Unit 9 muzzleloader Bull

[muzzlehunter75]

MY wife got a tag for unit 9 Bull Muzzleloader, this is her first elk hunt. We have never hunted unit 9. I have already got a map and plan on going up on Memorial Day to start checking some of the area out. We were thinking blind hunting over water any ideas? Any info would be great thanks!

[DesertBull]

I would chase bugles in the morning and sit water in the evening. The ML'er hunt has the best dates for hearing bugles, IMO. Plus, as far as elk units go, Unit 9 is pretty flat and easy walking.

[Red Rabbit]

DB's plan is what I was going to suggest. You may want to sit a wallow mid-day (instead of in camp) in case the bull sneaks off from the harem to get the muddy stink. Elk are pretty spread in the unit, so no real key areas.

 

RR

[muzzlehunter75]

Thanks I will consider that, thanks again for the info!

[COOSEFAN]

Welcome to the site and CONGRATS on that tag! What class of bull is she gonna hold out for? Have you hunted elk in the rut before?

 

That is an amazing tag to have and the difficulty of the hunt is entirely based on the size of bull you are holding out for. The main problem with the Muzzy hunt is that the archers and the rut cause the bulls to make big changes right before the hunts start. The good thing is that usually the older bulls have the same patterns when the rut and the pressure start and end up in the same areas annually. The hard thing is spending the years and years learning what those bulls do, when they do it and where they end up. Scouting will help you familiarize yourself with roads, terrain and what class of bulls exist in the unit. Just keep in mind that the big bulls typically move long distances when they rub their velvet and when the rut kicks in.

 

If you got bugles, just go shopping, usually it's not a problem to sneak up to within muzzy distance from a bugling bull. I call it shopping because the bulls are telling you where they are, sneak up, see if he's big enough, if not, move on to the next. The only time I make a noise while shopping is if I step on a loud branch or shuffle rocks I'll do a soft calf or cow mew to cover up the noise, but very sparingly and only if I have to. I also "shock bugle" if I need to get them to bugle for location but again, usually very sparingly and only if I have to. Most bulls have been buggered from the archers and will be call shy so sparingly is always better unless they are full blown ruttin', which they could be, but never count on it! I would never sit water with a muzzleloader if they are bugling, if they aren't talking then water or wallow is the ticket. Glassing is tough and limited in this unit but there are areas that it's effective. Make a note of these glassable areas while your scouting in case you need a backup plan. JIM>

[muzzlehunter75]

Thanks jim, We would like to get a bull 320 or more, I told my wife she couldn't shoot anyhing bigger than mine lol! I have hunted in the rut, with good results. MY wife might be expecting so we will have to see on the going after them technique. I was thinking cow calling also so thanks for the advice on that. I appreciate the info we are realy not trophy hunters, but don't get us wrong heck ya we will shoot a nice bull if the opportunity arises. We will pass up small bulls the first couple of days. Thanks again for the advise Jim, hope to talk again Larry

 

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quote name=COOSEFAN' timestamp='1303858739' post='251855]

Welcome to the site and CONGRATS on that tag! What class of bull is she gonna hold out for? Have you hunted elk in the rut before?

 

That is an amazing tag to have and the difficulty of the hunt is entirely based on the size of bull you are holding out for. The main problem with the Muzzy hunt is that the archers and the rut cause the bulls to make big changes right before the hunts start. The good thing is that usually the older bulls have the same patterns when the rut and the pressure start and end up in the same areas annually. The hard thing is spending the years and years learning what those bulls do, when they do it and where they end up. Scouting will help you familiarize yourself with roads, terrain and what class of bulls exist in the unit. Just keep in mind that the big bulls typically move long distances when they rub their velvet and when the rut kicks in.

 

If you got bugles, just go shopping, usually it's not a problem to sneak up to within muzzy distance from a bugling bull. I call it shopping because the bulls are telling you where they are, sneak up, see if he's big enough, if not, move on to the next. The only time I make a noise while shopping is if I step on a loud branch or shuffle rocks I'll do a soft calf or cow mew to cover up the noise, but very sparingly and only if I have to. I also "shock bugle" if I need to get them to bugle for location but again, usually very sparingly and only if I have to. Most bulls have been buggered from the archers and will be call shy so sparingly is always better unless they are full blown ruttin', which they could be, but never count on it! I would never sit water with a muzzleloader if they are bugling, if they aren't talking then water or wallow is the ticket. Glassing is tough and limited in this unit but there are areas that it's effective. Make a note of these glassable areas while your scouting in case you need a backup plan. JIM>

[COOSEFAN]

Hey Larry, if you are limited to sitting tanks you will still do just fine. My favorite part about that unit is that it's basically flat, so if you do go hiking it's very easy and I've watched a VERY pregnant lady chase bulls up there with her bow before!

 

This tag you have is something very special and there are A LOT of folks around the world that would LOVE to have that tag just once in their life! I've helped a bunch of folks in that unit and on that same hunt and a 350" class bull is very attainable on most years and this will be one of those years. If you have the whole hunt off and your wife is up to sticking it out, I would definitely pass on any 320" class bulls during the first couple days. Holding out will allow you that much more time to make memories and enjoy the experience. Any 340-360" class bull is a solid bull on any tag and there are a BUNCH of those in that unit and those are very attainable on your hunt. The 370+" bulls are the no-brainers that most guys will be holding out for and some of those guys will either go home empty handed or settle for any solid bull in the end. You'll have an incredible hunt I'm sure and if you need any help or more detailed advice send me a PM or email anytime. JIM>

[muzzlehunter75]

Hey Jim tried to pm you but it said message box full you must be a busy guy. I will try again thanks Larry and Katie!

