Anyone ever hunt elk near Craig, CO (GMU 13)?

Adam S

Adam S

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I’m very excited to be planning my first elk hunt; actually my first major hunting trip. I have a very good friend that has friends living in Craig, Colorado that will let us hunt on their land and farms. We’ve applied for the first rifle season either sex license that runs October 13-17. There has been a 100% draw rate the past 3 years, so I’m hopeful that will continue.

While I have read several books and numerous articles on elk hunting, this life-long Easterner has a lot to learn. Has anyone hunted this area? Any advice?

My primary goal is to have a good time with a great friend and see some beautiful country, not necessarily go for a record elk or bust. What would be a good representative size, number of antler points, etc I should be looking for? My friend is a meat hunter and not too concerned with antler size and the farmers who are allowing us to hunt on their land are not hunters, so I haven’t been able to get a good answer.

Thanks for any input!
 
I read that the average age of Colorado public land Elk being harvested is 3.5 years old, and is usually a 5x5 or small 6x6. Averages for private land can be better for both, size, and age. Public land success rates around 15%, and guided, or private land can average 50%, or even better sometimes.
 
Go to the Colorado game and fish website and then search for the Big game hunt guide Northwest Region. It will give you an overview on unit 13. For early season the hunting is usually best up high. I have hunted in nearby units 301 and 3, but mostly for deer and antelope for the last 14 years. I took an elk a decade ago during the late 4th season. Also I hunt at around 6500 feet on cattle land, so there are not many or any elk until the migration starts near mid Nov. The warmer weather has delayed things over the past ten years. However I do know people who hunt on guided ranches who consistently are into elk. Also reach out to the local wildlife offices for guidance and the chamber of commerce welcome center in Craig. Both have been very helpful to me over the phone and in person. You can buy maps at the welcome center. Good luck.
 
Check the Colorado regs. Most units have a brow tine rule.

The hills around Craig, I believe, has a lot of oak brush, which is always challenging.
 
Just as Lee M says. There will be resident elk herds in the lower private land during your hunt but most will be at higher elevations. I haven’t hunted there in years but I don’t expect the trophy quality has changed there with the amount of tags available. Public land has a lot of hunters, which usually works in the favor of the guys hunting private land as the elk tend to have a gps that tells them where they are safe! Regardless you can’t help but enjoy hunting elk, just don’t get your hopes up about a big bull in that area. I’m sure there are some around but far and few between. Do your homework and you can fill your freezer in that area though. Enjoy yourself.

Cheers,
Cody
 
Thanks to all for the replies and great advice. Sorry I didn't get back to this thread sooner; life has a way of getting really busy when least expected. I'll definitely continue to research. I'm in that very common position of trying to decide what type of animal I'm looking for. I don't want to shoot a spike on the first day if I have a good chance of seeing a much bigger one, but I don't want to hold out for a 6x6 if that's unrealistic to the area. I am afraid reading articles, seeing photos online and watching hunts on TV and YouTube may have given me unrealistic expectations. I would obviously like to get a good bull, but think the memories of a fun hunt are really what I'm after. The great thing is that is within my control, where available animals is not.
 
I've hunted twice in Meeker, down the road from Craig. Lots of elk in that area for sure.
 
Good to hear! Living in Ohio almost all my life, seeing elk is certainly not something I'm used to. I'm super excited.
 
Not that you asked, but.... Get the best optics you can afford (or rent) and use them. The distances you will be looking over are much greater than you are used to at home. Nothing worse than "seeing" elk 2-4 miles away and not knowing whether they are worth hiking to. Make sure you have a plan for when they hit the ground, getting them out is a lot of work. Practice shooting 300 yards, know where your gun is at 400 yds. I used to live in Glenwood Springs 30+ years ago, know the area you will be in, but have no current knowledge of the elk or numbers. Good luck and tell us about it when you get back!
 
No.... but I do know that CRAIG area has a lot of elk.... you will be in the epicenter!
 
Thanks K-man, that's the type of thing I need to know. I'm at a point where I know there's a lot I need to learn. I'm glad I have several months to prepare and practice.
 
Adam S said:
I’m very excited to be planning my first elk hunt; actually my first major hunting trip. I have a very good friend that has friends living in Craig, Colorado that will let us hunt on their land and farms. We’ve applied for the first rifle season either sex license that runs October 13-17. There has been a 100% draw rate the past 3 years, so I’m hopeful that will continue.

While I have read several books and numerous articles on elk hunting, this life-long Easterner has a lot to learn. Has anyone hunted this area? Any advice?

