Home › Forums › Campfire Forum › First CO bowhunt – West Elk Wilderness advice

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    • Ashford
        June 12, 2013 at 5:25 pm
        Post count: 10
        #3460

        My wife and I are taking stickbows for archery elk season this year (first time) and could use some advice. We live in Paonia, CO and were planning to backpack hunt West Elk Wilderness to get away from loud wheeled devices. Without giving away your honey hole, any advice on areas with lower traffic (recommendations on other areas in western Colorado are also welcome)?

        I went in last year with a rifle (my first big game hunt) and was stunned by the amount of livestock and horses in there. I vowed to come back the following year, bow in hand, for most of September:D Thanks much.

      • David Petersen
        Member
          June 12, 2013 at 7:47 pm
          Post count: 2749
          #20293

          Ashford — I’m afraid I don’t know anything much about that area except it’s gorgeous, BHA and TU fought to keep it as roadless as possible, and Joe Cocker lives there. Since you live so nearby, consider a few brief backpacks or hikes between now and Sept. Damn cows ruin so much down low, then sheep hammer it high. You could check with the FS office for a map of authorized grazing areas and try to avoid those, as the elk certainly do. I’m rather envious of you hunting there. Don’t hear many bowhunters mention it. Best luck.

        • Ashford
            June 14, 2013 at 8:21 pm
            Post count: 10
            #22517

            Thanks Dave. I will indeed put boots on the ground between now and September. Good idea about checking for approved grazing areas (although, I wouldn’t be surprised to find bovine trespassers outside of said areas).

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