Been gettin' some grief lately from guides I know thet hunt other units. My unit opens fer rifle elk 9/20. With all the callin' gizmos an' new rifles an' such, I gotta admit it ain't hard fer the least skilled feller to make meat those first two weeks. Have we made it too easy? With all this global warmin', seems the bulls are stayin' in heavy rut longer ever year. I know pushin' the season in November would have the elk down in the foothills where the road hunters live, but come on already, September rifle season?

BJ

BeaverJack,
What was the sucess rate in your state last year?
Most I remember seeing averaged around 25% so if that is the case hunting during the rut isn't making it easier unless the number goes through the roof to around 75% of the hunters tagging elk.
Just my thoughts!


Greg

"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

Don't know the success rate overall. My camp was 100% the last 3 years durin' the first two weeks of the season. Thets 36 for 36 bulls. Last year I called a bull in next to the gut pile of one I'd kilt the week afor! The success rates of non-guided hunters won't be realistic cause mos' of 'em hunt low during the early season.

BJ


Edited by - BeaverJack on 09/13/2002 12:36:45

Edited by - BeaverJack on 09/13/2002 12:37:33

Edited by - BeaverJack on 09/13/2002 12:38:25

Edited by - BeaverJack on 09/13/2002 12:40:35

Whoops. My math ain't precise here. One feller had two cow only tags, which he filled out last year. So its 34 for 34 on bulls.

BJ

Unless you've got private land or a secret honey spot I'd say elk are one of the toughest animals to hunt. Success rate here in Utah for the general hunt on public land is 17%. Some guys get elk every year but thats only because of one of the above reasons. I don't know about your hunting low theory. I hunt the high country (10,000 ft plus) and thats where most hunters go around here, any fool knows when its dry and warm the elk are up high.

BeaverJack,
Do you run an outfitter or guide for one?
If so can you provide me with some information.
E-mail if you'd like amosgreg(at) yahoo dot com

Thanks


Greg

"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

Rather,
Thets cause you got them itty bitty mountings over there in Utah. Folks in wheelchairs can hunt 'em. These hills take pack stock. ATVs an' such ain't even allowed. I don't think I'd ever hunt a critter thet I only got a 17% chance of killin'. Guess thets where the professionals come in. Or maybeso you think the 17% are jus lucky? I read somewhar thet mos' the elk are kilt by the same hunters ever year. Hell, ifn it were easy, wouldn't be no outfitters. I jus' work fer a feller. Ain't got no money fer a lodge an' such. Jus' do it durin' the season. Probly be my last cause I'm gettin' long in the tooth an' wanna spend more time huntin' with my famly. But hell, maybeso there ain't no elk in Utah, jus a few straglers crossin' over from Wyom. Or maybeso all thet blonde hair over there spooks 'em afor anyone can git close?<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Still say its too easy in September. An jus' fer the record, elk ain't anywhar near the toughest critter to hunt. Try coes whitetail someday. Any critter what will come to a call ain't hard to hunt. Whitetails are durn sneaky. An' when they inhabit canyon country with cactus an' shin daggers what will make hamburger of your legs, its double hard. Nope, I reckin' groundhogs is harder to hunt then elks. Ceptn' on railroad tracks where they kinda stand out.

BJ


Edited by - BeaverJack on 09/13/2002 14:56:35

Edited by - BeaverJack on 09/13/2002 16:44:32

Edited by - BeaverJack on 09/13/2002 16:50:17

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Good question Moosehead, I know Colo. is not, but I've seen and heard bulls bugle in Oct. rifle season here too, so even that makes finding 'em a bit easy. But after a few shots go off, they quiet down real quick.

Only rifle season in Arizona in september is on indian land and the tags are ten to fifteen thousand dollars. I think the fudgepackers in SF could score 90%+ with a rifle this month. Oh yeah, I have killed cous WT and they are a bitch to hunt and a small target.