Colorado OTC archery 78 53

[kgundy212]

West Elk Wilderness vs South San Juan Wilderness? Looking for any comments/concerns/suggestions regarding OTC units 78 and 53!

I've been to Wyoming in the Big Horns for muleys (love those mountains), and around Casper for muleys and pronghorn, all 0 preference point draws and playing the private/public land game. Successful all 3 of those trips and learned a lot.

My biggest learning experience however was last year going 2nd rifle OTC elk. My first REAL back country adventure! Went to unit 55, up around 12k and did not see anything, even very little sign up high. We changed plans and went to unit 54 at 12k and must have been a few days late because there was sign everywhere but did not see elk until our last day. A buddy shot at one at around 400 yards on the move and missed, the herd of about FIFTY scaled that mountain up and over right into the lap of a local old timer who shot a nice 5x5 at 80 yards. At least we got to see "our bull" and take a picture with him haha! Back to my biggest learning experience, what to NOT bring next year! Definitely over packed, and am adjusting my training habit! Since I love turkey hunting so much I figured whats turkey hunting on steroids?? - Elk archery hunting I hear! A little late to the archery party at 28 years old but the addiction is real!

I'm not looking for honey holes, just curious what people's experiences have been in these two units and general thoughts. The e-scouting is very early in the process, by no means am I set on 78 or 53.

Thanks for reading!

 

[swampokie]

In my experience everyone wants to go that extra mile in unit 78. Seemed like the deeper we went The more folks we saw. Nearly 1000 archers in the woods not counting bear hunters deer hunters muzz hunters hikers sheep herders survivalist and the like. Good number of elk too.

 

[kgundy212]

Was in fossil ridge wilderness and the only other hunters we came across was an outfitter group of 4. Walked up and down every single ridge and drainage for miles and literally only saw 2 or 3 sets of tracks in the snow and this was at 12k! Outfitter camp was fairly crabby saying they thought that they would have the whole mountain to themselves as we walked by, also heard "this is bullsh*t" haha I guess that's hunting public land for ya! I found their strategy of sitting against the same tree all day when there was no fresh sign to be seen rather interesting.

The good and also bad thing about Colorado is there are so many wilderness areas available but finding that perfect drainage is the true needle in the haystack! If I am going to be archery hunting during muzzleloader season does it not make sense to go to the zones that produce the most elk shot during muzzleloader since that season is a specific set of dates? If the elk are being killed they must be there!

 

[tdcour]

78 is definitely busy. I'd also be curious about hunting so high in second rifle. I'd hunt high early, but I'd guess they may be moving down by second rifle, but not hunting rifle its just pure speculation for me. 78 is big country and lots of people, but there are a few places you can get away from people and find elk, but like swamp said there are lots of dedicated people that will go miles back and several outfitter camps that we ran into.

 

[hoshour]

Some guys go far, some guys don't go far at all, sometimes the elk are in the middle.

 

[kgundy212]

Definitely a lot of hunters in 78 from everything I read and statistics that Colorado provides. If only there was a way to see how many are killed on public vs private land! A lot of the units with fewer hunters but high success rates make me suspicious! 78 is one option we are looking at but also know someone who has a place near Aspen, have to scout those areas as well!

 

[colowoods]

Unit 78 gets a lot of pressure. Lots of people with horses in the wilderness area. Outside those areas the roads and trails are pretty busy.