The Elk Thread

[aaronwragg]

Would you all recommend purchasing online elk hunting classes? and if so, which ones?

[justletmein]

Originally Posted by whitetailslayer

Thank you for the great insight! I'll reach out to the DNR for additional verification. I should have stated that it does partially connect to BLM so not truly locked.
Also, Bill you're on point. Nothing beats a handwritten letter.

Thanks again guys.

Edit:
For those that use the OnX map ( I'm new to the app), I'm assuming the greenish yellow shaded areas illustrate what is considered public or legal to hunt, however the area that I mentioned, is shaded the bluish tint. Is there a legend that states these different layers and their meanings?

Not exactly, they'll typically represent BLM or Forest service land, but that doesn't always mean it's huntable. Blue seems to usually be State land and you've definitely got to check that. Some states will reserve it, lease it, or just make it off limits to hunting because they feel like it.
edit: A legend isn't really needed, if you tap on a shaded area it'll tell you who owns it so quick and easy to see that way.

[Bill]

Here’s an OnX example up the road from me.



Tap area to right of BLM



Tap area above BLM



The 2 Xs by the way were 2 really nice potential Christmas trees I found.




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[whitetailslayer]

Thanks Bill!!
I hope those Christmas trees will be there for ya when it's time too!

[Bill]

I’d much rather those were 2 wallows I found 6 miles up the road from home. Just Christmas trees.

I’m still trying to absorb there are elk on huntable land within miles of where I’m sitting.

…… not that I’ve been able to shoot one in 2 seasons. I have passed on cows for a bull. My wife says I’d be shooting a mommy.


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[Bill]

Originally Posted by aaronwragg

Would you all recommend purchasing online elk hunting classes? and if so, which ones?

What are you looking to learn?


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[ZINS708]

Originally Posted by whitetailslayer

Thank you for the great insight! I'll reach out to the DNR for additional verification. I should have stated that it does partially connect to BLM so not truly locked.
Also, Bill you're on point. Nothing beats a handwritten letter.

Thanks again guys.

Edit:
For those that use the OnX map ( I'm new to the app), I'm assuming the greenish yellow shaded areas illustrate what is considered public or legal to hunt, however the area that I mentioned, is shaded the bluish tint. Is there a legend that states these different layers and their meanings?

Its a big deal in Idaho. Ranchers keep "public" roads locked and charge big $ to access public land through their private property. I have a good buddy that used to live up there and his uncle still does and they have had ranchers chase them down at gunpoint making sure they had permission to be there...

[TPA210]

Following

[PlanoDano]

For those who are hunting areas affected by the drought. Has anyone talked with a Biologist. I am assuming the game managers would like to see all hands on deck filling a tag with whatever you can to reduce the herd before winter. I am just guessing though. I am way behind on my conditioning this year and was thinking sending my tag back but on second thought I am thinking we need to do what we can this year.

[Bill]

I’m in Montana and I’ve not read anything like that. Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place, there’s springs and lots of green grass in the mountains.


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[PlanoDano]

Thanks Bill, I am glad to hear there is still plenty of water and grass there. This year I was going for something new and got a second choice tag in far west Colorado. Units are mainly canyon lands and not getting a lot of monsoon help yet after a devastating fire season last year. I will take a scouting trip the week after next to look things over. I have not missed a season in over a decade.

[Bill]

The elk herds will move to find food source, water and safety. But that’s nothing new.

Scout burn areas. Once the new growth starts, animals move back into those areas.

If you hunt near old ash, it’s murder on leather hunting boots. There’s a product called Bick LP which waterproofs, but was developed by a fire fighter to solve the caustic ash damage to his leather equipment.

I use it on my Kennetreks, and on the outside of my pistola holsters. Takes a couple days to really soak in. Good stuff.




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[wytex]

Monsoon is ripping right now in parts of Colorado and Wyoming.
Big rains last few days and watch out for road closures going up to scout your areas.
Mud slides are keeping I-70 in Colorado a mess and closed with a long detour.

