The Elk Thread

[Codypatt1]

Originally Posted by solocam_aggie

I realized this. I wish I would have waited, but hindsight is always 20/20.


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Good learning experience for your next shot opportunity. Keep after it!


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[Bill]

Originally Posted by solocam_aggie

I realized this. I wish I would have waited, but hindsight is always 20/20.


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I felt bad after posting that last night. Glad you took it as constructive. Now get back on ‘em!


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[wytex]

Take some shots in camp, or around camp to get used to how distances look in the mountains. You all that practice only in your backyard need to get accustomed to shooting in other outdoor surroundings. Things just look different than your yard.

No wounded bull is a good thing so keep that range finder close and good luck rest of your hunt solocam !

[Pernell]

I am leaving a week from today, I will be in unit 15 again this year. I talked to my buddy that lives there, he said water everywhere and so much grass, it looks like Scotland.

[KactusKiller]

Heading west today for a midway stop and to grab my hunting partner then the rest of the way tomorrow morning. This is my first elk hunt and I’ve never felt more unprepared for a hunt. I don’t know if it’s anxiety or anticipation. I feel like I haven’t packed enough, worked out enough or shot enough even tho I think I have. Been waiting a while for this and I just don’t feel ready. But ready or not here I come New Mexico!

[RutnBuk]

Dang yall making me jealous. Still have about 70 more days till I head north after both muleys and elk. Good luck everyone.

[rtp]

Originally Posted by KactusKiller

Heading west today for a midway stop and to grab my hunting partner then the rest of the way tomorrow morning. This is my first elk hunt and I’ve never felt more unprepared for a hunt. I don’t know if it’s anxiety or anticipation. I feel like I haven’t packed enough, worked out enough or shot enough even tho I think I have. Been waiting a while for this and I just don’t feel ready. But ready or not here I come New Mexico!

Im less than two weeks out and this is exactly how I feel! Good luck to you.

[KactusKiller]

I just got on the road west for the first leg of the trip and pick up a hunting partner moonstalker. Will finish on the way to New Mexico in the morning. start hunting Wednesday morning

[Jared.King]

Making some soup! My pot’s too small. Good luck out there!

[wytex]

The oval galvanized pots work well for elk.
Put some foil over the meaty part of the head not in the water, tuck it under the antler burr.

[Jared.King]

Originally Posted by wytex

The oval galvanized pots work well for elk.
Put some foil over the meaty part of the head not in the water, tuck it under the antler burr.

Thanks for the tip!

[KactusKiller]

Really warm on our side of the state. Didn’t have any action today on 6.5 miles of walking

[weminuche]

Anyone know of a blood tracker around south fork Colorado


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[ZINS708]

90 degrees today in SW Colorado. First day here. Getting much higher in elevation tomorrow.


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[huntingfanatic]

On the road to Montana. About to pass through Denver. Be there for about 10 days. So ready to be in the mountains !!

[TWP]

Good luck guys!!!! If anyone is hunting in the Dubois, WY area in two weeks let me know, I will buy you a beer and a burger.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by huntingfanatic

On the road to Montana. About to pass through Denver. Be there for about 10 days. So ready to be in the mountains !!

I hope it’s not smoky from Cali fires blown in on the jet stream. Im SW of BozAngeles and AQI is horrible.


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[Slick8]

Congrats to the lucky hunters and best of luck to those still hunting.

I've been very busy with a wedding last week so I've lost track of this thread. Actually went 3 days without checking email or looking at the internet.

I'll echo words above, my hunt starts Oct 30th and I have so much to get done. Packing, shooting and ramping up the exercise.

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[Jared.King]

My little 5x6 ended up scoring 252 4/8s! Pretty pumped for my first elk, and I feel like it’s a good representation of an elk. I have a freezer full of delicious meat, a nice set of antlers to remind me of this awesome trip! Even though I was successful, it was too short! Can’t wait until next season! I’m off to hunt a bear that’s hanging around the carcass. Good luck every one! Stay positive and shoot straight!

[KactusKiller]

Really tough condition in northern NM. Really hot, bulls are barely talking first and last light but not coming to calls. Got two more days.
For any that haven’t been there unit 53 is no joke. We have been to 11,000 ft last 3 days. There isn’t much flat ground.
Hoping it cools down these last two days.

[tward1604]

Good lord I can't wait for Friday to get here. I am headed to Idaho for my first go at elk.

[wytex]

Weather change coming up this way folks, Fall is on the way finally. Check your weather forecasts before you pack for the last time.

Leaves are changing here in Laramie right now.

[jaker_cc]

Originally Posted by wytex

Weather change coming up this way folks, Fall is on the way finally. Check your weather forecasts before you pack for the last time.

