I have elk and mule deer landowner vouchers to hunt unit 501 in colorado. Anybody have any experience in that unit. 2nd, 3rd, 4th rifle is what I will be hunting.

I know the area pretty well, mostly from fishing but some hunting too. The farther into the Lost Park area you can get the better. If you are lucky by hunting season all the day hikers and dog walkers will have cleared out and left the area.

I have went in on the south side which is mostly private and I have hiked in from the Ben Tyler trail on the north side. Both directions can be good but it is a better elk area than it is a deer area IMHO.

Just curious why the "land owner" who applied for the vouchers hadn't given you some really good intel ?

He has and will even be taking us out to show us around where he recommends to hunt. But we have never been there before and it doesnt hurt to have a back up plan when your driving out from Ohio. We are going out a couple days early to get in some scouting and getting aclimated to the altitude. Just wanted to get an overall opinion of the area.

It is really the closest area to the metro area that can provide great elk hunting. If you want other options don't be afraid to check out the Hayman burn area. I have it on good intel from a local who lives there that elk frequent the sparsely covered hill tops. Same would apply to the Buffalo Creek burn area.

Cool, thanks

Cool, thanks

Just an FYI to add to your post. My wife and I spent all day Sunday up in the Lost Park Wilderness in GMU 501. We were coyote calling and snow hiking as far in as the snow and trail would let us go. Lots of recent elk activity and we even saw a small herd of mule deer. If you have land owner vouchers you shouldn't have any trouble locating elk but I would suggest the earlier seasons for best access.