AgEng06 said:
Ok fellow western hunters, I'm in search of some information/intel... I had (disappointingly) resigned myself to the fact that I was not going to be hunting in CO this year due to scheduling issues. Well, my hunting buddy burned some points and drew an archery deer tag in unit 53. I couldn't stand staying at home, so I picked up a elk tag in the 2nd draw.
That said, I've never been in unit 53, nor hunted that far north in CO. Anyone hunted unit 53 or is familiar with the area (Crested Butte on the east, Crawford/Hotchkiss on the west) and willing to give me the low-down?
I don't hunt 53 much, but I have gotten to help pack out more animals in that unit than most. Elk will be everywhere away from the road. Saddle mountain. Little coal creek. Tader heap. Probably worth picking up a bear tag. Usually September rifle tags are left over. There are elk on Kebler pass, buyt it catches a good bit of hunting pressure because it is a better road.
I know less about deer there. I have heard of big deer in the avalanche chutes below Mendicant ridge, elk too, but you are right on the boarder of 63, so you need to be careful.
Regarding roads, if it rains or snows, they get wicked slick. Have chains or an ATV.
I hunt 63, but most of what I look at off my front porch is 53, so I know the neighborhood if you have any specific question, I'm happy to help.
