Hungry Horse

Here is a video of the lower Ohio Pass Rd that in 18 miles or so will lead to a switch back up to Kebler Pass Rd. The mountain range to the left is the Anthracite range, beyond it is the West Elk Wilderness. Much of this land is dude ranches and multi million dollar ranches. Many of the ranches are NOT available for leases to hunt. The local elk herds escape to these ranches for protection from the hunters. Most folks go up the valley to access points into the West Elk Wilderness. This is Unit 54. The eastern boundary begins on Rt 135 for Unit 54. HH

Thanks Jeff.

Here is the proper video for Kebler Pass Rd Cr 12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3LVpeQ_L0s Unit 53 on the right. Unit 521 on the left. This road is the dividing line between Unit 521 and Unit 53. HH ps: sorry for the mistakes

The above video, the 2nd video, ends at the western entrance to Kebler Pass Cr 12 , just beyond Paonia Reservior. Erickson Springs campground is a short distance down this road, and 34 miles later, the Kebler Pass Rd will end up in Crested Butte Colo. Lost lake Campground and Lake Irwin campground is on Kebler Pass Rd way before Crested Butte. HH In the above video, 1 st video, at 8.07, you will see a mountain, it is Raspberry Mtn not Chair Mtn, and the valley in front of it will lead you to the town of Marble Colo on Cr 3. HH The town of Somerset, Bowie, Paonia, Hotchkiss is further down Rt 133. At the intersection of Rt 133 and Rt 92, you will get on Rt 92 to the town of Crawford, 1 miles south of Crawford, is Crawford State park. HH

Here is a much better Video of the trip down Rt 133 from Carbondale, over McClure pass, I need to watch it completely to see if it ends in Gunnison. HH

I meant to add just the link to the video of Rt133 from Carbondale, but added the actual video. HH

Here is a youtube.com video showing a drive from outside Carbondale to the end of Paonia Reservoir on Rt 133. I think it is mis labeled. Perhaps other episodes will take you into Gunnison. At 8.10 or slightly before you see Chair Mtn and the turn off to Marble at Cr 3, as well as the climb to Mc Clure Pass. At 14.28 you see the end of Paonia reservoir I believe, and the west entrance to Kebler Pass I believe. It is a beautiful drive along Rt 133 and the Crystal River down to the western entrance to Kebler Pass. Silvertip's destination of Crawford State Park is another 20 miles or so. HH

http://soleadventure.com/2013/02/where-to-hunt-elk-choosing-a-game-management-unit-gmu/ An article to help you choose a OTC unit for your Colorado elk hunt. HH

http://www.toprut.com/hunt/colorado-mule-deer-unit-63/ Realtree folks: Hunters statistics for Unit 63, for mule deer, all seasons.

http://www.toprut.com/hunt/colorado-elk-unit-63/ Realtree folks : Hunter statistics for Unit 63, elk, all seasons.

http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Crawford Another website to Crawford State Park Crawford, Colo.

The edit feature is not long enough to allow editing. HH

http://coloradostateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/crawford-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=CO&parkId=50023 Realtree tree folks here is a detailed description of Crawford State Park. It is I mile south of Crawford on Hwy 92 on the right, putting it in Unit 63. Unit 63 is a OTC unit for 2nd and 3rd rifle season antlered elk, and with cow elk available through the DRAW. Hwy 92 is the dividing line for Unit 53 and Unit 63. Unit 53 has the same BULL tags for the 2nd and 3rd season and DRAW tags for Cow elk 2nd and 3rd season. Be careful... some COW tags are for Private land only Unit 53 and 63 and Unit 521. This area is approx 15 miles from the Unit 53 area I had suggested. There is a fair amount of private land in Unit 63. Your OTC Bull tags will be allowed in Unit 53 63 521 55... close by units in 2nd season. In 3rd season, the allowable units for Bull tags are Units 53 63 521 54 55 all close by units. Check the Colo regs for other units available for OTC BULL tags, there are many. **** All deer tags are draw requiring many Pref Points. See the details available for Crawford State park and the number of places available. Reservations are required ! Water is availbale in all places. I have never been here, it looks nice, but is a fair drive form some of the West Elk Wilderness area in Unit 53 and Unit 54. April 4th 2017 I believe is the DRAW deadline. I had suggested Lake Irwin on Cr 12, Lost Lake Campground on Cr 12, and Beaver Reservior at the base of Mt Gunnison. All places require reservations, except Beaver Reservior. I am not certain Beaver Reservoir is an acceptable campsite as of know. I need to do more checking. I will not be a participant at the Realtree gathering. Respectfully submitted and for your information, Hungry Horse.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11790590/1 Jeff, Steve, Charlie, and Realtree folks: Here is a 5 page thread from 24hour Campfire's elk section. The original poster is looking for recommendations for a drop camp, a situation similar to what I see taking place here with the Realtree gathering for 2017, only being done through the membership here.. The folks contributing to the thread are some of the "elk gurus on 24 hour Campfire web site" . I am suggesting this be read by those who might consider taking a leadership role in selecting a base camp for the 2017 elk gathering... if it does get organized. Places that may have been a good location in past years, does not guarantee a successful hunt this year. This is why I have suggested a knowledgeable Colo resident to take on this leadership role, one who has hunted regularly in Colo, and has scouted the hunt area over a few years, knowing the elk movements and the quality of good elk habitat there in the chosen hunt area. When and if this all comes together... I hope all that is shared in this 5 page thread has been considered, so the Realtree hunt is more than a camping experience and a walk in the woods, and some elk are killed. There is another very long thread started on the elk section of www.24hourcampfire.com/forums discussing the best Colo elk hunt units. It was started in 2008 and then picked up again in 2017, in that thread... the poster has 2 Pref points and is asking what unit would be a better elk hunting unit that he can hunt with 2 Pref points . It is a good read ! There is a lot to learn about elk hunting in Colorado. http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3212776/all/Best_Colorado_Elk_Unit Please enjoy these threads. Respectfully submitted ...Hungry Horse Richard Thomas Please also see the article threads posted earlier in this thread by myself (Hungry Horse) on Colo elk hunting units and success.in 2016. HH

