Colorado Elk unit 54 55 66 67

[kgundy212]

Hello, new to the forum. Have hunted mule deer twice and pronghorn once in Wyoming all the way from Wisconsin, great success among our group members. However, have had an interesting opportunity arise to stay at a 1300 acre ranch located in Colorado unit 67 near Gunnison. Basically I'm trying to see what my options are.

It appears that units 54 and 55 are now unlimited Elk OTC tag availability, so could always go that route and deal with the hunting pressure. Unit 66 and 67 appears to be a draw zone but unsure how many preference points are realistically needed to draw those units. Too late for landowner tags (buddies uncle owns the ranch but doesn't hunt it, says he doesn't see many elk).

I would be perfectly fine doing a scouting trip for future years and chasing coyotes for a week but I think a few of the guys want to do elk no matter what.

So my questions/inquiries are:
If I'm reading correctly units 54 and 55 are unlimited availability elk tags no caps for 2017?
Units 66 and 67, close to or are the unit our base camp (guest house) would be in, curious how many preference points are realistically needed to draw.
Any tips/suggestions/opinions are appreciated!

 

[Thomas11]

So for a first season rifle units 66/67 take 2-4 PT's for NR. 55 takes 1 pt to guarantee for first rifle and 54 usually leftovers I think. Second season for 54 and 55 is otc.

 

[Bonecollector]

Most of the answers you are seeking are available on the very interactive Colorado website. I'd recommend first introducing yourself a bit, checking out the website, and come back with more in-depth questions if you have them.
Good luck this season.

 

[kgundy212]

Thanks for the reply! I was just surprised to see that there are no caps on elk tags in some units. I'm definitely used to hunting pressure having done 1 pronghorn and 2 mule deer hunts in Wyoming all DIY 0 preference point zones. Will give the CO "plan your hunt" number a call and am waiting to hear back from a game warden.

Landowner tag question for future years - according to website, if a landowner has 1300 acres they would qualify for 2 tag applications. Is that 2 tags total and you can mix in match whatever you want for those 2 tags, for example 1 elk and 1 mule deer if that's what they wanted?

 

[Slugz]

Thanks for the reply! I was just surprised to see that there are no caps on elk tags in some units. I'm definitely used to hunting pressure having done 1 pronghorn and 2 mule deer hunts in Wyoming all DIY 0 preference point zones. Will give the CO "plan your hunt" number a call and am waiting to hear back from a game warden.

Landowner tag question for future years - according to website, if a landowner has 1300 acres they would qualify for 2 tag applications. Is that 2 tags total and you can mix in match whatever you want for those 2 tags, for example 1 elk and 1 mule deer if that's what they wanted?

Quick answer is. Gotta get the CDOW instruction on the program, its changes slightly every year so for a new ranch applying it may be different. Simply put acreage = tags based upon herd size/GMU. That's very simple though. Link below provided to get into the weeds on it.

http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/LandownerPreference.aspx#Overview

 

[kgundy212]

Quick answer is. Gotta get the CDOW instruction on the program, its changes slightly every year so for a new ranch applying it may be different. Simply put acreage = tags based upon herd size/GMU. That's very simple though. Link below provided to get into the weeds on it.

http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/LandownerPreference.aspx#Overview

Thanks a lot, appreciate it!

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Too late for landowner tags (buddies uncle owns the ranch but doesn't hunt it, says he doesn't see many elk).

Just to reply to your comment that it is "too late for landowner tags", Colorado has landowner tags available that are valid unit wide not merely on the private land. Landowners can sell these landowner tags. [I'm cautious to say this, but I believe all landowner tags are good unit wide, but I may be way off on that, so don't quote me on that, maybe someone can comment on this.]

The point being, there will likely be landowner tags available that will be up for sale for units 66 and 67. If you do your homework.....contacting CPW, contacting landowners, etc.......you could possibly find elk tags for 2017.

 

[packmule]

Elk tags are a breeze to find in 66/67 (might as well be OTC past ML season)..deer tags not so much. Those units have the vouchers split now between Unit wide & PLO. There's a lot of private that won't see an elk hoof unless one gets lost...then again, there's some that'll hold a herd of 300 in one little drainage. That's the gamble you deal with on PLO.

 

[kgundy212]

Anyone have any knowledge of Fuyu Farms ranch located just East of Gunnison in zone 551? Or that general area directly near that ranch?

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