CO unit 81

[gabenzeke]

I'm working on planning my first DIY OTC archery elk hunt for 2016. After some initial research, I'm interested in unit 81. My question is, in my research I've found that people say this part of the state us really rugged country to the point others have suggested I go elsewhere. Is this unit really that much more rugged than some of the other otc units? Being this far south in the state, is water harder to come by? I've identified a lot of creeks with Google earth, but won't have the opportunity for boots on the ground scouting so I wonder if those creeks will hold water come September. Any help is much appreciated.

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[Umpqua Hunter]

Hi gebenzeke, glad to have you one the forum. We always encourage new members to head over to the new member sections and tell us a bit about themselves. Sounds like a fun plan you are working on.

 

[gabenzeke]

I added an introduction. Thanks for pointing that out. Anybody have any info on the terrain in 81? I'd appreciate any first hand knowledge or help.

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[Muddman]

I don't have any info yet, but plan on going there this summer and scouting. I plan on hunting 2nd rifle.

 

[gabenzeke]

Have you hunted much of CO before? Wondering if you might report back just to give me an idea of how comparitively rough this area is. I'm not afraid of work, but some guys on another site made it sound like this unit is a no go without horses or an outfitter.

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[Muddman]

I haven't hunted Colorado in a long time and that was in the Gunnison National Forest near Tin Cup. I'll report back sometime this summer, probably in August.

 

[xtreme]

Welcome I can probably help you. I am having surgery tomorrow for an ankle I broke in the Gila last year. Dec 28. I have a house on the Conejos between Bear Creek and Sheep Creek. Right up front the biggest problem with unit 81 is the amount of hunting pressure. My friends stayed at my house and four of them killed an elk. The fourth one passed on four shots. A thirteen year old a fifteen year old and their dad all tagged. Never the same year to year but always doable. We have bear and lions too. Cattle grazing makes it unpredictable but the elk are still there, maybe on the sides of the steeper places. If you decide its for you I will be glad to help as much as I can. I expect some of us will be there and we always start with an empty freezer. Having a freezer available in September helps. Currently there is over sixty inches of snow. Waiting to see how winter goes. I posted before reading your intro Welcome

 

[gabenzeke]

Muddman- I'd appreciate any info I can get if you make it out and remember to report back.
Xtreme- that's a bummer about your ankle. Good luck with the surgery, hopefully you'll get healed up soon. I appreciate any help you can offer. For whatever reason it's a little comforting to hear it's hunting pressure rather than topography that is the biggest challenge. I plan on spiking out, so do you think hiking in say, 3 miles and hunting from there is pretty doable provided I work on conditioning all year? Also, what's the water situation like out there in September? Are there plenty of creeks with water that time of year?

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[IndyRidgerunner]

I hunted 81 during archery last year. First trip out west so I don't have much to compare to. What I can tell you is, there is a ton of pressure. Mostly guys using horses. I was solo backpacking, so I went about 3 miles in and spiked. I never got into elk. It seemed when I got 5-6 miles in I ran into outfitters. I didn't trust my ability to pack out an animal solo any farther than that. To me you had to get out past the outfitters and guys on horses.

 

[gabenzeke]

Good to know. Did you stick to one chunk of land? Or did you have this experience in multiple places? I wonder if a guy could get away from the outfitters without going in deeper than they are. Would you ever consider going back or are you going to try a different unit after that experience?

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[IndyRidgerunner]

I did stick to one piece of land. I kind of got stuck between the outfitters and the road. I would try that unit again, I would just try to access farther from the trailhead.


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[Slugz]

Gents,
Just food for thought and not trying to discourage or change your mind about 81. IMO I'm never gonna try and compete with a bunch of outfitters in a valley/basin. They know the area like the back of their hand, have a good intel system built up and are in there prepping for the season a lot. Now I am gonna use their presence/pressure to my advantage in developing my gameplans. Hard to do though if you are a non resident and have limited to no scouting time. Something to think about. PM me if you want to talk more archery OTC Colorado. All the best.

 

[swampokie]

In all likelihood you are not going to get away from other hunters. You can use this to your advantage if your crafty though. O and about the terrain for the most part the areas that you will find elk will be rough at best and extreme in some cases.

 

[Eberle]

Swampokie hit the nail on the head. Find the steepest, roughest most vertical terrain and the elk will be there. My advice is to have an outfitter lined up to pack one out for you, if you kill one. My hunting buddy and I have mules, we tie them up at the base of the mountain because it is to steep to ride them. We climb about 4 hours up to where the elk are at, it's physically demanding! As far as water in the units I've been in (75,78 & 81), there is plenty.

 

[wavygravy]

Funny, I was looking at unit 81 myself for a first timer. Disappointing to hear about all the outfitters, but I figure that's life for us going OTC. There's a couple outfitters in the area that offer pack in / out services that I've seen, haven't had a chance to reach out yet, but that's promising. And I'm sure cash talks when the time comes. Good luck, I still haven't made a final decision, but keep in touch if you end up with this one.

 

[xtreme]

I can think of a place just for you. Plenty of elk and no hunting pressure and only a mile from the road. I know that sounds boastful but such a place exist. I doubt you can hire an outfitter to get one out of there for you. Its not that steep but initial access is tough then its not xtreme. Its a wild saddle. I have been tempted but never actually done it. Swampokie and Eberle have told you right but if you find the right rough place and hunt above the road it could make retrieving a lot easier. If you are interested and want to discuss it farther send me a pm. Good luck

 

[Slugz]

Gents, there are plenty of OTC archery spots in Colorado that you will not see anyone. Get away from major trails and ATV access and more chances than not you will have a herd to yourselves. At 275,000 animals strong if you hunt the main concentrations GMUs you will find em. Don't get discouraged, just put another 5 miles on the tread mill

 

[xtreme]

I always like to find places that are too easy, but Slugz is right. This year one of our hunters glassed some elk in a roadless draw but close to the road, one to two miles. He decided to go check them out and managed to get to their bedding area just before the elk. Within minutes the elk arrived and he had a cow get way to close but when the bull came he was able to get him, a decent 6x7. This was a place I have passed by at least a hundred times and never gave it a second thought. If I get well before the snow is gone maybe I will get to explore it more.
I talked to two Native Americans who were willing to share their information. They had found the elk and were surprised I could ask them questions using references that only by being there could I have know. Since I wasn't ever going there again they told me exactly where the elk were. The elk were three miles into the San Juan Wilderness up the Rio De Los Pinos. A beautiful place and not more than ten people a year see it. No doubt in my mine they had a successful hunt.

 

[Extractor]

Xtreme, I know this is off subject, but couldn't help but notice you said you reside in unit 81. Was wondering what info you might have on the antelope in 81?

 

[xtreme]

Sorry Extractor, I have a house/cabin on the Conejos in 81. I live in Arkansas. Antelope in 81 are scattered through out, some even in heavy wooded areas. I have seen some really good bucks but they are not there in really high numbers. I do think I could find a shooter with work. I should be back in the spring scouting. Maybe that will give you an idea.