Will Almost Certainly Draw CO Unit 61 Muzzleloader Elk!

[Umpqua Hunter]

This year I will almost certainly draw Unit 61 muzzleloader elk in Colorado. With over 400 non-residents with the same number or more points as I have, it was time to get off of the point treadmill with 22 points and go elk hunting. I've been waiting for this particular year, with the later September muzzleloader season dates and a darker moon. Last fall had the late dates but a bright moon, so I held off one more year. I wanted a "sure thing" this fall, rather than seeing how the things settle this year with preference points and the next 5 year season structure.

On these once-in-a-lifetime hunts I don't mind asking for help or advice. I've been gathering intel for a few years on the unit. If you have experience with the unit, I would appreciate any advice you can offer. Of course GPS coordinates to your honey hole are always welcome We plan to arrive a week early and be there the full 9 day season. Feel free to PM me if you prefer. Thanks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Going to be a great hunt for you, can't wait to see the results

 

[BKC]

UH, I have never been in this unit, just seen it from a distance. You have been one of the more respected posters on this forum since I joined. There is no doubdt you have the abilities to score on a big bull while you are on this hunt. Be careful scouting it too hard and with too many people just before the hunt. Good luck and I look forward to the pictures and story!

 

[CoHiCntry]

Also looking forward to seeing the results! Should be a great hunt whatever the outcome.

 

[OregonJim]

Good Luck Jim,
Can't wait to see pics.

 

[Kevin Root]

Sounds like an awesome hunt and it sounds like you have been compiling information on the area for a while now. It sounds like an exciting and awesome hunt to be there the whole season +1 week in advance. I hope you will get some more good help and advise on the area. Take lots of pictures.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

Good luck in the draw

 

[Edub]

Jim, super excited for you and to hear all about the hunt! That is a lot of years of building points and I am sure you will be relieved in a way to get rid of them and cut back on the research, at least on Colorado for a while!

One thought, there are a couple of pretty well respected forum members on the Bowsite forum who have hunted 61 recently with good success and posted some really good Intel recently in the Colorado section of the forum. Knowing how much time and energy you have put into your research I am sure you know all about it though.

Good luck man, lot of people would love that tag!

 

[MuleyHunter]

Unit 61

Jim,

You are going to do fine and the best of luck on your hunt !

Quinton

 

[QuazyQuinton]

Jim,

You are going to do fine and the best of luck on your hunt !

Quinton

Yeah, what he said.... Wait, there's somebody else named Quinton on this board? THAT is cool!

QQ

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Yeah, what he said.... Wait, there's somebody else named Quinton on this board? THAT is cool!

QQ

Yep two Quintons. Muley Hunter isn't quazy though so that makes it easy to tell them apart

 

[velvetfvr]

Good luck UH, get a 10/10 bull, not a 9.9/10

 

[packer58]

UH, like you said, you should draw with 22 points. I've never had that many points anywhere but when I've dropped a lot of points on a hunt it has always been kind of a bitter sweet deal for me. Can't wait for the hunt but knowing when it's over I'm back swimming in the bottom of the barrel.

 

[wisconsindeernut]

Awesome that you had the patience to wait so long to apply for a premium tag. I didn't have the will-power! Only made it to 5 points on a deer and still going on elk points in Colorado. Lol

Good luck and can't wait to hear about it!!!

Jeremy

 

[adamwipp]

Good luck, I think you made the right choice, you never know what going to happen in the next 5 year plan and it looks like you would have had a few years to wait for Unit 2. Not sure if my dad gave you any of his areas he hunts in 61 when you talked, but I'm sure he would be willing to help if you had anymore questions.

Good luck, should be a hunt of a lifetime.

 

[Musket Man]

Good luck UH! If I was burning that many points I would get there about 2 months early!! LOL

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Thank you all for the encouraging words. I will do my best to kill a great bull, but most of all I want to keep it in perspective and have an awesome time. It will be the first rut elk hunt my wife has participated in. Thanks again!

 

[Timberstalker]

Good luck UH! I hope your hunt goes better than you hope for. I think late September is going to be a spectacular time to be chasing bulls.

 

[ColoradoV]

Good luck to you - always fun watching hunts from the guys who draw 61!

 

[Zim]

UH, like you said, you should draw with 22 points. I've never had that many points anywhere but when I've dropped a lot of points on a hunt it has always been kind of a bitter sweet deal for me. Can't wait for the hunt but knowing when it's over I'm back swimming in the bottom of the barrel.

I for one will be more than happy to quit chasing a 300" bull unit, pack up my 18 points and burn them on multiple low point hunts after point banking is officially adopted. I just can't imagine burning 20+ points for something that is far from a slammer trophy hunt. Much, much better return on investment to break them up in my opinion. Same for deer. I intend to break those up and use them on the same low point archery hunts as I learn the unit on several consecutive years. I've been fortunate to draw some great tags in NV, AZ, UT, NM & WY. Passed on several bulls in WY last year that I was told would be top end for CO unit 61. Just been dyin to get off that CO hamster wheel, and looks like it will finally happen. But good luck to anyone who draws 61 this year. Hope you get your point's worth.