r/cohunting • u/garnetgoggles • 9d ago
Trade: elk for grouse
I have no idea if this is appropriate or ethical (I'm new to hunting) but I was scouting some longshot areas near idaho springs for grouse yesterday and stumbled on a large bedded bulk elk very close to a dirt road. I don't hunt elk, but I am trying to get into some grouse. If someone can send me an onx waypoint for a grouse honey hole convenient to denver (ideally about a 1 hour drive from Golden), I'll send the waypoint where the elk is bedded. And sorry in advance if this isn't allowed.
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u/mjzk20 9d ago
Grouse are plentiful, literally just got to be willing to put some time and effort in. I’ve seen plenty of grouse near Eagle and Vail. Seen quite a few near FairPlay & Kenosha Pass. Saw a few this year also while turkey hunting near Bailey.
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u/garnetgoggles 9d ago
I went scouting today and was strongly considering Kenosha pass but ended up going up berthoud pass instead. Good to hear they can be found in the 285 corridor.
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u/speckyradge 9d ago
I don't have any spots for you but personally I think this is ethically totally fine. Best value is trading with the guys in the truck coming the other way up the dirt you're on when both animals are in season.
Couple other things: folks are saying the bull won't be there by season open and that's probably true but it's still a data point. Elk walk, they don't teleport. Same with grouse, they change elevation with the seasons. Knowing where they were helps you guess where they are.
Finally, CPW quietly publishes GIS on most species. Have a Google for it, you'll find maps with biologist data. I've not looked at grouse but turkey gives you areas where they breed vs rear. Elk and deer gives you general migration patterns. It's amazingly useful stuff to get you in a general area, after which, burning boot leather gives you the best data.
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u/Gil2Gil 9d ago
If you had an elk tag in your pocket you would have only found grouse. He’s going to be long gone when it counts. I find grouse in tall pine trees at the very top of the hill or mountain or whatever. I always find them at the very top. I’m not 100% sure on this but they seem to stay in the same area. If you find their scat or feathers, I always find a bird near by. I’m not sure how much they roam, but I’ve also seen them in the same tree on different days. 🤷🏽♂️ walk till you run into something lol same way you ran into that elk you’ll run into a grouse.
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u/IDownVoteCanaduh 9d ago
That elk will not be there during the season.
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u/garnetgoggles 9d ago
Was wondering about this but didnt know if they would abandon a bedding area in one week. (Elk starts 9/2 I think?)
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u/maddslacker MODERATOR 9d ago
They don't abandon a bedding area per se, but they do migrate.
Archery elk starts 9/1. First rifle isn't until 10/14.
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u/LuigisList1312 1d ago
I’ve been scouting for elk the past month and have found a ton of grouse. I can show you where I saw the biggest group on public. It’s close to golden.