Area 61 or 551 Nov. 4 -10

[packerhorse]

Hey Guys I need some fast imput on this. I've never hunted Colorado before. I've heard that both areas are good at this time of the year. I have 7 points.
Yes, I'm a Thropy hunter, I want an animal in the 200 caliber.
What you think???

 

[Paul_Crawford]

61.

 

[kevin3006]

Anyone have any tips on outfitters in 551? Have ten points and thats the unit that I'm looking at. Thanks in advance. Kevin

 

[huntindude]

I've heard 61 is real thick cover and very tough hunting. good bucks I guess but if you can't find them it wont matter. any body know?

 

[org]

61 varies; the elevation varies from 6500 to over 9000 feet, sometimes in a mile. If you hunt the scrub oak, it's dense. If you get into the aspen band, it has lots of open areas. You can look across the canyons and spot animals, and in the northern part there are lots of large open areas. It can be hard to hunt in that except on top, it's steep and deep. Most of the roads are either on top or at the bottom. Not much in between. Depends on what shape you're in and how hard you want to work. I've hunted there off and on since 1985 and would still be hunting it except I get tired of saving points and found other areas I like as well that draw with fewer points.

 

[packerhorse]

org:

you mentioned roads, are the road close together, or are there few enough that I could back pack in and set up a spike camp.
I'm 58 yrs. old and in fair shape, have hunted mule deer most of my life, just not in Colorado.

 

[Phantom Hunter]

The main access road is on top. Along most of the way it is steep going if you drop off the top. But that is where you have to go to find game after archery season. I don't know the southern end, but the northern end is very steep. We use horses to get up and down when we draw.

Phantom Hunter

 

[Paul_Crawford]

That late just find PJ and sage. Get 'er done. pc

 

[coloradohunter18]

area 61 you say you wont draw it with 7 points. you need 12 or better to guarantee a tag for that area.

 

[org]

The roads aren't real close together...generally Divide road runs NW to SE along the top, and is the boundary of 61. 3 or 4 roads run from Divide road to the county road that runs along the bottom. You'd have to look at a map, but I think you could get far enough to make a spike camp worth while. Remember, you don't have to be too many miles in when the slope is as steep as it is there. One thing to watch is that this area's trails are pretty much open to ATV travel and there are several of them. The good side is that with the limited number of hunters allowed, they still tend to be spread out. Most camp along Divide road, or used to.

It's a nice area for someone who doesn't mind working, I wish we could get back in, but like you, I'm in my late 50s and don't want to spend 10 years waiting to get in with my nonresident buddy.

org

 

[Califelkslayer]

I predict that 61, third season will be drawn by some non-residents w/7 points. That hunt will be on a 65/35 split this year (check out the regs) and it was 60/40 last year and 6 points got you a tag. The unit has had alot of publicity in the last few years so that won't help.