Winter range

[grey curse]

My 13 yr old son some how drew his first elk tag, 23 late bull.   We have made it up there four times to drive out the unit and check on glassing areas I e-scouted.  Not looking for elk at this time from all the research I’ve been doing, “they  say” the bulls will not be in the winter areas till after rut.   My question is when do you guys start to see the elk in those winter ranges?  Is it right after rut like mid October or more like mid November?   Looking forward to figuring out this unit.   It can definitely get steep and nasty.   

[bigbuckfever]

I've hunted 23 in Nov and Dec and there are still bulls in some of my regular areas that I would see in the rut (although not in large numbers)  PM me and I can share what I know about 23.

[Beaton]

I've hunted 23 more many years. I've glassed bulls from the northern to Southern end of the unit. I've seen bulls in the Southern half of the in the lower country on the youth deer hunts. Mid to late October will be better for seeing more elk in there winter range especially if 23 gets some weather in October. Good luck and I hope you guys kill a good one. Pm me if you need some areas to glass.

[lancetkenyon]

@azelkhunter2

[Hoss50]

The elk are still up in the mountains. They won't come down til it gets colder and later in the year. The best scouting will be the week or two before season. 

[Eli]

PM me if you want, may be able to help pass some info on

[grey curse]

Thanks to everyone that gave some guidance on my sons first elk hunt.   Was a tough hunt for us as it never got cold enough for the elk to move down and the country is just big.   Seen a few good bulls but with no way to close the distance and not wanting to shot a 1000 yrds, we did not have opportunities to shoot the first half the hunt.   On Monday morning he was still hopeful of a good bull, he decide to pass on 2 rag horns and a spike that were within 400yrds.  Monday night this 5x came within his range as we where glassing cuts that led to water.  Cody decided he was the bull as it was only the second one he had ever glasses up.  Made a great shot and we were able to find him that night.  Got him skinned, guartered out and hung in a tree till the next morning.   Pack out was great being the first time we were able to use our two mules on elk. Can’t wait to do it again.  

[lancetkenyon]

Awesome bull!  Congrats to the hunter!

[bojangles]

Congratulations!!!

I wish I had some mules, sometimes.

[Crazymonkey]

Great job. Way to go on the pack out.there are some places a sxs just can't go but those mules will go just about anywhere.

[CatfishKev]

Nice job you guys and good on him for being patient.

[206]

Epic that is so cool.

Don’t be surprised ….. everyone is going to be calling now they know you have Mules!

[oilcan]

That’s Awesome congrats

[AzRaised08]

Congratulations to your son, and I’m sure it was awesome being able to share that experience of his first elk! Way to go!

[bigorange]

Awesome bull…huge congrats!