Getting ELKY yet?
 

Well its that time of year. I have done some preliminary scouting but nothing like i normally due. Buddies are starting to call asking if we have been here or there, what have i seen etc. I can hardly wait to hear the first bull of the season buglingacross the mountain. We had planned a pack in hunt this year but things kinda just fell apart. I have been so busy at work, and a couple of guys didn't get tags. Summer just slipped by and thoughts have turned to elk over the last few weeks. On a June scouting trip I saw several elk and good sign, but i haven't returned to the area since. Grouse season kicks off in a week, it is finally time.[8D]

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

I can't wait till Oct 18th. I have been going over my gear list, adding, subtracting, and generally fretting over nothing. I'm chomping at the bit already.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

I am headed home to Idaho in 12 days!!! I can't wait to hear a bugle as well!

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

I can smell elk already.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

I have to work all this week, so today I packed all my gear and loaded the trailer. We go up this Friday afternoon. I can hardly wait!

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

I'm heading to Western Montana on Sept 5th (18 hour drive), so hopefully we'll get settled in late Saturday evening. I'll be there for 10-14 days hunting, I don't have a tag,I'm just going along to help my 3 buddies that did draw.

Will the bulls be bugling this early, or when do they get fired up? This is our first elk hunt, so it will definately be a learning experience!

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

I haven't heard any reports yet of bugling bulls, but the 5-20 that you'll be here they will be screaming, except of course, the one i down opening morn.;)

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

I wish ya luck there Muley! We are hoping to get at least one bull down! Thats our goal anyways, I'm actually pretty glad I didn't draw. This will be a good learning trip for us all. I'm just trying to figure out what I am forgetting.

I have an external frame pack, a Badlands 2200, a Blackawk day pack, lotsa different elk bugles, cow calls, etc. I have 2 good GPSs a compass, a real good headlamp, 2 real good lightweight Pelican flashlights, a Kimber 45 for the side, and a bunch of layering clothes and warm weather clothes.....

If you can think of anything I might be forgetting, let me know! Thanks.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

Let's see... Sat. I spent most of the day planning equipment and supply lists with a buddy while we burned the wall tent stove for the first time. Then last night I spent 4 hours going over maps with my neighbor. He's leaving Thurs. for CO archery, I'm heading out for 1st rifle in Oct. We found out a couple weeks ago we both elk hunt and it turns out he bow hunts just 10-15 miles from where I've rifle hunted in the past. So we traded info. and I showed him Google Earth of the area. Days are getting shorter, it's almost time.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

I start getting the fever as soon as ski season is done (June). Bulls are bugling in Grand Teton Natl. Park, Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targhee Natl. Forest.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

Hey bugs11, how do you Google Earth the area you are looking to hunt. I have tried doing that before and it didn't really work out for me. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

Bulls tend to get really fired up when the mornings and evening get cooler. If it stays warm they will be a little late like the last two years here in Southern Wyoming. They were still fired up the first week of rifle season.

Also another post you put up you mentioned packing a Kimber 45. Check your regs as some states do not allow bowhunters to carry firearms!

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

ummm Your bow? :)

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

Montana does, so no issues (i think that is where he was going)

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

shoot me a PM of the drainage location, and I will send you a google earth link then all you do is zoom in...most areas are pretty good for getting an idea...plus the 3d view is fantastic to figure out drains and benches etc.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

Took a scenic drive up over the pass last weekend to do a bit of scouting. Spotted a herd of about 300 just behind a hayfield in my area of choice. Haven't picked one out yet but I know where they are. Not only are there plenty of elk I saw four excellent mule deer bucks a bit higher up.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

RE: Google Earth

Skeeter,

I was showing him Google Earth and he about had an elk cow when he realized that last year they had hunted around these 2large meadows in the middle of some big timber. They were looking for those meadows based on a map and they ended up hunting right around the meadows in a big loop. He could plainly see on Google Earth just how they had managed to do it. He said his hunting buddy would just not believe how close they were to those meadows and never saw them. It was pretty funny, seeing the look on his face and his reaction.

I just downloaded Google Earth and punched in the coordinates from my GPS and bingo I can see where my camp is and the outfitters camp. Give me the lat and long and I can give you a link to a waypoint on Google Earth.

