I've got 24 points for elk and have looked at 851, 40, 61, and 76. I was holding out for 1, 2, 10, or 201 but finally realized that I'll never draw any of those in my lifetime (I'm 71). 851 is a crapshoot for transient bulls, 40 is almost all private and the outfitters are expensive so I've narrowed it to 61 ML or 76 early rifle. 61 may have the edge on size of bulls 310-330 vs 300-320 for 76 but not by much. Since I'm going solo, don't know the country, and don't want to waste 24 pts, I'm thinking I'll probably go guided. I like the country in 76 better and have talked to a couple of outfitters there that do very well on 300-320 bulls. I've got a 310 from UT and passed on 320s hoping for a 350+ on a LE hunt. Was hoping for a 350+ bull in CO but looks like I'll have to lower my expectations and just be glad to still be hunting at my age. Any suggestions on units or outfitters would be appreciated.
24 NR pts for elk. CO unit 61 ML or 76 Early rifle or ?
- Thread starter sptsman4
- Start date
JimP
Administrator
For 61 check out Garvey Brothers. They have been outfitting in 61 for quite a while and have horses for the packout.
https://garveybrothersoutfitters.com/
https://garveybrothersoutfitters.com/
Don K
Very Active Member
Wow, 24 points is a bunch. I did 76 solo Archery two years ago, I would cringe using 24 points but in CO your stuck between a rock and a hard place.
If your going guided in 76 Frazier would be who I would go with https://frazieroutfitting.com/hunting/
If your going guided in 76 Frazier would be who I would go with https://frazieroutfitting.com/hunting/
MountainHigh
Active Member
Sptsman4, I hunted 1st rifle 76 with friends back in 2016. We hunted a pretty small area on south end of the unit and killed two 300" class 6x6 bulls in 3 days. Hunted an area that was not too steep, drove around after the hunt for a day to check out the entire unit, from what I could see 76 would be great hunt but I think may be more physical than a 61 hunt. If you do your research there are many areas that would be easier to access and the vertical climb would be much easier depending on your physical abilities for a 61 hunt. My dad was 70 when we did his 61 muzzy hunt and 8 days of hunting hard kicked his butt!
Thanks for the info. Any areas you could recommend in 76? From what I've read most of the roads in 61 are on the ridges and the elk are in the bottoms so it would still take some serious packing. But, the hills are a lot smaller and not nearly as steep as most of 76. Yes, 2 days of scouting and 6 days of hunting deer in 22 last year did kick my butt (at least what was left after it nearly froze off).
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
No brainer, you want to hunt 61 muzzy. I burned 23 points on it a few years back. The place is an elk zoo. Pretty much any place I got a 1/4 mile off a road I started gettin into elk. It's crazy how many people drive the road. I saw only one other hunter while hunting off the road.
The one thing I would check is how the fire has affected the unit. If it were me I wold want to hunt 3 years after the burn to hit the peak.
I'd recommend you look at Garvey or Weimers if you are going outfitted.
If I were paying for an outfitter however, I would probably push the budget a bit more and hunt private in 40.
The one thing I would check is how the fire has affected the unit. If it were me I wold want to hunt 3 years after the burn to hit the peak.
I'd recommend you look at Garvey or Weimers if you are going outfitted.
If I were paying for an outfitter however, I would probably push the budget a bit more and hunt private in 40.
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Thanks. How big a bull did you get and how far did you have to pack it? I'm thinking with a 4WD and an ATV I can get where most of the outfitters go and I've got all of the gear and have hunted elk for 50 years and killed my share. Only thing is I'd probably have to hire an outfitter to pack it out.
I'd love to hunt 40 but the only outfitters I'm aware of charge between $8 to 16000 for a 5 day hunt and have a 1 or 2 year wait. I've always been a DIY public-land hunter so that's a little steep for me and too long to wait. From what I've seen most of the 40 bulls run 310 to 340 and I think both 61 and 76 have bulls of the same caliber--just not as many or as easy to find.
