We offer archery, muzzleloader, and rifle elk hunts . Saeed had both a bull tag and a buck tag, and I had seen a few elk on the top of the mountain first season and one gigantic muley! Petersen’s Senior editor Christian Berg of Petersen’s Bowhunting Magazine will be out hunting at Wild Skies Cabin Rentals in September of 2016 and the article will be available in 2017. Although I told my friends and family I was disappearing to hunt elk, I was mostly trying to hide from 2020. Hunted the Flat Tops area in the early bow season last year. The Flat Tops Wilderness uplift is a prime elk habitat. Colorado Elk Hunting at its finest. It was too late in the day to make the hike back to the horses and ride what I figured to be around four or five miles to get to the herd. However, looking through the binoculars when he shot, the bull didn’t seem to react as though he was hit. It was the same bull. Late Season Elk Hunts. I lost sight of the bull for a few seconds, but he let out what could be the most beautiful sounds in the Rockies, a bugle! Each day we laughed and talked about our big adventure. Petersen’s Bowhunting Editor Christian Berg is a passionate bowhunter and award-winning journalist who spent 14 years honing his craft at daily newspapers before joining Outdoor Sportsman Group in 2008. and are accessed only by horseback. Elk Hunts – Come hunt the largest herd of elk in the country! Flat Tops is Colorado's second largest Wilderness, a precious expanse of open land. I had been off the mountain for less than 24 hours and was headed back up for a second season elk/mule-deer hunt. I told Evan, Bobby’s guide, that they would be more than welcome to tag along with Saeed and I in the morning to go after the big herd I had spotted. From our vantage point we could see country that was so far it would’t even be able to hunt. Zach put our cold smoked ribeyes on the fire for dinner and heated up the sides as we told the story of the day. Although we can no more guarantee you a kill than any other ethical outfitter, we will increase your odds by providing a fair chase hunt in some of the best elk habitat in the world. At the edge of the Famous Flat Tops Wilderness Area, nestled deep in the heart of the White River National Forest of Colorado you'll find your hunting passion for deer and elk. Welcome to the J Bar H Outfitters website. Evan and I were out front with Saeed and Bobby right behind us. I was guiding a gentleman named Saeed, from Kentucky, on his first elk hunt. Ripple Creek Lodge’s drop camps are located deep into the White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness Area of northwest Colorado. Learn everything about hunting Colorado Elk Unit 231. Southwest of Steamboat Springs, the recreational ranch spans over 35 square miles of undulating natural beauty in pristine Hamilton, Colorado.Perched on the north flank of the Flat Tops, the White River Mountain Ranch comprises one the largest contiguous ranches in the Colorado Rockies. After about an hour of watching the herd, the three rams, and enjoying our hot coffee/tea, the herd slowly disappeared into the timber to bed down. That walk seemed to take forever. During his tenure at Bowhunting, Christian has chased game from New York to New Zealand and worked to enhance the brand’s reputation as “The Modern Bowhunting Authority” by providing practical information such as details on the latest bowhunting gear, technical equipment tests, no-nonsense field reviews and proven bowhunting tactics from the sport’s leading experts. Drop Camps : Our wilderness drop camps are situated in beautiful pine and aspen tree rimmed areas (areas that elk love!) Elk Hunting in Colorado with us Semi-guided horse pack in tent camp hunt for bull or cow and deer for only $2495 Most of the outfitters in this region bring hunters into the draws that lead into Colorado’s Flat Tops Wilderness, GMU025 because it requires less time and effort. Colorado’s Premier Big Game Outfitters. Since establishing in 1976, we have proudly grown into one of the largest guided hunting operations in Colorado. I had been off the mountain for less than 24 hours and was headed back up for a second season elk/mule-deer hunt. Unlike drop camps where you have to cart gear and setup a tent only to haul the drop camp back out at the end of your hunt and perhaps ride horseback for three to six hours to get in and out of the camp, you can hunt right out the door at Wild Skies’ Flat Tops cabin. Pack trips can be customized to fit your individual needs, length of stay and destination! Hourglass camp is located at 10,600 ft. in elevation in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area of northwest Colorado, and 12 miles from the trailhead. Our private cabin consists of over 70 acres surrounded on three sides by the Routt National Forest on prime National Forest Land. And while its best known for elk, it produces quality mule deer bucks and bears as well. And while its best known for elk, it produces quality mule deer bucks and bears as well. Here we offer guided and unguided hunts in the Flat Tops Wilderness and adjoining White River National Forest. The deer population fluctuates, but … He said he is confident with his shot