Unit 61 CO 2009

jtb67 · Dec 24, 2008

I live in Richmond, VA and have bowhunted CO 4 times in the Holycross Wilderness OTC DIY area w/ my best friend who lives in Denver. I called in a 306 1/8" for him in '05 but my luck has been poor at best. I also have two NM hunts, one in the Gila to no avail. I just turned 41 and coming from VA to 11,000' in the Cross. isn't getting easier. I want to kill a bull w/ my bow before father time creeps up much closer.I'm in decent shape but I'm not getting any younger. It does not have to be a monster, just a DIY branch antlered bull. 280 would be a dream, a 300... well I'm not sure I could put it into words.

I joined Hunt'n Fool and put a $1,000 deposit down on a 61 archery landowner tag. They said I'm first inline w/ them to get one. My buddy in Denver has 11 pts and has a decent chance to draw. I have a map already of the Uncompahgre National Forest and USGA maps are on the way. I will fly out in July to scout and my friend will get in 2 scouting trips from Denver in August. Guys, I need your help.

If anyone who has hunted here and had good success, bad success please chime in and point me in the right direction. W/ my luck I need alot of chances and I would like to have 5 to 6 places that we can count on to have bulls so if we screw up and blow'em out we can move on to the next place. Please tell me what to expect and if I'm on the right track for success. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I want my 1st one to be DIY so when I'm older I can say i did it w/o a guide. Thanks and Merry Christmas

smoktem · Dec 24, 2008

take horses with you. There are plenty of elk but you will have to hike up and down foe them.

Phantom Hunter · Dec 26, 2008

Ditto on the horses. Most of the bulls I have seen in 61 were down on the 2nd or third bench off the top. Good Luck.

Phantom Hunter

COBUK · Dec 26, 2008

JB,

"Califelkslayer" here on MonsterMuleys had an archery tag in unit 61 this year. He and his father spent a lot of time in that unit. He was kind enough to post a hunt report after the season was over. His write up has some very useful information in it. Here's the link :
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID12/9987.html
You didn't mention how much time you would have to hunt. If you can hunt the whole season it won't matter, but if you're limited on vacation, timing your trip to the rut and other seasons will be important.

Califelkslayer · Dec 28, 2008

jtb, I'll send a PM with my number BUT everywhere i went there were bugling bulls. Every single hunt. Call me with your map in front of you and we'll talk.

I took horses and used them to get my elk out only. It wasn't necessary at all. Since I have them, I NEVER hunt elk without them. Actually, where I hunted in the oak brush, it was too thick for horses in some areas. As the game warden told me, "80% of the hunters are in the aspens, 80% of the elk are in the oak brush."

jtb67 · Dec 31, 2008

We will not have horses, but we packed a bull from 11,500' back to the truck 4 hours one way that was pure hell in the Cross. From looking at the elevations on the map I don't think 61 is going to throw anything at us any worse. Some of the places we hunt in the Cross you could handglide off of.

I'm going to have around 10 days to hunt. We are going to go the last few days of mloader season. Most of those guys by then should be tagged out and gone and I know from past experience the last week the bugeling has been pretty good.

Califelkslayer I really do want to talk to you and anyone else that is willing to help. Thank you and Happy New Year.

Adventurewriter · Dec 31, 2008

Think about llammas.....destorying my aging body (48) backpacking in tough spots and discovered llammas a few years ago.....for me a horses are a pain in the ass and dangerous....llammas are awesome

Phantom Hunter · Dec 31, 2008

If you come in from the top (Divide Road) and find bulls down on the third bench or so (oak brush) you will wish you had some type of pack animal. If you access from the bottom the pack out won't be as bad.

Phantom Hunter

jtb67 · Jan 1, 2009

We don't have horses and most important we don't know anything about them, how to make them do what you want them to do ect... Does anyone know of a person/service that we could call to come get a bull out w/ pack animals for a fee?

Califelkslayer · Jan 10, 2009

Listen!! If you guys hunt the Cross and do well it tells me you guys can cover some ground. 61 has lots of access. In a lot of places, even if you access from the top, you can pack downhill to a road. GPS and map!!

I was huntin with my 72 year old dad AND own horses. I would have hunted the same country without horses. I did deal with 70 degree temps the day I killed.

