CO Bull elk GMU unit 40 hunt

highhunt · May 30, 2006

I drew a muzzleloader bull tag for unit 40 in CO this fall. I burned 10 points for the tag and I would guess based on my age and builing up points again I will not be able to hunt this unit again. Has anyone hunted GMU 40 before and or has any advice or areas to recommend? Thanks!

coloradoman · May 30, 2006

I have hunted unit 40 for years.There are some dandy bulls in that unit,but alot of private property,wich means the public land is hunted hard.Where do you plan on going?

jims · May 30, 2006

I'm kindof amazed you burned 10 pts on 40 elk? You must have banked quite a few pts because it usually doesn't take many pts to draw? As mentioned above there is a lot of private land and the RFW ranches usually get the cream of the crop because they get to hunt the rut with rifle in the primest habitat in the unit.

40 isn't nearly as good as it was 10 to 15 years ago. The RFW (especially on the west end) have really taken a toll on the larger bulls and I don't see many whoppers like I used to see. As mentioned above the little public land that is available usually gets pounded pretty hard. I've been seeing bigger bulls in another unit that takes 0 to 1 pts to draw so likely won't be spending much time in 40 anymore. Good luck and get into shape because there is some nasty country in 40!

Panhandle · May 30, 2006

I will repeat what post #2 stated and then some. Sure 40 has some great bulls but unless you have access to some great private land this is going to be a tough hunt to say the least. If I were you, I would probably turn my tag back in to DWR and make up some lame last minute excuse why you can't go. At least you won't have burned 10 points for a unit that's not worth more than about 2 IMO. Best of luck to you whatever you decide.

Skeet · May 30, 2006

As of 2006 you are no longer allowed to return your tag and retain your preference points. You can turn in your tag and get your money refunded but not preference points. Sorry.