Colorado 53

[bacpac]

My dad has drawn a 3rd season deer tag in Colorado unit 53. Being non-residents and never setting foot in unit I would appreciate if anyone could tell me where to start my search. My dad is not holding out for a 200 incher just a respectable buck. All I'm asking is for someone to point me in correct direction and I will do research and scouting.
Also, does anyone know what winter kill was like in unit 53?

Thanks for any info you are willing to share.

 

[YukonDall]

BP......I USED TO HUNT 53 A BIT...DID OK. BUT....I HAD A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE WALKING OFF WITH SOME OF OUR CAMP GEAR IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. (LOCALS OR NON RESIDENTS) I DONT KNOW...KEEP AN EYE PEELED........YD.

 

[bacpac]

YD,

Thanks for the heads up!!!!

 

[jack_sparrow]

My brother and I also drew unit 53 for the 3rd season. Maybe we will see you on the mtn.

 

[tesmitty]

My two hunting buddies hunted there without me last year. They saw lots of respectable bucks but had to settle for less than what they wanted. It was hot and dry the 3rd season, there was a big storm early in the 2nd season and some great bucks were taken. If you catch the weather right you 'll have a great hunt. And yes it appears there might be some thieves lurking around they met someone with the same misfortune.

 

[wildsage]

I have hunted elk a few times on Coal Creek Mesa out of Paonia during the 1st season and camped next to the West Elk Wilderness area. There is a road that will take you by Minnesota Reservoir and by a couple of cow camps (Dry Fork and Upper Cow). I have seen some decent bucks up high but If you get alot of snow during the 3rd season you will have trouble getting up on top and alot of the deer go low - I didn't have a 4 wheeler but had to chain up on all 4 to get through some areas and that was during the 1st season. In the past, there has been alot of hunters down low around the Beaver Reservoir area. You need to get a Gunnison Basin Map from the Forest Service if you don't already have one. There is also alot of private land down low around Crawford and Hotchkiss. One big outfitter(North Rim)operates around the Crawford area and there ia also a big private ranch (Scenic Mesa). I never hunted off of the Kebler Pass area and they sometimes close that road to Crested Butte depending on the snowfall. There is a sporting goods store in Hotchkiss (Weekender Sports, 970-872-3444) you might give them a call and see what info they can provide.

 

[bacpac]

wildsage,

Thank you for the info on this unit. I do have a topo map however it is just general and covers entire unit. I will order more detailed topo's when I narrow down the area I plan on scouting. I will also get the basin map.
Thanks again I really do appreciate the info.

Bacpac