DougW · Feb 11, 2009

jtb67-

You probably won't believe this but I grew up in Blacksburg, now live in west Denver, have 10 points and seriously considering 61 this year. PM me if you can, I'd like to talk about what I've heard. I haven't spent a lot of time down there, but it's one of those talked about units.

Doug

dwalton · Feb 11, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Feb-11-09 AT 01:09PM (MST)[p]I hunted the 1rst rifle season last year. I would say if you see a 300 point bull in 61, you should shoot it. There are 330+ bulls on the unit but they are few and far between. I would say 61 is over-hyped in terms of trophy quality. Don't get me wrong, 61 is an awesome place to hunt. Lots of mature bulls everywhere we hunted. My buddy wanted to go guided, so we booked with Garvey Bros. There were seven of us in camp. We all took 6-point bulls that ranged from 265-295. A game warden stopped by our camp, and told us that these were typical bulls for the unit. He said area 61 is managed for a quality hunting experience rather than an abundance of trophy bulls. That being said, I don't regret burning 15 points. The Plateau is a beautiful place with lots to see (bears, big deer, and lots of elk). I would go again if I could.

As far as places to hunt, Califelkslayer and I shared maps and info last year. He's definitley the guy to talk to. Best of luck to you!

Forgot to add: The elk were still fairly active in the rut during the 1rst rifle last year. Lots of bugling, and the larger bulls had groups of cows with them.

Also, the Garvey's said their largest bulls typically come from the archery and 4th season rifle hunts.

tracker12 · Feb 12, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Feb-12-09 AT 06:18PM (MST)[p]I have 17 NR PP and am thinking of cashing in on61 this year using the ML. Would appreciate comments help also. I m most likely goiung to DYI on this one. Outfitters want just to much for this hunt.

How do I do a PM?

Califelkslayer · Feb 19, 2009

Click on the enbelope next to the person's name, scroll down and start typing.

Oh, and hit send.

rmanwill · Feb 20, 2009

I have been waiting for this unit myself. I have 13 out of state points and that is stil not enough. Possible will dip into that point range, but not real good odds. Hopefully next year.

I will be hunting with two buddies that have 15 and I am trying to talk them into puting in this year seperate from me and if we all draw great, but they should draw. If I don't I would tag along and have a year of scouting done during the hunt season for when I draw.

Keep in touch and I will let you know how the draws work out. I have hunted this unit for deer three years ago and have helped/sent several other hunters there, which seen numerous bulls throughout the unit while hunting deer in November.

MLog · Feb 20, 2009

I archery hunted 61 in '06 and got a 300" bull. Based on your criteria of a 280 - 300" bull cranking you tractor, I have some advice for you. TAKE MORE THAN 10 DAYS. If at all possible take 2 weeks or more. You will have the hunt of a lifetime. Some more advice. DON'T WORRY ABOUT MUZZLELOADERS. I killed my bull on the Wed of muzzleloader season....we never heard a muzzleloader shot the whole time we were there. We hunted the last 2 weeks of the season. One afternoon after I had filled my tag I was out helping my partner and we got seperated. I headed back to the truck a few minutes before dark. As I sat on the tailgate waiting for him there were about 10 bulls bugling in all different directions within 400 yds of the truck.
Once you get the tag get in touch with me and I can give you some help. I gave information to a guy last year who killed a 315 bull about 2 hours after he set up his tent on the 1st afternoon. Another piece of advice. Get a bear tag if you can.
Mike-TN

Gator · Feb 20, 2009

rmanwill you should put in with Tracker12 you got 13pts and he has 17pts that should put you both at 15 and you could draw.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

NickJ1980 · Feb 20, 2009

That would put them both at 13 in CO (no points averaging), but a good thought none-the-less.

Califelkslayer · Feb 21, 2009

My experence last year archery was the same as Mlog's. Best I had was only 8 bulls working at the same time. 2 came in range, one twice after a miss. Muzzy was a non-issue but I did hear 2 shots. Last 6 days had bulls in range every day. Multiple bulls on the same set even. WILD.

In my opinion it's not a 350" unit although there are a few but I don't know if there is a better 280-320" elk unit anywhere.