Wapiti Talk | Elk Hunting Forum | Elk Hunting Tips
 

Dialing in GMU 551

Moderators: Swede, Tigger, Lefty, Indian Summer, WapitiTalk1

Dialing in GMU 551

Postby The Hollow » 01 01, 2021 •  [Post 1]

Happy New Year. I am new to the forum and realize I need 3 posts before I can really use the forum. I live in Colorado and I hunt just about everything that moves. I am looking to really get GMU 551 really dialed in for elk and deer. I have taken a nice 6x6 out of there and messed up my daughters hunt on a larger bull because I was to impatient. She is still made at me by the way. I am very familiar with the unit south of Needle Creek Res. I give all my hunts 110 percent and probably should listen to my wife and ease up alittle bit but that not going to happen. Basically I will put miles under my boots if I have too. I hunted unit 441 the last two years and wasn’t impressed although I saw elk both years there was WAY to many hunters. I really want to get unit 551 dial in solid the elk are there you just need to never stop looking. Generally the majority of the hunters are gone by the 4th or 5th day of the season so the unit is wide open for the remainder. I am planning on hunting muzzle loader elk this season and hopefully my wife will draw a deer tag 2nd or 3rd season unfortunately she is unable to hike the mountains but will ride the ATV as far in as she can to hunt. Enough said for now looking forward to talking to a few of you.
The Hollow
Rank: New User
 
Posts: 5
Joined: 01 01, 2021

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 01 01, 2021 •  [Post 2]

Welcome to the WT forum mister, glad to have you on board. Sure sounds like you have “the bark on” (as my brothers and I used to say when we were talking about somebody that had staying power and pushed hard till the mission is accomplished). I know zilch about the Centennial State so can’t really talk areas with you. There are a few cats here from down your way that I’m sure will join the discussion. Again, welcome.
User avatar
WapitiTalk1
 
Posts: 8732
Joined: 06 10, 2012
Location: WA State
First Name: RJ

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby The Hollow » 01 01, 2021 •  [Post 3]

Thanks for the welcome looking forward to sharing stories. Yes I don’t know the word stop when I’m in the mountains. Always what to see what’s over the next ridge.
The Hollow
Rank: New User
 
Posts: 5
Joined: 01 01, 2021

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby Swede » 01 01, 2021 •  [Post 4]

Another welcome from another person that has never hunted Colorado. Best wishes on your 2021 hunt plan.
Swede
Wapiti Hunting - Tree Stand Tactics
 
Posts: 10215
Joined: 06 16, 2012

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby The Hollow » 01 02, 2021 •  [Post 5]

Man somebody has to have hunted Colorado on here
The Hollow
Rank: New User
 
Posts: 5
Joined: 01 01, 2021

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby Indian Summer » 01 02, 2021 •  [Post 6]

I didn’t even know it is called the Centennial state. We have a few Colorado guys on here so be patient and I’m sure they’ll respond. Welcome to Wapiti Talk. Best dive bar on the internet!
User avatar
Indian Summer
Wapiti Hunting Consultant
 
Posts: 5247
Joined: 06 14, 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
First Name: Joe
Last Name: Ferraro

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby The Hollow » 01 02, 2021 •  [Post 7]

I understand Indian Summer but as soon as elk season is over I start planning for next season LOL it’s only 9 months away!!
The Hollow
Rank: New User
 
Posts: 5
Joined: 01 01, 2021

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby saddlesore » 01 02, 2021 •  [Post 8]

Can't help,I hunted west of there in 54. You might try Facebook pages

"Colorado Elk Hunters"or " I Hunt Colorado"
AS aside note,it sounds like you might try to cover too much ground.Pick and area and ge to know it intimately
User avatar
saddlesore
Wapiti Hunting - Strategy and Tactics
 
Posts: 2162
Joined: 11 07, 2015
Location: Colorado Springs,CO

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby The Hollow » 01 02, 2021 •  [Post 9]

I hunt unit 551 and know it pretty well just wanting to refine it alittle. I know there are honey holes in there and would like to get some details.
The Hollow
Rank: New User
 
Posts: 5
Joined: 01 01, 2021

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby Swede » 01 02, 2021 •  [Post 10]

The Hollow wrote:I hunt unit 551 and know it pretty well just wanting to refine it a little. I know there are honey holes in there and would like to get some details.


