That Durango area is in a bad way as far as elk go. I hired an outfitter during muzzleloader to take me way back in. I didn’t see another hunter but I only saw 3 elk going up and over a mountain on day 1. 6 days later I was out of there without so much as a single interaction with an elk. A guy I know went back east of Durango during 2nd rifle and in 7 days only saw 1 elk. He said everyone he talked to including game wardens all had the same story. Pretty sad!
