CO Unit 61 for Elk

spd522 · 02-13-2005, 10:12 AM

Still waiting to get drawn with 9 preference points. I hope it is worth it. We have hunted 62 in the past and did some scouting in 61. At the same time nothing was going on in 62, they bulls were bugling and elk everywhere in 61. I guess with all of the pressure in 62, they head across the road to the limited draw 61. Hope we get lucky in the draw this year.

Anyone else got some Unit 61 stories or suggestions?

Pygmy · 02-13-2005, 08:26 PM

Good luck with the draw... I've never had enough points to draw 61, but I've heard it's an excellent unit...Last year it would have taken 11 or 12 points for my partners and I as nonresidents, to draw muzz tags in 61 and we only had 10 points, so we applied and drew in 76 instead.. 76 is good hunting but tends to be very high and rugged, while the terrain and access in 61 is easier to hunt...

Nontypically · 02-14-2005, 09:28 AM

no stories or suggestions, but my dad and I have been interested in 61 as well, with fewer points (so more waiting)

it does look like parts of 61 can be quite rough, some of those canyons look steep!

but, I've only scouted on a map, it sounds like you've got some on the ground experience

Pygmy, how was 76?

Pygmy · 02-14-2005, 09:50 AM

Actually we did quite well, taking a nice 5 point and a nice 6 point for 3 guys, with the third hunter passing up several legal bulls waiting for a good one.. Stayed in a cabin at a ranch and hunted from the roads on National Forest land... We saw elk nearly every day, but not the large numbers that the unit is known for... Undoubtedly the BEST hunting in the unit
is in the Wilderness Area back away from the roads, either by backpacking back in or hiring someone to pack you back in.. The boundary of about 3/4 of the unit is the continental divide, if that tells you anything about the altitude and ruggedness of the unit..The bottom of the river valley is 9,000 feet and , of course, everything goes up from there.. BEAUTIFUL place, but one should be in shape to hunt it effectively..

Nontypically · 02-14-2005, 10:12 AM

glad you did well in there

which season?

just curious if you were finding bulls down lower early, or if you were in a later rifle season

yes, the Weminuche wilderness looks quite rough, high, and beautiful haven't been in there but have studied maps and seen pics