GMU 80,81 Colorado Elk Archery 2022

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kevinkirk51

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I am a resident archery elk hunter in Colorado and have hunted GMU 80 and 81 for many years. It just went to a draw only unit. I am willing to help anyone with information or questions that they have. I also am a Outdoor Writer and so get some good exposure in Kansas, Texas and this year will be on a elk hunt as an observer in New Mexico with my son. This will be a call and stalk hunt so will be exciting for us as a team.
 
Good luck to your son on his New Mexico Hunt. I hope you guys make some lifetime memories.
 
Hi Kevin,

I just drew an archery tag out there. I have never been out that way and am not sure where to begin. Any advice you have would be helpful.
 
I didn't know 81 was a draw only. I thought it was OTC, and have hunted it several years now. I didn't apply for the draw, so if it is now draw only, I think I am screwed. I was waiting for the OTC tags to go on sale Aug 3. I usually hunt NR Bull Elk. Is it draw only for archery now or everything elk??

edited: just checked, it is draw for Archery. I'm good for second rifle bull elk (whew!!).
 
Last edited:
Laelkhunter said:
I didn't know 81 was a draw only. I thought it was OTC, and have hunted it several years now. I didn't apply for the draw, so if it is now draw only, I think I am screwed. I was waiting for the OTC tags to go on sale Aug 3. I usually hunt NR Bull Elk. Is it draw only for archery now or everything elk??

edited: just checked, it is draw for Archery. I'm good for second rifle bull elk (whew!!).
Click to expand...
You may still be able to pick up an archery tag for those areas in the leftovers if you prefer that vs the otc rifle seasons.

craig623 said:
Hi Kevin,

I just drew an archery tag out there. I have never been out that way and am not sure where to begin. Any advice you have would be helpful.
Click to expand...
I'm starting to get the feeling that Kevin isn't coming back. You may begin by searching for and reading through every post on those units that's been posted here and on other hunting forums over the years. There's quite a lot.
 
kevinkirk51 said:
I am a resident archery elk hunter in Colorado and have hunted GMU 80 and 81 for many years. It just went to a draw only unit. I am willing to help anyone with information or questions that they have. I also am a Outdoor Writer and so get some good exposure in Kansas, Texas and this year will be on a elk hunt as an observer in New Mexico with my son. This will be a call and stalk hunt so will be exciting for us as a team.
Click to expand...
hey I appreciate your willin ness to help. As I didn't get drawn for the unit I hoped in CO I have found a unit wide 81 tag for sale. I'm hoping to save my high country hunt with this tag.

this unit seems to have a fair amount of rodes, how heavily packed is the wildernsss with hikers come late aug/early sept?

how are the water sources in the high country? ONX shows a fair amount but we all know that doesn't mean to much.

how is the terrain above tree line? cliffy much?
 
Explorehunter said:
hey I appreciate your willin ness to help. As I didn't get drawn for the unit I hoped in CO I have found a unit wide 81 tag for sale. I'm hoping to save my high country hunt with this tag.

this unit seems to have a fair amount of rodes, how heavily packed is the wildernsss with hikers come late aug/early sept?

how are the water sources in the high country? ONX shows a fair amount but we all know that doesn't mean to much.

how is the terrain above tree line? cliffy much?
Click to expand...
I would be going for mule deer I may add
 
Explorehunter said:
hey I appreciate your willin ness to help. As I didn't get drawn for the unit I hoped in CO I have found a unit wide 81 tag for sale. I'm hoping to save my high country hunt with this tag.

this unit seems to have a fair amount of rodes, how heavily packed is the wildernsss with hikers come late aug/early sept?

how are the water sources in the high country? ONX shows a fair amount but we all know that doesn't mean to much.

how is the terrain above tree line? cliffy much?
Click to expand...
Depends on the weekend, opening weekend is a holiday weekend and there are equal amounts of recreational hikers as there are hunters in my experience. During the week it falls off and when its not a holiday weekend it falls off.

I have cliffed out many times in the unit when being up high and trying to make my way down low. Would i say its the "cliffiest" unit in CO? Nah, but there are certainly some rock faces up near the top and its worth paying attention to. The Trees lead right up to the cliff edge so dont walk over on accident in the dark.
 
Gerbdog said:
Depends on the weekend, opening weekend is a holiday weekend and there are equal amounts of recreational hikers as there are hunters in my experience. During the week it falls off and when its not a holiday weekend it falls off.

I have cliffed out many times in the unit when being up high and trying to make my way down low. Would i say its the "cliffiest" unit in CO? Nah, but there are certainly some rock faces up near the top and its worth paying attention to. The Trees lead right up to the cliff edge so dont walk over on accident in the dark.
Click to expand...
Oh man. What I love about these units is I can hunt as steep as I’ve seen anywhere, and as mild you can get when the steep wears your azz out. 10-4 on getting cliffed out! I hate it when that happens! This is why boots on the ground is so important. The maps don’t always tell the whole story.
 
I am very versatile in unit 81. If it weren’t for this forum, I wouldn’t have realized it was no longer otc for 2022. Every year something has changed on units open for otc. Confusing to say the least. Now 71,74 and like are non otc as well this year. So there is less land available for otc on already over pressured ground. Come Memorial Day weekend out there the campers, hikers and sxs destroyers are out in full force. Last year I ran into over 10 guys in in one day in a place where I was lucky to see more then one other guy vs the last 3 years. I was just out there scouting 78, 80, 81 &74 for a tag I will never hold. Back to the maps n figuring out a different area.
 
Can anyone recommend any towns or areas to stay in around 80 and 81 when taking a break from hunting?
 
South fork, del Norte, I believe del Norte has the closest hospital heaven forbid your or anyone in your party need attention. Pagosa springs is a little bit of a jaunt, but has some cool little shops and restaurants.
 
I had a visit with the Del Norte Hospital. Luckily for me they weren't busy at all and I got in and out real quick. Creede is a little drive, but well worth the trip for a visit.

The elk numbers on the other hand have plummeted, and the hunter numbers have increased. Have real expectations and enjoy the scenery.
 
kevinkirk51 said:
I am a resident archery elk hunter in Colorado and have hunted GMU 80 and 81 for many years. It just went to a draw only unit. I am willing to help anyone with information or questions that they have. I also am a Outdoor Writer and so get some good exposure in Kansas, Texas and this year will be on a elk hunt as an observer in New Mexico with my son. This will be a call and stalk hunt so will be exciting for us as a team.
Click to expand...
got any words of wisdom for 34 LOL.....to be clear I am not asking for a honey hole just coordinates. :)
 
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