Good time to start scouting 4 Elk

[mulie hunter]

As previously posted I drew a 7 west tag for sept. archery. I went up this past monday to get an idea of the unit. Looks like great country with plenty of water holes. Spent the day saw elk sign but no elk(Saw turkey and deer). We were around Kendrick peak. Are they still on thier winter ground? Yes I am a Elk rookie.I am wondering when is a good time to start scouting the unit to get an idea of there movement.

[jonscaife]

its always a good idea to get to know your unit as best as possible, but imo elk move around alot and its best not to try and find or pattern specific bulls until a week or two before the hunt. just my two cents and mind you im no expert.

[truehunter]

Yea I wonder about this also. Guides will go up and find elk in their velvet and then keep watching them. They will start in July and then continue until september. My question is are they looking more for the cows??? because bulls will adventually go to the cows. Or are they probably just getting a feel for the type of bulls in the unit and then trying to find them again once they have moved and hope to find them the day before the season starts.

Another question how good is it to have Trail Cams??? are they worth it or is it more of a hassle. I here story after story of someone stealing or destroying their trailcam.

Any advise would be great.

[COOSEFAN]

Congrats on your tag mulie hunter!!! IMO, it's never too early to start scouting. If you are scouting early, or very early like right now, you should just concentrate on learning the unit. Get all the maps and study them and check on Google Earth to see if your unit has clear satellite pic's, if it does then you can fly around and get a good idea of contours, unmarked roads or trails and even hidden water sources. You can print out these images and take them along with your maps and hit the hills to see it in person. Don't worry about finding the elk until closer to your hunt. I would start looking for the bulls you want around the middle of July and expect them to move during the month of August. Some will not move very far, others may cover 30 miles, you never know, but weather throughout the year will have an affect on this and some bulls really like to travel far while others seem to stay close for some reason so it's a gamble. Trail cameras are a great tool to see the quality of bulls and to determine patterns. I would utilize them more in August and Sept. when the bulls are full grown and moving so you get an accurate idea on what to hold out for and where the bulls are right before your hunt. 7W can be a great hunt but it can also be one of the most frustrating hunts. The hunter pressure in some of the good areas can get outta control and the rut there seems to be hit or miss every year. If the rut turns off in the areas your hunting, then move higher or lower in elevation to find the action! Also, 7W is an area where you may need to be very aggressive with your calling. It doesn't take long before the bulls have heard every brand of cow call on the market, try quietly sneaking in close to a bugling bull and then hit em' with a bugle and rake a tree, that's been the ticket for me when they get call shy.

 

So pretty much, scout now to learn the country, scout later to determine the quality of bulls in the area, and scout hard the week prior to your hunt to pattern the bull you want! Best of luck to ya! JIM>

[June]

 

 

COOSEFAN,

 

 

That's some sound advice you've gave Mulie Hunter. That's what makes this site one of the best. Good to hear from Ya.

[hunterdude]

Also try " Livesearchmaps.com" has a pretty good view of most areas!

[hoghntr]

i also am sporting a cool bull tag, mine is in 22. i used to spend much time in 7 kendrick area specifically. gets a little busy. i usually find bigger bulls to west transitioning country cedars, water. bull basin on N. side pulls lots of bulls into their alluring landscape. when bear season on always have tag around kendrick. cant remember all names but south of kendrick (monster prairie area) and some serious past burn country in area. harts prarie?? gets lots of heard action. i watched a 7x8 toad years back off w. side of kendrick just n. of pumkin center. i have watched big elk,nice mulies,bear,bobats and 1 lion in same area.

get to know area, but i would say big boy will be to west of kendrick and pumpkin, in antelope country. personally i have not spent much spring or summer time in area.

good luck to ya.

[mulie hunter]

Coosefan, thanks for the advice. I'm going up every month until the season starts, So these next couple of months I will focus on learning the country. When the hunt starts, I plan on staying for the entire season if that's what it takes.

 

hoghntr, I will check those area's out on my scouting trips. I appreciate the help.

[truehunter]

Muliehunter

I will be right nextdoor to you. I drew Unit 9 - Im hoping for more rain for the backends. Havent hunted there - this will be the first. Ill have to put my time into it to get to know the unit. Any advice of where to start from anyone??

Hey hoghntr - there can be some big bulls in 22. Kind of a tough unit but last year there was a 8x7 monster on the other side of the highway. He had one side that was all funked up but can you say huge. He would have gone 380 - If it werent for his messed up side and was the same as his big side well over 400.

Not sure if he got shot or not last year. Shoot me an email and I can tell you were I saw him

Anyway good luck everyone

 

[taxdrmyJoe]

Muliehunter,

 

congradulations on drawing a bull tag this year. Ya know I have hunted unit & for many yrs during the archery deer season and have seen many large bulls up near kendrick park and around the 195 rd most of the bulls and cows ive seen around that time have been up high on the moutain sides during the day time up in the aspen trees so keep your eyes peeled. good luck Taxdrmy joe