Leaves are changing here in Laramie right now.

People out west should pay me to leave every year so the weather can get right. I swear, it’s 85 degrees every single time I’m up there and as soon as I get back to texas a cold north wind starts blowing. I’m not complaining, but some cold weather would have been great.

Good luck to everyone heading out and for those still hunting.

[solocam_aggie]

Originally Posted by KactusKiller

Really tough condition in northern NM. Really hot, bulls are barely talking first and last light but not coming to calls. Got two more days.
For any that haven’t been there unit 53 is no joke. We have been to 11,000 ft last 3 days. There isn’t much flat ground.
Hoping it cools down these last two days.

Hang in there bud! About the same story in my unit.

[LWC]

One month for today and I am heading west. Gonna be a long month.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by LWC

One month for today and I am heading west. Gonna be a long month.

Time to work out, shoot broad heads at 40-50-60 to know your maximum ethical shot distance, and get ready.



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[Texans42]

Originally Posted by LWC

One month for today and I am heading west. Gonna be a long month.

Good luck with rifle season!!!!

I had a good archery season although It was short, had a few call ins and was at full draw a couple times. So I can’t complain

[BuckSmasher]

Originally Posted by wytex

Weather change coming up this way folks, Fall is on the way finally. Check your weather forecasts before you pack for the last time.

Leaves are changing here in Laramie right now.

Aspens by the driveway here just starting to get color as well. Definitely feeling like fall in North Idaho.

Originally Posted by tward1604

Good lord I can't wait for Friday to get here. I am headed to Idaho for my first go at elk.

Where at in Idaho? PM me if necessary just wondering if it will be near me.

[LWC]

Originally Posted by Texans42

Good luck with rifle season!!!!

I had a good archery season although It was short, had a few call ins and was at full draw a couple times. So I can’t complain

That is better than I've done on my 2 archery hunts. Got into bugling bulls inside 50 yards both times. Just thick stuff, swirling wind, rookie mistakes. But I never got to full draw. It is a rush though. Going first rifle this year.

[Shane]

I booked a private land tag in Unit 37 New Mexico today. Going early October (rifle). Can't wait!

[Slick8]

Can't wait to hear about it Shane. I'll be just south in 36 at the end of October.

Back in the exercise routine now following a wedding and lingering reaction to the fouchie ouchie. Going this weekend or next to Ruidoso to hike a bit and get the lay of the land. Will let me know where I'm at regarding fitness with 5 weeks to go.

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[Heath]

I got back late Saturday night, but it’s been tough to update the thread. Long story short, I stuck a really good bull but hit him a little forward. He was walking and stopped right when I released arrow. I thought he would walk right into it but my guide said he stopped without me knowing. He said very conservatively was a 330+ Bull with 7 on the one side we saw. I didn’t see him until he was in me peep.

We backed out to give him time. Taking up the trail we had decent blood for about 900 yards until we lost it. What we didn’t know was on our way out around the mountain, we jumped a bull that turned out to be close to where we lost blood so we think we accidentally jumped him. We grid searched for a day but nothing so very bummed I lost him.

Outside of losing the elk, it was bad ***. I learned a ton and was able to physically handle the 8-9 miles a day up and down elevation. I am already looking forward to my next trip.

[deep n the heat]

Any rut reports from NW Colorado? Ill be heading up there the end of next week.

[Shane]

Dang it, Heath! When it happens to somebody else, you always say, "Don't worry about it, man. It happens. That's bowhunting......."

But when it happens to you, it SUCKS. Heartbreaking. Frustrating. And motivating to kill the next one.

[Jared.King]

Originally Posted by Shane

I booked a private land tag in Unit 37 New Mexico today. Going early October (rifle). Can't wait!

I love hunting here in 37! Should be good, it’s beautiful in the fall. Hope you get a big one! TBHrs are 2 for 2 in 37 this season.

[Track & Recover]

Anyone hunting or have hunted unit 50 Colorado archery elk? I start my hunt on Monday w my dad. We both have tags.
We are pretty familiar w the area but not from elk hunting. I’m feeling confident but who doesn’t at the beginning of any Trip

[Burnadell]

Danger, Heath! I've been wondering where you've been. Sorry you didn't bring him home!

[Texans42]

Originally Posted by Jared.King

I love hunting here in 37! Should be good, it’s beautiful in the fall. Hope you get a big one! TBHrs are 2 for 2 in 37 this season.

I hunt Jan in 37 when ever I can draw. I had a Aoudad tag last year too and had to eat it do to the storm here.