If you're in the mountains right now, or headed up soon, watch for flash flooding and lightning.

[Bill]

We had it come thru SW Montana yesterday. I’m glad I was watching it through the living room window and not on the road or in the mountains.


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[Traildust]

Saw this question on FB: What's the legal protocol for bringing an elk head back from CO, thru NM then to Texas? Does it have to have all the brain and spinal fluids removed?

[SamSowell]

Originally Posted by Traildust

Saw this question on FB: What's the legal protocol for bringing an elk head back from CO, thru NM then to Texas? Does it have to have all the brain and spinal fluids removed?

Looks like skullcap, but apparently there's a waiver for a whole head.

From TPWD..

No CWD-susceptible species carcasses or parts of carcasses can enter Texas from a state or country known to have CWD, and no CWD-susceptible species carcasses or parts of carcasses can be transported out of a CWD Zone EXCEPT:

Cut quarters with all brain and spinal cord tissue removed
Boned meat/cut and wrapped — Texas regulations do not allow processing beyond quarters until reaching your final destination (possessor’s personal residence or commercial facility/private cold storage).
Caped hides with skull not attached
Skull plate with antlers attached and cleaned of all soft tissue
Finished taxidermy products
The skinned or unskinned head of a susceptible species may be transported to a taxidermist (with a Deer Head Waiver), provided all brain material, soft tissue, spinal column and any unused portions of the head are disposed of in a landfill in Texas permitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The waiver should be kept on your person or with the deer head until it reaches the taxidermist. Download the Deer Head Waiver form (PWD 1410) to transport the intact head or obtain from a TPWD CWD check station.
Hunters bringing intact deer heads into Texas from a state or country with CWD should also have this waiver.

[Traildust]

Originally Posted by SamSowell

Looks like skullcap, but apparently there's a waiver for a whole head.

From TPWD..

No CWD-susceptible species carcasses or parts of carcasses can enter Texas from a state or country known to have CWD, and no CWD-susceptible species carcasses or parts of carcasses can be transported out of a CWD Zone EXCEPT:

Cut quarters with all brain and spinal cord tissue removed
Boned meat/cut and wrapped — Texas regulations do not allow processing beyond quarters until reaching your final destination (possessor’s personal residence or commercial facility/private cold storage).
Caped hides with skull not attached
Skull plate with antlers attached and cleaned of all soft tissue
Finished taxidermy products
The skinned or unskinned head of a susceptible species may be transported to a taxidermist (with a Deer Head Waiver), provided all brain material, soft tissue, spinal column and any unused portions of the head are disposed of in a landfill in Texas permitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The waiver should be kept on your person or with the deer head until it reaches the taxidermist. Download the Deer Head Waiver form (PWD 1410) to transport the intact head or obtain from a TPWD CWD check station.
Hunters bringing intact deer heads into Texas from a state or country with CWD should also have this waiver.

Thanks! Still need to find the NM rules.

[ladrones]

Originally Posted by Traildust

Thanks! Still need to find the NM rules.

Hunters within unit 19 and 28 are supposed to submit kills for sampling.
Mostly written, not really enforced. They have been studying since the 90’s I don’t think they’re is much worry about transmission from elk, deer, moose to humans.

[Traildust]

Originally Posted by ladrones

Hunters within unit 19 and 28 are supposed to submit kills for sampling.
Mostly written, not really enforced. They have been studying since the 90’s I don’t think they’re is much worry about transmission from elk, deer, moose to humans.

Thanks, do you know about bringing carcass's into NM from other states? Traveling thru in route to Texas?

[ladrones]

Originally Posted by Traildust

Thanks, do you know about bringing carcass's into NM from other states? Traveling thru in route to Texas?

Never heard of anything like that going on.

[wytex]

You better call NM and ask, they have some rules on skulls and meat from CWD areas.

[Bill]

NM can tell you NM regulations, I’d be surprised if they told you Texas regulations.