My primary goal is to have a good time with a great friend and see some beautiful country, not necessarily go for a record elk or bust. What would be a good representative size, number of antler points, etc I should be looking for? My friend is a meat hunter and not too concerned with antler size and the farmers who are allowing us to hunt on their land are not hunters, so I haven’t been able to get a good answer.

Thanks for any input!
Click to expand...

We hunted with Ivory Tip Outfitters NW of Craig a couple years ago on a trophy Mule dear hunt. The private land we hunted was a sheep ranch, rolling irregular sage and elevations with scrub trees. This was a migration route with hundreds of Miley’s spotted daily, we did not have an elk package, regrettably, and the guides filled elk tags quickly for their clients.
Weather was teens at day break with sunny 30’s mid day, snow cover of less than a foot mdNovember.
Shots exceeded 200 yards.
We’d return anytime, by comparison last fall on a wilderness lodge based elk hunt in western Montana there was scarce head of game witnessed.
 
Do you know where the ranch is?
You could get some maps of the area and that might give you a better idea of what kind of land is there.

Here is a part of a google map showing some of the land around Craig. I have hunted the area on a private ranch with a ranch tag that you can draw to hunt on private land.
The year I got the tag was a bad one and no one was getting their tags filled. The location of the ranch is a good place to start.

51DDD063-E6FD-4B2E-AE53-B430AA1BE5E7.png
 
I haven't elk there, but I did do a mule deer hunt near there there several years back. It was a pretty hard hunt, tons of walking, then glassing and then more walking.
 
From the map attached, we were north of Craig 10-15 miles. While in Craig visit the museum, amazing collection of early Colts and Winchester’s.
 
I shot my first elk (a 5x5 bull) there back in 1966 on a DIY hunt on National Forest Land. After I got out of the Army I shot my second elk (also a 5x5 bull) in the same area on another DIY hunt. In 1972 or 73 I also shot my best mule deer (a DIY 30" nontypical) near Maybell in Colorado's first muzzleloader hunt with a .45 caliber patched ball from a CVA Kentucky rifle that I built. Times have changed, back then all of those tags were over the counter.
 
Thanks for all the information guys!

Bhfs300, I know one of the areas we'll likely be hunting. It is a farm bordering the Yampa River. I've found out there's an area that is generally shallow enough for the elk to cross into a brushy area adjacent to an agricultural field. I have a topo map of the area and I've been reviewing it as well. My friend and I should be getting together soon and I'll find out more. I'm unsure how much land belongs to the guy who's letting us hunt, borders, etc.

Eeleel, thanks for the tip on the museum! I hope we have time to make it there; it's always fun seeing Colts and Winchesters.

Buffybr, it sounds like you've had some great adventures! I can't imagine the feeling of taking an animal with a rifle you made. Very cool!
 
Are staying at a hotel in town? If yes here are my 3 favorite restaurants. Gino’s pizza and Italian restaurant, Fiesta Jalisco - good Mexican and JW Snacks golf coast bar and grill - bbq and Cajun. All three are good in an otherwise small town.
 
Adam, As was said before first season private land certainly have resident herds. The large herds that migrate from flat tops in December via Yampa valley are quite impressive.
We hunt unit 12 south of Craig for many years second season and personal success rate is above 60 %.
First season elk are not as skittish early morning late afternoon are golden times.
Lots of sage. Don’t be fooled elk disappear quite quickly in sage and oak brush.
Majority of elk taken are 4x4s, the largest elk realistically taken would be a 5x5 or smaller 6x6. Success around Craig has been quite good with elk past couple years.
Shots to 350 yards can be common. I will say any elk taken is certainly trophy, and darn good eating. Couple words of advise, if you drive out spend a day in Denver to acclimate to altitude. High Altitude sickness and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema are no joke.
Stay hydrated plenty of water.
As a RN in a trauma center ICU we see several cases of HAPE every year.
Enjoy your trip. If you drive thru Meeker be sure to stop in the Meeker hotel. Teddy Roosevelt stayed there and some really impressive elk reside on the walls.
PM me and I’ll answer any questions I can.
Steve
 
I've not had the chance to hunt elk.....yet. Planning to in 2019 with a friend.

As for others comments: a good range finder and binos are a definate neccessity.

Example: During a 3-d archery competition a highly (semi pro ASA) respected competitor thought a life size elk target was at 20 yds; he commented that even if off by 10 yds a shooter could still hit the target. He missed; after the shoot he found out the elk target was 40 yds from the stake.
 
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