Unit 201 Scouting Report

[highplainsdrifter]

My wife recently drew a nonresident elk tag for unit 201 with 26 preference points. We just returned from a 5 day scouting trip. Here is what we learned.

The elk, deer and antelope population appears to be in good shape. Last spring, there were reports of winter kill in Northern Colorado. I was a little concerned about the impact on unit 201. But most of the reports seemed to indicate the worst weather was a little further south. That appears to be the case. There were antelope everywhere in Unit 201, and they are most susceptible to winter kill. If they can survive, certainly deer and elk will.

The weather was HOT last week. This resulted in deer and elk activity occurring early morning and late afternoon. Nevertheless, we saw pretty good numbers of deer and elk. I took the attached picture of a nice bull that I am guessing would score between 320 and 330 ... anyone have a better estimate? We also saw a couple of much bigger bulls that refused to pose for a picture. I would guess those bulls scored 350 to 370.

For those of you who might be hunting 201 this fall, things look pretty good!

 

[cmbbulldog]

I think you are pretty close. That is a beautiful picture. Posts pics after the hunt!

 

[Roamer]

That sounds like a good estimate to me. Nice picture that is some great country.
Best of luck to your wife and keep us posted.

 

[MountainHigh]

Good to hear the herds had a good winter again. Keep us posted and Good Luck!

 

[Tim McCoy]

Dang velvet will mess a guy up, so hard to say with one view. Would like to see his head turn just a bit to his RT, and then look at me for his spread. Those beams look long, if his spread is good, the good tops just might make him score better than that view suggests. But very difficult to tell. Regardless, he's beautiful and I'd drop the hammer on him in a heart beat.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[hoshour]

That's a darn nice bull, though velvet makes his mass look bigger. If you saw better bulls, you are in for a great hunt. Hope so, you waited a very long time for it.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

That's a darn nice bull, though velvet makes his mass look bigger. If you saw better bulls, you are in for a great hunt. Hope so, you waited a very long time for it.

We saw better bulls. We intend to pass on bulls his size...at least in the beginning.

 

[Catahoula12]

Very nice photograph!! Good luck and thank you for sharing..

 

[bullofthewoodsjr]

Congratulations to your wife on drawing a tag after 26 seasons; having the patience to wait that long has got to be challenging, but hopefully will make the hunt all the sweeter.

Appreciate the report on the animals...good to hear they fared well. BTW, that's a nice picture of that bull - great lighting. I'd love to find a bull like that during the season and I hope your wife locates one that meets her desires. You didn't mention it, but do you have similar numbers of points as your wife? If so, maybe you'll draw next year and she can help you bag a monster.

I'm headed to Idaho this year. Had a challenging bowhunt in Colorado last year. Two hunters and we saw exactly 0 elk in 11 days of hunting hard. We saw everything but elk, but the elk were just not abundant. Of course, that was OTC units.

Best of luck - would love to see a picture of the bull bagged this year.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Congratulations to your wife on drawing a tag after 26 seasons; having the patience to wait that long has got to be challenging, but hopefully will make the hunt all the sweeter.

Appreciate the report on the animals...good to hear they fared well. BTW, that's a nice picture of that bull - great lighting. I'd love to find a bull like that during the season and I hope your wife locates one that meets her desires. You didn't mention it, but do you have similar numbers of points as your wife? If so, maybe you'll draw next year and she can help you bag a monster.

I'm headed to Idaho this year. Had a challenging bowhunt in Colorado last year. Two hunters and we saw exactly 0 elk in 11 days of hunting hard. We saw everything but elk, but the elk were just not abundant. Of course, that was OTC units.

Best of luck - would love to see a picture of the bull bagged this year.

I cashed in ten preference points in 2000. I shot a modest bull (scored 302) in unit 10. I started accumulating points again and got to about a dozen when I decided the clock was running against me (I'm 67), so I have not been buying points the last few years. But I am really looking forward to my wife's hunt. It will be almost the same as if I were the hunter. Thanks for the well wishes.

 

[Rob81]

Highplains thanks for the info (sent you a PM as well).

Hi Guys,
New to the forum here. I got a muzzy cow & buck tag for 201 this year. Unlike most guys in 201 I'm not going for a trophy; just hoping to get my first elk and/or deer this fall!

Unfortunately I'm not going to get a chance to scout it. I was planning to focus on Diamond and/or middle mountain for a cow. I'm debating if I should haul an ATV all the way out there. I'm planning to camp at Rocky Res campground between Diamond and Middle. Any access issues getting to it?

Any areas in particular to focus on for cows or bucks?

Any info you can pass along would be much appreciated and feel free to PM me as well.

Can't wait to get out there in a few weeks!
Thanks!

 

[hunter25]

The snow started hard in December but tapered off to normal in the area after that. I have a cabin in unit 10 so not that far from there.

Should be a great hunt. Good luck!

10 is taking about 17 points for residents now btw. Sucks I have 35 acres in a premium unit and can only watch them walk by. lol