Unit 61 Bull App.

COPLAINSHNTR · Mar 18, 2020

Well my 2020 apps are complete. I finally applied for a 61 1st rifle bull tag and with 12 points I should draw. With that said I haven't been to 61 since 2017 when we drew our bear licenses. I plan to do a lot of scouting if in fact I do draw. I would like to hear any input from guys who may have drawn this tag or have hunted 61 in the last couple years. Good or bad, just curious what it is like now after the fire.

WesternSky · Mar 18, 2020

Not to be negative, but you likely won’t be guaranteed a tag This year.

Last year there were 84 res tags. There were 47 people with more points than necessary (13+) that applied for 61. This is always the case year over year as people switch units or jump in after accruing points. Then there were people with 11 that didn’t draw so you will be completing with them. That hunt will likely creep to 12 points to have a shot. I think you will have a good shot but I bet it will be far from a sure thing.

sticksender · Mar 19, 2020

Good luck in the draw. Your chances will be better if a lot of people decide to drop out due to economy concerns this year. Your point pool went 0/41 on that draw in 2018 and then 3/43 last year. Based on the trajectory of point creep that's happened for that hunt, I'd give your pool a 40-50% chance of drawing in 2020.

Bigjohn84 · Mar 19, 2020

Hunted in 2018, fire area is not a big deal. Lots of elk, I imagine new growth around fire area is prime habitat now. Fun hunt , great for numbers and decent elk, not a trophy behind every tree or in every draw. Good Luck

COPLAINSHNTR · Mar 19, 2020

Thanks for the replies. I know when we were there in 17 we seen a lot of elk quite a few good bulls, 1 great bull. The point creep has me a little concerned, but as of last years elk draw statistics I should have a good chance. Not looking for a monster bull, would be quite happy with a 300".

1989Cohunter · Mar 19, 2020

Good luck, that’s an awesome elk hunting experience!

MG209 · Mar 20, 2020

I hunted it last year, found about a dozen bulls including 2 over 300. Connected on one of the bulls (340) on the last day (4th season).

The_Coloradoboy · Mar 21, 2020

Should be a fun hunt. I should there 1st season this year with my younger brother who will be dumping his points

Longshot349 · Mar 23, 2020

I hunted it in 2018 and saw lots of elk. I saw a dozen or so 5 and 6 point bulls but nothing real big. Fun hunt but not a true trophy hunt imo.

COPLAINSHNTR · Mar 24, 2020

Longshot349 said:
I hunted it in 2018 and saw lots of elk. I saw a dozen or so 5 and 6 point bulls but nothing real big. Fun hunt but not a true trophy hunt imo.

Longshot, what season was your hunt? I have hunted bears there, and seen some good bulls and lots of small bulls and cows. I would like to have the opportunity at a good bull, not looking for a 350". Also do you think the burn area will help this year or what is your opinion that?

Bigjohn84 · Mar 24, 2020

Excellent opportunity for a 300 ish bull, there are bigger but much harder to find. Burn area is really not that big, I would think that the burn area has a lot of new growth and would be a great area to hunt if you scouted and found some of the elk holding areas in it.

270Whatelse · Mar 24, 2020

I think with 12 you would have a pretty good chance of drawing.

Zim · Mar 24, 2020

I have about a 50% chance at a 61 NR archery tag, but after all these years blew out my left shoulder in December. Got no idea what to do. Applied in NM for a drop camp hunt too, so may delay again.

Longshot349 · Apr 2, 2020

COPLAINSHNTR said:
Longshot, what season was your hunt? I have hunted bears there, and seen some good bulls and lots of small bulls and cows. I would like to have the opportunity at a good bull, not looking for a 350". Also do you think the burn area will help this year or what is your opinion that?

Sorry, just now saw your question... I hunted 2nd rifle in 2018. It's no trouble at all to kill a bull elk, but I could not find one over 320 in 4 days prescouting plus 6 days of hunting. The burn area was only a small portion of the hunt area and was a non factor imo.... There might be alot of green up there now, I dunno. But the biggest pain in the ass imo was cattle. The place is just overrun with cattle..... For what it's worth, I actually liked the southern third of the unit the best. I killed the bull pictured on my last day. I passed on 4-5 bigger earlier in the hunt, but not alot bigger.

COPLAINSHNTR · Apr 3, 2020

Longshot349 said:
Sorry, just now saw your question... I hunted 2nd rifle in 2018. It's no trouble at all to kill a bull elk, but I could not find one over 320 in 4 days prescouting plus 6 days of hunting. The burn area was only a small portion of the hunt area and was a non factor imo.... There might be alot of green up there now, I dunno. But the biggest pain in the ass imo was cattle. The place is just overrun with cattle..... For what it's worth, I actually liked the southern third of the unit the best. I killed the bull pictured on my last day. I passed on 4-5 bigger earlier in the hunt, but not alot bigger.

Thanks Longshot, i appreciate the reply. Great bull by the way!
When we hunted bears in the unit the cattle were not to big of an issue for us other than playing tricks on our eyes when glassing. I put in for 1st season so we'll see what happens.

khunter · Apr 28, 2020

Y’all won’t find this particular bull there this year. Pulled him out of there last year. Had a healed up broadhead sealed up in him when I killed it 1st Rifle. I am thinking the bowhunter is still absolutley sick about letting this bull slip through his fingers...

Below pic is of the photos I took from a mile or so away after he bedded right after first light and before I slipped in on him.

rmanwill · Apr 28, 2020

Awesome 61 bull KHunter. Congrats. Hope to be there again this year or next.

oilcan · Apr 29, 2020

Great Bull Khunter.
I just put in for another point. I have enough to draw the Hunt I want in 61 but to many other hunts lined up to do it justice. Probably next year

Gadjet · Apr 29, 2020

khunter said:
Y’all won’t find this particular bull there this year. Pulled him out of there last year. Had a healed up broadhead sealed up in him when I killed it 1st Rifle. I am thinking the bowhunter is still absolutley sick about letting this bull slip through his fingers...

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Below pic is of the photos I took from a mile or so away after he bedded right after first light and before I slipped in on him.

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Great bull Khunter!! With that bull and the ram you killed last year you must be a happy camper!

khunter · Apr 29, 2020

Gadjet said:
Great bull Khunter!! With that bull and the ram you killed last year you must be a happy camper!

Indeed and this UT spring bear was a happy moment as well. Many thanks to the awesome houndsmen and their amazing hounds who literally volunteered to join the hunt.

Elk_Nuts · May 15, 2020

Hunted 61 Cow 3rd season last year. Saw one of the biggest bulls I've ever seen. Well over 340 is my guess. He was running with 2 other bulls that were also over 300