6 points, CO Archery Elk

GoChiefs

FNG
Joined
Aug 3, 2018
Messages
21
Location
CO
Hey public land owners: I’ve got 6 points and and hoping for some advice. Thinking I’m going to spend the points on unit 49. I like burn areas and have windshield scouted it a bit. I’m going to take my son opening week for his first hunt. We’ve camped together a fair bit and he does surprisingly well given his short legs. He’s beyond excited and I’m pretty anxious myself..

Has anyone hunted 49 after the Weston Pass burn?
Any other units to consider with 6 points?


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5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
16,148
Location
Colorado Springs
With 6 points you have three options.......draw 49, hold out for 76, or dump your points on a fewer point unit. Given everything I know.......I'd say it's a toss up between the first two options.
 

11boo

WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2016
Messages
2,462
Location
Grand Jct, CO
I did a second rifle cow hunt just 30 miles from there this year. I have never seen so many elk in a single week. I mean everywhere, from the bottom to 12k’. I’ve never hunted that weston pass unit though.

i turned down shots at yearlings every day, just knowing I would soon be dropping a fat mature cow. My freezer is empty,lol.
 

11boo

WKR
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Feb 24, 2016
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Grand Jct, CO
I forgot, found a really nice public range across the highway from Como. The Rifle pits should be open this year.

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Joined
Jul 18, 2015
Messages
1,253
Location
Colorado
Yep, 49 and 76 are your primary options. Either of those units are going to require some serious hiking during archery season to get up to where the elk are. The Weston fire burned fairly low, and I would think you’d find most bulls above the burn during archery.
 

Elktaco

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 22, 2016
Messages
255
Unit 12. Can't hardly swing a dead cat without hitting a bull in that unit. Most of the bulls are under 325" but there are a few around.
 
OP
GoChiefs

GoChiefs

FNG
Joined
Aug 3, 2018
Messages
21
Location
CO
Thanks for the tips. I'm not really looking for a big bull, per se. Would I love to get a monster? Heck yeah. But more importantly I just want some decent action where we're not stepping on other hunters every 30 minutes.

Moreso i'm hoping my son gets addicted. I remember the first bugle I heard in the woods. Almost messed my pants with excitement.
 

Riplip

WKR
Joined
Mar 12, 2012
Messages
638
Location
Colorado
I don't think you have the points for 76, I haven't hunted in 49 but have spent some time there, beautiful area. I do know a guy that hunted there a few years ago and he had good things to say. Good luck, sounds like a fun time with your son.
 
Joined
May 28, 2013
Messages
1,611
Location
Littleton, CO
In 2015, 2016, 2017 you had a chance with 6 points to draw 76 archery. In 2018 it went up to 7 points. In 2019 you had a 29% chance with 7pp. So this year 2020 you likely will still have a chance with 7pp. 2021 will likely be 8pp for a chance, so 9pp will probably guarantee a tag.

The OP might be able to draw 76 archery within 4 years. Could be longer though.
 
Joined
Oct 15, 2014
Messages
587
Location
Zuni, VA
Draw this year if the timing is right for your son. If you try to wait for 76 there are two possibly bad outcomes: the point creep gets worse, or your son has lost interest by the time you can go.

So go this year with your son. And try not to set his expectations too high. This way he'll be truly surprised if you get into bugling bulls.
 
Joined
Oct 26, 2016
Messages
336
Location
Colorado
Unit 12. Can't hardly swing a dead cat without hitting a bull in that unit. Most of the bulls are under 325" but there are a few around.
Good feedback on unit 12 but that would be a waste of all those points wouldn't it? Looks like 12 was drawn out at 0 PP's last year (resident) and 2 PP's for NR's.
 

Ucsdryder

WKR
Joined
Jan 24, 2015
Messages
6,602
People crack me up. Do you really think someone is going to tell you the truth on a unit that you can’t swing a stick and not hit a bull? If I find a spot to hunt where I can’t swing a stick without hitting a bull I’m not broadcasting it on the internet and nobody else is either.


Oh yeah, and Idaho has 325” bulls behind every tree. It’s a no brainer. Colorado suck.
 

milesm12

FNG
Joined
Feb 26, 2020
Messages
3
I drew unit ** in 2016, we hunted la garita wilderness area. It was an incredible week of hunting, did everything but kill an elk...i can't imagine there being a better place to hunt elk than where we were. zero other people, multiple close encounters every single day with bulls, big and small. Yes, there are units where you'll have chances at bigger bulls if you wanted, but as far as opportunity goes, that place was literally unbelievable.
 
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cmbbulldog

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 8, 2015
Messages
222
I’ve hunted in both 76 and 49... just be sure you guys get in shape. The best elk I saw were in the roughest parts of the units.
 

Elk101

FNG
Joined
Apr 5, 2019
Messages
17
Unit 12. Can't hardly swing a dead cat without hitting a bull in that unit. Most of the bulls are under 325" but there are a few around.
Hi Elktaco, I hunted Unit 12 first rifle in 2013. There was a ton of pressure and I was staying in a cabin, big mistake, so I couldn't get that deep into the unit each day. There was a ton of sign though and I could tell the elk were there in the summer and archery season in certain spots. Anyway, i drew the archery tag and am going next week. I am backpacking in and plan to keep moving until I'm in elk. This will be my second time out to CO. I've been escouting with the goHunt maps and marked some areas that look promising. Would love some feedback if you're willing. Not looking for any honey holes, just some general advice for a newb. Thanks!
 
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