Colorado Elk Hunting

Smith Rancho Colorado Hunts

Colorado Elk Hunting | Colorado Mule Deer Hunting | Colorado Antelope Hunting

Colorado Elk Hunting

Elk Population

During the fall, thousands of elk inhabit our ranch. You can expect to see hundreds of elk each day during your hunt. Elk populations in Northwest Colorado increase every year having had mild winters for the past several years. In 1975, the Colorado Division of Wildlife estimated Colorado elk to number approximately 27,200. By 2002, the elk numbers swelled to approximately 52,000.

Elk Hunting Season

The average bull taken on Smith Rancho is a 5 point with several 6 points harvested each year. Our elk hunts start the 1^st of September and continue until November the 29^th. Over the years we have had a success rate of about 98%.

Early season rut starts the 1^st of September and lasts until October the 15^th. During that time our guides use a cow call to get the bulls (which are 600 to 700 lbs.) to come to you. The elk are shot anywhere from 50 to 300 yards away. Colder temperatures the latter part of October encourage the elk to move a lot more and you will see larger groups of elk as they move farther out of the trees.

When the Bull Elk are in the Rut (Sept 1st-Oct 15), the Elk are bugling and we call the bulls in using a cow call. This style of hunting is extremely exciting, especially when the big bulls are bugling back.

Elk Hunting Location

The terrain absolutely beautiful and mostly wooded. We hunt at around 7000-7500 ft. where most of the elk are. Many of our hunts take place in the dense woods high up in Wolf or Hooker Mountain. Because of the rugged terrain, we employ 4x4's to get our guests to the animals. Then one guide per every two hunters get our guests within range.

Our success rate is 98%. On this trip you'll see up to 500 at a time or herds of a few thousand. Average size of the bulls are 5x5 or better.

Smith Rancho Accomodations

Smith Rancho arranges our guests in 5 people per hunt (3 day hunt) and 2 hunters per guide. Our hunts take place in the mornings then a break for lunch where our guests can enjoy the trophy room or simply kick back and watch TV.
After hunters get some rest, it's back out in the afternoon till dark. We'll have dinner ready when you return. Relax in the trophy room next to our huge fireplace and maybe enjoy a drink at our bar.

Smith Rancho hunts in Units:
441, 4, 301, and 3.

Elk Hunt Photo Taken September 15th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken September 9th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 7th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 7th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 8th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 8th, 2008

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 9th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken September 23rd, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 20th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken November 8th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken November 2nd, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken on October 26th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 21st, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken September 14th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 20th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken November 13th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken on October 7th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo Taken September 26th, 2009

Elk Hunt Photo taken September 25th to September the 27th

Elk Hunt Photo Taken November 6th, 2008

Elk Hunt Photo Taken November 24th, 2008

Elk Hunt Photo Taken September 14th, 2008

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 2nd, 2008

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 5th, 2008

Elk Hunt Photo Taken November 19th, 2008

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 7-9, 2008

Elk Hunt Photo Taken November 5th, 2007

Elk Hunt Photo Taken November 6th, 2007

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 31st, 2007

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 2nd, 2007

Taken September 6th, 2007

Elk Hunt Photo Taken October 1st, 2007

Elk Hunt Photo Taken September 26th, 2007

Taken September 12th, 2007

Elk Hunt Photo Taken September 13th, 2007

Taken September 13th, 2007

Taken September 11th, 2007 color="#339966">

Taken November 16th, 2006 color="#339966">

Taken October 11th, 2006 color="#339966">

Taken on November 1, 2006

Taken November 20th, 2006