Hunting Forum

just be carefull in the wilderness areas.......no bicycles or mechanized vehicles allowed.

 

 

LM since 1995,NRA,Sons of Confederate Veterans.Colorado Springs,Colorado.

I hope this thread doesn't get into a wilderness area discussion but I didn't know that you couldn't have a bike - but that is the rule in Bridger wilderness. I also learned that hang gliders are out of the question.

Dean "NO HANG-Gliding ALLOWED"

 

Here are some rules for Bridger Wilderness - even though we don't hunt there:

The purpose of these regulations is to assure protection and quality of the wilderness resources as well as the safety of the wilderness visitor. Violation of regulations is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. The following acts ate PROHIBITED within the Bridger Wilderness:

• Possessing or using a motor vehicle or motorized equipment such as a chainsaw.
• Possessing or using a hang-glider or bicycle.
• Use of aircraft without written permission.
• Camping within 200 feet of a trail or lakeshore.
• Open campfires within the seven special management areas.
• Horse grazing within 200 feet of lakes.
• Placing or maintaining a cache in the wilderness.
• Cutting or otherwise damaging any live tree or other vegetation without a permit.
• Staying in one campsite for more than 16 days. Visitors who vacate a campsite after 16 days may not return to the same site for at least 5 days.

Ok,.. now that I have some time to myself I can try and contribute some info to this thread. Elk hunting is defiantly NOT whitetail hunting. Lot's of moving and not much setting in on specific area,.. not unless you spot some elk then you have to figure your way to them. I like to go to different areas and glass around first. you can't hunt em' if they aren't there to hunt.

 

(now where have I heard that before?) 

 

I've been pretty much a whitetail hunter up until the past 10 years or so. My first elk hunt was in Montana in 1996 in the Beartooth region,.. beautiful country Montana! It was through a outfitter  of the name of Otter Creek if I recall the name correctly, horse packed in, a family run business, good folk, and would do whatever necessary to put you on elk.

My luck however we found some herds that wouldn't cooperate very much and was always one step ahead of us. But I had a great time with great people and was out doin' it every day. No guarantees elk huntin' folks.

 

In 2005 I teamed up with good ol' Dean,.. another savvy hunter in the ways of wapiti hunting. This was a DIY hunt in Idaho, driving around, stopping to spot around with  binoculars and spotting scopes, and miles and miles of walking! We did spot a few on the side of a hill across the ways from us and proceeded to get on them. They were gone by the time we got to where we thought they would be but picked up their trail and on foot we went.

 

Now the one thing I really want to stress, especially for all of us flat-landers out there is to get  yourself in the best condition you can. Climbing up and down drainages is not your everyday back home style of hunting and it will wear you out quick. The best suggestion that I had received was to run up and down stairs, or bleachers.

 

( I prefer the bleachers myself )

 

You need to work those specific muscle groups and build up your cardio system as well. When I was in Montana the majority of the time the horses were doing that aspect of the work until something was spotted and then you dismounted and went on foot the rest of the way. BUT with no horses,... and your the one doing it all day,.. day in and day out and it will wear on you. For my trip back out to Idaho in 2007,  I was better prepared as I knew what was to be expected. This year I'll be in even higher altitudes in Wyoming,.. thinner air will also come into play along with the ups and downs. There's not a whole lot one can do with the less air situation unless your toting along some bottled oxygen (not) so I imagine I'll have to pace myself and listen to whatever my body is telling me to do,.. or not do.

 

I also remember another time in 2005 with Dean where we jumped a spike from its bed directly above us as we were walking a logging road. Dean spotted it first and was off like a lightning bolt. I barely knew what was happening as it happened so fast. I started running up the hill in the direction Dean ran off to. Once I had made a bend at the top of the road there was Dean , rifle was leveled out and  he asked me "do you want him?" I looked up and about 50 yards up the hill side stood the spike just staring at Dean. I thought about it and said to myself what the hell.. But when I raised my 7 mag up and looked thru the scope the scope picture went from the kill zone and then to the ass end and back to the kill zone. After what seemed to be forever of trying to hold on the sweet spot I lowered my rifle and told Dean to take him.  I was too much out of breath to hold effectively on that spike horn. Now seeing that this was our 2nd or 3rd day out hunting,  out of a 14 day hunt and a spike was something that neither Dean or I were really after. We passed on him,.. I didn't want to make an unethical shot just for the reason I couldn't hold steady, and Dean really wasn't looking to burn his tag on a spike horn either. That elk would never know just how lucky he was as Dean could have had him in a heart beat,. he was like a stone with the bead laid right on him.

 

Remember get in shape,... and practice for those brief spur of the moment shots that just might present themselves to you. Practice alot puttin' that rifle of yours up to the shooting position in a hurry and holding steady.

