Unit 61 Archery Elk Advice
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Esch
30-Jun-14
My hunting partner and I both have Unit 61 Archery Elk Tags (still can't believe it), and are working on doing our homework. Neither of us has ever set foot in the Unit, but will be spending may hours looking over maps and will get at least two scout trips of 2-3 days in prior to the season. Each of us has only killed one elk with a bow, so we will not be holding out for 350 plus.. Any nice 6x6 (hopefully 300 or better) will likely get an arrow release at it. We would both prefer to do this as a DIY hunt. Any feedback on the unit would be greatly appreciated.. depending on how the scouting goes we may also get some assistance from a outfitter / guide for packing gear and hopefully elk quarters... info on any experience you have with outfitters in the area would be greatly appreciated.
From: Esch
30-Jun-14
My hunting partner and I both have Unit 61 Archery Elk Tags (still can't believe it), and are working on doing our homework. Neither of us has ever set foot in the Unit, but will be spending may hours looking over maps and will get at least two scout trips of 2-3 days in prior to the season. Each of us has only killed one elk with a bow, so we will not be holding out for 350 plus.. Any nice 6x6 (hopefully 300 or better) will likely get an arrow release at it. We would both prefer to do this as a DIY hunt. Any feedback on the unit would be greatly appreciated.. depending on how the scouting goes we may also get some assistance from a outfitter / guide for packing gear and hopefully elk quarters... info on any experience you have with outfitters in the area would be greatly appreciated.
From: Nesser
30-Jun-14
Drop off the divide road 1/2 mile and you'll be pretty much alone. You really cant go wrong on this hunt and if you hold out til after the 10th of Sept the bugling action will be outstanding. Enjoy it.
From: gib
30-Jun-14
esch sent you a p.m thanks gib
From: ELKDIY
30-Jun-14
You shouldn't have a problem locating a 300 bull in 61. There are plenty in there. I hunt 62 just over the road and camp on top. As stated, close to 9/10 there will be lots of bugles. Get down in there and work your magic. The bulls are plentiful but you will have to be smart with scent, calls and movement. Should be a great hunt. All the best.
From: cnelk
30-Jun-14
This isnt an OTC unit so you can do things that you normally cant do.
Its a blast. Go have fun and dont over-think it
From: CAS_HNTR
30-Jun-14
My buddy has a 61 rifle tag......be suren to tie one up somewhere for him! Just send me the gps coordinates to the tree.... Haha
From: wildwilderness
30-Jun-14
Very good chance at killing a 300" bull, even better if a 280" 6pt will do. Totally able to do it DIY since the elk are very accessible on Public Land, and very vocal with their bugling. Its a big unit, so there are areas you can drive a car to and kill and elk, there are 4 wheeler areas you can go into and kill an elk, there are pack in areas you can hike into and kill an elk. You can hunt from the aspens to the oakbrush to the Pinyon/Juniper as well.
I don't think the area is any tougher to pack out an elk than others. What gets some people is the pack out tends to be up hill since a lot drop off Divide road to hunt. There are packers with horses if you decide that route, but that's the most you would need.
From: Esch
01-Jul-14
Thanks for all the info....
I only hope it is half as good as people keep saying!
From: stoddardmaya
01-Jul-14
How many points did it take to get there?
From: Jaeger63
02-Jul-14
Pic of a bull I killed a couple of years ago in unit 61. A 300-320 bull is very achievable with the possibility of even larger. Best of luck and enjoy
From: Barty1970
02-Jul-14
Heyyy...I know that bull ;-) {great story; many thanks for sharing it with all us EE readers)
Good luck Esch, and good hunting...keep us posted
From: elkhuntinut
07-Nov-14
Interested in how the hunt went ?
From: thrasher
10-Nov-14
I helped a muzzle loader, and was amazed at the bugles and numbers of elk. He killed a 335 on opening day. Mooo Cows make trails thru the oak brush making the thick stuff very accessible. Great hunt!