Bugs.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

Hey bugs11, Last week I got on some site and punched my coordinates from Co. and I got a look on a topo map of kind of where I was, but I have dial up internet service where I live and this morning I didn't have time to monkey around to get back there. I did download Google Earth though. I will give you my coordinates of where my camp was last fall, and see what we can come up with, thanks for your help. Unbelievable what you can find with these computers. I just wish I had quicker serving so I wouldn't get so nervous waiting for this slow moving lines. New computer too. I sent you a PM with the Latitude and Longitude coordinates.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

The most important thing you can bring is "forest money" AKA toilet paper. TP is in the back country like cigarettes are in jail.......er, not that i know about jail.[&:] Also, a pack of heartburn tablets, a wipe for the binos, cotton balls smeared with vasoline, they will lite even if dropped in water. I don't use water tablets, but you might want to. Also, chap stick is a good idea. Some elbow length skinning latex gloves are a must. Just some items a lot of people don't relly think of, did I mention TP?;)

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

i went out scouting last week and got with in 500 yards of a group of about 20 with a nice bull. he bugled a couple times answering my calls. had the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. the season is so close yet so far away.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

I leave next week Wenesday for Montana. I am pumped as I ever could be for my first elk hunt. Looking forward to it more and more every day.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

Heading to the city tomorrow to get new boots and gear for the months to come. I am not archery hunting for elk this year, instead doing my first stint as a guide for early rifle sept.15th. My elk hunting will be put on hold until October. Can't wait to guide, should be a fun experience. I have been taking people out hunting for years, but now I will get paid for it. I hope my hunters are ready for the woods of North Central Idaho, I guarantee they will loose a couple pounds no matter how good the camp food is by the time their 10 days are over. The weather has been cooler this summer, and we have had a couple early fall like rain storms in the last week or so, the bulls may hit rut a little earlier this year than last. I hope the cool streak continues as it makes hunting and meat care allot easier.
Good Luck, Have Fun, and be Safe in the Elk Woods.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

18th september i head out to Colorado and am getting real hyped up now , as this is my first bowhunt ever and Elk hunt . Its gonna be amazing even if i don't fill my tag , i just want to be in the Mountains when them Elk start bugling .

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

I can already hear'em, smell 'em, and see'em and I canenvision the bullet strike-reactions.... K-THUD-stagger-flop.... it maybechallenging to improve on last year; however, I fully expect to do so.

So yes, I find myself thinking about it quite a bit, no big hurry to get to it though, it will be here soon enough, there is lots of preparation to be done.

We are going for Colorado'sOctober 11th first season rifle opener; we like to get to them before they get all wised up and skittish. I dohope they are bugling as it isalways a nice touch while waiting for sunrise. I hope the numbers are up this year (it varies a lot from year to year), 300 is a lot more fun to see than 30.

Really, the camaraderie, the packing (on horses), camp life, and the butcheringare the best parts of the huntand sure lasts longer than the 20 second kill window. That kill window rigorously and convincinglyexecuted is a nice rush though.

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

I don't have a tag, I'm just going along to be a pack mule this year, so now bow for me......:(I am taking it along though, me and the other guy that didn't draw just might end up in Idaho! :D

TP is already packed, I don't leave home without it! hahaha The cotton ball trick is one I heard along time ago, thanks for the heads up on it, I completely forgot it! So I will be sure to pack cotton balls now. I'll also be picking up some elbow length skinning gloves and some chap stick.

Thanks for the info! :D

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

17 days and counting for New Mexico archery...getting "elky"...Oh yeah baby!!

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

I'm leaving for Wyoming for opening day of rifle season in the wilderness areas in 22 days. Hopefully I'll be in the woods in the dark on the morning of the 20th!

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

You guys that get to Elk hunt are the luckiest.... Im so Jealous! Best of luck to all;)

RE: Getting ELKY yet?
 

Heading for Hell's canyon for the 10th. Planning about 8 days in the woods. Was out in July for a long weekend scouting and saw 2 bulls and 3 cows. The outfitter who packed is on saw 6 bulls the same weekend. Looking forward to a good vocal early season. Hope to have pictures to post after, good luck.