Gunnison Basin Bulls

[midwest]

LAST EDITED ON Jan-05-08 AT 12:30PM (MST)[p]This is the year I finally get to elk hunt again. It's been a long time since I've been in the elk woods (17 years), and I can hardly wait. My buddy and I are planning an archery hunt for the Gunnison basin in Colorado. We saved up a couple of PP's in hopes of drawing unit 66 this year, but looking at the stats, it looks like about a 50/50 shot of drawing that unit this year. I don't want to go OTC, but rather want to find a unit we can hunt elk every couple of years or so and maybe hunt deer the years in between if we don't hunt other states. I think this will allow us to learn the unit very well over the years which is probably the best way to be successful in the long run.

For this reason we have decided to apply for unit 67 instead which is a sure thing for 2 points. I've gotten limited info from the biologist for this unit, but enough to give us a start on where to look and I've been reading everything I can find on this site and others about the area. I've got forest maps and have been studying the topos and aerials using USAPhotoMaps and GE.

I have narrowed down a plan "A" and plan "B" general area, but don't want to name them here except through PM. If anyone has any experience in this unit and would like to share any tips or opinions, we'd sure appreciate it. We want to find our own honey hole, not take someone elses, so looking more for info on areas to avoid crowds (hunting or non), outfitters, road conditions, other contacts, etc.

We will be hunting out of a truck camp and bivying in as required. Thanks for anything anyone can offer.

Nick

 

[crcountry]

Good luck Nick, your plans will certainly put you in some beautiful country!!....but I guess I always wonder why folks aren't hunting other OTC units while their collecting points?! I too am aquiring points, but am successfully taking (small to medium) bulls in an OTC area....I believe this will increase my odds my a 1000% when I finally draw a sweet tag....just harvesting elk every year, guiding buddies to animals, and getting into the minds of elk every season will help when it really counts....I've heard of many stories that guys go years without hunting elk/mule deer while waiting for a premium tag, then "eat" the tag...there's a ton to learn about hunting elk year in and year out. Maybe this premium tag will spark your desire to hunt other (lesser) spots in CO....Good luck and enjoy your hunt!! I wish I had that many points!
Crcountry

 

[mtnview]

midwest

Sent you a PM

mtnview

 

[joesikora]

CR that's some of the best advise I've heard on here. I think that's what I will do if not drawned. I'm also from Midwest not alot of Elk here. Is Gunnison a good OTC unit achery or muzzy?





Joe

 

[Waygoner]

One thing to keep in mind is that non-resident buck tags take a lot of points. You can't count on hunting deer in the off years unless you put in for doe tags.

 

[midwest]

Waygoner, A point or two will get a NR in for the archery deer hunt.

Thanks to all who have commented and PM'd me so far. I hope I can pay you back someday for the help you given. I realize this is going to be a tough hunt, but I enjoy the challenge and am happy to "pay my dues" for someday putting a bull on the ground with my bow.

We are going to make a bonzai scouting trip in July and learn the area a little bit before we go out to hunt.

 

[midwest]

mtnview, shot you an email