Colorado GMU 76

[deer615]

Gentlemen,

I'm a long time viewer here but just registered to ask a question. I know how it is when someone posts questions about a particular unit but have done no work themselves. I am not that guy. I have been putting in for Colorado preference points since my 14 year old daughter was born. I have hunted some OTC units but decided to put in for 76 this year after two years of debating and studying. I ordered my maps last winter, researched on the internet and popular forums, have talked several times to the Game Manager for 76, and have been working out and shooting my bow like a madman for the past 4 months. Daily practice out to 70yards. I really feel like I am ready to go. I plan to hunt September 18th to the end of the season. The plan right now is to set up a main camp and then hike in for 3-4 days out of a spike camp before returning to gear up or change locations, depending on what we have seen. I will be hunting and my buddy is coming along to guide / call for me. (next year I will return the favor if he draws)

I have narrowed down my hunting areas, I think, and know where I plan to start and other areas to check out. But, as always, I want to make sure that I have done everything to make this 14 year journey a success. If anyone has hunted Colorado GMU 76 or has knowledge of it that you would be willing to share, I would really like to see if I am looking to the right areas. If you are hesitant to post in a public forum but would be willing to help out a fellow hunter, feel free to private message me or email me at [email protected], I would really appreciate it.

If anyone has an Iowa deer hunt planned in your future, I would be happy to return the favor where I can.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[Z Barebow]

I don't have direct info I can help you with. I to have been researching this unit and will likely try and cash in PP's in 2015.

What I do know is for this year, know where the fire has been. Some large areas were burned earlier this summer. I'll e-mail you a map, which should give you and idea if any of your spots are burned. With that being said, I would anticipate a few more people pushed into the other spots.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Sorry...misread the unit you are asking about.

 

[Don K]

Im sure you saw and looked but parts of 76 burned pretty good this year. I have been saving points for a long time myself but have not used them as of yet.

 

[deer615]

Yep, I followed the fires pretty closely. Luckily the areas that I was looking are out of the burn area but I am worried that it will increase the pressure in the areas that I plan to hunt. They did offer refunds in the unit but I have waited too long and prepared too much for this hunt to back out now. I lost a friend and coworker this week which made workouts and shooting non existent. I got back in the groove today. I have a ton of packing to do. Thanks for the replies, I'll try to update when I return.

 

[RICKWOLF]

The area that you are going to hunt had the West Fork Complex Fire this summer, and burned 109,000 acres. It is in unit 76. I hunt unit 77, and the reports from archery season and muzzle loader is that the Elk are very disbursed. This is the area in around Creede and toward Lake City Colorado, NW of the Rio Grande Reservior. I was up there on the 4th of July and the whole area was closed. It started raining in mid July and put out the fire. There are now mud slides and no one in the area knows what effect the fire will have on the hunting this Oct. Hope this helps provide you more information. You need to contract someone in the area to determine exactly where the burn was but it was the 2nd largest fire ever in Colorado.

 

[deer615]

Thanks for the imput guys. My hunt went very well. I chased some great bulls for several days and was at full draw on a few big ones but couldn't close the deal on one of the big boys. Finished with a decent 5x6 on day 7. 20 yard shot, ran less than 20 yards and tipped over within sight. This was my first elk and I am very pleased. No fire issues where I was at. My buddy should be able to draw next year so I'll be headed out to help him fill his tag. Good luck to everyone else this season.

 

[BleuBijou]

Did you hunt any of the fire area?

 

[deer615]

Did you hunt any of the fire area?

Nope, but I could see the burn area from some of the high points I was on.

 

[Don K]

Congrats on the bull!!

 

[deer615]

Thanks guys, the hunt was awesome, loved every minute of it!

 

[hoshour]

Glad it worked out for you. I love it when someone really does their research and it pays off.

 

[sjsmallfield]

Thanks guys, the hunt was awesome, loved every minute of it!

Yes you did! Congrats on your bull deer615!!

 

[dying to kill]

congrats on the bull man that's a good one for sure!!

 

[In God We Trust]

Glad you were able to fill your tag considering how far you traveled

 

[xtreme]

Good job, love the picture.