Unit 54 cow elk

Hey guys, my wife?s coworker drew a 3rd season cow tag for 54. I've haven't spent much time there but he asked for my help as he is a noobie. Is there going to be much difficulty finding him a cow to shoot at? Thanks

Are you from the Gunnison area? Have you hunted 54 much? I started hunting there in 2006. While I cannot speak for the entire unit, I can speak from experience on the eastern side of the unit. 12 years ago it was a completely different unit IMO. At some point around 2010-2011, a large segment of the elk herd started residing on the ranches up and down the Ohio Valley, specifically the Castleton Ranch. Maybe they moved there before that time, but that is when I started noticing them. The night before first season in 2011, my brother and I watched approximately 700 from the road on the ranch. While we did not count each one, we counted 100 and used that as a reference. They were widely spread out and so I'm pretty sure we were within a 100 or so of being correct.
Starting about 2013, elk numbers, and thus harvest stats, started to decline rapidly. I still go if I can find a tag but it is nowhere near as good of a unit. I have a few specific spots that I hunt and it is a real challenge. With that said, it's a beautiful area, Gunny is a great great town and I end up having a blast no matter if I see/shoot anything or not. I will say I'm a pretty nonconventional hunter. I've done the backpack thing, the trailhead camp thing, ETC. Anymore, my wife and I get a room in town and I go out and hunt mornings only. It makes for early mornings, 330 am, but I'm usually back in town shortly afternoon and then we spend the rest of the day/evening enjoying the town. I realize that is not what most people think of when elk hunting comes to mind, but it works for us and I enjoy it for what it is. To each there own..

In short, for a handful of years it was a go up the hill, shoot an elk and come home type of hunt. At least for me and my area I hunt, it is not that anymore. Good luck to you and your friend.

54 is not an easy unit to fill a cow tag in. Never personally hunted cows myself, but from hunting bulls there I've had few chances at cows. That being said there are elk there and you never know when you can run into an "easy" one.

Thanks guys

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