Nice post Steve... I am surprised you will not be hunting, just looking for the camping experience, memories, and friendship in the lower 48. But in all honesty, after a few elk killed... that is the best part of a hunt with friends... the friendship and memories. Good Luck... hope it all comes together.

Steve: Hi ! sent you a PM. The lack of response is sure a deal killer for this gathering in 2017. In all the information I have posted on this thread and potential gathering in 2017... there was not 1 reply on a positive note. I will not be a participant in 2017. I wish you all good luck if it ever all comes together. Respectfully submitted 1-28-17 Hungry Horse

Well... I am happy you got out at least... why so little time hunting, did you retire or continue to work ? Hope you and Dawn are well. HH

HI Charlie... How did the 3rd season rifle go for you this season ? I hope you got out for awhile. HH

Dawg: Great hunt story and nice photos of your hunt. So happy it was successful for some many, and with great memories. Thank you for sharing it with us. May you have many more successful hunts with your dad. HH

[QUOTE=silvertip_co;n2056809]I'm not planning on going this year. If I do it'll just a day or two nearby if I don't turn my tag in.[/QUOTE] You know Charlie... The choice is yours... BUT you are passing on the opportunity to explore and hunt at the same time, some elk hunting units that might be good for the 2017 Realtree gathering for Unit 80 81, or 53 or any OTC unit that might be a good hunt opportunity for the 2017 gathering. Why throw away this opportunity in 2016 to explore and hunt and get a feel for a 2017 gathering, unless... there are issues of health or family I am unaware of. Check out new units, see the hunting pressure, see camping locations, possibly see elk kills in the unit. I see this as a nice hunt opportunity to see new areas in OTC units. You have all the gear, quads are tuned up, you have all the rifles and ammo, you have the OTC tags, .... all you need is the desire. : )

Sent you a PM Charlie, I am referring to the most recent one ... 10/17/16 HH

Good read from Colorado Outdoors on the 2016 elk and deer hunting forecast. https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2016...ting-forecast/ submitted by Hungry Horse tick tock..... time is slipping away for 2017 suggestions of the Realtree gathering in 2017 Come on folks, please offer suggestions for hunt locations and campsites.

Charlie another alpine lake campground Lake Irwin 5 mile west of Crested Butte on Kebler Pass Rd. This will put you in Unit 55 the northwest corner, and Unit 521 and unit 53 as you drive farther west on Kebler Pass Rd Cr 12. The directions to get to the campground are in the link. Reservations required, 32 campsites. http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fs...win+Campground Respectfully submitted by Hungry Horse

Charlie: Here is Unit 80 hunt statistic archery through 4th rifle: number of hunt kills and % hunter success for each season Both Unit 80 and Unit 81 are OTC tags 2nd and 3rd rifle season for bulls. Submitted by Hungry Horse. Opps looks like I missed the link I will find it again. http://www.toprut.com/hunt/colorado-elk-unit-80/

Charlie: Here is hunt statistics for Unit 81 2012 - 2015 I believe you meant unit 81 not Unit 80, perhaps the tag is the same, Archery season though 4th rifle season hunt kills and % hunter success. http://www.toprut.com/hunt/colorado-elk-unit-81/ respectfully submitted by Hungry Horse Time is ticking away folks, hunt & camping sugestions for the 2017 Realtree gathering requeted. If you choose a hunt location in Oct 2016 perhaps some Colo folks could hunt it and see the terrain and have a much better feel for the 2017 hunt gathering. Just saying seems to make sense to me. : )