A friend called the other day and wanted to Elk hunt with me in Colorado. Normally I hunt first season on private land (trespass fee) but due to medical issues which were corrected too late to put in for 1st season I wrote Colorado off, as my regular hunting buddies had decided to hunt New Mexico and all those spots were filled prior to me getting a medical OK. I was thinking of Routt National forest as it is huge and is a short distance from where we would be staying (Oak Creek). Over the counter Bull tags are available for 2nd season. We would basically being going into this hunt blind and planned to arrive in Oak Creek three days prior to opening, to scout and make an attack plan. Anybody familiar with Routt National forest?
Hunting the Routt National Forest in Colorado
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Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
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Not me, sorry... 
wildgene
Handloader
- Jul 4, 2011
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...haven't hunted it, but I've spent some time workin & wandering down there. Don't ignore the State/ BLM lands to the NE towards Pagoda/ Hayden. Since you're gonna have time to do some scouting, plan on some driving, there's some loops you can do, like up thru Ripple Cr. Pass & back up to Pagoda. If you plan on hunting the Flat tops, be advised, the trailheads will be crowded...
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Thanks Gene, been out to the flat tops on a number of occasions, beautiful country. Their already white when we go out first season. The only issue is the hunters in that area tent and are already on site. I'm going to have to burn some midnight oil and think this out.
wildgene
Handloader
- Jul 4, 2011
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...whoops, that's Northwest from Oak Cr.
The only bull I've killed came out of Routt.
That was back in '83 so I'm sure a lot has changed.
We came up north out of Hayden and backpacked into the area around Baldy.
It's wilderness area so you are on foot.
Lots of elk and lots of orange army in the area.
We typically stayed in small backpack tents and stayed up in the hills.
Let the other folks move the herds around. Hunted by watching saddles or still hunting black timber.
That was back in '83 so I'm sure a lot has changed.
We came up north out of Hayden and backpacked into the area around Baldy.
It's wilderness area so you are on foot.
Lots of elk and lots of orange army in the area.
We typically stayed in small backpack tents and stayed up in the hills.
Let the other folks move the herds around. Hunted by watching saddles or still hunting black timber.
