The weather is much more pleasant during that time of year as well. Like Paul I killed my first elk in the Flat Tops in 1998. Guided Flat Tops Wilderness backpacking trips are available, and are a stress-free, exciting way to do this trip. Vacation Cabins Surrounded by high country glacial lakes, miles of scenic wilderness trails and abundant wildlife Ripple Creek Lodge would like to invite you to experience the history, breath taking beauty and remote wilderness … Our hunts are situated in the Flattops Wilderness Area of the White River National Forest in Game Management Units 23, 24, 25 & 34. Or, perhaps everything goes well for an hour long stalk, crawling on your hands and knees to get closer, only to find they moved away when you had your head down. Winding its way through lush river valleys, the Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway skirts the bountiful Flat Tops Wilderness, climbs over two of the state’s least-traveled passes and is bookended by the authentic ranching towns of Yampa and Meeker. Drop Camps. Quick Elk Camp Tour. You might get your bow drawn without being seen, but the elk might not step into a shooting window. We offer full service guided trophy elk hunts at our Fowler Peak Camp. I backpack hunted there a couple other years and one of those yeares I killed a cow in the same area and me and a buddy packed it out on our backs. In an unforgiving and potentially harsh environment, everything you have to keep you safe, healthy and comfortable is carefully measured in ounces, and is strategically crammed into a pack on your back. Gary's family has been in western Colorado since the 1800′s. We offer an array of different hunting packages that will suit anyones needs. 2. Colorado State Outfitter License #2975. I have been elk hunting with a bow for 16 years and have never been in amongst the elk like with J-Bar-H Outfitters. The severe altitude changes and overall elevation can cause health problems. Thats just the way the flat tops are during hunting season. Rifle 2b: 11/01-11/06, Rifle 4: 4th Combined Limited Deer & Elk 11/21-11/27, Muzzleloader Elk and Early Rifle Deer: 9/14 – 9/22, Rifle 1: 1st Separate Limited Elk 10/11-17, Rifle 2: 2nd Combined Deer & Elk 10/26-11/03, Rifle 2a: 10/25-10/30 (9am check-out) At Ripple Creek Lodge we offer two tremendous hunting opportunities for hunters looking to experience the best of Colorado's … My buddy and I are planning an elk hunting trip for not this fall but next 2016 season. They are usually carrying only some basic gear and are not prepared for survival situations. Elk hunting is not easy. An advantage to archery season is still calm and unaffected by the hordes and noise of rifle hunters. Bowhunting and Archery Information Article. A good elk “hidey hole” is a treasure trove not quickly revealed. As the name suggests, we pack you in, drop you off, and then pack you back out. In the summer of 1919, the Forest Service dispatched Arthur Carhart, a young landscape architect, to survey Trappers Lake in western Colorado’s Flat Tops—a remote and rugged corner of the state spiked with volcanic cliffs and lush forests. If you are willing to hunt with a bow and arrow, archery season opens up a whole new world to bull elk! … non-residents can hunt the Wilderness areas of these forests, which can provide great backcountry hunting opportunities in the Flattops Bow Hunting BIG Wyoming Bull Elk with Grizzly Bears on Your Tail! But the rut will go on with or without our hearing and seeing it. The byway cuts through the heart of the original White River Plateau Timberland Reserve, set aside in the late 19th century as the … Tate & Bugs 16,280 views. Elk Hunting Northwest Colorado Cross Mountain Ranch, located in beautiful Northwest Colorado, provides the perfect environment for a true once in a lifetime experience. That would be public employees or volunteers. There are variables that affect whether you hear a lot of bugling or none at all during the rut, such as the super moon we had last year. Our public lands are a tremendous resource for everyone to enjoy and we want people to come hunt, but we also want you make it back home safely. Colorado unit 25 deer terrain in our permitted hunting area. Bowhunting and Archery Information Article. Archery Week 4: 9/24-10/1 (9am check-out), Muzzleloader Elk and Early Rifle Deer: 9/12 – 9/20, Rifle 1: 1st Separate Limited Elk 10/09-10/15, Rifle 2: 2nd Combined Deer & Elk 10/24-11/01, Rifle 3: 3rd Combined Deer & Elk 11/06-11/14, Rifle 4: 4th Combined Limited Deer & Elk 11/17-11/23, Muzzleloader Elk and Early Rifle Deer: 9/11 – 9/19, Rifle 1: 1st Separate Limited Elk 10/15-10/21, Rifle 2: 2nd Combined Deer & Elk 10/30-11/07, Rifle 2a: 10/29-11/03 (9am check-out) During archery season, it can sometimes be much more feasible to get close to bulls than to cows. