Hunters discussing Colorado's Unit 444 report varied experiences, highlighting challenges due to terrain and declining elk and deer populations. Many mention the impact of early season pressure, pushing game to lower elevations, and suggest avoiding high-traffic areas frequented by non-hunters. Despite dense recreation, some pockets of wildlife remain, but these require significant effort to reach. For those pursuing elk, particularly in archery and muzzleloader seasons, it's crucial to be prepared for extensive scouting and to hunt away from public trails; finding local biologists or outfitters could be beneficial, especially given recent habitat changes from fires.