I've hunted rampart range a little bit, and spend more time over near divide. I've done the burn area, it's way over crowded most of the time. Even with non hunters due to it having some popular 4wheeler trails.

There are elk near signal butte area, in and around phantom creek and manchester creek areas. Just get away from the FS roads and atv trails if you can.

Also I want to point out, "If it has a horn, it's old enough" Isn't exactly right. GMU 511 is one of many GMUs that has the Four-Point Rule: "Bull elk taken in all seasons must have four points or more on one antler, or a brow tine of at least 5 inches long"

I haven't yet myself had much luck with elk in the unit, But I've only been at it for 2 years. It is however a pretty nice unit for deer, If you want to hunt deer close by, I'd suggest at least putting in for a deer tag there every year. Even if you don't draw one, you'll get a preference point for next year, and this unit historically only takes one point to draw a deer tag.

Also, in regards to putting in for tags in 511 for deer. Something else to look into is putting in for gmu 59 instead. Slightly better chance to get a tag that doesn't require a PP, if you don't, again you still get a PP, BUT if you draw a tag for unit 59, you can also hunt deer in the same season in unit 511. It doesn't work the other way around however.

So good chance at drawing a deer tag every other year, and a good chance of getting one that year, assuming you put in the time scouting.

I wish I could offer some better advise for hunting elk in 511. All my experiences thus far in encountering elk, and all my conversations with folks that take elk there all point to the same thing. Go where others are too lazy to go, and scout your ass off. The elk are there, you've just gotta spend time finding them pre-season.

Good luck!

One more thing, if you're near divide and hungry, check out McGinty's Wood Oven Pub. It's great.