Colorado unit 61 early rifle

[Elkhunter0626]

My father in law finally decided to cash in on his elk points. He has been trying for 201 for 23 years but keeps getting burned by point creep. He wanted to use his points on a good quality hunt before he got too old to do so. He was lucky enough to draw unit 61 early rifle season this year. I have been doing a lot of research and e-scouting on the unit in anticipation of him drawing and now plan to start making trips next month to get a good lay of the land and start doing some scouting. I want to do all I can to help him out as he deserves to have a great hunt and I want to make the most of it for him. Was hoping anyone can help me out with good places to start scouting with boots on the ground or even some good places to camp out there. I know people are weary of sharing secrets but hoping since this is a 20 point tag people will be more willing to help me out but I obviously understand that’s a touchy subject sometimes. I appreciate any tips or tricks I can get.

 

[COHunter67]

N38° 29.809' W108° 36.689' Good luck. Big unit requiring a lot of physical effort scouting, hunting, and packing.

 

[Elkhunter0626]

N38° 29.809' W108° 36.689' Good luck. Big unit requiring a lot of physical effort scouting, hunting, and packing.

Thanks looks like a great spot to find some elk. Definitely not afraid of the hard work and have done it plenty in other units just not so familiar with this unit. Only been there once but plan on taking 10+ trips this summer.

 

[Rhino Hunter]

Following.

I may be following in your FIL's footsteps. I'm getting very tired of the continuous point creep in the NW corner.

 

[Elkhunter0626]

Following.

I may be following in your FIL's footsteps. I'm getting very tired of the continuous point creep in the NW corner.

Yep it’s a huge bummer. From what I’ve found out before having him apply to 61 it’s more of a quality hunt unit than quality bull unit. More chance to see a lot of bulls than a lot of big bulls but the big bulls can still be found. Hoping to just give him a great experience and a good quality bull. If you decide to do it definitely reach out I would love to help share what we learn out there.

 

[Rhino Hunter]

Yep it’s a huge bummer. From what I’ve found out before having him apply to 61 it’s more of a quality hunt unit than quality bull unit. More chance to see a lot of bulls than a lot of big bulls but the big bulls can still be found. Hoping to just give him a great experience and a good quality bull. If you decide to do it definitely reach out I would love to help share what we learn out there.

Thank you for the offer. I appreciate it. If I can ask...I'm curious what your FIL's age is?

 

[Elkhunter0626]

Thank you for the offer. I appreciate it. If I can ask...I'm curious what your FIL's age is?

He is 68. But I will say for 68 he is in very good shape and still pretty mobile. Has some limitations due to a broken femur way back when but still moves around well.

 

[Rhino Hunter]

He is 68. But I will say for 68 he is in very good shape and still pretty mobile. Has some limitations due to a broken femur way back when but still moves around well.

Okay, I might be in the same age range when I decide to burn my points. With similar mobility issues. It's a bitch getting old!

 

[russelldprice]

My 81 year old uncle drew the 61 early rifle tag with 31 points. October 1st-7th. Im a fairly decent elk hunter and will be going to help him on the hunt since he cant afford an outfitter. I live in montana and will not be able to scout and he can only walk 600 yards but can still shoot 400 yards off his tripod. “Did it last year on wyoming antelope with me”. This will be his last ever elk hunt. Any advice on areas close to the roads for me to try to call in a bull for him to within 400 yards would be greatly appreciated. He just wants a bull any size.

 

[Khunter]

My 81 year old uncle drew the 61 early rifle tag with 31 points. October 1st-7th. Im a fairly decent elk hunter and will be going to help him on the hunt since he cant afford an outfitter. I live in montana and will not be able to scout and he can only walk 600 yards but can still shoot 400 yards off his tripod. “Did it last year on wyoming antelope with me”. This will be his last ever elk hunt. Any advice on areas close to the roads for me to try to call in a bull for him to within 400 yards would be greatly appreciated. He just wants a bull any size.

oofda. gonna be tough there. Hire an outfitter. He cant take the $$ with him.

 

[russelldprice]

oofda. gonna be tough there. Hire an outfitter. He cant take the $$ with him.

That’s what I told him but he’s stubborn like that unfortunately

 

[Khunter]

That’s what I told him but he’s stubborn like that unfortunately

i get it. His choice but stubborn wastes a lot of time and dines on tag soup sometimes.

Pretty good 61 bull aided by an outfitter pack out but not guided, from a few years ago.

There are some rims to overlook basins with elk without walking too far. This bull was a long walk. lot of atv trails to access. Could be you can call one in for him early rifle.

 

[Oak]

I don't think it's a tall order. There are roads with easy access to canyon rims. He might not be able to get to the dead elk, but he can shoot one if he's not too picky. I killed the one below on a reissue license with only a couple of days to hunt, 400 yards from the truck the first 45 minutes I had to hunt.

 

[russelldprice]

i get it. His choice but stubborn wastes a lot of time and dines on tag soup sometimes.

Pretty good 61 bull aided by an outfitter pack out but not guided, from a few years ago.

There are some rims to overlook basins with elk without walking too far. This bull was a long walk. lot of atv trails to access. Could be you can call one in for him early rifle.
View attachment 373538View attachment 373539

That’s an awesome bull! Nice work. That’s what I’m hoping. I’m a pretty decent caller and have killed 6 archery bulls and two rifle bulls in the last 9 years here in Montana. So I’m hoping I can find some buggles at night close to the road and get him set up on em first thing in the morning to call one in

 

[russelldprice]

I don't think it's a tall order. There are roads with easy access to canyon rims. He might not be able to get to the dead elk, but he can shoot one if he's not too picky. I killed the one below on a reissue license with only a couple of days to hunt, 400 yards from the truck the first 45 minutes I had to hunt.


View attachment 373542

He won’t be picky at all. Just hoping to get an elk. He will honestly probably shoot a cow if he has the opportunity. And I’m going to pack it out for him

 

[Pagosa]

He won’t be picky at all. Just hoping to get an elk. He will honestly probably shoot a cow if he has the opportunity. And I’m going to pack it out for him

Pm sent

 

[Khunter]

I don't think it's a tall order. There are roads with easy access to canyon rims. He might not be able to get to the dead elk, but he can shoot one if he's not too picky. I killed the one below on a reissue license with only a couple of days to hunt, 400 yards from the truck the first 45 minutes I had to hunt.


View attachment 373542

Love that bull. Mine was also on a reissue tag also for zero preference points spent. I snagged the afternoon before season opened.