Unit 53 Colorado 4th season

[wapitihunter338]

I know of a couple of publications that rate this unit as one of their top 4th season picks. Does anybody know much about it?

Thanks

 

[coyote]

I live in Unit 53 sorry to say the buck numbers are way down. This unit is defintly not what it used to be. A few years ago is was a good unit. But since the winter of o8 I am seeing way less deer than before. Seems to be worse than last year even. Last spring I picked up 80 sheds.This spring I have hunted alot more and harder than I ever have before and have only found 42 sheds and half of those are hard whites. Where I used to see 100 deer now I see 15. It's not just me I know several shed hunters and nobody is doing as good as last year not to mention prior to the winter of o8. I think it will take several years before it is like it used to be. The DOW needs to cut back on buck tags and issue more bear and lion tags. And we all need to do alot more coyote hunting. I know this is not what you wanted to here. But I live here and it's the way that it is. Hope this is helpful.

 

[wildsage]

Not sure what part of 53 you are planning on hunting but by the 4th season there should be snow in the higher elevations and possibly Kebler Pass will be closed. I hunted elk in unit 53 usually during the 1st season up on the top of Minnesota Creek in the raven, pines, and flatirons. This is public land that borders the West Elk Wilderness. That area will be pretty much snowed in by the 4th season. Depending on snow, You still may be able to get into the lower part above Minnesota Res. or around Beaver Res. There is also some access into the West Elks from Crawford. If there is alot of snow then you are looking at alot of private land and landowners to get permission or pay to hunt. I never hunted that low so don't have any info - coyote has much better info on the lower areas and most likely knows land owners. I am not sure that I gave you any info that is of use but also hope this is helpful.

Wildsage