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2025 Western Hunting Thread

19,238 Views | 175 Replies | Last: 53 min ago by ttha_aggie_09
shaynew1
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In reply to AgEng06 • 7:43p, 8/7/25
AG
I'll drop you a pin when I get one stuck because I am not ready.

I was set for a cream puff trip and have gotten pretty cozy with truck camping.
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BradMtn346
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In reply to AgEng06 • 11:16p, 8/7/25
AgEng06 said:
Ok fellow western hunters, I'm in search of some information/intel... I had (disappointingly) resigned myself to the fact that I was not going to be hunting in CO this year due to scheduling issues. Well, my hunting buddy burned some points and drew an archery deer tag in unit 53. I couldn't stand staying at home, so I picked up a elk tag in the 2nd draw.

That said, I've never been in unit 53, nor hunted that far north in CO. Anyone hunted unit 53 or is familiar with the area (Crested Butte on the east, Crawford/Hotchkiss on the west) and willing to give me the low-down?



I don't hunt 53 much, but I have gotten to help pack out more animals in that unit than most. Elk will be everywhere away from the road. Saddle mountain. Little coal creek. Tader heap. Probably worth picking up a bear tag. Usually September rifle tags are left over. There are elk on Kebler pass, buyt it catches a good bit of hunting pressure because it is a better road.


I know less about deer there. I have heard of big deer in the avalanche chutes below Mendicant ridge, elk too, but you are right on the boarder of 63, so you need to be careful.

Regarding roads, if it rains or snows, they get wicked slick. Have chains or an ATV.

I hunt 63, but most of what I look at off my front porch is 53, so I know the neighborhood if you have any specific question, I'm happy to help.
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AgEng06
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In reply to BradMtn346 • 11:26a, 8/8/25
AG
Hey Brad, I appreciate the reply! I'd like to get some more thoughts on balancing access and hunter pressure, if you don't mind.

If you're willing, can you shoot me an email [edited out]?
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BradMtn346
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In reply to AgEng06 • 1:08p, 8/8/25
Done.
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AgEng06
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In reply to BradMtn346 • 1:55p, 8/8/25
AG
Thank you sir! I saw it, and will get back with you later today.
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shaynew1
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6:29p, 8/13/25
AG
Can you smell what the rocks cookin
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EFE
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9:18p, 8/13/25
AG
.264 Win Mag strings for NM rifle
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AgEng06
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In reply to shaynew1 • 9:48p, 8/13/25
AG
Ran out of orange nocks, huh?
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shaynew1
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9:58p, 8/13/25
AG
Worse

Ran out of green ones
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Aggie369
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11:48p, 8/13/25
AG
Headed back to Colorado for an archery Elk hunt in 33

Same unit I shot my first elk with a rifle
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Hoyt Ag
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7:26a, 8/14/25
AG
Half of unit 22 has burned in the Lee Fire, up to 125,000 acres. Basically the Piceance Basin.
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lazuras_dc
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In reply to shaynew1 • 9:38a, 8/14/25
AG
shaynew1 said:
Can you smell what the rocks cookin

sexy time. what broadheads? arrow specs?
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shaynew1
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In reply to lazuras_dc • 11:47a, 8/14/25
AG
I think I'm at like 503g going ~258fps. I'll check tonight. I dropped down to 60lbs after some work and jitsu shoulder problems and one surgery.

And I like the exodus's. I've killed a couple bulls with iron wills and still have them but I like the qads.
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arrow
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8:51a, 8/15/25
AG
Not western, but kind of western, I just got back from Greenland. Killed a big muskox and a nice caribou.

I used a 525 grain arrow at 270 fps with QAD Exodus broadheads. Two shots in the muskox made four holes. I was impressed. QAD Exodus continues to be my preferred fixed blade broadhead.
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Aggie369
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In reply to arrow • 8:55a, 8/15/25
AG
Username checks out
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shaynew1
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In reply to arrow • 9:32a, 8/15/25
AG
That's plenty west for me big dawg.

How long were you out there?
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arrow
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9:40a, 8/15/25
AG
The hunt was only 3.5 days. You spend more time in transit. The hunting was great and the outfit first class. Not near as stressful as archery elk! We had a great time.
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to arrow • 9:49a, 8/15/25
AG
Bro, post some pics! Congratulations!
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shaynew1
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10:02a, 8/15/25
AG
I'm jealous.

My elk enthusiasm is about matched with trepidation because my creampuff nm trip got turned into a backpack Colorado excursion. I've been super punching everyday all summer and am in no shape for it. But txcowdoc has rifle ready for me and I'm gonna take to NM in October instead so it's not all bad.
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Aggie369
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10:24a, 8/15/25
AG
Ive been run/walk/jogging and doing the stair climber. I do between 130-250 flights 3-4 days a week

Previously when I get to be able to do 200 flights on stair climber and not very tired afterward im in pretty good shape for the elk hunt
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BigHead 04
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8:19a, 8/16/25
AG
September looms near! College roommate and myself are headed to the Frank Church in Idaho for the last 2 weeks of September. He has a cabin in southeast Idaho which is a fantastic place to elk hunt, but as with every other spot getting harder to land a tag. So we settled for adventure and trophy memories with a snowballs chance in Hell of seeing an elk. The terrain is going to absolutely kick our ass despite being in pretty great shape. We ain't getting any younger though so why the hell not. I'm flying my son up for a long weekend at the end of the trip to fish the Teton river, eat Forrest chickens, and just enjoy life! There is no place on earth I'd rather be!
Good luck to everyone finishing up their hunt prep and conditioning! Tag soup tastes better than no soup at all!
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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Brown County Ag
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2:58p, 9/2/25
AG
Bumping as September is here.

