Colorado Hunting Report

It is Official - 2015 Elk Hunt... Is ON!

2015-08-28T22:01:00.000-07:00

The crew from Hot Hunting Spots is returning to Colorado for a 2015 Archery Elk Hunt.

There have been many years and hundreds of hours in the field since our last team hunt in Colorado.

The guys have shot many nice bucks and hunted in other states, but when the camp fire is going.... everyone agrees that our best memories have been from chasing Elk in Colorado with our bows.

We have been talking about a return Archery Hunt for too many seasons. After attending one too many funerals this summer as well as talking with other friends who are struggling with serious health issues, we have thrown in the hat... it's time to GO.

If you have never ventured out into the Rocky Mountains during the fall, you have surely missed one of the most exciting hunts you can buy a tag for over the counter.

The mountain tops are are often covered with snow as the Aspen trees continue to change from green to Golden shades of Yellow that seem to catch every ray of sunlight from the clear blue sky.

When night falls, the billions of stars overhead seem so close you can almost reach out and touch them from your base camp. There is an orchestra of night sounds: owls, coyotes and elk.

Finally, the excitement of calling to elk at this time of year can trigger explosive bursts of howling from a dominate bull defending his cows.

We will be departing Michigan on September 8th to once again follow the spirit of the outdoors west toward our favorite hunting ground.... Colorado.

More posts as we prepare for the hunt as well as regular updates from the field on our progress.

2012 Team Photo - Colorado

2012-10-29T10:27:00.001-07:00

Here is the team photo from the 2012 Colorado Elk Hunt!

2012 Elk Camp - Changes

2012-10-22T14:31:00.001-07:00

Updated Camp Photos from Colorado Elk Camp 2012!

Changed the traditional camp arrangement to use one Montana Tent and the Cook Shack ( Long tent ) to be setup for sleeping.
The other Framed Montana tent is for cooking, eating and social time if the weather is bad. This makes much more room for the six guys to have in both sleeping and eating areas.

This update is from the team as they headed into Glenwood Springs to enjoy the Hot Springs for the afternoon and pickup a few more supplies.
Hunting weather has been great, seeing some nice mule deer bucks. Elk sign has been moderate to low. All the hunters are enjoying the hunt and have high spirits and plenty of time to capitalize on the areas they are finding fresh elk sign.

Hunting pressure is very low in this area at this time.

More reports when we get back into cell phone range again.

Updates from Day 1

2012-10-20T20:18:00.001-07:00

A new update in from Mark & Dennis.
They indicated that they had found some fresh elk sign and were working the area to be in position for the evening hunt.

Hunt Starts Tomorrow Morning...

2012-10-19T17:29:00.000-07:00

All the Hot Hunting Spots Pro Staff members have now safely arrived at the 2012 Elk Camp. This year the team will be camping just North of the old camp site due to prior logging in the area.

Tonight the guys are all enjoying the cool evening around the camp fire with a big sky full of Rocky Mountain Stars! If you've camped at 9800 Ft you know what I mean, because it seems that you can almost reach out and pull them out of the sky.

More updates from the team as they start hunting early Saturday Morning!

2nd Group in Nebraska

2012-10-18T19:13:00.001-07:00

I got off the phone with the 2nd crew who are now in Nebraska ( Paul, Joe & Kevin ) will be arriving at camp early tomorrow to get settled and ready for the hunting season to begin.

More photos from the travel crew later.

Advanced Group sets up camp

2012-10-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

The advanced group (Dennis, Mark & Dave) arrived in Glenwood Springs this morning, picked up water, fuel and supplies before heading out to setup camp this afternoon. We will have some photos later as the team called in to let us know their progress.

Heading to Elk Camp

2012-10-18T09:12:00.001-07:00

2012-10-15T15:56:00.001-07:00

The Hot Hunting Spots Team will

begin leaving for Colorado on Wednesday

October 17, 2012 for the 2012 HHS Elk Hunt

Good Luck!!!

2012 Colorado - 2nd Elk Firearm Season Hunt

2012-10-02T07:27:00.001-07:00

Members of the Hot Hunting Spots Crew are packing up in preparation for 2012 Colorado 2nd Elk Firearm Season Hunt. Over the years, Mike "Elk Hunter" has told many stories of how much fun the 2nd firearm season can be during our many Archery hunts.

This year, Mike will get a chance to show the guys how it goes first hand!

More information to follow on this exciting time in Colorado.

Packed up

2009-09-12T11:29:00.000-07:00

Last night

2009-09-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

Fresh Elk Rub

2009-09-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

We are hunting in a good area that has lots of fresh sign. We found this Fresh Rub with all the ground scuffed up and the animal was in the area within a very few hours.

I love hunting and the beauty of the natural wilderness. I am always facinated by the raw power and effects of Elk rubs, you see trees pushed over, branches broken off and things show the big bulls dominate power.

A few years back when we were hunting in Montana, I was able to see the handy work of the Grizzly Bear and its Awesome Strength.

