CO 551 or 55

[howler243]

Well after a health issue with one of the members of the group wife, I am looking to get the hunt planning started again. I have done more research on units in Colorado then I did the whole time in college. I have gotten a few people that have pointed me to units 551 and 55. Can anyone tell me what to expect as far as terrain, estimate on crowds, guess on population, any areas that have burned, ect. I have "driven around" on GE and it doesn't look too rugged. We have a mixed bag of men going out there from 63 not in shape to 30 and in pretty good shape so we are not looking for extreme rough terrain. We will be hunting 2nd weekend otc tags with rifle and staying in a wall tent. My dad and I have decided to bring a small tent along incase we have to sleep on a spot to be there in the morning. If anyone hunted out there and wants to share some of their experience I would really appreciate it.

[six]

Guarantee you will see lots of orange in 55 during 2nd rifle. Never hunted it but I have hunted the Gunnison area. If I ever move out west like I threaten to every year. I would move to Gunnison. I visited with some guys in 55 a few years ago and they had good luck. Be prepared to get away from the crowds. Over the counter tags in rifle season means lots and lots of hunters. I got so tired of trucks driving by our camp last year. The same vehicles would drive past camp 3 and 4 times a day every day, and we were 1 hour and 45 minutes from a good road.

[bald9eagle]

Let me piggyback on this one....Which units are the worst for off road vehicle traffic?

[timberland]

I know guys that have rifle hunted both units. Plan on seeing LOTS of people. 551 always has good access so even more people than 55, IMO.

[bald9eagle]

I know guys that have rifle hunted both units. Plan on seeing LOTS of people. 551 always has good access so even more people than 55, IMO.

Noted (Marking 551 off the list)

[howler243]

I know guys that have rifle hunted both units. Plan on seeing LOTS of people. 551 always has good access so even more people than 55, IMO.

Noted (Marking 551 off the list)

Me too Thank you this helped glad to hear we have a good chance of seeing elk but with an orange backround

[bald9eagle]

I know guys that have rifle hunted both units. Plan on seeing LOTS of people. 551 always has good access so even more people than 55, IMO.

Noted (Marking 551 off the list)

Me too Thank you this helped glad to hear we have a good chance of seeing elk but with an orange backround

I've narrowed it down to 54, 77, 53, 24, and maybe 82,86.

[Waygoner]

I live in Gunnison and know both 55 and 551 well. LOTS of hunters in both units for OTC rifle. 54 isn't any better, so be prepared for company. It's big country and if you get off the road a ways you'll get away from the road hunters. Lots of elk are killed every year during rifle seasons.

[Gselkhunter]

Both units have elk, the question is where because they move a lot. For second rifle snow can be as big a factor as hunters. I like both units. 551 may be the easier to get around but there is still some private land to deal with. 55 is steeper in a lot of the unit with less roads but if the snow flies the elk wind up down on the private land. If you are in the right place at the right time you will do well.

[ak32]

everybody always says 55 is crowded, but I beg to differ. I live and hunt in 55 and this past 3rd rifle season I didn't see anybody except for maybe 1 day as they were walking back down the trail. The key is to find the obscure areas, get off the trails, prepare to put in a lot of work given the relief of the terrain. Sure, you'll see tons of people near roads and trails, which is why the average success rate is only 15%. It definitely helps to be acclimated to the altitude and to be used to walking up mountains. GET OFF THE TRAILS, I can't stress that enough. If you're not prepared to get in shape, then I'd look at a different unit.