Unit 54

[FitToHunt]

Looking into 54 for archery Mule Deer and Elk. I think it makes sense to put in for first choice deer and 2nd choice elk. I believe my odds are pretty good to draw those with only 1 point. If I miss on either of those, I could still do and OTC elk hunt in 53.

This is all from research. I've never hunted CO before, and this will be my backup plan if I don't draw NM. Anyone familiar with these units? Any problems with my plans?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Bonecollector]

I think your on the right path in Co when I researched a few years ago. Haven't heard anything to change that opinion in recent time.

 

[luckynv]

54 has been hit by some terrible weather, you might check into winter kill especially for deer, there has been posts on this site about it. Elk can usually survive deeper snow depths. Good luck and God bless

 

[jmwyoming]

I hunted 54 in 2009 1st season elk. I drew it with no points. Not sure what archery would take points wise. Hunted 5 days saw no elk or deer. We went in south west of Gunnison up county rd 742B past rainbow lake to the trailhead. we hunted south baldy mtn area, and the castles. hope this helps.

 

[hoshour]

This may be the worst winter kill in a decade or two for the Gunnison Valley, especially for deer. I would look elsewhere for a few years.

 

[RICMIC]

I talked to the Gunnison P&W office a couple days ago. They told me they had a lot of snow up high, but most has melted in the winter range and that the deer and elk were doing fine. I was checking on #66, which is the next unit south to #54. Was this a recent snow event?

 

[Slugz]

This may be the worst winter kill in a decade or two for the Gunnison Valley, especially for deer. I would look elsewhere for a few years.

Where did that info come from? Its conflicting what I'm hearing and seeing out here. Thanks

Just my opinion guys so don't shoot......since the bad 2007/2008? winter kill in the Gunnison region GMUs it would appear every year we get normal snow depth it gets evaluated as "its gonna be a bad winter kill". Combine that with the overall below average trend of snow depth the past 7-8 years in places..... I think that highlights it even more when we do have a snow event.

Based off boots on the ground, phone calls to biologists and hunter reports......IMO
1. The sheer deer numbers are not as high as they used to be in those GMUs, which results in more miles needing covered.
2. The genetics are still there to produce big animals. A very very experienced guide/friend I have saw the biggest deer he has ever seen in Colorado while hunting in 66 last year during the elk muzzleloader season.
3. Depending on how you add it up we have had 3-5 years of wet springs and overall above average forage production in most of Colorado
4. This I believe has resulted in above average horn growth. Im seeing it. Not only in those GMUs but others based upon the average size of animals/horns coming to calls during the archery month and 4th season hunting we do.

Just my opinion guys but I think we are well past the bad Gunnison winter kill issue. Granted the numbers are not there as they used to be but with the advent of the internet, better communication and data flow........Im betting and seeing the animals in other GMUs......thats why Im using my 4 points for deer this year, Hope that helps and puts a little perspective on the matter. Would love to hear what others to include the huntmasters and biologist think. All the best.

 

[Horniac]

My nephew wanted me to take him bow hunting before he went off to college and he drew the archery ES elk tag in 54 in 2014. It is beautiful country but a high elevation back-pack type hunt. Our spike camp was 6 1/2 miles in from the trailhead. The elk weren't too vocal but I managed to call in this small bull on the 2nd day and he made good on his shot. He also had an archery deer tag that year in 55 but I told him to pick one or the other hunt and he wisely decided to concentrate on his elk tag. We were fortunate to be able to hire an outfitter with horses that was hunting in the area (as we were packing our camp to the trailhead) to pack out his bull because he shot it another 2 1/2 miles in. Even with his dad (non hunter but experienced backpacker) it would have taken another day minimum for us to hike back in to retrieve the bull. It was an awesome trip. We saw bigger bulls but it being his first elk and us only having a week to hunt I told him to shoot the first elk (cow or legal bull) he had an opportunity on. If you draw I would be happy to share any information that would be of use to you...

Horniac

 

[FitToHunt]

Thanks guys. Looks like my buddy who is a CO resident, already put in for points only this year. So I guess 54 is out unfortunately. He thinks we should try unit 3 for elk, and says there's a good mulie population too... Guess I'll just do points as well and hope to draw NM.

 

[FitToHunt]

I keep hearing Colorado is a very helpful state when it comes to planning a Hunt. Any specific resources you guys would recommend I look into?

 

[Slugz]

I keep hearing Colorado is a very helpful state when it comes to planning a Hunt. Any specific resources you guys would recommend I look into?

FTH,

Happy Easter and I'll go a step further....this is what I do every year.....granted i'm a resident and I don't have to worry much about the travel aspect of scouting/hunting. Every year I review and study the following.

1. Colorado Hunt Atlas online. DOW web page. Can be a bit cantankerous.....however very good animal overlay data that separates different ranges and puts them on a map for a picture reference.

2. Hunt recap data and prior years draw data. online DOW page.

3. Eastmans MRS sections.

4. DOW EAU/DAU studies....they come out I think every few years....can Google them still.....paints a more local picture of a herd concentration area and puts local flavor to it in case there are some major conflicts with humans/land/feed....etc etc.

5. Colorado Outdoors Annual preference point issue.....this is another Parks and Wildlife publication magazine.....its a regurgitation of data that is already out there however I find the herd count data and bull to cow ratio data the most useful.

6. Colorado Gazetteer. For reference of trailheads and just overall situational awareness.

7. I compare the last three years Big Game brochures.....page by page and reread the notes in the front numerous times. I think it paints a picture of where the animals are and more importantly where are the biologist thinking the herd # needs to come down some more. Review of the leftover tags.....and new tags.

My family mainly concentrates on elk then deer every 2-3 years but the same planning can be applied to both species.....every year I find something new and say " Dang, if I already didn't have a good spot I would be heading there"

Hope that helps and feel free to pm me any questions. All the best.

 

[FitToHunt]

Any experience with Unit 53 for ELk? I spoke with a consultant at HuntinFool, and he seemed to think 53 was about my best bet for a mature bull with an OTC archery tag in CO... He also said I'd have no chance at a leftover tag in 53 for Mulies... My main quarry is ELk of course, but not having the option to take a deer is a small factor as well.

THoughts?

 

[Slugz]

None with 53...for what its worth....if you are considering a mature Colorado bull a solid/young 5x5/6x6......then there are many options and I wouldn't rule out any GMUs.

That being said 53 would not be high on my list. DAU/E-52 (GMU-53&63) makes up the Coal Creek/Fruitland herd. At roughly 3800 animals and a bull to cow average of 28/100. Not high on my list because if I were coming in from out of state I would be going into GMUs on National Land with high herd numbers or really high bull to cow ratios.

Just my opinion here......but I have yet to hear any good info come from Huntin Fool on Colorado yet. Just my experience though. I'd be interested in why 53 was high on their list. Not saying its a bad service or magazine I just think it caters more towards canned/guided/money paid hunts.....just judging from the adds.

 

[shedhead]

I have hunted 53 a bit in the past few years, I would not put it tops on my list for OTC elk. Just my opinion, I have seen a few mature bulls (by Colorado standards), but overall densities of elk are higher in other units. Its not a bad hunt, but I think your odds of success are higher in some other units. 2 of the better bulls I have seen in the unit have been down low in the oak brush near some main roads, so packing in the wilderness is not always the better answer.