I am in the same boat 16y.o. son going first rifle though, can't really help with a place, first time for us also to same general area. Yes it is hard to plan from another state. especially if you are like me when going out to scout is not an option just to far in miles to get there. I have just been looking at maps,google earth and through old posts to get a start point of 4-5 areas to scout when we get there.We are going early(4 days) that will be our scouting. However, good luck let me know how you do and be safe.

It sure is tough getting any help around here! If one of you were coming striper fishing in the chesapeake bay, I would get you boat ramp info, driving directions, lures that were working and  areas to troll,that have been producing lately, knowing that your coming for a week isn't going to change my odds and also knowing after a 1000 mile trip you are going to have one tough time without some local knowledge!

It is as if my boy getting a chance at a cow elk is going to ruin your chances for an elk!

Someone please send me an email : captaindad3@gmail.com

Hang in there, there is a bunch of great people here, they might not have logged on in a few days. I'm sure someone here can help you out with some info. I'm not much help as I'm from oregon and have never hunted colorado.

I hunted first season elk in unit 24 last year right next to 12 and have to tell you that you will likely find a lot of other hunters there.  I don't know about Sleepy Cat Hollow, or the muzzleloader season, but have never seen so much orange.  There are not as many hunters for muzzleloader season so I'm sure you will be fine.  Just be prepared to hunt further in after opening day if there is a substantial amount of pressure and look for areas where you can get a couple miles at least from the nearest road.  ATV's can drive you crazy if they are running up and down the road.  That unit notoriously has a lot of elk, its just a matter of finding them.  Sorry I can't help with more specifics.  I am trying to find out the same kinda info. for unit 54 this year and haven't had much luck either.  Best of Luck to you.

I have never hunted those areas but also noticed incredible amounts of hunters last year in colorado. This is probably why your not getting a whole lot of help. People are not ready to give up there secret spot and welcome more out of state hunters.

Colorado is one of the only states where out of state hunters stand a good chance at drawing a decent tag or buying an otc tag and harvesting a great animal. The numbers of tags given out by the state have been increasing by alot over the past 10 years. The local heards are slowly dropping in numbers but the hunters are increasing. This makes it harder for anyone to get little well needed info.

This site usually picks up in the number of people posting closer to hunting season. hang in there and if your lucky somone might give you a helping hand via private message.

Now if you needed info on units 33 or 47 and surrounding areas I'd be more than willing to stear you in the right direction. unit 12 is just not my cup of tea.

Hey I hunted in unit 12 in 2006 with a muzzleloader. send me a PM and I'll do my best to help

I wouldn't hunt there.  One of the tricks to hunting the north end of the Flat Tops with that tag is to stay on the north side, where the elk want to bail off into the private ranch lands.  From a study done in the late 90s, over 70% of the elk leave the public land, which is why they have to control the hunter numbers so closesly.  All of those northern drainages are the one I'd focus on, not drainages that flow into the White River.  Especially those that but up to high elevation ranches.