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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: George Elkstalker on December 14, 2014, 06:24:00 PM

Title: West Elk Wilderness Area
Post by: George Elkstalker on December 14, 2014, 06:24:00 PM
Considering a hunt into West Elk Wilderness Area near Gunnison , CO.   Any of you guys ever hunt the area?  Any info and or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Title: Re: West Elk Wilderness Area
Post by: Keith Zimmerman on December 14, 2014, 08:01:00 PM
Hunted Unit 54 this year.  Between my buddies and myself we have hunted 54 for 20 years.  This year was bad.  Never saw an elk in a week.
Title: Re: West Elk Wilderness Area
Post by: ksbowman on December 14, 2014, 10:03:00 PM
Hunted Soap creek many years ago and it was very rough, of course I was young then. We saw a few and a lot of muleys. There are easier access places OTC.
Title: Re: West Elk Wilderness Area
Post by: womblesd on December 15, 2014, 12:01:00 AM
Hunted there 25 years ago. Hired an outfitter out of Crawford to pack us in and out, but we did not use them as guides.
Title: Re: West Elk Wilderness Area
Post by: tippit on December 15, 2014, 12:25:00 PM
My son lives in Crested Butte and hunted quite a bit during archery season.  He was into elk almost every time out.  Missed a few opportunities on some nice bulls and took a cow the end of season.  I don't know what units he was hunting but enjoyed the hunt from my computer by locating him with his SPOT.
Title: Re: West Elk Wilderness Area
Post by: beendare on December 15, 2014, 01:37:00 PM
I've hunted it 20 years ago or so, I think its a draw unit now. It used to be really good but I've heard the pressure has steadily increased as in all of Co.

 So what you get with that is typical of all of those units- you have to find the pockets of elk that are escaping the pressure. Its typically a deep dark nasty hole. Going further in Co isn't always the answer as there are so many horsebackers and guides.
Title: Re: West Elk Wilderness Area
Post by: e alexander on December 15, 2014, 06:01:00 PM
I hunted it twice, I think it was '92 and '93 and was able to get into elk both trips. I always planned to return, but I've heard it has changed quit a bit.
Title: Re: West Elk Wilderness Area
Post by: duck85 on December 15, 2014, 10:20:00 PM
p m sent
Title: Re: West Elk Wilderness Area
Post by: Keith Zimmerman on December 16, 2014, 05:46:00 PM
I hunted near Crawford/Needle Peak in '91 I think.  We got into elk several times.  Havent been back to that spot since.