Colorado Unit 76

Muttface · Feb 16, 2012

Hey guys,

Been a reader for a while now but just joined up. My brother and I have 12 points saved up. I guess the question I have is unit 76 our best option?? We are both approaching 60. Is this area camp friendly? What are the odds of hunting from our camp. There is no way I'm packing out a elk if we get on. We will need some help there.
I searched the site for Rocketman but it looks like he quit the site. Thnaks for any help you can supply.
Thanks

gatheringsheds · Feb 16, 2012

76 is a hard hunt with lots of high country. I'd recommended doing a drop camp through a local outfitter. Ever consider unit 61 you should be close to drawing with 12 points. Easy terrain and way better quality hunt than 76.

Dikndirt · Feb 16, 2012

Mutt are you a res. of colorado?

CWeeks · Feb 16, 2012

Look up Sammy Frazier Outfitting and either go guided or drop camp. Either way u better stay in shape year round or start training today cause that is some steep beautiful country. Wish I was going!

Muttface · Feb 16, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Feb-16-12 AT 04:55PM (MST)[p]Thanks for the advise guys. I'm from San Diego and it's really to far to do any scouting.We started this point accumulation to hunt unit 61 but I'll be dead before we can draw that unit. We've been hunting all over western Colorado, Meeker, Craig, Eagle, Norwood,
but only for deer. Were in decent shape but were not going to be running in marathons any time soon. I'll look into a drop camp. We're not into spending a fortune on a outfitter. Anybody have any other advise I'm all ears.
Thanks

txhunter58 · Feb 16, 2012

"There is no way I'm packing out a elk if we get one."

With this statement, doesn't sound like 76 is the unit for you. No matter where you hunt, you will have to hike long distances in steep country and will have to at least pack the elk back to camp, possibly miles from the kill site. And all that to see some good numbers of elk, but only a rare 300+ bull. From all reports, it is just not a real trophy unit, just has lots of elk. Use the hunt odds at the top of this page, put in elk, nonresident and your points, but leave unit and weapon blank. That will give you a run down on all units and how many points they take. There are some other good choices if you look hard enough.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

westelkman · Feb 16, 2012

TX58 is always right on with his advice

I hunted 76 in the archery season 2 years ago. Are you going rifle, bow, muzzie? The muzzie guys have it made in that unit but you probably don't have the points.

Its real high in most of the unit. We mainly hunted the wilderness and were camped in a few spots [made a big loop] but all were over 10k and one was 11k with us hunting higher.

There are quad only trails in a part of that unit that may work for you. You can quad in and then walk to some good areas. There will be other quad guys there too but its not over run.

I called in over 20 bulls for my buddy, I owed him- but we saw plenty of 6 point bulls while running and gunning. In 12 days I saw maybe 4 bulls over 300" with the biggest at 330" and a few right at 300". I thought it was great, but that year they had an early rifle season and that unit will never compare with the primo NM, AZ, UT units due to a couple factors- mainly the migration. I ended up shooting a 6 point on the second to last day which wasn't as big as many of the bulls we passed. It was some of the prettiest country i have had the pleasure of seeing.

Muttface · Feb 17, 2012

I really don't care about the size of the bull, just want a chance at getting a legal one. I can hike pretty good, that's not the problem. I had back disc replacment about 3 years ago and any extra weight on my shoulders just kill my back. I have orderd some maps just trying to figure out which part of the unit to hunt. I have emailed a couple of outfitters also.

Thanks again

CWeeks · Feb 17, 2012

Not going to give Sammy's places away, but if you do a drop camp with him shoot me a PM and I'll tell you where I would go. He may even be able to get the horses close for a pack out. Still a steep climb every am, but they won't be coming into the timber until after 8am from above treeline, so you can just climb steady without killing yourself to get there.

SDBugler · Feb 17, 2012

Dad and I have hunted 76 three times with archery. You really don't need a drop camp, there is some really good hunting from roadside camps.
Yes the terrain is steep and high, but just take your time. If you have deer hunted in CO than you are capable of hunting this unit as well. My dad was in his upper 50's last time we hunted there. He is in his upper 60's now and we plan to hunt there one more time together in a couple years. We actually drew the archery tags last year but had to return them do to the fact that I drew a mountain goat tag and my son drew an ibex tag.

The elk will move around a lot in this unit based on hunting pressure (usually up and over into the next drainage). You need to stay flexible as to where you hunt and a drop camp will restrict how much area you can cover.

Check with Sammy Frazier to see if he would pack one out for you if you get lucky. He is a great guy. We ran into him all three times we hunted there. First year we were there Sammy came riding up as we were on our last trip packing my bull out. Sammy pulled off the trail and rode up to us and offered to help us haul the rest out but we told him we were nearly done already but thanked him for the offer. Chatted with him for about an hour.
Second year we were there Sammy ran into us and said he had seen a bear not far from our camp while we were out hunting and he and gone out of his way to make sure he spooked the bear well away from our camp. He invited us into his dining tent one night and offered us coffee and homemade cookies along with his clients.
I can't say enough good about the guy.

Beardown · Mar 19, 2012

We have hunted 76 three times in the last 10 Years. Agree with SD the country is high but not brutal. We ran quads and hunted from camp, nice trails and not to much pressure. Like anywhere the Farther you get from the trails the better you will do. PM me if you have any other questions.

Muttface · Mar 19, 2012

Beardown,

Thanks for the post. My brother didn't want to deal with a outfitter so we are trying to draw the Bookcliffs for deer instead. We have 11 points so I think it's about 50/50. I will send you a pm and discuss unit 76.

Thanks for all your help
Curt