Thoughts & Opinions on Units 80-81 DIY hunt

[Kickingmonkey]

I am looking for any information about these units for a DIY elk hunt. I have been backpacking in unit 81 and it looks promising. However, I don't know anything as far as hunting/hunting pressure in the unit itself. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[trophyhill]

i hunted a different unit last year (drew an undersubscribed unit as my 2nd choice and gained a point) because the pressure got worse and worse in 80-81. there are some elk in the unit but the pressure sucks and my opinion is that the pressure pushes alot of the elk right on into 76. i have fond memories of 80-81 cuz i killed my first elk there but i am looking for more than what 80-81 has to offer once the pressure starts. if you do hunt it i would recommend hunting it before the muzzy hunters arrive. you'll be dealing with silent elk but its better than dealing with a bunch of other hunters. i if you do hunt it during or after the muzzy hunters you may want to hunt west of the Conejos in the wilderness areas. its a good hike in but you wont see nearly as many hunters in there. and if you get 5 miles or so back in you will likely have the area to yourself. good luck

[Kickingmonkey]

Thank you for the great info trophyhill. I am going to try and get up in the mountains as soon as the archery season begins, but I Teach/Coach and Aug.25 is pretty close to our start date for next year. I will probably have to push hunting back a few weeks. A budy of mine and I backpacked 6 1/2 mi. in to scout and do some fly fishing last July. We had a great trip! We are chomping at the bit to get back up there. I hope to be posting pictures of me with my first elk next september. Thanks again for the intel.

[trophyhill]

Thank you for the great info trophyhill. I am going to try and get up in the mountains as soon as the archery season begins, but I Teach/Coach and Aug.25 is pretty close to our start date for next year. I will probably have to push hunting back a few weeks. A budy of mine and I backpacked 6 1/2 mi. in to scout and do some fly fishing last July. We had a great trip! We are chomping at the bit to get back up there. I hope to be posting pictures of me with my first elk next september. Thanks again for the intel.

no problem. i hear there is some excellent trout fishing in the wilderness area as well. does the name Elk Creek ring a bell? there are some dandys in the Conejos for sure. you may want to take a fly rod with you

[dito]

The Southern end of 81 seems to have a little less pressure.

[Kickingmonkey]

You know, funny you mention it... I do a lot of fly fishing here at home, which is very different from fishing in CO, but I had decided to pack in my 5wt 4pc and boy was I glad I did! In 3 hours I was able to catch and release 58 trout! (brookies & cuts) I was in heaven!!! I had taken a new hopper pattern I tie for down here and it was like a little t-bone steak landing on the water. They just couldn't resist it. I have heard of Elk Creek, but I have yet to fish it. We were west of the Conejos and north of the South Fork.