Last Late Rifle 1/5/05

Virtual Cow Elk Hunt

3rd Late Season

January 5th, 2005

Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado

Game Unit 20

Wednesday – Snowy day

Well, this may be my last chance for an elk. What I was hoping for actually happened. Cold and snow was forecasted and we got it. However, it wasn’t enough snow or cold enough to convince the elk to move. Six inches may have fallen overnight in the Allenspark area. That’s not bad. I noticed it convinced some deer to head a little lower. I crossed their tracks on the way back to this nice meadow. The meadow had all the right ingredients for prime elk habitat except for running water. It had a great food source surrounded by aspen and pine, ridges and valleys. But the fresh sign wasn’t there. Not even enough old sign to really consider the place seriously. But access was easy and the location looked good on the map. I think the nearby 4wd road was the reason elk didn’t consider it the best place to winter. Plenty of hunters had driven the 4wd road hoping to get lucky. Road hunters. What can I say?

Where were all the elk? Every hunter I saw said they hadn’t seen any elk except those inside Estes Park City limits. Even the elk in the city were in smaller bunches. The biggest heard was about 100 cows and young spikes on private property North of Estes on the way to Glenn Haven. They herded up during the brief snowstorm. But they never migrated much lower. Hunting in winter is a different type of hunting. Most people, including me, don’t get out very far from the security of the truck or the road. The furthest I hiked was about 3 miles when I should have done 5 or more. The elk were probably just out of reach.

I let the season expire from my office at work. Watching the snow fall on the final Wednesday of the hunt from the warmth of the indoors. It was difficult to get excited about hunting this winter. I’m not sure why. Snow reveals everything about animal movement in an area. You can learn so much because you can track them. That is, if you can find an elk track to follow. I began to wonder about the fall hunt. What did I want to do this year? I really enjoy the archery season because it is a month long and during the rut. Maybe I’ll try that season in 2005. I’m certain I want to hunt 2^nd Rifle Season in Unit 18. It’s a combined deer and elk season. I’ll try to get as many tags as I’m allowed. I think I might be able to purchase a bull tag by draw, a left over cow tag and a left over deer (doe) tag. With tags in hand I’ll get a horse and pack in to my favorite place – the Troublesome basin. I want my Dad to join me again this year. I know we have a really good chance at a deer. The season is 10 days long spanning two weekends. And if we’re lucky my sister can also join us with her 3 horses. Her horses would love the rolling hills and mountain grasses. I’m sure my sister would love the rodeo show, which will start within the first five minutes I swing my leg over her wild quarter horse.

I almost apologized for not providing photos of elk this season. But why would I be sorry for not getting an elk? It was just nice to be out discovering new areas looking for elk. I didn’t even come close this year and it was still a successful hunt. Because it’s not the destination, which means the end of my hunt that, I most desire. It’s the journey and adventure into Colorado’s backcountry that makes every hunt a successful hunt. You can’t get the smells of aspen and pine from a photo or TV. You have to go out and experience it for yourself to fully appreciate it. We hope you have a successful 2005. May you find yourself in elk country as often as possible.