silvertip_co Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I've been hunting 2nd rifle for 6 yrs now with little or no luck. Most times its the October heat that causes us probs. That and the dang coyotoes and the full moon. My wife is really pressuring me to apply for 3rd rifle tags for us, Nov 1-7 I think it is this yr. She can get more time off work then than in October, my dau isnt coming to COlo this yr to hunt, and the two week diff later in yr may make it better for us, tho we may get into more snowish situations. So I am seriously considering third rifle in unit 55. SteveB sent me a map of his adventures in 2006 when we all met up in Taylor Park and I think this will help us out. Plus he has some suggestions as to where to camp a lil closer to Gunnison and hunt in some places some of you havent been. Your thoughts on a 3rd rifle elk camp meet up??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted February 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 Decided to listen to wife, for once, and make my vacation for Nov 1-7, 3rd rifle. So we will both be in unit 55 hunting elk for sure and moolies too if we draw. We have scouting trip planned for spring break if snow aint too daeep. Also we plan on looking over some new places in June SteveB sent me that are real elky. Hope to see some of yalls there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 which is area 55? is that by crested butte? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 55 is the unit we were in for the last RT elk hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted February 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 which is area 55? is that by crested butte? Yes. Unit 55 runs between the Great Divide and east/north of the hwy to CB. Also all north of hwy 50 between Monarch Pass and Gunnison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted March 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 Just made reservations to go scout March 24-25. Will take the ATC along and try to get up in the mtns if snow is mostly gone to look things over. Hope to get fotos too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted March 6, 2008 Report Share Posted March 6, 2008 i just checked the success rates. 2nd season for unit 55 was 12% and the 3rd season was 18%. last time, our group shot at 2 legal bulls. missed the first one, and got the 2nd. so, either way, we beat the odds prretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted March 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 i just checked the success rates. 2nd season for unit 55 was 12% and the 3rd season was 18%. last time, our group shot at 2 legal bulls. missed the first one, and got the 2nd. so, either way, we beat the odds prretty well. Cool thanks for the stats Steve. Am looking forward to one bull for wife or I this yr. She's got time off in Nov to hunt that she cant get in Oct so maybe hunting in 3rd rifle will help all our successes. The weather is milding some here so I hope Mar 23 when we go to 55 to scout I can get up some in the mtns. We're taking the ATC and two bikes we just got so am really hoping some of the snows gone. I just read this article in Rocky mtn Game & Fish, it said 'hunt elk early and mule deer late'. I may try that in 2009 to improve my 99% unsuccess ratio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted April 3, 2008 Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 Just made reservations to go scout March 24-25. Will take the ATC along and try to get up in the mtns if snow is mostly gone to look things over. Hope to get fotos too. Did you get to make this trip? I just put in for PP in Co. this year, so OTC elk will be my thing. Just need to figure out which season and what location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted April 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2008 We chose not to fight the snow last month and went to Taos instead of Gunnison. Hope to get to Gunnison in May for a long weeknd of scouting. Here's new info on existing backstraps available for fall hunting in unit 55: The great work of the DOW continues: GUNNISON FEEDING OPERATION TO CONTINUE THROUGH MID-APRIL The deer feeding operation in the Gunnison Basin is continuing; but Colorado Division of Wildlife managers expect that the program should end by mid April. As of the end of March, the DOW was feeding about 9,100 deer at 114 sites in the Gunnison area. Earlier in the month the number of deer being fed peaked at about 9,500 at 131 feeding sites. Even though temperatures are slowly warming and south-facing hillsides are starting to be exposed, a thick crust of snow two-feet deep still covers much of the basin. "Based on our population estimates, we have been feeding nearly half the deer in the Gunnison Basin and we believe this has been a very successful operation," said J Wenum, area wildlife manager in Gunnison. "There was concern in January that catastrophic mortality could occur. We still have some winter weather to go and have experienced some losses in big game, but the feed operations have helped many animals get through a record winter” Heavy snows in late December and early January completely covered nearly all of the available food sources in the basin. Extremely cold temperatures followed and wildlife managers were concerned that a major portion of the estimated 21,000 deer in the basin might die. In early January the Colorado Wildlife Commission authorized the feeding operation. Based on aerial and on-the-ground observations throughout the winter, wildlife managers estimate that mortality rates throughout the Gunnison Basin were above the long-term average. "Winter mortality is a normal and necessary part of the natural cycle. Mortality rates are different every year," Wenum said. “The higher mortality we observed this year was anticipated and is not surprising based on the conditions this winter.” In order to meet deer population management plan objectives, the DOW is recommending that the number of deer hunting licenses for the 2008 season in the Gunnison Basin be reduced by about half. At public meetings regarding license numbers in Gunnison on March 28, local residents, hunters and outfitters generally agreed with the numbers recommended by DOW's Gunnison staff. License recommendations will be considered by the Colorado Wildlife Commission at its May 1 meeting in Grand Junction. Every day since Jan. 10 about 20-30 DOW personnel and about 80 volunteers have worked on the feeding effort. Workers have endured deep snow and brutal cold to deliver nearly 600 50-pound bags of feed daily to more than 100 sites. As of March 31 the DOW had fed 30,100 bags of feed – more than 1.5 million pounds. "A lot of people have put