Those of us who love to hunt and stay in the outdoors, still remember to respect nature and its animals for what they have the potential to do in bad situations.

More later.

Elk hunting buddy

2009-09-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

Setup on good sign waiting for the elk to move by.

This area has excellent sign and I am going to setup on the edge of the Dark Timber and wait for the elk to move out to the feeding areas. It is possible to stalk dark timber when all the conditions are right but at this time things are very dry making it far too loud. I don't want to push the elk out of this area by making too much noise.

It is time to be patient and work the outside areas and look for bottlenecks or high traffic areas and see if we can take advantage of the geography of this area.

More Later.

Elk taking to the trail

2009-09-09T15:45:00.000-07:00

For those of you that don't know the story, this is a HUGE success story for Elk Hunter.

Several years ago Mike had to have a back operation because of a Bone Spur that was growing into his spine. After the operation, swelling near the spine caused a loss of most use with his legs. When I first visited him in the hospital after his surgery, he was in a wheelchair and the doctors said that he would probably regain the use of his legs shortly. (That didn't really happen) The first year after Mike did extensive Physical Therapy and was able to move very slowly with the use of a Walker. He went with us to Colorado but couldn't get out into the woods to hunt.

The following year Mike applied for the permits to allow him to use vehicles or quad runners to help get him into the woods for limited access. Unfortunately, most of the areas we found that you could use a quad to access weren't very promising. This was very discouraging and we worked very hard to scout for areas that would allow Mike to have a good chance for success.

The next year, we hunted Wyoming which was better suited to limited access for Mike because he could use his Rhino to get into many more places and so we were happy to see him have some success.

As time has progressed Mike went from being in the Chair to using a walker and the next year he was using crutches. Mike has continued to work hard to regain or build strength to be able to have more mobility.

This is a Great Day to see him moving down the trail again and I hope someday soon he can get back to his ALL TIME FAVORITE SPOT the Half-Way Point on "Elk Kill Mountain".

Good Luck Mike "Elk Hunter" and although most of us just take off into the woods without a 2nd thought, it is GREAT to see you back on the Trail Again!

From Me Personally and all the other HHS PRO Staff.

GREAT JOB!

Just got caught by an elk drawing back at 8 yards.

2009-09-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

We have been working this area for a couple days and we know the animals are in the area. We just moved in for the afternoon hunt and were getting setup to start calling, when I could hear noise coming from my left side. I grabbed my bow but before I could get back to full draw the elk moved out of the brush and were 8 yards away staring at me. I was busted and just froze because we had the wind in our favor. They crossed the path I was on and continued on, but I wasn't able to get a shot.

We always say that when you least expect them.... they show up! Well I have to agree, we just walked in to the area and while I was taking my backpack off I set my bow down 3 feet away and it was too late.

We are glad to be engaged with animals, now we just need to be patient and do the work to get an opportunity.

More Later

On the move

2009-09-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

Paul studies the Topo map to get a better idea what the best way to work this area will be considering the wind and terrain. There is fresh elk sign in the area and the team is about to spread out and start working this area. If you look closely you can see the GPS unit on the backpack which we use all the time, but sometimes it is easier to pull out a topo map to study the big picture so everyone can see. We love the new Color Display on the GPS which also has topo maps but it's a little small for a team meeting.

Back to hunting.... More Later!

Water for camp

2009-09-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

Just a quick stop at the river to pick up a little extra water for camp. This will be used to fill the shower system and for Misc cleaning and such. We have lots of 5 Gallon Jugs filled with Drinking water, but in order to save that for drinking we need to stop now and then to get extra water.

No Elk Tonight!

2009-09-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

We had a great morning and we had plenty of Elk action but things died off for the evening hunt. We need to figure out the pattern the animals are using in this area so we can capitalize on the area.

More reports to follow and we are excited to have Glen and Keith joining the team so we can spread out and work the areas better.

North face elk bedding area

2009-09-04T06:47:00.000-07:00

Joe and I are going to check this area

Two elk down in the valley

2009-09-04T06:13:00.000-07:00

Moving up the mountain

2009-09-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

Two elk calling 300 yards in front of us.

Joe and I are on a bull right now

2009-09-04T05:30:00.000-07:00

Planning The Friday Morning Hunt

2009-09-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

Homework time - yes after having a great day in the field and a good dinner.... it's time to hit the maps and do our homework. We have started to get a handle on some elk but figuring out when and where to get into position for a shot is another story.

Paul & Joey study the TOPO and compare notes on the days events in hope of getting a shot tomorrow. Honestly this is a large part of the fun of hunting, making the plans for your next hunt!!!!

See Ya Out There!

Update - 18 Elk spotted NO SHOTS

2009-09-03T19:47:00.000-07:00

Paul found a group of elk 6 miles behind camp. Joe saw nine elk with one bull and no shot. Elk hunter saw a two cows and a bull but the were 326 yards out. Dennis saw two mule deer bucks and one doe.