and his 300 Winchester short magnum has never left him down. NW Colorado has a lot of options for adult late season elk hunts which allow a hunter to hunt cow elk after the regular rifle 1-4 seasons. Explore the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, all from the beautiful, historic cabins at Ripple Creek Lodge. As it turned out, the herd of elk were 2.2 miles from us the way the crow flies. We enjoyed a great hunt and filled two of four tags. New member here from the east coast planning an elk hunt to the Flat Tops area of Colorado, WMU 24 & in particular the Trapper's Lake area. Colorado High Country Drop Camps. Let’s face it, 2020 has thrown most of us for a loop. I was wondering if anyone has hunted there and have had success or have no success. There were several cows bedded down, but we had agreed that Saeed would shoot first at a bull, and then Bobby could shoot at a cow. The elk herd in our area is estimated at 42,000 animals. With the horses tied up, and saddles loosened Saeed and I were off. Everyone in camp either shot, missed a shot, or passed on an animal that season. Hunting. Trophy Bull Elk Hunts. We offer archery, muzzleloader, and rifle elk hunts . It is also known to be one of the most forgiving terrain that elk inhabit, making it suitable for any hunter to hunt without the vertical terrain elk typically live in. See the Colorado Do’s and Don’ts, A White Paper outlining important aspects of traveling with a gun in Colorado. Welcome to Beaver Creek Outfitters Colorado Wilderness Horseback Pack trips. In 1919, Arthur Carhart, a Forest Service landscape architect, realized the uniqueness of the location when he stood on the shoreline of Trappers Lake. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science Pennsylvania State University. READ MORE. We have been written about in many publications as listed here. Our permits are in Colorado Game Unit (GMU) 24, South of the North Fork of the White River. Colorado has more elk than any other U.S. state or Canadian province. It had been an unusually warm rifle season in the Flat Tops Wilderness, and there was no change in the forecast. In September 2020, I packed a bunch of hunting gear and three of my children into my Chevy, bound for the Colorado backcountry. Come enjoy a true Guided Colorado Elk Hunt with Silver Spur Outfitters on quality private land. The next several hours the four of us gridded the entire bowl and never found any sign of a wounded elk. We maintain a herd of 35+ mules and horses, a 3,000 sq. In stark contrast to the West Elk's steep and rugged terrain, the Flat Tops pretty much takes after its name sake, with the occasional peak … Tremendous Elk habitat surrounds the camp site allowing hunters the opportunity to hunt directly from the tent without the need for horses or miles of hiking. That is why we took the time to compile a list of the best places to go elk hunting in Colorado. As the elk are running through the timber, it is hard to know exactly which animals had been shot at. Our secluded hunting cabin is surrounded on three sides by the Routt National Forest, approximately 2 miles from the Flat Tops Wilderness. video - Island of the Rockies - Sights and Sounds of the Flat Tops Wilderness. Scenic trail rides, Belgian horse wagon rides, high country fishing camp at Marvine Lake, guided big game hunting, and drop camps. We offer full service guided trophy elk hunts at our Fowler Peak Camp. Meeker provides some of the best elk and mule deer hunting in Colorado. High Timber Outfitters in Meeker, Colorado caters to hunters who are looking for that back-country experience as they meander through and hunt in locations where the largest elk herd and mule deer occupy and live. Welcome to the J Bar H Outfitters website. You get there by driving to the town of Dotsero then go to Burns. To prevent accidentally shooting the wrong elk, thinking that it’s the one you already shot, I told Saeed and Bobby to put their rifles on safe. This camp is located on the South Fork of the White River National Forest within the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, covering 235,000 acres. A veteran reporter who has covered everything from fires and murders to political races and business deals to conservation and wildlife, Christian embraces the opportunity to put his news-gathering skills to work for fellow archers. We offer a limited number of trophy bull elk and mule deer hunts in Colorado trophy units 2 and 10 (inquire for availability and prices). This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. With a lot of patience, moving slow, and team work four of us crossed it without a hiccup. The area was beautiful but the elk were'nt there. Surely, if the elk are still there and Saeed shoots a bull, Bobby would be able to get a crack at a cow before they all ran off. It had been an unusually warm rifle season in the Flat Tops Wilderness, and there was no change in the forecast. TROPHY ELK HUNTS . Buddies hunting together either become closer after an elk hunt … Saeed enjoyed the warmth of the fire pit and the bold flavor of his favorite cigars while I unsaddled and helped Zach with some camp chores. Many members at Elk Creek Ranch