Only quarters can be transported in Texas? If somebody boned-out an elk backcountry 5 miles from their truck to transport meat and not bones on their back, that’s not legal to bring into Texas in meat bags?



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[Traildust]

Originally Posted by Bill

NM can tell you NM regulations, I’d be surprised if they told you Texas regulations.

Only quarters can be transported in Texas? If somebody boned-out an elk backcountry 5 miles from their truck to transport meat and not bones on their back, that’s not legal to bring into Texas in meat bags?



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I'm not packing out bones!

[buffalorider]

Originally Posted by Bill

NM can tell you NM regulations, I’d be surprised if they told you Texas regulations.

Only quarters can be transported in Texas? If somebody boned-out an elk backcountry 5 miles from their truck to transport meat and not bones on their back, that’s not legal to bring into Texas in meat bags?



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A boned out quarter is still a quarter.


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[donpablo]

Almost time. Anyone want to rent a spot:

https://discussions.texasbowhunter.c...d.php?t=811821

[Bill]

Make sure you go into the setup menu to change the contact emails and texts, plus your personal msg that goes to the 911 dispatch center.

Or, you can buy an earlier Gen3 for $135 on Amaxon and sign up for month to month service.

I was on a Montana search team and there’s no comparison when we got a call from dispatch “my boyfriend/ husband/father is 3 days overdue he was hunting somewhere east of Nowhere” and getting a dispatch with date/time/lat/long and a message saying it’s a 60 year old guy taking blood thinners.

I have a code with my wife, snd it’s in the emails and texts she receives.

I’m OK
- 1st time means I’ve arrived at beginning of hunt
- Successive mean I’m OK

Communication
- First time means I’m heading out
- Successive mean add 2 hours to my ETA for each message
- I send an I’m OK when I get back to my truck

I’m in trouble
- First check on the map my truck may be broken down in a non cell area
- If I’m in the forest, I have trouble not emergency/ contact our son

Help
- I have my medical history, type of gear I carry (can I survive a cold overnight?) my truck and side by side descriptions and license plate numbers.

Remember- SAR teams are dedicated volunteers organized under the county Sheriff Department.


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[JTeLarkin08]

I am about to buckle down and start getting everything lined out. 37 days out for me. Starting to get bow dialed and and gear together. Cutting out all alcohol for the next month. Gonna ramp up my training for the next 30 days and then taper off the last 7.


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[justletmein]

I stumbled on a pretty cool free utility to help with pack lists and weights, thought I'd share for some of yall who haven't seen this before. You can make different lists for different hunts/packs or whatever and even attach photos of items and of course all their weights and such to compare. You can also export to a standard CSV file.

https://lighterpack.com/

[Bowtech Lefty]

Anyone use sock liners under your hiking socks? It was mentioned on an elk hunt video on youtube and it got me thinking. The guy says he sweats alot and it kept him from getting blisters.

[Bill]

Sock liners (silk or synthetic) under quality smart wool socks do work. Add a little foot powder helps too.

Never wear cotton athletic socks. When you sweat they turn into a wet mess rubbing your feet to blisters.

If you’re worried about heel blisters, wrap a full piece of moleskin on your foot before the first day.

Yeah, yeah better boots….. proper fit….. break-in should eliminate blisters. They make a challenging hunt miserable.


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[JTeLarkin08]

Originally Posted by Bill

Sock liners (silk or synthetic) under quality smart wool socks do work. Add a little foot powder helps too.

Never wear cotton athletic socks. When you sweat they turn into a wet mess rubbing your feet to blisters.

If you’re worried about heel blisters, wrap a full piece of moleskin on your foot before the first day.

Yeah, yeah better boots….. proper fit….. break-in should eliminate blisters. They make a challenging hunt miserable.


