Colorado Dunton Elk hunt Bear question

[kelley12]

I pulled a tag for first rifle in Colorado unit 71. We will be setting up a spike camp a couple miles from the trail head. This is our first elk hunt and i was wondering if anyone who is familiar with the area knows if there are a lot of bears. Any special precautions we should take besides a clean camp and keep food in a tree.

not sure if there are a lot of bears in the lizard head area.
Thanks

 

[HighDesertSage]

There are bears throughout all of CO. That area probably doesn't have as many as the Grand Mesa or Uncompahgre, but they are still around. You can call the FS Ranger Station and ask them what rules are in affect for that area, but I would always do everything in your power to avoid a confrontation in the backcountry.

 

[BrokenArrow]

There are definitely beers, I mean bears, out there.
I think your approach will be good start to keeping bears at a minimum in camp.
Hanging your kill is a must. I lost a bag that had a back strap/front quarter from an elk even though I was only gone for 1.5 hours from the kill site. I was young and lazy and paid for it. Keep your meat at least 50-100 yards away and hang your food.
Most likely you won;t see anything, but...Have fun and good luck.