enjoy the pursuit of the elk when hunting season rolls around. Guided Elk Hunts have a 2 hunter to 1 guide ratio. Located in the center of the largest Elk herd in the world, Ripple Creek Lodge offers fully guided Big Game Hunting for Elk, Mule Deer and Black Bear in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area and White River National Forest of Colorado GMU 24. There was no blood. There was not just one but closer to fifty. Though unsuccessful at bagging an animal, the day was a success and one that I will remember forever. With a 16'x20' tent, this camp can provide for up to 6 hunters at one time. Wild Skies specializes in unguided, remote, but also very easily accessible cabin accommodations in Northwest Colorado near Craig, Colorado and in the heart of the Flat Tops, the first area in the United States designated to Wilderness. The words “ELK-14” and “SPOTTED FROM-14” (my way of keeping track of waypoints) bring back memories. But some of the most beautiful and abundant elk habitat is on the plateau. Lost Solar Outfitters' base camp is located on the South Fork of the White River. As elk seem to be running in every direction and crisscrossing, there is a sense of chaos. Deer Hunts – Colorado is know for its trophy mule deer, and we’ve got some of the best bucks in our units. With eggs, bacon, and an unhealthy amount of coffee in our system, Saeed and I hit the trail an hour before daylight to make the 6 mile ride to the top of the mountain. You can have the right plan, but there’s no guarantee it will produce! We operate on the White River National Forest under special permit from the U.S. Forest Service. Unit 74. We also have a kid hunt for cow elk that we run in December. I whispered to him to take the safety off and prepare to take a clear shot. Welcome to Colorado and the famous big game rich Flatops mountains. The first elk I killed in 1998 was in the center of the Flat Tops and 6.5 miles from the trail head. Saeed pulled out a cigar in celebration and talk of how he is going to mount the bull begins to be tossed around. FLAT TOPS. Our hunting, like the rest of the services, starts horseback. Within a few seconds after looking through the binoculars a bull was spotted bedded down on the far side of the bowl, just shy of 700 yards. Learn everything about hunting Colorado Elk Unit 21. I was headed to Saeed’s tent by 4:30 to make sure he was up for breakfast. I immediately caught glimpse of three very large Rocky Mountain Bighorns on the adjacent mountain. any tips on hunting it or any info at all would be helpful. Government information and links are at the bottom of this page.. You can see the unique splendor of the Flat Tops Wilderness in a 64 min. FLAT TOPS. Guided hunting opportunities in the area include; elk, mule deer, moose, pronghorn antelope, bear, and mountain lion. Colorado elk/deer hunt for 2020. For those who were in Madison last March you know that John Vargo was the successful bidder on the elk hunt at Wild Skies Cabins nestled against the Flat Tops Wilderness. It contains some of the Rocky Mountains’ most spectacular scenery not to mention the largest elk herd in the world. After glassing up a handful of does, a couple of smaller bucks, and a black bear, I planned an easy first day of hunting closer to camp to help adjust to the altitude for Saeed (we had set camp at 10,000’ and planned on hunting up to 11,500’). Wildlife in the area include elk, mule deer, black bear, big horn sheep, mountain , antelope, and an occasional moose. Near Meeker in White River National Forest and Flat Tops Wilderness. Meeker provides some of the best elk and mule deer hunting in Colorado. With the binoculars up, I told Saeed a bull was making his way through the timber and to get ready. Hunting with a buddy is key to elk hunting: two hunters is ideal for a caller/shooter set up, you can bounce ideas off of each other, and help keep each other motivated. These are demanding hunts for big deer. We offer both lodge-based wilderness hunts and back-country camps. Ripple Creek Lodge also offers fully outfitted drop camps located deep into the remote wilderness for Archery, Muzzleloading and all four Rifle seasons. The area is home to one hundred and ten ponds and lakes. He has worked on two privately owned ranches in Texas guiding deer and exotic hunts. Jimmy earned a B.S. From there you will take Trail 1859 to the northwest. Because this 115 acres controls most or all of the forest border behind the ranch the property lives really big. One thing about the Flat Tops is that after the first rifle shot the elk head down into the canyons and onto the private. Plus you can go 'Premium' and get 5 year stats and access to premium content. (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); Jimmy grew up in Pennsylvania hunting with his father and grandfather at a very young age. If the thought of a trophy class bull elk, mule deer buck or a mature antelope buck in your cross-hairs excites you, then book your next hunt at the lower ranch. Bob I decided our best bet would be to head back to the horses and make our way back to camp and go after the elk early the following morning. 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