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I have never had blisters in the past. However even tho I don’t normally get blisters I still tape my heels and my big toes up with Leuko tape at the beginning of the hunt


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[Jared.King]

Originally Posted by JTeLarkin08

I have never had blisters in the past. However even tho I don’t normally get blisters I still tape my heels and my big toes up with Leuko tape at the beginning of the hunt


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Luekotape is the bomb! Just pop some on when you feel a hot spot. IMO way better than moleskin. I also have it to make bandages along with a roll of gauze, instead of packing a whole bunch of bandaids and gauze pads. Thankfully, I haven’t had to use it in that capacity.

[Bowtech Lefty]

Thanks for the info. I'm getting ready for an elk hunt next month and trying to prepare. I'll probably buy some Sock liners just in case and going to look into the leuko tape as well.

[Bill]

First report of a griz attack I’ve seen in SW Montana. I’ve gotten 2 reports from locals who have seen them in the national forest < 10 miles from us.

There’s a fear this might be a bad archery season with griz. The SAR team did a multi-agency training mission in July with multiple simulated mauled hunters to get everybody coordinated and reduce response times.

Awareness- read all about their behavior and how to stay away from them.

Defense- 2 cans bear spray. One stored right in front on belt (you don’t have time to get it if back on your hip or a pocket in pack). Second in pack for getting out after you dump the first one. Handgun backup. 10mm, 44 mag, 454 Casul are what locals carry. Buffalo Bore hard cast ammo.

Emergency satellite communications. Forget cell service in most places. Spot 1-way messenger or InReach 2-way

Know where and how to get yourself to the nearest ER.

Hunt hard-be safe. God bless.

https://www.kbzk.com/news/montana-ne...-madison-range

Spray on left front of my Kuiu hunting pack. Pistol on right side. I like the Serpa holster but the end is open and when I take off pack the gun’s barrel is in the dirt. Another repair job with (camo) duct tape to close off the opening.



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[jaker_cc]

Originally Posted by Bill

First report of a griz attack I’ve seen in SW Montana. I’ve gotten 2 reports from locals who have seen them in the national forest < 10 miles from us.

There’s a fear this might be a bad archery season with griz. The SAR team did a multi-agency training mission in July with multiple simulated mauled hunters to get everybody coordinated and reduce response times.

Awareness- read all about their behavior and how to stay away from them.

Defense- 2 cans bear spray. One stored right in front on belt (you don’t have time to get it if back on your hip or a pocket in pack). Second in pack for getting out after you dump the first one. Handgun backup. 10mm, 44 mag, 454 Casul are what locals carry. Buffalo Bore hard cast ammo.

Emergency satellite communications. Forget cell service in most places. Spot 1-way messenger or InReach 2-way

Know where and how to get yourself to the nearest ER.

Hunt hard-be safe. God bless.

https://www.kbzk.com/news/montana-ne...-madison-range

Spray on left front of my Kuiu hunting pack. Pistol on right side. I like the Serpa holster but the end is open and when I take off pack the gun’s barrel is in the dirt. Another repair job with (camo) duct tape to close off the opening.



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Hey Mr. Bill, I thought I read about a lady getting killed in July up there somewhere also.

Hope those bears get a little lesson in manners in the near future. It’s crazy to me that they have closed trail heads into PUBLIC LAND because they have problem bears that they can’t do anything about.

[justletmein]

Great info Bill, thank you. Question, do you practice drawing from the Serpa attached to the waist belt of the pack? How efficient is the draw cycle? I use the Serpa also and I'm really good from my pants belt but can't seem to get comfortable with it on the pack belt so I've been looking at other options, but I don't like any of the other options lol. Great tip with the duct tape.

[Bill]

It works for me. I’m just used to pushing the Serpa tab in to release the pistol.

The cross chest holsters are popular here. I just can’t seem to get it to work with a binocular pouch.


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[Briar Friar]

In Colorado…. Are bow sights with the rheostat light battery case removed still not legal for use? Manual under (f) says “or battery-powered device”.

