Camping Rcommendations to Hear Elk Bugle

[Drumwheel]

Hi all!

 

New member here. Have lurked for a long time..... Great source of a lot of info and ideas.

 

A little background...... Tucson native..... Love the outdoors. Camp, ride quads and off road for scenic pleasure. Shoot trap, skeet and sporting clays. Occasional big game hunter but mostly quail hunt. I do like to wildlife watch ...... I always carry the binoculars and tripod in the vehicle.

 

Anyway...... Every Sept. we have made it an annual family camping trip to listen to the elk bugle. This all started on 9/11/2001......... So we have made it a tradition.......never have skipped a year..... And never plan to.

 

I am looking for ideas on locations for general camping enjoyment and driving around wildlife viewing with active elk bugling.......... My all time favorite location is Pachita lake on the reservation...... But you can't ride quads and the access with a camp trailer is iffy and slow.

 

Last year we went up near Happyjack........ Nice area and plenty of trails...... But we went late and were out near the end of the first archery season...... Elk were pretty much shutdown by then....... And a million people were out there.

 

This year we are watching the temps and the archery seasons and are planning to not conflict.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[ThomC]

Go before the Archery season opens. After it opens lots of people will be out there sounding off. My first thought would be Kinnickinic lake. The forest service road to the south should still be open. Drive very slow so you do not not disturb the animals.

[Flatlander]

There are usually a bunch of elk that take refuge right out in the middle of Mormon lake every year, especially during the archery hunts. I would give that a try.

[123456]

Anywhere up by bear canyon lake. Lots of elk bugling and lots of camp spots. The only issue up there is the amount of people. You should still be able to get away from crowds if you try to.

[Coach]

Just about anywhere N and W of Greens Peak, especially the draws that lead to the rez border. Lots of fighting in those cuts at night. Potatoe Patch S. of Whithing, Pate Spring and Mineral Spring are awesome too. Carnero lake is another good spot to dip your float tube in, cast some flies and listen to the bugles.

[Drumwheel]

Thanks all....... I think we will try the Carnero lake area this year. Never been in that area...... We will check it out.

Will I be able to pull a 23.5 ft bumper pull (26ft bumper to hitch) trailer in there fairly easily and find some good camping?......... We will have two bumper pull TT's.

 

Will be in out before archery hunt........ When does the first archery hunts start?

[CouesWhitetail]

Nice family tradition going out listening for elk every year....hope you enjoy Carnero Lake and remember to take some pics to share with us here!

[Drumwheel]

Well............ We are are all packed and ready to head out in the morning for a 5-6 day camping trip to the Greens Peak/Carnero Lake Area to hopefully hear and see the elk................. I'm feeling lucky this year. Lots of reports of active bugling............. either way.... it beats working.

[bonecollector]

Take lots of pics and come back and share, have fun.

[Drumwheel]

Well.......... All I can say is we absolutely loved that area. The easy roll with the trailers was great and the roads good. The large meadows with huge tree lines were great. We heard the elk scream every night and also seen plenty...... Including a large bull screaming. We did the geo cacheing for the first time and the wife, sister and granddaughter loved it.....we located about a half dozen caches.

 

Thanks for the tip from all the family.

 

For everyone heading out on the archery hunt.... Good luck. They are going.