CO Unit 55

[DEGGY]

Looking to pursue an area a little closer to home this fall, have spent some time in Unit 55 fishing, was wondering what the elk population looks like. If anyone can give me some insight into the area it would be appreciated. I'm a solo archery hunter, may take out the muzzleloader this year though. I'm familiar with the north east portion of 55.
Thanks in advance.

 

[flycrewsupe]

Deggy
I sent you a P.M. Check your inbox.
Gary

 

[Waygoner]

This is a popular unit with a lot of hunting pressure. To muzzleload you need an all-state tag. The rifle season success rate was 11-12% last year. I've hunted 55 for about 8 years now and have seen very few good bulls. I don't know what archery is like for that unit. If you do end up hunting 55, get as far off the road as you can.

Todd in Gunnison

 

[Oats]

I'd have to side with Waygoner on this one. I've spent 6 seasons in 54 and 55 and have seen a few bulls around 300 and a few taken that were over 320. But I would not hope for anything much bigger than a satelite bull. Any unit that has that much pressure is going to have a pretty big cull on 2 1/2 year old bulls. Although it does have a lot of elk in it. All you have to do is find a honey hole thats far enough out of reach to ensure some animals will still be there even after they've seen pressure.

 

[Statfreak]

You may want to try up by Grizzly Peak. There are a couple of roads that take you to the base and then you have to hike straight up into the wilderness area. Come muzzle season the elk will be at timberline. A week before muzz season they are thick as sh*t right around Taylor Park. Good luck.

 

[DEGGY]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-12-05 AT 12:59PM (MST)[p]Thanks for the info., anyone up for a backpacking trip into the area this spring/summer let me know.

Deggy

 

[rocketman]

Unit 55 has some great potential to produce
some great bulls because of great habitat
but with OTC tags you know the rest of that
story.I have probally walked every square mile
in the entire Gun basin since the 60s but
finally gave up in Gun for elk because of the
declining quality. What a shame. Look what Gun
has become for deer now with limited tags. One
of the best in America. It could be that for
elk if we would give them a chance. BUT WE WONT.
Roy in Montrose but Gun always in my heart.