in a lot of hours and a lot of hard work. This was not easy," Wenum said. Pellets were also fed to nearly 600 pronghorn that live in the basin. Feeding those animals met with varying success. Pronghorn are very skittish and many of the animals would not eat the feed. Consequently, wildlife managers estimate that about half the population has probably died. “Eventually, good numbers of pronghorn did take to the feed, so we should have a good core population of animals in the basin to begin rebuilding following this winter,” said Brandon Diamond, terrestrial biologist for the DOW in Gunnison. "We'll be watching the pronghorn closely to see how they fare this spring and summer," Hay was provided to about 3,200 elk, but only to keep them away from ranchers' hay stacks and major roads. Using a helicopter and snow-cats, the DOW delivered about 14 tons of hay to three large herds every day. Elk are hardy animals and survival is typically high even during harsh winters. No changes are recommended for the number of elk hunting licenses. As the weather has warmed during the last two weeks, some natural food sources have become exposed and animals are moving to traditional range. Wildlife managers are now evaluating all feed sites on a daily basis and will cut back as conditions allow. Officials estimate that the Gunnison feeding operation will cost about $1.75 million. Anyone interested can make a tax-deductible donation to the program at any DOW office or at the web site, http://wildlife.state.co.us. For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us. This post has been edited by silvertip-co: Today, 06:25 PM -------------------- NRA Life Member www.nrahq.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest coloradobuck Posted April 5, 2008 Report Share Posted April 5, 2008 went scoutn the other day up muddy creek and that big heard is still there. same as the two big 5X5 and 6X7 with them antlers still on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted April 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2008 went scoutn the other day up muddy creek and that big heard is still there. same as the two big 5X5 and 6X7 with them antlers still on. We may need to hit that place again from the top down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest coloradobuck Posted April 7, 2008 Report Share Posted April 7, 2008 i plan on it. i put in for a ethir sex for that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 if there are any elk left, we'll find them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted April 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Will have to wait a bit to go scout. As winter feeding operations continue all public land around Gunnison and unit 55 and other units is closed to the public for all uses until May 15. I just got an email on it from the DOW. I see they are supposed to get another foot of snow tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 i drove through gunnison last week. i'm surprised they are still feeding elk. the snow was nil up to 11,000', and the south slopes were greening up real well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 i just checked the success rates. 2nd season for unit 55 was 12% and the 3rd season was 18%. last time, our group shot at 2 legal bulls. missed the first one, and got the 2nd. so, either way, we beat the odds prretty well. Leave it up to the PA boys to pull that through...lol Actually it was the outstanding "guide" service we had! Reading through this brings back some great memories. Thanks again Steve...can't ever thank you enough for your hard work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 Crested Butte, CO. which is 25 mi. north of Gunnison had an all-time record snowfall this year of 418 inches. We've gotten 14" since last night and 6"-10" more on the way. It's a long time till spring so the DOW will keep feeding for a while. They have announced that deer license #'s are going to be cut by 50% and elk will remain at the same level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted April 11, 2008 Report Share Posted April 11, 2008 Leave it up to the PA boys to pull that through...lol Actually it was the outstanding "guide" service we had! Reading through this brings back some great memories. Thanks again Steve...can't ever thank you enough for your hard work. you're welcome, and i had a blast. will again this year. kathleen (aksheephutress) & hubby are planning on being there. looks like another denver airport pickup. or, maybe gunnison.... i may even bring a rifle myself, but not sure yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted April 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2008 i drove through gunnison last week. i'm surprised they are still feeding elk. the snow was nil up to 11,000', and the south slopes were greening up real well. And you didnt call me or stop by to say hello??? Man, what a guy... Glad ya had a good trip tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the one Posted April 14, 2008 Report Share Posted April 14, 2008 hay if you all have room from one hunter in your group i would to come aboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 you bet there's room for more. it's open to everyone. come on out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted April 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Third rifle elk, Nov 1-7, unit 55, near Crested Butt Colorado. Someone told me to say we are campin here. Its a fine place. SO we're campin here:D: http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=13&Z=13&X=212&Y=2686&W=3&qs=%7ccrested+butte+%7cco%7c Looke to the left in the blue bar and it gives ya gps coords. Here's a google sat foto of the place too: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl Not sure of the daily nightly rate. Hope it's free. I hate paying for free government services like campin in the woods I already paid taxes on. Dem bums. See yas in November. I emailed Scott Hughes from RT. Maybe he'll bring his rented Escalade again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 That place looks kind of familiar, think I might have seen it before. The only problem was I saw it from the bottom not the top, that will change this year. :D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted April 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 That place looks kind of familiar, think I might have seen it before. The only problem was I saw it from the bottom not the top, that will change this year. :D:D Yeah ya probably did. I did too, in 2008. I am getting in shape for the climb. I've lost 1# in the last 4 weeks . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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