shedcrazy45 Report post Posted November 14, 2014 I have a late rifle bull elk hunt in unit 10 like I did 2 years ago and hate to say was unable to get the job done but this year hopefully things will be a little better. I am 18 and this will be my first bull if I am successful. I am wondering what you're guys opinions are about what I should be looking for if I am able to get on elk. on one hand I want a nice bull like 300+ but towards the end of the hunt I wont pass a spike, but how picky do you think I should be at the beginning? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HuntHarder Report post Posted November 14, 2014 Having never have shot an Elk, I would be looking for balls!! Do not get caught up in the size of the horns until you have a few under your belt. Good luck, and lets hope for some snow!! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idgaf Report post Posted November 14, 2014 ask yourself one question "Will you regret it if your tag goes unfilled?" 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shedcrazy45 Report post Posted November 14, 2014 thanks and ya it would make finding them easier, and I really don't want to come back without meat for the freezer and am willing to work my butt off to make Shure It doesn't happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 14, 2014 Don't take anyone else's expectations on your hunt but your own. My 12 year old daughter has a bull hunt in 7W, and she wants to hold out for a mature bull for the first 5 days, after that, if it has horns, it will fill the freezer. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnie blaze Report post Posted November 14, 2014 If you see it, if you want it.....shoot it! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bhuntin Report post Posted November 14, 2014 just get out and enjoy the experience.soak it in.consider being successful a bonus.keep positive.you have a lifetime ahead of you to hunt and hopefully with some hard work lady luck will pay you a visit....have a great hunt! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted November 14, 2014 Leave the score sheets and tape measure at home and enjoy your hunt. It's hunting, not a game. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shedcrazy45 Report post Posted November 14, 2014 I always do enjoy the hunt and time out there most. I have been unsuccessful more than the other way, and yes I do have a lot of time ahead of me to hunt, its just that the older I get the more I understand and the harder I try for what I am after as we all do. I know in the end it will be a great hunt regardless thanks for the input and good luck to all others with tags! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azpredator@work Report post Posted November 14, 2014 my first 6 bulls never hit 300". I saw what I liked and took the shot. Since then, my standards have changed. Don't worry about what others might think - harvest a bull that will make you happy. What makes you happy today may change later in your hunting career. Take this time to "learn" as much about elk so each time you have a tag you can challenge yourself more and more. You're right. Tags are getting harder and harder to acquire so maximize your experience. I finally began taking pics of my hunts and they are fun to share with friends and family. Good luck - that's a good tag you have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daverp Report post Posted November 14, 2014 Fill your tag with a bull that won't disappoint you. Be it a spike, or a 350 incher. I believe there is no greater disrespect of a big game animal than putting one on the ground, and being disappointed when it doesn't "measure up" once you walk up on it. When and if you get to a point that the time in the woods means more than putting something..."anything" down, and you won't be disappointed going home with an unfilled tag and freezer, THEN it is time to perhaps concentrate on getting a big one. I have some regrets...minor regrets...on a few animals I've passed on. But it's not much more than a passing thought. I enjoyed the hunts, and generally really liked being able to "extend" my hunt by passing on smaller animals, and had no real regrets with the resulting unfilled tags on some of the hunts. Having said that...I was just up in U10 for the deer hunt that ended a couple weeks ago. Will be back up there next Friday for my son's U10 rifle bull hunt as well (getting there a week early to scout). We were seeing some nice bulls almost every day we were in areas I liked for elk. Some nice solo bulls, some still pushing cows. Some raghorns. I think IF this weather holds, and a heavy snow like last year does not push them lower....and if they don't get really harassed with a ton of pressure (people pushing them out of bedding areas the week before the hunt), I'm liking the way things are looking for the opener. A lot of "IFs", but things seem a little more favorable so far this year. But, I won't be completely shocked if the bulls up and disappear like a fart in a windstorm come opening morning either. A lot can change over the course of days or weeks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaymzth007 Report post Posted November 14, 2014 My dad always taught me that my hunts would only be unsuccessful if I didn't have fun and enjoy my time outdoors. To this day, I have yet to have an unsuccessful hunt. And I only tag out half the time, maybe less! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azslim Report post Posted November 14, 2014 never pass up something on the first day you would gladly take on the last 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
capoeirajosh Report post Posted November 14, 2014 Fill your tag with a bull that won't disappoint you. Be it a spike, or a 350 incher. I believe there is no greater disrespect of a big game animal than putting one on the ground, and being disappointed when it doesn't "measure up" once you walk up on it. When and if you get to a point that the time in the woods means more than putting something..."anything" down, and you won't be disappointed going home with an unfilled tag and freezer, THEN it is time to perhaps concentrate on getting a big one. I have some regrets...minor regrets...on a few animals I've passed on. But it's not much more than a passing thought. I enjoyed the hunts, and generally really liked being able to "extend" my hunt by passing on smaller animals, and had no real regrets with the resulting unfilled tags on some of the hunts. Having said that...I was just up in U10 for the deer hunt that ended a couple weeks ago. Will be back up there next Friday for my son's U10 rifle bull hunt as well (getting there a week early to scout). We were seeing some nice bulls almost every day we were in areas I liked for elk. Some nice solo bulls, some still pushing cows. Some raghorns. I think IF this weather holds, and a heavy snow like last year does not push them lower....and if they don't get really harassed with a ton of pressure (people pushing them out of bedding areas the week before the hunt), I'm liking the way things are looking for the opener. A lot of "IFs", but things seem a little more favorable so far this year. But, I won't be completely shocked if the bulls up and disappear like a fart in a windstorm come opening morning either. A lot can change over the course of days or weeks. "Fart in a windstorm!" Hahahaha! Love it. To the OP, keep your head up no matter what and just have a great time. Shoot a bull that you want to shoot be it a spike or a monarch. Even if you don't get one, you will have learned valuable lessons that will get you that much closer on the next hunt. Good luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goinhuntn Report post Posted November 14, 2014 Remember the most important thing about hunting ENJOY the experience and have fun!! Its not about the the size of the horns its about the memories shoot whats gonna make you happy!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
