I know I may be a little early to plan, but I want to be ready. Am going with others who have been there before. I will be on horseback. WE have a horse here at home, so I plan to "condition" the posterior all summer to be ready. Do you guys ever take your own saddle?
My weapon of choice is an Interarms Mark V 7mm Mag. I curently have a 3-9 x40 Bushnell that I've used for the last 10 seasons here in WI. I also have a Leepers 4-16 x 50 that I am debating putting on there instead. The bushnell has always treated me well, but some shots longer than 200, the extra magnification would be nice.
I am planning to be in the GMU 12 area, and plan to arrive 3-4 days prior to the first rifle hunt pending I draw a tag. I also am wondering how this area is for Archery, as i would love to do that in a few years as i get to know the area.
Surely i can not afford to do this trip every year, but I have plans to drop $2000 for 2012 and see where that leads me. No outfitter, going with guys who hunt there every other year for the past 10-12. I want to get some good maps, get in good shape, and have a great time! An elk harvest would be a bonus.
Thanks for any and all input for you guys, I've been a lurker, but finally registered.
Dandbuck

Welcome to Hunting Nut !!!

Advanced planning and conditioning will go a long way in having a successful hunt........good luck when you go.

No doubt that extra magnification can be a good thing but I've shot plenty of groundhogs between 300 and 500 yards with 12 and 16 power scopes.
Never thought I needed any more.

I guess that's just a long way around to saying a 3-9 would probably work just fine for something the size of an elk.

Welcome to Hunting Nut dandbuck, I have not hunted elk in Colorado but have hunted in Wyoming 2 times with 2 harvests. Colorado has the largest population of elk with almost 300,000, if you know anyone or if your buddies know of farmers in Colorado you can get what they call a depredation cow tag from the farmers. If you don't know any farmers or landowners, then expect to pay $250-$350 for a cow tag. If you want a bull, then at least double the price of a tag. Now when I hunted the first time in the Tetons (which is public land) we had to have a guide since we were out of state. Now if you knew someone that owns property, you don't have to hire a guide. Best thing to do is check with Colorado dnr and see what their rules are regarding a guide for out of state license holders.

As far as the horses go, we rented horses and saddles for $70 per day for each hunter (4 of us) and that was back in 2000. From Wisconsin to Colorado is a little bit of a trip for your horse, why lug extra if you can rent reasonable. So again you might want to call ahead and check availability of horses for rent.

Your scope 3x9 is fine as my longest shot was 225 yards.
The maps you can get from Colorado dnr.
Your 7mm Rem mag is fine as my son has used this caliber in 2008 to bag his first bull with handloaded 154gr hornady sst bullets.

Thanks guys.

I was not going to attempt to haul our horse, since the rental is supposed to be $425 including deposit. I was hoping to draw an either sex tag and purchase a leftover cow tag if possible, that way i would not have to wait on a bull at first and feel bad about a missed opportunity later. I have the time to play around with that other scope. If I don't like it, I'll just put the 3-9 back on it.
Dandbuck

Welcome to the HuntingNut

Better plan on what you are going to do with the meat if you are succesful. I've got two neighbors with freezers I can borrow, but I was only looking for one elk.

THanks
Freezer space is not a problem once I get home, it's the 20 hour drive inside a few large coolers that concern me a bit. I figure worst case scenario is I buy another couple huge coolers with dry ice since that sould be cheaper than paying to have the meat processed and shipped. Then I would have the coolers for future hunts. I may even buy another one before hand, since they work great to hold and store gear anyway, better than a rubbermaid container.
Dandbuck

Dandy...out here in Australia it is common for guys who go bush to have an esky/cooler made of fibreglass. I have used one that kept ordinary ice frozen for nearly three days, and nothing spoiled in inside. They come in various sizes, so you shouldn't have a problem find a size to suit.

Only drawback I found to them is the initial outlay...they ain't cheap.

This is one brand I know of:

Evacool Fibreglass Coolers

and they are available in the USA:

State..............Business............EvaKool...IceKool...IceMate.....Phone No.

Okeechobee...Chilly Bins LLC.........*..............*............*........(863) 288-3261

Cheers, Vince

Sounds similar to Yeti coolers !!!

I dont know how big you are looking but when Im away fishing I put a polybin in the freezer with 75-100mm of water in it and let it freeze. it will last for nearly a week just be aware if you store your beers in there it will freeze.
If you know someone with a BIG freezer or are friendly with the guys at the freezing works/fish factory near you you could do a BIG bin too.

This might be the best time to invest in a "yeti". I first looked at those as being way over priced, but if i compare to the cost of one time processing and shipping of an elk, it's a good deal maybe. I'll check into it. I could always "rent" the coolers to other guys when I'm not using it, lol.
Dandbuck

Dandbuck, renting is a darn good idea!

Have a with and without beer price..............might make back your money quicker that way !!!

chambered221 wrote:

:! Have a with and without beer price..............might make back your money quicker that way !!!

lol, just hide the rental fee in with the beer huh?

just let them use it for free as long as they bring it back full of beer...