunting area but way too much snow. Had to back down about a 1/8 of a mile and slid into a ditch while doing so. No one there for help and managed to get out on my own but got a lot more cautious after that.

    Video here.

    How would you like this cabin and view for a weekend trip whenever you wanted? Might not be accessible once winter really gets started though. Lots of private tracts are scattered all through the BLM and National Forest. Colorado has over 12 million acres open to public access for hunting and recreation.

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    Same for this place on the Colorado River. Located near McCoy, CO where we were camped at.

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    Colorado big horn sheep. In a safe area where they can’t be hunted of course.

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    The hunters, John and Lew. Also had another Alabama resident, Joey, out for his first hunt in Colorado also.

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    The camp site.

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    The camp site at night. Burned a heck of a lot of propane keeping us warm. Had it all to myself for about 4 nights before all the other hunters showed up and 4 nights after they all left (we hunted second season). Absolute silence except for the trains in the distance. No city lights and the stars and Milky Way were the most brilliant that I recall ever seeing in my lifetime.

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    First morning hunt after we got back to camp. Windy the day before, started raining that night a bit and then went quiet. I thought the rain had just passed but turns out it had turned to snow and was quietly coming down for the night. Not a lot by Colorado standards but made for a rude awakening as I got out of the tent in shorts and slippers to get a hot shower before going hunting. Brrrrr!!!!

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    Joey got a nice 4 point muley the first day. Lew had an extra ATV for me which was great. Never got to ride them very much before but got a lot of experience on this trip.

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    Saw a bear the third morning from about 20’. He winded me as he was approaching and all I saw as he skedaddled away was his side and rear end. Wouldn’t have had it any other way. He was about waist high so would not have wanted to have a longer discussion with him. Was prepared though with my Bear Grylls knife and if needed, a suture kit.

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    I finally connected on the last day of the hunt with a muley (Lew got one earlier during the week). Lew had seen one with a major rack the day before and I hunted the area the next morning. Big Daddy did not show and time was getting short so I took the largest of five bucks that were coming through the area. My first muley.

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    Loaded up on the ATV’s to get them out of the camp site and up to the trucks on the road. Lew's nice 4 point is on the right.

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    Got a visit from the game warden as we were finishing up. Thorough and courteous.

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    Ended up quartering my muley and bringing back to Huntsville to stock up the freezer. Couldn’t have been a more classic set up to quarter the deer with the campfire and a cooperative tree to hang him from.

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    Managed to lose 15lbs and get pretty skinny walking up and down the mountains.

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    Couldn't have a had a greater trip for my first elk hunt. Did hear an elk one morning but would not cooperate and walk my way. Joey was reaching for his GPS one morning and slowly turned to see a 5x5 looking him over. He left before he could reach his gun of course. He also saw some cows in the same area but did not have a tag. Lew saw cows also (no tag for the area) and heard a large bull crashing through the timber but again no shot. So the elk were there we just did not connect at the right time. I most assuredly intend to go back for another trip. We have been stacking up points for 4 years for Wyoming though so I will have another trip to add to that one. Thanks to Lew most of all for showing me my way around for my first hunt out West and everything else.
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2017
  2. Nov 9, 2017 at 7:59 PM
    #2
    Drainbung

    Drainbung Somedays you are the show....

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    Congratulations, great photos and post. Nice setup all around.
     
  3. Nov 9, 2017 at 8:11 PM
    #3
    Ostrichsak

    Ostrichsak Don't taze me bro!

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    Cool post. Thanks for sharing.

    FYI... it sucks here. Nobody else reading this should come here because you'll hate it. ;-)
     
    wilcam47 and Drainbung like this.
  4. Nov 9, 2017 at 8:14 PM
    #4
    chrisrocks300

    chrisrocks300 War Eagle

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    Looks like you had fun man, putting some of that ammo to use haha
     
  5. Nov 9, 2017 at 8:23 PM
    #5
    POOLGUY

    POOLGUY Well-Known Member

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    Looks like a great trip! How did your RTT do with the snow? I like your cabin tent.
     