Love me some 37 but I can’t draw a elk tag there or 36 to save my life

[Shane]

I've never hunted in New Mexico before, so I'm trying to get the rules straight. Last thing I want is a fine. Would you guys who hunt NM confirm what I'm understanding, please?

1. Blaze orange NOT required for a rifle elk hunt on private land. (Only required on military properties and Valles Caldera, right?)

2. Tagging a cow elk - carcass tag attached to a hock (if not boned out) OR kept with the boned out meat (not physically attached, just kept with the meat)

3. Tagging a bull elk - carcass tag same as for cow elk above, PLUS antler tag attached to base of antler

4. Proof of sex (cow elk) - must be accompanied by either the scalp and both ears (so the whole head isn't required, just scalp skin with ears attached is good?) or the external genitalia naturally attached to one quarter (similar to Colorado)

5. Proof of sex (bull elk) - antlers attached to skull or skull plate is all you need, correct?

6. Mandatory harvest reporting after your hunt. Any deadline on when it has to be done?

What else do I need to be aware of?

[wytex]

All of you headed to Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado need to watch this weather podcast, big changes coming next week : https://dayweatherpodcast.com/

Be prepared for cold and first significant snow of the season.

Good luck, it should be great for the hunting.

[TD2000]

Originally Posted by Shane

I've never hunted in New Mexico before, so I'm trying to get the rules straight. Last thing I want is a fine. Would you guys who hunt NM confirm what I'm understanding, please?

1. Blaze orange NOT required for a rifle elk hunt on private land. (Only required on military properties and Valles Caldera, right?)

2. Tagging a cow elk - carcass tag attached to a hock (if not boned out) OR kept with the boned out meat (not physically attached, just kept with the meat)

3. Tagging a bull elk - carcass tag same as for cow elk above, PLUS antler tag attached to base of antler

4. Proof of sex (cow elk) - must be accompanied by either the scalp and both ears (so the whole head isn't required, just scalp skin with ears attached is good?) or the external genitalia naturally attached to one quarter (similar to Colorado)

5. Proof of sex (bull elk) - antlers attached to skull or skull plate is all you need, correct?

6. Mandatory harvest reporting after your hunt. Any deadline on when it has to be done?

What else do I need to be aware of?

Add to license (fees)
- 29 HMAV
- 91 - Habitat Stamp
- 53 Game Hunting

[ladrones]

Shane,
Ranch only or unit wide hunt? Either sex tag?

No orange required, the harvest report will have a deadline date prior to next seasons draw.

[Texans42]

37 is ranch only, doesn’t have unit wide LO tags. Non core

[ladrones]

Originally Posted by Texans42

37 is ranch only, doesn’t have unit wide LO tags. Non core

Thanks.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by ladrones

Shane,
Ranch only or unit wide hunt? Either sex tag?

No orange required, the harvest report will have a deadline date prior to next seasons draw.

Originally Posted by Texans42

37 is ranch only, doesn’t have unit wide LO tags. Non core

Right. Ranch only.

Am I reading things right on tagging and proof of sex?

[Slick8]

I returned from NM late yesterday.

I spent two nights at the Inn of the mountain gods on the Mescalero Apache reservation. Great place, great and a fun time.

I didn't hear any buggleing while out and about, both on the res and in unit 36.

On my hike in 36 I did talk to two groups of bow hunters who have been seeing elk but not many close encounters. These were both local and out of state hunters. No talking among bulls and thick country has made it tough for them.

The Mescalero is on their second hunt for the season. The first hunt brought in about 25 management / trophies. The second hunt brought in 5 management bulls on day one. I left mid morning on day two of the hunt and nothing had came in yet.

[Jared.King]

My daughter’s dance studio is raffling off a elk hunt! Search them on FB or call the number. Unit 37 either sex private ranch.

[Uncle_Milty]

Well, it is tag soup for my brother and I on our first ever elk hunt but man was it amazing. Spent 6 days in elk country with 4 encounters, 1 @ 90yds, 2 @ 40 and 1 was full draw @ 35yds only problem is the only clear shot was at 90yds and I am just not making that kind of shot.

The weather was insanely hot, hit 96 on the last day of our hunt and the bulls quit talking other than during the cool of night. We learned so much it wasn't even funny, made priceless memories and got to spend more quality time together than have in nearly a decade.

We will definitely be heading back next year but plan to push the date back to the last week and a half of archery season in hopes of cooler weather and better rutting activity. Congratulations to all whom were able to punch a tag and better luck next time to those that landed in the same boat as us!

[Bill]

Where did you hunt and have 96 degree weather?


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[Uncle_Milty]

Originally Posted by Bill

Where did you hunt and have 96 degree weather?


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Southern border of CO just north of the NM line. September 10th