Friend, we talk experiences, techniques, timing, use of equipment, etc., and rag on each other, but we don't talk about our "honey holes."
Swede
Wapiti Hunting - Tree Stand Tactics
 
Posts: 10215
Joined: 06 16, 2012

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby saddlesore » 01 02, 2021 •  [Post 11]

I have about three honey holes ,or did.It took me 8-10 years to tie them down
User avatar
saddlesore
Wapiti Hunting - Strategy and Tactics
 
Posts: 2162
Joined: 11 07, 2015
Location: Colorado Springs,CO

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby Lefty » 01 02, 2021 •  [Post 12]

Welcome welcome!

I'm another guy that hasn't hunted Colorado.
User avatar
Lefty
Wapiti Hunting - Strategy and Tactics
 
Posts: 6926
Joined: 06 25, 2012
Location: Pocatello Idaho
First Name: Dennis
Last Name: H

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby >>>---WW----> » 01 02, 2021 •  [Post 13]

w(ELK)ome to the forum. I never hunted those units. But good luck to ya!
User avatar
>>>---WW---->
Wapiti Hunting - Strategy and Tactics
 
Posts: 2351
Joined: 05 27, 2012

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby Elkduds » 01 03, 2021 •  [Post 14]

I've backpacked 551, never hunted it.
User avatar
Elkduds
Rank: An Elk Nut
 
Posts: 1536
Joined: 09 29, 2013
Location: Colorado Springs
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Scott

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby Tigger » 01 04, 2021 •  [Post 15]

Welkcome!

hunted 76 and one north of Durango, but not 551. That does ring a bell though. Where in the state is it? I wonder if my brother hunted that one this year.

So, answer me this....are elk where you find them? Or do you find them where they are?
User avatar
Tigger
Rank: An Elk Nut
 
Posts: 2420
Joined: 01 12, 2015
Location: Minnesota

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby Billy Goat » 01 05, 2021 •  [Post 16]

I have fished around North Pass, but have not hunted east of 114. Sorry.

Welkome to the forum, though. Glad to have you at the table.
"First teach a child to love God,
teach them second to love their family
and third, teach them to hunt and fish,
and by the time they reach their teens, no dope peddler under the sun will ever teach them anything".

-Cotton Cordell
User avatar
Billy Goat
Rank: Rag Horn
 
Posts: 285
Joined: 05 08, 2020
Location: Denton, TX

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby SoCo Mark » 01 23, 2021 •  [Post 17]

I used to hunt 551 years ago. I had plenty of action, including 2 shots w my recurve but ended up moving on to another unit. At the time, early 90s, there were plenty of hunters. I’ve always thought about going back after it went draw only. I would have to find the more “age friendly” terrain if I return... At the time it was a dynamite deer unit, but then many units were.
SoCo Mark
Rank: Calf
 
Posts: 66
Joined: 01 02, 2014
First Name: Mark
Last Name: C

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby Native Indian » 12 29, 2022 •  [Post 18]

Hey Hollow,
did you hunt this in 2021 or 2022? I'm planning on hunting it in 2023 (lost out on the draw when a bunch jumped in this year). I would like to pick your brain about how the terrain is, food sources there, traffic (foot and atv), etc.
Native Indian
Rank: New User
 
Posts: 4
Joined: 12 28, 2022

Re: Dialing in GMU 551

Postby Jhg » 12 30, 2022 •  [Post 19]

I hunt the Centennial state (didn't anyone read the best seller "Centennial" by James Michener and made into a mimi-series?)

I can't offer anything about 551 but know the area. Like anywhere in Colorado, you hike past the 100 yarders, then you will start to hit the bivy hunters. Next in the depth chart are the outfitters. So its not about how far you go in anymore, but where. That takes boots on ground scouting. My advise has always been figure out where the areas are that every other hunter will target based on goog maps, terrain and access. Then reject all that and find potential pockets the lemmings will miss.
It still amazes me how predictable most hunters are in their approach to accessing elk. Deviate from that and your chances go up.

Here is a clue for you to consider
CDE64BA0-C391-4E20-9DDF-82FE033FB4EA.jpeg
CDE64BA0-C391-4E20-9DDF-82FE033FB4EA.jpeg (203.86 KiB) Viewed 2754 times


5 bull elk from here or within 1/4 mile. Not on google maps. Hunters hunt to its S (meadows), to the E (black timber) and higher above treeline. They all hike right past a very, VERY good elk pocket.
Jhg
Rank: An Elk Nut
 
Posts: 864
Joined: 07 18, 2018
Location: Colorado