Hello,
First off thanks to anyone taking the time to read this and offer advice if they have any. I am looking at coming from out of state for a rifle elk hunt. I used to live in the Denver area and hunted 38 for one rifle season. Was in position to take a nice bull (brand new hunter issues) and my wife shot a small one on the last day. We were hunting the forest (an area with tons of small pieces of private mixed in) not far west of Golden Gate Canyon/119. That was my first hunting experience and I had the help of my father in law who grew up hunting that area and all of Colorado. Unfortunately he isn't here to help me out anymore and I never made it back to elk country with him.
I have found a few posts on various forums about unit 38 and reviews are pretty rough. I am drawn to this area just because family used to own land and a cabin in the area so I am somewhat familiar with it.
My concern is, did I have an exceptional season by having multiple encounters in 5 days or is it realistic to experience that again? I believe I can still access the area I hunted but obviously would have to avoid private lands. I am considering a first rifle season which has the fewest hunters and highest success rates but are those bulls being taken on primarily private ground? Does it seem reasonable to hunt this area again, figuring maybe it doesn't get much pressure due to the amount of private and somewhat limited access? The area I am familiar with is 9-10000 feet. Being early October is the James Peak area and likely alternative place to locate them if it is warmer? Any other ideas?
I know this is a long post and thanks again. I don't expect anyone to tell me it is a sure thing or where to go, I just wanted to throw my concerns/plans out there for criticism/suggestions from more knowledgeable people. It is a large investment and I want to make a wise decision.
Thanks again for any feedback.
First off thanks to anyone taking the time to read this and offer advice if they have any. I am looking at coming from out of state for a rifle elk hunt. I used to live in the Denver area and hunted 38 for one rifle season. Was in position to take a nice bull (brand new hunter issues) and my wife shot a small one on the last day. We were hunting the forest (an area with tons of small pieces of private mixed in) not far west of Golden Gate Canyon/119. That was my first hunting experience and I had the help of my father in law who grew up hunting that area and all of Colorado. Unfortunately he isn't here to help me out anymore and I never made it back to elk country with him.
I have found a few posts on various forums about unit 38 and reviews are pretty rough. I am drawn to this area just because family used to own land and a cabin in the area so I am somewhat familiar with it.
My concern is, did I have an exceptional season by having multiple encounters in 5 days or is it realistic to experience that again? I believe I can still access the area I hunted but obviously would have to avoid private lands. I am considering a first rifle season which has the fewest hunters and highest success rates but are those bulls being taken on primarily private ground? Does it seem reasonable to hunt this area again, figuring maybe it doesn't get much pressure due to the amount of private and somewhat limited access? The area I am familiar with is 9-10000 feet. Being early October is the James Peak area and likely alternative place to locate them if it is warmer? Any other ideas?
I know this is a long post and thanks again. I don't expect anyone to tell me it is a sure thing or where to go, I just wanted to throw my concerns/plans out there for criticism/suggestions from more knowledgeable people. It is a large investment and I want to make a wise decision.
Thanks again for any feedback.