Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting CO GMU 5 - Rifles, density and oddities

Headed out to Colorado GMU 5 this fall, either second or third season. This is my first time in this unit and also in Colorado for elk, although I've hunted
Them in other states. A couple questions to anyone who has been here before:

What's the terrain like as far as openness or thick timber? I'm considering using my 375 H&H but am concerned this may handicap my success. FWIW, the maximum shot Im comfortable with that rifle is 300 yards.

Are there any areas that are particularly heavily hunted (which I will then stay away from)?

Any other quirks or oddities to this unit which may not be visible from a topo map and/or Google earth?

I plan to direct my questions to the local wildlife manager but so far he has managed to evade my calls. Feel free to PM me if you prefer that to open posts. Thanks all.

Just got home from a scouting trip to 5. The whole Slater Park side is full of sheep right now.... Terrain is milder than a lot of other areas, not saying there ain't some rough stuff, tho. I've hunted 5 since '78 and kilt more than a few bulls there. FS surveys show the biggest bulls in the Routt District reside in 5 (mostly on the private). PM if ya want...

Domestic sheep and elk do not get along well.

Know the area really well. Hunted 1st and 2nd seasons there in years past. There are elk there, but you can say that about most of CO. Last year I saw I more hunters there than in the previous 4 seasons combined. F**ing insane. I think a few more guides moved into the area. It was like a midwest gun-deer hunt. Orange everywhere and no elk to be found. There's large chunks of private land in the area and elk will seek refuge on those lands once the pressure starts.

As huntsman said, the terrain isn't as bad as other parts of the state, but it's not flat sagebrush either. It's alpine forest on top merging with aspen meadows at lower elevations. Expect to walk 4+ miles a day with at least 2000 feet of elevation changes. Weather can be finicky too, and may vary from 70 and sunny to 10 degrees with 2' of snow mid October. Typical Colorado mountain weather. Main roads are gravel and for the most part 2-wheel drive. Some of the side roads are 4x4 only, chains and winch if wet and muddy.

375HH is fine for a rifle, probably a bit heavy, as in weight though. Shots could range anywhere up to 800yards. Not that you would take one that far, but there are some long meadows. My take on elk hunting is lighter, as in weight, is better. A 10lb. rifle is too much to carry up and down mountains, no matter what the caliber is. Your call though.

I have some youtube hunting videos that were shot in that location. PM if you want.

10mm, I'd like to see yer flicks, too.....

Pay attention to Hunstman22 and Mountain 10mm. These guys know their stuff out there. But why 375 H&H if only comfortable to 300 yards? That's a heavy gun with a heavy load. There host of other calibers that will shoot as well and kill an elk at <300 yards that are lighter and less punishing on the shoulder. The older I get the more scrutiny I have on weight that I carry. No sidearm, light rifle and I look at every item in the pack for weight vs value. When you'll be walking 4+ miles a day at altitude, light loads are huge.

I own land in GMU 4 and it is just across Moffatt county road 1 from five. We set in the East side of 4 and watch when the Elk start moving off the top of Long Mountain and crossing Slater Creek into area 4. I have taken many Elk over 25 Years now.

Can I be your friend Dusty?

Sure 10mm. Trespass permit is $10 knock yourself out!

Heck Dusty, I'll give you $20.00 for trespass fees and bring some Breckenridge bourbon for you too!!

Bruce