Finally drew a CO 76 archery elk tag after 16 years.

[bucknut]

I am very excited at the chance to get to hunt this area and most likely won’t get another chance in this lifetime. I have hunted a little of the unit and helped others in years past. However I’ve never been there in archery season. Being 1700 Miles away it’s hard to scout other than on line. Planning to go in the Fern creek, Texas Creek areas as of now. I was just hoping maybe someone had recently hunted the area  and maybe with some luck to get some info for backup locations if possible. Anything will help.

Thanks, John

[Possum Head]

I can’t help but congrats on your draw!

[bucknut]

Thanks, it’s been a long time coming. Could have drawn with 3-4 points when I started. Then CO changed the rules on me and it just kept getting worse. Should have drawn last year but had an application error hold me out with the new Electronic filing. Hope it was worth the wait.

[thumper-tx]

Did you draw deer or elk?  I have hunted that unit at least 17 times during archery season since 1978. it has gone from deer abundant to lots of elk in that time.

[bucknut]

Elk.   However, I have seen some whopper mulies when I was there before. I hear things have changed a lot since the burn. I was out ther 2 years ago with friends in the 2nd rifle season. It looked like I had landed on mars. But that was after the aspens had lost their leaves. Any info on the area would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, John

[fnshtr]

Sorry John, I can’t help..... but congrats on the draw. I’ll be hunting elk in Colorado this fall too.

That was a great draw!

[Bvas]

Congrats John.

Look forward to hearing some stories and seeing some pics this fall.

[bucknut]

Thanks guys. I’m excited. Made a big mistake scheduling gall bladder surgery for last Thursday. Going to put a big damper on conditioning. 10# weight restriction for 4 weeks. Still shooting my bow though. Don’t tell the doc.  Lol. This is now a once in a lifetime event thanks to the point creep. I just hope I’m healthy and make it out there and back with no catastrophes.  Killing one is just a bonus.

John

[stickandstring]

I used to go there. Stayed on the Wason Ranch with Rod Wince. He had small cabins along the Rio Grande, it was easy hunting out of.

[bucknut]

Yes, I’ve stayed at Wason several times in the past when hunting 76,79&80. Looking at hunting more towards the SW burn area of the unit as of now. 

John

[stickandstring]

And Rod Wince was a bowhunter too. I joined him once. He went with Jay Massey on a moose float trip.

[GCook]

That kind of tag I'd hire a guide or outfitter to put me in the right spot. Even if it is just a drop camp.  Having someone who knows where you need to be and getting you to that spot would be worth the cost. 

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[bucknut]

The thought of a drop camp has crossed my mind. However I don’t know if I would like being pinned down to one spot for my whole season. Past experience has shown that after 3 or 4 days the elk start to get on to you and quit playing the game and head for the hills. ???
John

[Gehrke145]

I've spent months backpacking, flyfishing, and hunting this unit.  Shoot me a text 303-489-9572 I didn't draw it with 8 resident points this year, I can map it out for you.  I'll cash in next year!

[jvs9932]

Congratulations! Best of luck!

[PistolPete]

Congrats! I’ve been all around there but never in it.

If it were me, I’d go DIY and have a packet ready. If you can’t shoot a bulk in 76, you’ll at least have had a heck of a time!