Colorado Draw one unit and hunt another????

archeryelkaholic · Dec 20, 2004

I bowhunted unit 61 for deer many years ago and 62 for Elk another time. I ran into hunters in 61 that had an over the counter tag in 62. I have read/heard several other folks doing the same thing.

If you look at the hunting pressure there now compared to then it must be 100 times worse.

Have you heard or seen such stuff????

This REALLY fries me after all the years it takes to get a tag.

TCR1 · Dec 20, 2004

Not myself. Pretty surprised that they were so open about their poaching.

Did you get any names or license plates? Tags are only good for the GMU's specified.

archeryelkaholic · Dec 20, 2004

I understand and did try but that was years ago and I was hunting alone at the time.

I would bet it is 10 times worse now. Just look at the stats and that is NOT that good of a unit (62) to have several times more folks camping there and hunting across the road!

Odd this does not stand out to the folks that live there.

archeryelkaholic · Dec 20, 2004

I have been very lucky and have drawn SEVERAL limited entry tags in about 6 states and can't remember seeing more than a couple of other hunters and no law enforcement.

I would be shocked if stuff like this does not happen all the time.

rocketman · Dec 23, 2004

The divide road seperates the 2 units. We tried
to make 62 a draw for elk 2 years ago but the
business interests went to the Comm meeting
in GJ and fought it and won. It is very difficult
to stop that activity and that is why it should be
a draw for both units. AS ALWAYS businesses will
win over sportsman in Colo.Roy in Montrose

BruinBreath · Dec 23, 2004

There is a lot of wardens up on the Plateau during the hunting seasons. I have even seen them 10 miles in on a crappy jeep road, if you could even call it that. I don't think this type of thing happens as much as everyone says. And by the way, unit 62 usually produces just as many if not more trophy sized elk and deer every year. Just got to know where to find them.

archeryelkaholic · Dec 23, 2004

62 does not come close to 61. I have hunted both.

archeryelkaholic · Dec 23, 2004

I agree with rocketman that it should be a draw.

archeryelkaholic · Dec 23, 2004

Look at the numbers. Nearly double the folks "said" the hunted 62 than any other open unit in the state. Go figure.

BruinBreath · Dec 24, 2004

elkaholic. If you ever get time stop by Roy's Taxidermy in Grand Junction and see for yourself. Ask Roy which unit he thinks is better. Merry Xmas.

archeryelkaholic · Dec 24, 2004

Will be out that way this fall. I have hunted them both and 62 gets pounded.

rocketman · Dec 24, 2004

Unit 62 is the most heavily hunted unit in
the state. A few quality bulls come off it
probally pri land. To compare the 2 units
for quality is CRAZY.Roy in Montrose

archeryelkaholic · Dec 24, 2004

Thanks rocketman! Exactly what I was trying to say!

Foxtrotter · Mar 5, 2005

Rocketman, I have some questons regarding Unit 65 near Montrose. I would appreciate you contacting me. Thanks.

BeanMan · Mar 5, 2005

I drew a cow elk tag in 61 last year for blackpowder. I saw very few hunters and was checked twice by the DOW. I certainly didn't witness any of the stuff you talked about, it may have been true soon after the unit was made draw only but I doubt it is very common today.

I wish there were more draw only units but as Rocket said...

Cheers,

BeanMan

jims · Mar 5, 2005

One complaint I have always had is having quality Colo deer units that produce whopper muley bucks open to general elk. It seems like it would be mighty tempting for over the counter elk hunters that bump into gigantic muledeer to shoot one, throw them in the truck and say they shot them in an adjacent deer unit where they drew a tag?

I have also found it fairly frustrating running into so many general elk hunters after waiting so many years for one of the tough draw deer tags! Just like people running over the lines in 61/62 there are always a few screwballs that screw things up for the guys that mind their p's and q's!

Phantom Hunter · Mar 6, 2005

I have hunted 61 twice for elk and twice for deer, (once since it became draw for deer). In 1996 I was contacted by, lets call him Officer "A". Officer "A" checked out licenses and two bucks we had killed. He then went off down the canyon to check on some other folks he heard about who were hunting in 61 with an otc tag. I think he wrote 3 or 4 tickets that afternoon. I wouldn't want to try to get away with it. I know some try, some get caught and a few will get away with it.

Phantom Hunter

archeryelkaholic · Mar 6, 2005

I think your odds of getting a ticket in any unit in the west with a bow is VERY slim. People do it all the time.

The reason is that the fine is WAY less than what a landowner or guided hunt would be.

Don't fool yourself if you think they don't do it.