Col. Area 55

[muzzle]

Anyone out there ever hunted this area for elk or deer? Is it a good area or should I look for somewhere else to go? Any info. would be appreciated.

 

[Skeet]

I live in 55, it is one of the most heavily hunted units in the state. Look on Colorado Dision of Wildlife website and look up hunter numbers. Is a beautiful unit with fair wildlife numbers, if you don't mind the crowds and ATV freaks give it a shot.

 

[BruinBreath]

I've muzz hunted north of Taylor Reservoir a few times for elk. Good numbers of elk and not very crowded. The elk tend to stay high above timberline in the Wilderness area. Never hunted the area with a rifle though. Heard it can be great if you get heavy snows to push them lower. Otherwise I would guess you would have to hunt high also. Good luck.

 

[Waygoner]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-11-04 AT 09:02AM (MST)[p]This unit is my backyard, I've hunted it the last 7-8 years. It's one of the most heavily hunted units in the State. According to an article in this weeks Gunnison Country Times http://www.gunnisontimes.com/ there were 5000 rifle hunters last year and only 529 animals taken. The elk are there, you just have to be willing to get off the road/trails and do some hiking. We saw nine bulls during the early rifle season last year, two were 6x6.

There are some monster bucks in this unit, but it takes 5-6 points to draw. I think it will be another two years before I draw a tag.

On another note. Units 55/551 and 54 are being proposed to go completely limited. As a hunter I support this, although I think the local business people will not. Hunting generates an incredible amount of revenue for this county. We'll see how it shakes out.

 

[rocketman]

I agree with all of the above. I lived
in Gunnison off and on from the 60 to 90's.
This unit is great for bucks and average for
bulls. Difficult to draw for deer but
unlimited for elk. This unit has a good chance
of going limited for elk next year. I also
support going limited. Some of the best
big game habitat in the west. this is one
unit that if given a chance they WILL grow
big antlers. Roy in Montrose

 

[chambero]

Haven't hunted 55, but used to go fishing a bunch there around Spring Creek Reservoir. I know there are lots of ATV trails. Beautiful country. I hunted 54 for the first time last year and loved it even though we didn't get anything. We hunted first rifle and it was extremely hot with lots of vegetation from recent rains which let the elk scatter to the winds.

I used to see elk up aroun Flag Mountain in 55.