Unit 74/San Juan/clear creek

[MrWhite87]

A buddy and I are planning to hunt this area north of Durango this year. Hoping for 2nd season to draw mule tags and buy otc elk tags. Anyone have any info on this area? Water/weather/burn wise? Google earth is only so helpful.
We hope to set up camp near clear creek so we have water then hike up to glass each morning but I'm wondering if it would be better to just camp a little higher....
Thanks in advance.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

You will have lots of company!

 

[MrWhite87]

Yeah the numbers I see for 74 during 2nd season are about 625 for deer/elk combined. That is a lot of hunters.... I live in the dallas ft worth Texas area though so I can't hunt elk here! Lol

 

[Slugz]

I'd concentrate on either elk or deer. I'm not a big fan of trying to hunt both the same season due differnt elevations and areas they get pressured. It's doable but tough if you are not scouting it multiple years.

 

[MrWhite87]

Neither of us have been in this area. We figured having tags for both just gives us better odds of getting meat in case we are wrong about picking our spot for elk we might stumble into where the muleys are. Its already around a $3k-$4k trip since we have to start from nothing with gear for this type of hunt so what's a few hundred more for another tag. Or in case we draw the deer tag but they run out of otc tags. (Maybe I'm wrong and otc tags are unlimited?)

But I understand your point. It is solid logic.
This is going to be a very informative trip for us without a doubt.

 

[Thomas11]

Neither of us have been in this area. We figured having tags for both just gives us better odds of getting meat in case we are wrong about picking our spot for elk we might stumble into where the muleys are. Its already around a $3k-$4k trip since we have to start from nothing with gear for this type of hunt so what's a few hundred more for another tag. Or in case we draw the deer tag but they run out of otc tags. (Maybe I'm wrong and otc tags are unlimited?)

But I understand your point. It is solid logic.
This is going to be a very informative trip for us without a doubt.

I think it’s more of a pysocological thing than a money issue? It’s like since u have two tags you can’t commit to either one really and end up not getting either because one day your elk hunting and the next your mule deer hunting. Idk just my two cents!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I know the area well and would suggest a scouting trip. Coming out here blind really is a disadvantage!

 

[MrWhite87]

I'm really hoping to pull a couple days out of my rear in may to get up there and spend at least a night in the area we plan to spike. Today is my last day at my "part time" job so I can focus on building my pest control business so being in charge of my own schedule helps. I just gotta bribe my wife to give me a pass since we have 2 boys, 2yo and 4yo. Lol

 

[JimP]

If we get any snow this year forget about May, it will still be snowed in

 

[CODAK]

We're due for a very snowy spring... Wont get in there til the mid/end of June

 

[BKhunter50]

I've archery hunted elk 2 times near the area you are looking at and rifle hunted elk the 3rd season in that area once as well. Number of deer that I've seen on these trip combined - 0. Granted - there are some GOOD PLACES in 74 to deer hunt - but if you go to the places where the deer hunting is good, the elk hunting isn't. As far as everything else - I like hunting 74 - but I also like putting a pack on and going until I find elk and then set up camp. I've picked a place to set up camp based on google earth before before when I was less expereinced and finally realized that elk don't always like to be where I decide to camp. Once I started letting the elk tell me where I was going to cmp I've done much better. Obviously you need to be concious of where your water supply is - but you should be able to find water and elk in 74. Just my two cents.

As far as people go - like Colorado Cowboy said - you will have company. I varies a little from year to year. The deeper you go, the less folks you will see - and the further you will need to pack an elk if you score

 

[MrWhite87]

So if I plan a scouting trip end of June then itll likely be decent for hiking in and the fishing in clear creek would be good huh?

I haven't been able to find much info on clear creek itself.
I intemd to pack in an ultralight short rod to catch some fish so we aren't stuck eating MH and bars...

 

[CODAK]

Bring lots ad lots of bug spray. Find scentless or your elk scouting won't go so hot