Elk GMU 79 success so low. Why?

[Alabama]

What's the deal with a limited draw unit with such low success rates. It says in the Southwest Colorado guide that it is primarily a winter range unit but success rates are low for all seasons, with 3rd season being the lowest. I was thinking of picking up a leftover license for this unit to avoid the crowds in the 2nd and 3rd season OTC units. The western side of the unit seems to hold some high elevation early season terrain with good access. So why such low success?

Anybody hunted it before or that lives close by that can shed some light on this? I know the hunting won't be great because there are leftovers but I just don't want to be overrun with hunters.

 

[Alabama]

Nobody has hunted it before?

 

[Musket Man]

If its winter range maybe there are not many elk in it until there is enough snow to push them into it which could be after the seasons are over.

 

[RICKWOLF]

This is the area between South Fork Colorado and Creede and runs toward Lake City. Last year they had a 109,000 acre fire in there and this year that area will be starting to come back. This was a draw area in the past but don't know about this year.

 

[Granby guy]

79 is where a lot of the elk from 76 winter. It has low success because it is a tough hunt but there are some good bulls in there. Alabama I would seriously consider the unit I suggested to you. You can't just look at the total hunters and success rates in determining if a unit is a good fit for you or if you will encounter too many other hunters. I would look at hunter density...the number of hunters in a unit divided by the sq. miles of public land then factor in the difficulty of the terrain. When I used to hunt there I could go all of the second season without seeing another person.

 

[swampokie]

Maybe all the elk have been killed by falling trees as the beetles have gotten 90% of the trees in some areas of the unit!