Colorado Unit 53 & 63

by **Camo** » 09 16, 2013 • [Post 1]

Has anyone hunted in Units 53 or 63 near Paonia, Colorado? I am planning a rifle hunt in that area for the second season and I am looking for some guidance. Suggestions on areas to hunt, to avoid, terrain, vegetation. Thanks in advance!

by **ferris bugler** » 09 17, 2013 • [Post 2]

Unit 53 is part of the biggest aspen grove in the world. It's got a lot of elk in it. You will see quite a few hunters on Kebler Pass but if you take a walk you will be able to get away from them. Aside from the aspens there are also plenty of areas to hunt dark timber or sit and glass in areas where you would expect an elk to walk through. I don't know much about the other access points to either of the other units. Have fun.

by **Relentlessly Unforgiving** » 09 22, 2013 • [Post 3]

Ive been into GMU 53 the last 7 days. I'm currently waiting out yet another thunderstorm after I had to return to the truck because the marble size hail knocked off my fletchings. 53 is very tough country and I can say that there is a lot of hunters in the west elk wilderness right now. After speaking with many locals, outfitters, and DIY guys they have said that the pressure has been more than usual. With that said, YOU CAN get away from the crowds and get into elk. We have had multiple opportunities with close encounters but the bulls have not taken the fatal step, yet. The weather is NASTY today and has been off and on this past week. Rifle successes rate is good in the area. The elk we have found have been around the upper third of the ridges and down in the steep dark drainages. Lots of old sign in the easy to get to aspen groves. Most of the elk have been pushed into the previously mentioned hard to get to areas. This is a good thing if your like us and are willing to go there to get into them. The horseman in the area will not take their horses in these areas which leaves them for us that will. Hope this helps. If you happen to respond to this thread with additional questions, I be checking it throughout the day.

by **Castnblast** » 09 23, 2013 • [Post 4]

Was in 521 north of panoia this weekend and will ditto JR. Lots of hunters. Elk up high and in deep dark timber. No aspen elk so far. Weather has also made it hard.

by **Camo** » 09 23, 2013 • [Post 5]

How far back in are you guys having to go to find elk? I will be there during the 2nd rifle season (mid-October). I have not hunted this unit before so this will be a new experience. What are your night time temperatures? How bad are the roads? I want to get back in with my truck and set up a camp and then work in from that point. I am still unsure of what area I will focus on at this time. I guess I would need to go where there are not a lot of hunters.

by **Relentlessly Unforgiving** » 09 29, 2013 • [Post 6]

We start hunting six miles in on foot. Camp is on our backs for 14 days. Sounds like if you want to camp near a road the national forest will be the best selection for you. We choose to hunt the wilderness eliminating some of the easy to get to access. This helps get away from the crowds but there are still folks on horses, which are as bad as quads at times. This was our sophomore year at hunting elk and we were able to be in them every day. Night time temps were variable, most nights were high 30's but a few we're in the 20's. The rain made roads slick and were a challenge because of deep ruts. You can download the CO DOW southwest hunt guide and it will give you an idea of how many hunters will be in the area you choose to hunt based on previous years.

by **Elkduds** » 09 30, 2013 • [Post 7]

Consider Coal Creek Mesa near wilderness boundary. Keep a weather eye out, it infrequently snows enough in Oct. to strand a vehicle away from Kebler Pass road through the winter.

by **dano111** » 09 16, 2014 • [Post 8]

I have a cow tag for the 2nd season for these units....great info in this thread. Anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks a bunch!

Dano

by **Cdarnell** » 09 16, 2014 • [Post 9]

I have hunted the west elk wilderness and like it. But don't think you will have it to yourself plenty of people but there is room to have a good hunt. I wonder if the increase of people this year has anything to do with the big write up in bugle last year?

I was in there last year and everyone was wondering why the increase of hunters. It's a great place to hunt. The elk hold up in some specific areas that are accessible. I'll send you a PM

by **dano111** » 09 17, 2014 • [Post 11]

Relentlessly Unforgiving wrote:I was in there last year and everyone was wondering why the increase of hunters. It's a great place to hunt. The elk hold up in some specific areas that are accessible. I'll send you a PM

Relentless, thanks a bunch! looking forward to getting your PM. I'm going scouting this weekend. I'm looking forward to getting out there.

Dano did you get the PM? It's not showing up in my out box.

by **dano111** » 09 17, 2014 • [Post 13]

Relentlessly Unforgiving wrote:Dano did you get the PM? It's not showing up in my out box.

No i did not...I figured something went wrong....

Resent

by **ToddMTU** » 09 18, 2014 • [Post 15]

We hunted in unit 53 last year during muzzleloader season. We couldn't believe the amount of people at the trail head. We got back in a ways and we were able to fill a cow tag and missed a bull. Unfortunately me being a non-resident had my bow and never got an opportunity at anything. My buddies went back out this year and said there wasn't as many people as last year.

by **cocarp** » 09 24, 2014 • [Post 16]

ToddMTU wrote:We hunted in unit 53 last year during muzzleloader season. We couldn't believe the amount of people at the trail head. We got back in a ways and we were able to fill a cow tag and missed a bull. Unfortunately me being a non-resident had my bow and never got an opportunity at anything. My buddies went back out this year and said there wasn't as many people as last year.

Thanks ToddMTU! If you don't mind...were you hunting the north or south side of 53? This will be our second year hunting 4th season on 53. We saw one group last year but it was a little bit too late.

Any info would be helpful to cow hunters with 1 bull tag.

CC