Elk Hunting near Pagosa Springs, CO????????????????????????

hi all,

Me and a buddy of mine are planning a elk hunt for the fall of 08. I have several guys i know who have hunted around Pagosa Springs and they speak pretty good of it but the guys who below pagosa have told me that they have very poor luck if there is not snow in the high country to drive the elk down. I have recently been pointed towards the area between Valecito reservior and Wolf Creek Pass, from what i have seen this area looks pretty good but i am lookin for advice. I am looking for a area that will have elk whether the elk are coming down out of the high country or not. I am not looking for a monster, just a decent bull and a fun hunt away from people. Also it must be a over the counter tag. thanks ahead of time for all the help

thanks
steve
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ABert
When I get back to the states I'll be happy to let you know how things are on the south side of Pagosa Pass. A bit pressed for time at the moment. You can PM me or zatarain6 as we have both hunted the south side for a few years.
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silvertip-co
I could tell you exactly where, as I no longer stay/hunt near there,
but heck thats no fun :) . Suffice it to say Vallecito to Pagosa and north of rt 160 is pretty darn good.
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TheGreatwhitehunter
I know a guy who outfitted with horses back in there for years but he was getting way back 12+ miles and he seemed to do well on elk.
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silvertip-co
"TheGreatwhitehunter" wrote:I know a guy who outfitted with horses back in there for years but he was getting way back 12+ miles and he seemed to do well on elk.
 I worked with a guy in Bayfield for two yrs who guided for a place 12 miles back in. He may have worked for your friend. They did pretty well according to this guy.

Once in spring gobb season I near got run over by 4 elk cows on a trail. I was sneaking in this trail and came to a blind curve inthe trail. I heard what sounded like hooves and quickly stepped back between two bushes. Here come 4 elk cows haulin a.. and they skidded to astop when they smelled me and then took off again. It was pretty exciting. If I hadnt heard them I'd have been run over for sure. The place was covered up with turkeys and I missed three that day.
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i knew a guide that knew the state real good and he said that was good area , but could be some rough hunting and that wolf creek pass gets alot of snow at times .
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silvertip-co
"zatarain6" wrote:i knew a guide that knew the state real good and he said that was good area , but could be some rough hunting and that wolf creek pass gets alot of snow at times .
 I travelled Wolf Creek Pass twice a week for two and half years. It was only closed three times when avalanches happened. Usually they cut thru the 15' snow pack at the top of the pass with their big blowers. And the ski parking lots along the hiway are ALWAYS plowed.
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I have killed a couple of bulls in that area Steve. I would hunt the west side of the San Juan Wilderness. Very rough and steep country, but there are a lot of bulls in there. I always hunted there during archery season. You can buy detailed topo maps of that entire area at the pro archery shop there in Pagosa Springs. Sorry but I fogot the name of it? Pack in 2-3 miles and you should find some elk. salxxute
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