 

Hey Larry, if you are limited to sitting tanks you will still do just fine. My favorite part about that unit is that it's basically flat, so if you do go hiking it's very easy and I've watched a VERY pregnant lady chase bulls up there with her bow before!

 

This tag you have is something very special and there are A LOT of folks around the world that would LOVE to have that tag just once in their life! I've helped a bunch of folks in that unit and on that same hunt and a 350" class bull is very attainable on most years and this will be one of those years. If you have the whole hunt off and your wife is up to sticking it out, I would definitely pass on any 320" class bulls during the first couple days. Holding out will allow you that much more time to make memories and enjoy the experience. Any 340-360" class bull is a solid bull on any tag and there are a BUNCH of those in that unit and those are very attainable on your hunt. The 370+" bulls are the no-brainers that most guys will be holding out for and some of those guys will either go home empty handed or settle for any solid bull in the end. You'll have an incredible hunt I'm sure and if you need any help or more detailed advice send me a PM or email anytime. JIM>

[matthewp45]

I will let you know because he is such a great and humble man he would never talk himself up. In my opinion you are talking to one of the best elk hunters in the world (Coosefan). My uncle drew his first bugle bull tag and he mentioned getting a guide and Jim and his boys were the first and last he called. After one phone conversation my uncle was already set on Jim taking him on his once in a lifetime tag. Anyways whatever Jim tells you to do I would probably follow it to a T. A really close family friend won the AZ Super Raffle Elk Tag. He hired Jim and said it was by far the best hunt he had ever been on. This is the Bull my good friend Robert Killed hunting with Jim (somewhere up there in a unit near yours). These caliber bulls live in your unit. This bull scored a little over 400".

[muzzlehunter75]

Thanks He seems like a realy nice guy, and I'm taking any info to the t! I wished we could get him as our guide, but finances are pretty tight like alot of people right now. Thanks again for the all the help.

Larry

 

 

 

I will let you know because he is such a great and humble man he would never talk himself up. In my opinion you are talking to one of the best elk hunters in the world (Coosefan). My uncle drew his first bugle bull tag and he mentioned getting a guide and Jim and his boys were the first and last he called. After one phone conversation my uncle was already set on Jim taking him on his once in a lifetime tag. Anyways whatever Jim tells you to do I would probably follow it to a T. A really close family friend won the AZ Super Raffle Elk Tag. He hired Jim and said it was by far the best hunt he had ever been on. This is the Bull my good friend Robert Killed hunting with Jim (somewhere up there in a unit near yours). These caliber bulls live in your unit. This bull scored a little over 400".

[COOSEFAN]

Hey Matthew thanks for the kind words and thanks for posting up Jake's video of Skeeter! That hunt was one of my favorites, not because of the huge bull but because the Dunn family are incredible folks and just spending time in the woods with them was a great experience in itself! We are also very excited to hunt with your uncle and I guarantee we will put 110% into that hunt and he will get WAY more than he expects on that hunt!

 

I just went thru and deleted a bunch of PM's so there should be plenty of room now, sorry about that! I have a bad habit of saving PM's and it's hard to go thru and pick which ones to delete.

 

Larry, I'll be completely honest and tell ya that with your expectations of your wife's hunt, you don't need to hire a guide! A good guide can increase your chances at a bigger bull, but anyone on that hunt has the chance at seeing and killing a giant! Definitely stay in touch with me and I'll make sure you are set up with all the info you need to get it done! JIM>

[muzzlehunter75]

Thanks Jim, appreciate all your help. People like you is what makes up this world thanks again I won't forget your advice.

 

Hey Matthew thanks for the kind words and thanks for posting up Jake's video of Skeeter! That hunt was one of my favorites, not because of the huge bull but because the Dunn family are incredible folks and just spending time in the woods with them was a great experience in itself! We are also very excited to hunt with your uncle and I guarantee we will put 110% into that hunt and he will get WAY more than he expects on that hunt!

 

I just went thru and deleted a bunch of PM's so there should be plenty of room now, sorry about that! I have a bad habit of saving PM's and it's hard to go thru and pick which ones to delete.

 

Larry, I'll be completely honest and tell ya that with your expectations of your wife's hunt, you don't need to hire a guide! A good guide can increase your chances at a bigger bull, but anyone on that hunt has the chance at seeing and killing a giant! Definitely stay in touch with me and I'll make sure you are set up with all the info you need to get it done! JIM>

[elkhunter]

rock on Jim, ur a nicer person than I am!

[muzzlehunter75]

Hi Jim, just wanted to say I sent a pm to you thanks!

Thanks Jim, appreciate all your help. People like you is what makes up this world thanks again I won't forget your advice.

 

Hey Matthew thanks for the kind words and thanks for posting up Jake's video of Skeeter! That hunt was one of my favorites, not because of the huge bull but because the Dunn family are incredible folks and just spending time in the woods with them was a great experience in itself! We are also very excited to hunt with your uncle and I guarantee we will put 110% into that hunt and he will get WAY more than he expects on that hunt!

 

I just went thru and deleted a bunch of PM's so there should be plenty of room now, sorry about that! I have a bad habit of saving PM's and it's hard to go thru and pick which ones to delete.

 

Larry, I'll be completely honest and tell ya that with your expectations of your wife's hunt, you don't need to hire a guide! A good guide can increase your chances at a bigger bull, but anyone on that hunt has the chance at seeing and killing a giant! Definitely stay in touch with me and I'll make sure you are set up with all the info you need to get it done! JIM>

[sjvcon]

Hey Jim ... you are a rare breed buddy. For a guide to be so helpful and share that kind of knowledge is really rare and refreshing. If I ever get drawn up there and decide to do a guided hunt, you'll be the first guy I call!

 

Luck on your hunt muzzlehunter75. I'm sure your gonna do just fine.