  6. Nov 9, 2017 at 8:37 PM
    #6
    Sandytaco14

    Sandytaco14 IG: qstaco17

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    Noiceeeeeee
     
  7. Nov 9, 2017 at 8:41 PM
    #7
    JKO1998

    JKO1998 Well-Known Member

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    Looks like a fun time,

    But correct me if I’m wrong or maybe the people of Colorado have an inside joke I don’t know about,

    Aren’t those big horn sheep?
     
  8. Nov 10, 2017 at 6:16 AM
    #8
    Arrowshot

    Arrowshot [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Tent kind of sagged a bit on the awnings and they probably should have been closed up for snow. Up top there were no issues. Have seen some other pictures of Tepuis with a lot of snow and they seem to do fine even under semi-extreme conditions.
     
  9. Nov 10, 2017 at 6:18 AM
    #9
    Arrowshot

    Arrowshot [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Big horn is correct, I was just at a loss for words for the moment. Fixed that so I don't get any salacious comments about sheep!!!!
     
    Sandytaco14 likes this.
  10. Nov 10, 2017 at 7:06 AM
    #10
    JKO1998

    JKO1998 Well-Known Member

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    I was just doubting everything I’ve ever learned for a minute..
     
  11. Nov 10, 2017 at 7:14 AM
    #11
    taco2010trd

    taco2010trd Cyber Bully

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    Congrats, interested on how the muley tastes. I killed a nice wide 3x3 in Colorado public land that was eating sage and it was very strong.
     
  12. Nov 10, 2017 at 7:25 AM
    #12
    silasvirus82

    silasvirus82 Well-Known Member

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    I just got back from Utah for my first elk hunt and I'm already booking my trip next year. I think I'm going to Colorado for bow season!

    Not bad for a first elk, but I'd really like a nice six point mature bull in my lifetime. (wouldn't we all)

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2017
    Fiesta346, wilcam47 and Drainbung like this.
  13. Nov 10, 2017 at 9:36 AM
    #13
    wilcam47

    wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

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    Ive only gotten to shoot a couple cows so far, Ive been getting closer to getting a bull but this year I should have went with a bow tag. Im pretty sure I could have got one:( Next year Im going toget serious about a bull with a bow. Congrats to the mulies and elk hunters!
     
  14. Nov 10, 2017 at 10:08 AM
    #14
    PackCon

    PackCon Well-Known Member

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    Elk with a bow is one of my dream hunts. I’d probably go with hiring a guide though because of how challenging it is.

    Looks like a great trip. Congrats on the nice deer!

    PS dig the spruce mica Taco!
     
    wilcam47 likes this.
  15. Nov 10, 2017 at 12:14 PM
    #15
    Arrowshot

    Arrowshot [OP] Well-Known Member

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    These have been feeding every night on hay in a farmers field across the road so I am hoping for a bit better tasting deer. That said, I had everything but the backstraps and tenderloins turned into hamburger and sausage for that very reason. My Filipina wife is an excellent cook and my whitetails she prepares have always tasted great.
     
    wilcam47 and taco2010trd[QUOTED] like this.
  16. Nov 10, 2017 at 12:17 PM
    #16
    Arrowshot

    Arrowshot [OP] Well-Known Member

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  17. Nov 10, 2017 at 12:30 PM
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    taco2010trd

    taco2010trd Cyber Bully

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    Oh the whitetails I harvest have all been very good.
     
  18. Nov 10, 2017 at 1:02 PM
    #18
    wilcam47

    wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

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    I got lucky and had a couple cows come through my property. I had a special either or tag. and I decided I would rather get a cow than nothing, bonus was I was hunting deer and a cow came through so I popped her.
     
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  19. Nov 10, 2017 at 1:05 PM
    #19
    wilcam47

    wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

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    I'd say about 50% of it is how the deer is taken care of...What it eats is also part of it but not always the case.
     
  20. Nov 10, 2017 at 4:00 PM
    #20
    Arrowshot

    Arrowshot [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Think it can be done without a guide and DIY but you most definitely have to have someone else doing the calling to put you into the right position.
     
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