Colorado Unit 61

[skur2n]

Hi guys, I am new to the forum world of hunting but have found that there are a lot of good people out there with common goals and interests, willing to help each other out. I was wondering if anyone has had a chance to spend time in Unit 61 during first season rifle that would like to talk about the lay of the land and the elk activity that I can expect this upcoming year. 11 year wait and I finally got lucky enough to spend 5 days in a decent unit with a gun in my hands. Extremely excited for the opportunity and just want to do as much as I possibly can to make that small window of time count. Thanks in advance for any help you are willing to give.

 

[colohunter]

You should have a great hunt. I have spent a fair amount of time in the unit in September so not much before your hunt. Expect to see plenty of elk in the draws and canyons running off the edges of the plateau. The deeper, steeper, and harder to get to drainages will hold the biggest bulls but great bulls can be found in all of them if you are patient.

 

[treedagain]

Elk in pretty much every canyon. I like red and little red canyons. They both drain out into hanks valley which is also good...especially the upper going into red/little. Dont overlook the low cedar/sage in the north and central part of the unit. There is also a bit of public low down by nucla that sometimes will hold a few good bulls. You can also walk/glass the powerlines on top and see plenty of elk

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

A lot of guys road hunt this. Get off the road an in the canyons and you will find a lot of elk.

 

[JimP]

You are going to have to spend a few weekends down there to try and figure it out.

I had a muzzle loader tag there in 14 and had everything planned out only to have to change the plan the night before the hunt opened.

 

[skur2n]

Awesome guys thanks for the input. I talked to a couple other people that had good things to say about Red Canyon and Little Red Canyon. I'm planning on spending a few days in the area at the end of June to figure out the land and look for places that I would like to hunt. As far as getting off the roads, do any of you have any suggestions of places to scout or directions to head. I am planning on walking as far off the road as I have to to find a nice bull but it's always nice to hear from the wise. Thanks again guys

 

[treedagain]

There is a atv trail from the divide road that takes you down red canyon and comes out of hanks valley. GOOD road to take. You can also view/glass red/little from the old highway. Another good area is dump offf the divide road at any of the road closed signs. Easy/quiet walking and helps with the packout. Campbells point is also good. As you drop down take the 1st left and it ends at a trailhead...walk in...1st right...drive in all the way or not...hunt down or up...easy walking...packing...chasing bugles..

 

[treedagain]

In the north part of unit....take and walk from the road closed..blue creek..mailbox....glass of leanords ridge....sage and cedars

 

[skur2n]

I'll mark those spots on my map and start to do some research around it. Do you think it would be worth throwing out some trail cameras in any of those locations or just show up and try to glass them while I'm there

 

[JKM]

Unit 61

Drew an archery tag in 61 this year. Any additional insight anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Drew an archery tag in 61 this year. Any additional insight anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.

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