Full Moon CO 1st Rifle

[landman650]

First ever DIY elk hunt and my buddy and I drew 1st rifle elk tags. It’s been cold at night, in the teens and cool during the days. We didn’t exactly think there would be as snow as we’ve encountered.

I finally have signal and am sitting up here on the mountains at 12,000’. Saw some cow elk at lower elevation a couple days before season opened and it kept us down there for the opening morning hunt.

After another hunt without seeing anything we moved to higher elevation. First bulls we saw were today. 2 came in to within 70 yards of us without winding us. They were smaller 3x5s but legal. We passed on them and hoping to see a bigger one. Who knows, maybe we’ll regret that decision.

I have more photos I’m posting on instagram plus videos. @b2ricks2

 

[hobbes]

My advice for a first ever DIY elk hunt....... don't pass a legal bull. Good luck, hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[Ucsdryder]

That is very ambitious to pass up a legal bull on your first ever hunt! You still have a few more days to get after it. Good luck!!!!

 

[landman650]

We ended up not seeing anymore but it’s still a success in my book. I’ll have plenty of deer meat in the freezer this year plus I drew a Nilgai tag for south Texas just this past Friday

 

[Fishermen0105]

Sounds like a successful hunt to me. Anytime you can get out there and chase elk around in the mountains is a success in my book.

 

[tangodelta13]

It was indeed a successful hunt. @landman650 and I tested out some new gear and come away with a few things to tweak for next season. I was surprised at the high elevation the elk remained after the snow. Seeing those bulls come out of the trees at 120 yds and close to ~70 yds was a near-religious experience! They'll be bigger next year!

 

[Fishermen0105]

It was indeed a successful hunt. @landman650 and I tested out some new gear and come away with a few things to tweak for next season. I was surprised at the high elevation the elk remained after the snow. Seeing those bulls come out of the trees at 120 yds and close to ~70 yds was a near-religious experience! They'll be bigger next year!

One thing I learned after my first elk hunt 10 years ago is dont pass up anything unless you dont mind going home with empty coolers! I got lucky that time and got a good 5x5 on the last day. I feel like any legal bull on public land is a trophy. It took me alot of years to get my gear figured out and I'm still tweaking it every year. Sounds like you are on the right track and hopefully you get back out there next year. My biggest decision now is whether to bow hunt or rifle hunt for elk this year? lol Looks like yall found some beautiful country.

 

[landman650]

Ended up with what I believe was frostbite on one of my toes the 2nd to last day and missed the final day of our hunt. I was relatively unprepared for the weather we saw. I think I’d like to have had some pac boots for those days that we were in the snow and cold. Next time, I’m bringing a lot more gear in my truck to revise my gear on the go in case we see fiff rent weather than expected.

If I have time, I’ll try to update a gear list with my reviews of some of the items I found hard to find info on.

 

[wreckem6]

One thing I learned after my first elk hunt 10 years ago is dont pass up anything unless you dont mind going home with empty coolers! I got lucky that time and got a good 5x5 on the last day. I feel like any legal bull on public land is a trophy. It took me alot of years to get my gear figured out and I'm still tweaking it every year. Sounds like you are on the right track and hopefully you get back out there next year. My biggest decision now is whether to bow hunt or rifle hunt for elk this year? lol Looks like yall found some beautiful country.

Agreed


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[landman650]

Agreed


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I’m lucky enough that I have 3 deer in my freezers right now, 2 I shot in TX during archery season prior to our elk hunt and now I have a Nilgai hunt next month. So I’m not crying over missed meat just yet.

 

[tb27688]

Sounds a lot like fun

 

[Trans Yank]

 

[dubsya]

Looking good!