JimP
Administrator
For 61 the roads are on top of the hills, nothing down into the canyons that the elk are living in. Likewise there are no ATV trails either.
For the ML the outfitters camp up on top and then go in by foot. Then if they get a elk they will pack it out on horses.
For the ML the outfitters camp up on top and then go in by foot. Then if they get a elk they will pack it out on horses.
I called Garvey and they sound like a great outfitter. A nice tented camp you can drive to and they allow extra days at no charge if you don't harvest in the 5 day hunt--just might not be guided but by then I'll probably know the country pretty well and they will pack it out too. Their rate is the same as the outfitters I've talked to in 76.
JimP
Administrator
Dustin Garvey is a great guy. Their tents are nice with cots and foam mattresses along with Coleman lanterns inside. Great food and guides. You won't go wrong if you choose them. As long as it is good weather you can drive a 2 wheel drive truck into their camp but if it is bad I would prefer a 4x4.
HuskyMusky
Veteran member
side note, makes me wonder about continuing to build points for CO Elk vs. cashing them in on a lesser unit, I think I have about 10 points at the moment?
Especially when we're talking 24 plus points for a decent elk? compared to other states?
Especially when we're talking 24 plus points for a decent elk? compared to other states?
Slugz
Veteran member
For Colorado:
If you are horn hunting....use the 10 in a quality unit.....plenty of options with 10 points.
If you are trophy hunting......hope you are young
.......keep banking the points. I've heard nothing but people praising Garvey's outfit.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
I hired the Weimer's uncle for like $400 to pack my bull out with horses. I recall his name was Jody Weimer, but I'm not positive. I had it all set up before the hunt started. As others have mentioned you hunt from the ridges where the roads are and go on foot into the canyons. I had my legitimate chance at a 350-360 bull at 15 yards only to have the rifle go "click" and find the primer had fallen out. The next day I called in a solid 6 point (300 class??) and with my wife with me that day I decided to shoot it. I've been on some pretty terrific elk hunts and I would put 61 muzzy right up there just from the sheer fun I had calling in bulls.
COLOelkman
Member
I hunted 76 archery solo in 2017 and would echo what others have said about the terrain being very challenging. Had a great hunt with tons on bugling. I did hear of several people that took off early (after burning lots of points) because they were just not in shape to go high and consider packing out an elk. So with as many pts as you have, and considering it's your once-in-a-lifetime draw, an outfitter would be great if you can afford it. I think I'd lean towards 61 just from what I've read and heard but I have no experience in 61.
hoshour
Veteran member
Correction on public land in unit 40 - it is 60% according to onXmaps. The unit has some great bulls - there's a reason it takes 23 points in 1st season.
I don't personally know outfitters in 40 but the CO Outfitters Assoc. lists 3, one of which, 2V only does $15k hunts on RFW land. The other two, Mark Davies and Joe Keys are priced pretty reasonably but I have heard no feedback on either. Anybody here heard anything?
Also, the SW Regional Hunting Guide put out by CPW makes note that "GMU 76 offers great bull hunting for those willing to wait to draw a license. The unit, however, doesn’t produce trophy-quality animals that are found in other limited units in Colorado." I think a lot of guys will disagree with that.
On Unit 61, I've heard a lot of praise, but one guy I know with a great track record thinks it is overrated for big bulls.
I don't personally know outfitters in 40 but the CO Outfitters Assoc. lists 3, one of which, 2V only does $15k hunts on RFW land. The other two, Mark Davies and Joe Keys are priced pretty reasonably but I have heard no feedback on either. Anybody here heard anything?
Also, the SW Regional Hunting Guide put out by CPW makes note that "GMU 76 offers great bull hunting for those willing to wait to draw a license. The unit, however, doesn’t produce trophy-quality animals that are found in other limited units in Colorado." I think a lot of guys will disagree with that.
On Unit 61, I've heard a lot of praise, but one guy I know with a great track record thinks it is overrated for big bulls.
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