If no battery or battery housing its not battery powered…wherein still battery powered capable but housing will be left at truck or in TX. Ive a several year old Trophy Ridge React 5…and apparently theyre still being made and sold at local TX archery shop…Id rather not have to buy a new sight before going CO OTC Archery.

Thanks for any help Hunters.

[Bill]

Call their DOW customer service number. I don’t know.,


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[Briar Friar]

Yes Sir. Ive got their number saved in my phone contacts for a Monday phone call. I tried calling today before I posted…didnt figure amyone would pick up. Ill let Yall know what I find out.

[Bill]

Get psyched for western huntin’ boys.

The pronghorn archery-only season opened this morning. Sitting on a ridge glassing 2 basins and the saddle.

An opening-day prayer and swig for Concho Man and all the other TBH folks no longer with us.




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[huntingfanatic]

Originally Posted by Bill

Get psyched for western huntin’ boys.

The pronghorn archery-only season opened this morning. Sitting on a ridge glassing 2 basins and the saddle.

An opening-day prayer and swig for Concho Man and all the other TBH folks no longer with us.




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Good luck sir !!!!!

Definitely psyched here. Had to add bear spray and some hard cast ammo to my normal list. I usually don’t carry anything in black bear country but headed to grizzly country for first time. Headed to your state !

[Slick8]

Very nice Bill. As I stated in the FART thread I miss your California hunts in July as they were the kickoff to hunting season for me.

I did a 4 mile hike this morning, spending 3-5 days a week on exercise. I'll ramp up in mid September in preparation for October 30th in New Mexico for elk second rifle.

Best of luck to ya.

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[justletmein]

Pinky up! Cheers!

[Bill]

No pronghorns yet, watched 15 elk leave an alfalfa pivot before sunrise. 1 legal rag horn bull in the group.

Take a Stanley thermos with a sealable top and a little Krylon camo paint. Nothing like a cup of hot coffee and a snack!




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[Briar Friar]

Good luck Mr Bill.

I called CO Hunt Planner today. The super nice guy on the phone confirmed with someone and said that since the bow sight light, light housing which houses the battery can and will be removed completely…it will be legal gear. Super cool.

Im finalizing breaking in my Kenetreks with the help of a 50 lb bag of calf creep in the pack whilst doing farm chores.

[ladrones]

Little FYI for those coming to NM for Elk.

Prepare yourselves for mask mandates while out using local businesses.
The governor put her mask mandates back in place starting 08/20/21.



In an effort to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the governor announced a mask mandate for all public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, which she was hopeful would be enough to blunt the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

“We’re going to use masks and vaccines to blunt the spread of COVID and see if we can’t rebalance where we are as a state, particularly given the Delta variant,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said during a press conference on Tuesday.

The mask mandate will go into place on Friday, Aug. 20 and last until at least Sept. 15

[Slick8]

I had a feeling this we were headed for it.

I'm headed out for a light scouting trip in Sept and can't wait to put some boots on the ground.

[Bill]

I’m still figuring out how pronghorns.

Yesterday morning I watched between 80 and 100 elk leaving an ag pivot before sunrise. 2 spikes, the rest cows and calves. They filled a hillside going up towards the public land.

……. 3 miles from our house. God blessed us retiring here.


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[BOSSHOG]

good to know thanks, getting to red river on the 27th then going into valle the 31st for two weeks, this is our second trip up there been incredible times and looking forward to cooler weather minus the rains haha.

Originally Posted by ladrones

Little FYI for those coming to NM for Elk.

Prepare yourselves for mask mandates while out using local businesses.
The governor put her mask mandates back in place starting 08/20/21.



In an effort to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the governor announced a mask mandate for all public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, which she was hopeful would be enough to blunt the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

“We’re going to use masks and vaccines to blunt the spread of COVID and see if we can’t rebalance where we are as a state, particularly given the Delta variant,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said during a press conference on Tuesday.

The mask mandate will go into place on Friday, Aug. 20 and last until at least Sept. 15