Headed to CO Unit 77 for archery mule deer next week and then again for first rifle elk in October. These will be my first western hunts, and without the annual western hunt threads it wouldn't be happening. I appreciate all the insight shared on these threads.

Will follow up with trip reports. Excited to get out there.
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Zjones920
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3:45p, 9/3/25
Looks like we may have gotten a couple of tags for unit 85 in Colorado. Anyone been there before? I'm not sure where the outfitter is based out of. I'm just a tag along right now.
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DG96
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3:17p, 9/4/25
AG
Called in a short tined 6x7 this morning. Cool looking bull but it was my first morning. I think I getting to old for this if my first thought is not wanting to pack it out 3 miles solo.
Pretty quiet but the young bulls and spikes are talking.
Had a herd of young bulls walk right past me, this small 6 was the best in that group.
I'm already tired. Long days. But packed in a Starlink for the football games and TexAgs.

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lazuras_dc
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In reply to DG96 • 3:51p, 9/4/25
AG
How's the weather
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DG96
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In reply to lazuras_dc • 9:10p, 9/4/25
AG
Been in the high 60's. Cooler tomorrow.
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to DG96 • 9:14p, 9/4/25
AG
Incredibly jealous! You're doing something right if you're getting in on them that closely. Keep us posted!
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Timmins08
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11:48a, 9/5/25
AG
Long shot here... a good buddy and I both drew Elk tags for the East region in Wyoming this year. We have tried all summer to find an outfitter or ranch to help with our hunt. We have struck out to this point. Anyone on here have a guide or know of someone that could potentially help us out? Yes, I realize it is already hunting season.

We know this process should have been started int he Spring but neither of us thought we would draw this year based on our points. Throwing a hail mary to TexAgs.
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CivilEng08
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In reply to Timmins08 • 11:52a, 9/5/25
We're doing South region.

I think you're probably SOL on an outfitter, and if you can find one, you should question if you really want to pay that much money to someone who still has an opening this late. You should have lots of opportunities to DIY in east region. Probably still plenty of time to get some pack llamas too to help you get deep into backcountry.
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harge57
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3:52p, 9/5/25
AG
Headed for NW wyoming today.
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AggieJames09
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8:48p, 9/5/25
AG
Elk FOMO is bad right now! Good luck everyone out West
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AggieJames09
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In reply to DG96 • 9:17p, 9/5/25
AG
I'll be your elk hunting partner!
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DG96
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4:15p, 9/6/25
AG
Eventful morning. Glassed up some really nice bulls at daylight. They were on private though but started slowly heading my way to bed. As I was sitting there I noticed a wolf in a sage flat about 300 yards away. Obviously a rare sight and it was coming my way. He had obviously seen me as it was locked in, eyes on me. I was thinking it thought I might be a deer or something to eat since I was sitting. It got to 50 yards and I stood up thinking it would bolt. Wrong. He stopped but just stood there staring. That lasted for a minute or so and I started walking towards where the bulls were going to cross.

He parallel me for about 400 yards staying about 50 yards away stopping when I would stop on the other side of the fence. He seemed more curious than anything, but definitely had my attention. I had enough of that and knocked an arrow and started walking towards him. He stood there for a bit then decided to move away. Thankfully I didn't have to test my quick draw with a bow. He was young and dumb and apparently had never encountered a human.

I did snap a pic as he was following me. Pretty crazy.

So with that over with I had to hustle to get into position for the bulls. A really nice 7x7 was alone and I had to pass by the spot where I thought he was going to cross to get the wind right. He did exactly what I thought and I back tracked to get into position staying out of sight.

He came to the fence and jumped it at 70 yards away. Game over, he was going to walk 50 yards and be broad side. No clue I was there and the wind was perfect. He walked 15 yards from the fence and froze. I was thinking wtf the wind is perfect. Then it dawned on me. He picked up my scent from walking there 30 minutes earlier. Dumbass rookie move, I should have stayed farther away from the fence. He was confused but nervous looking away from me at 60 yards perfectly broadside. I could have smoked him but a very good chance he heads back to private and dies right there. That would likely have been a **** show to call the game warden, landowner, and all that mess.
He didn't last long and turned and jumped back to private. I did instantly regret not shooting but sure glad I didn't. I got all the excitement and none of the work. Hell of a day.

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unearth222
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6:10p, 9/6/25
AG
2-months from today I will be in BC chasing mountain goats. In the final push conditioning wise and tweaking rifle loads to get it perfect. You boys chasing elk have me jealous!
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Burtron06
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2:43p
AG
Me and my daughter got it done in New Mexico! 32" outside spread. Will make a separate post but I love following this thread every year and wanted to contribute.




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