BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[sambo561]

Going to be there over Labor Day weekend archery hunting Elk...Since I have never been there before any tips, advise, guidance, would be very helpful. There will be five of us horse backing in with a outfitter to a drop camp then we are on our own for five days, all I know is that it is in the West Elk wildreness area north of Gunnison, anything I could learn or should be aware of would be very helpful and appreciated....

[PaRu]

Should be some good bulls in there, don't know right where you will be but there are some very nice bulls in that area. Been having lots of rain so they should be fat just glass and hunt , bigger bulls will be high up and hidden during daylight so get out early and stay late, bring a gps.

[sambo561]

Thats good advise, thanks, already have GPS packed, is there any special equipment that you would recommend, I'm use to hunting in the flat country in S. Illinois going to be my first time in the mountains, all five of us are avid deer hunters we spend two weeks every year hunting on my farm but we are going out of our element and trying to learn all I can before i'm throw out to the bears...

[PaRu]

If you don't have any steep hills around go start running bleachers, at a foot ball stadium or something like that. These are very steep mountains here and air is thin get your lungs and legs stronger, if you smoke try to quit. Rain gear is a must start checking on sites for stuff to pack. If you have it bring a good pack frame. I'll help you all i can.

[sambo561]

I have idea what to expect, wife's cousin owns ranch west of Fort Collins we spent a few nights there a couple years ago I walked around exploring, I have first aid kit, survival kit, etc. gathered up ready to pack, is there any odds and ends equipment that we might need you can think of, we are limited on weight on what we can take that makes it tough on someone who has never done this before to decide on what gos and what stays, have been reading that average temp, is 40 to 60 that time of year but in mountains be prepared for anything, keeping that in mind is how I'm packing. I just feel that there is little things I have over looked. Is the area we are going to going to be crowded, from what I understand we are going to be +/- 30 miles NNW of Gunnison. I really appericate your help....

[PaRu]

Sounds like you might go in around Soap Creek, good luck.

[Boobzilla]

Depending on the pressure, the elk can be almost anywhere. Stay the hell away from the Rainbow lakes vicinity, as this is ther major corridor into the area as you come out of Gunnison and head into the area. Yhe Coal Basin and Soap basin areas are good enough to be considered, but expect the elk to be high. I've hunted in 54 for years with mixed success. The area between North baldy and Middle Baldy Mtns has produced over the years. No doubt, there are going to be other camps and outfits operating in this unit and this can be expected.
If the amount of traffic and pressure increases, the animals are going to boogie out of town and into some of the thickest stuff available, where they'll hang out out of harms way until forced out. Quite a few bears in there, so if someone has a bear tag, you may get lucky
I'd tell you exactly where I'd go, but posting this publicly will net alot of interest. If you have any questuions, flip me a PM and we'll go from there.
Good luck.

Boob

[Adam_R]

I'm new to this website and plan to hunt GMU 54 during third season. I was hoping by now the O.P. of this thread would have a follow up story.

Does anyone else have success stories from GMU 54 this year? I think we will try to camp as high as possible (Kebler or Ohio pass), then plan on hiking a few miles and a couple thousand feet higher, then glass for movement and stalk from there. Is that a decent plan for this area?