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Ultimately, “hunters” are successful “finders” because of three important things; pre-hunt research, experience on the ground and keeping the spot to themselves to limit other human interference. As with every other major endeavor in life, it pays to do your homework. At the edge of the Famous Flat Tops Wilderness Area, nestled deep in the heart of the White River National Forest of Colorado you'll find your hunting passion for deer and elk. Fantastic mule deer hunting in aspen groves and high … All it takes is one false move, even drawing your bow at the wrong time to cause an elk to turn on a dime and flee. © Make sure that you add in stretching and core building exercises as well. Elk hunting is the main attraction in the Flat Tops Wilderness and White River National Forest but contact us to discuss bear, moose or mule deer hunts. Archery season is a good time to learn the habits of elk and where they go because you usually see more of them during the early fall. Let's take the road less traveled and explore Colorado's Flat Tops Wilderness with Travel Video Journalist, Juliana Broste, "TravelingJules." Petersen’s Bowhunting Editor Christian Berg is a passionate bowhunter and award-winning journalist who spent 14 years honing his craft at daily newspapers before joining Outdoor Sportsman Group in 2008. On my first trip, the elk were still up high. THE SCENIC BYWAY: The Flat Tops Trail Scenic and Historic Byway is an 82 mile scenic drive on dirt road that can be accessed from Yampa and connects the towns of Yampa, CO and Meeker, CO. Call, Email or Write with any questions or concerns. © ... if your bivy hunting just make sure you look at maps b/c the roads run all over on the flat tops that you may end up close to the road when hunting away from another. The latter are what most people refer to when hunting the Flat Tops, although each of those units has some portion in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Flat Tops Weather Lisa 2017-09-08T16:08:12+00:00 Colorado Mountain Weather Information Because we are centrally located between Meeker, Craig, Hayden and Steamboat Springs, we have compiled links to various local weather stations. It happens to the experienced and inexperienced alike. 2020 Wilderness Drop Camp Information $1950 per Hunter $500 Deposit per hunter required to book hunt . Please refer to our “What to Pack List” for details on how to pack for success and survival. A veteran reporter who has covered everything from fires and murders to political races and business deals to conservation and wildlife, Christian embraces the opportunity to put his news-gathering skills to work for fellow archers. Bonded and Insured. Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Flat Tops Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews … For a 5-7 day trip, that means 150lbs+ of feed per horse/mule. Petersen’s Senior editor Christian Berg of Petersen’s Bowhunting Magazine will be out hunting at Wild Skies Cabin Rentals in September of 2016 and the article will be available in 2017. You will be carrying a good bit of weight on your back before you pull the trigger and if you are lucky enough and put in enough work to get an elk then you will be carrying a lot more weight later. # hunting @flattopswildernessguides # deerhunting # elkhunting # spotandstalk # spotandstalkbears See More Flat Tops Wilderness Guides, Big Game Hunting and Expeditions September 7 at 11:13 AM Le Flat Tops sont accueil de trappeurs Lake (voir camping) qui a servi d'inspiration pour Arthur Carhart à plaider pour la préservation de terres At least that has been my experience. Flat Tops is Colorado's second largest Wilderness, a precious expanse of open land. Approximately 110 lakes and ponds, often unnamed, dot the country above and below numerous flat-topped cliffs. Those ounces are all that stand between you and the harshness of a cold mountain rain, wind or snow storm. The larger bulls usually separate from the cows after the rut is over. For whatever reason, they will continue to walk into the wilderness totally unprepared to navigate. If you want to shoot an elk on public land with an OTC tag, you have to In 1919, Arthur Carhart, a Forest Service landscape architect, realized the uniqueness of the location when he stood on the shoreline of Trappers Lake. Rifle 2b: 11/03-11/08, Rifle 3: 3rd Combined Deer & Elk 11/10-11/18, Rifle 4: 4th Combined Limited Deer & Elk 11/23-11/29, Muzzleloader Elk and Early Rifle Deer: 9/10 – 9/18, Rifle 1: 1st Separate Limited Elk 10/14-20, Rifle 2: 2nd Combined Deer & Elk 10/29-11/06, Rifle 2a: 10/28-11/02 (9am check-out) Colorado allows either sex for bow hunters. For those not familiar, the Flat Tops Wilderness is actually the birthplace of wilderness in the United States. 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