 

It's not anything like those whitetail hunts where you can take your time to zero up and shoot. Sure you might be able to at times when your far enough away to spot them and take the shot. But from what I've seen and experienced so far while elk hunting,.. those opportunities are far and few between. I also have another issue I'll need to deal with as I fractured 3 ribs last summer and they still haven't mended up all the way. I'm praying that when this October rolls around it won't be an issue anymore. The doctor told me that  they may never heal 100%,.. but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

 

Look out Wapiti,.. October here I come !

 

. There's room for all Gods creatures,.. right next to the taters' an' gravy! ,.........
. Shoot Straight & Stay Safe ! ,..........
. Terry Webster,...
. NAHC Life Member,.
. NAFC Life Member,
. RMEF Sponsoring Member,..
. SCI Member,..
. Michigan Sportsman's Assoc.,
. NRA Life Member,..
. US Army - Nam' Veteran SGT E-5 1970-72 1st/327th /101st AB

7mm - I heard that story at elk camp!

Will be good to have you up here this year.

I almost hit the wall myself around day 4, but the body does rebound. Back when my dad was younger, he would ask me - Where you want to hunt tomorrow? I would answer - "someplace FLAT". Now my son asks me the same thing.

As I have gotten more comfortable with the elk herd, I am always hunting further, farther, deeper than before. But I am starting to feel the effects, especially after I get one down. I guess it is inevitable.

As for being in shape, absolutely. The more in-shape the more enjoyable the whole experience will be.

 

Yep Tom,.. the man is FAST,..his experience huntin' these critters has helped me out beyond anything I have ever read in any books about em'. The man taught me ALOT in those couple of weeks out with him.

 

The last 3-4 days in camp we were the only ones left out there as the rest of the guys packed it in. I wound up getting ill the last day or two there and left a day before I really wanted to. Seeing we were out there for all that time we decided  it was time to take a shower. We had one about 5 days before hand up at Rays place when we made a water run for camp. I'm pretty sure I came down with the flu after the one I took in camp. Had the "hot and colds" the next day pretty bad. It made for a very long uncomfortable drive back to Michigan but I made it.

 

Can't wait to sit fireside once again and hear everyone's huntin' stories and get to finally meet you also. Dean talks highly of you to boot!

. There's room for all Gods creatures,.. right next to the taters' an' gravy! ,.........
. Shoot Straight & Stay Safe ! ,..........
. Terry Webster,...
. NAHC Life Member,.
. NAFC Life Member,
. RMEF Sponsoring Member,..
. SCI Member,..
. Michigan Sportsman's Assoc.,
. NRA Life Member,..
. US Army - Nam' Veteran SGT E-5 1970-72 1st/327th /101st AB

On an additional note,.. the Wyoming Fish & Game must release the drawings winners names and addresses to all the Wyoming state outfitters as I've been receiving LOT's of invitations to engage various outfitter services in my snail mail lately,...

 

 

. There's room for all Gods creatures,.. right next to the taters' an' gravy! ,.........
. Shoot Straight & Stay Safe ! ,..........
. Terry Webster,...
. NAHC Life Member,.
. NAFC Life Member,
. RMEF Sponsoring Member,..
. SCI Member,..
. Michigan Sportsman's Assoc.,
. NRA Life Member,..
. US Army - Nam' Veteran SGT E-5 1970-72 1st/327th /101st AB

Same thing here Terry, and yes, the records with the names and addresses of all applicants in the Wyoming draw are on public record for anyone to get at free of charge as far as I know.  Good luck at what sounds like what will be one neat elk camp!!!
Topgun----30-06 NAHC LM NWTF US Army Vet Corp SP5 68-71

Dang, now that's what I call some Elk Savvy!!!  Good on ya guys!

Topgun
After hunt'n a couple of weeks with him, an only two showers don't think anything he can put in his pockets this time out will make a difference!  Good info buddy!

mtmoose
Thanks for the input!  Good info!!!  Keep it coming!

Lance
You old wapiti wise son-of a -gun (opps! Sorry, you’d had to be a son-of a- bow), real glad to see you add your knowledge here.  It was a real pleasure to meet you and share the campfire last spring at the Washington NAHC Get Together!  You are one Wapiti savvy bow hunter, there's alot I can learn from you.  Don't stop now, I'm listening!

obxman58
Thank you for sharing that hunt!  Good info on the ways of the wapiti.  Know that Danny is a real hunter and one that I respect, you guys get to Wyoming and I'll have a campfire waitin.

Tom (Skud)
You know buddy, I wasn't raggin on you!  Just expanding on what you said.  With the exception of one that doesn't post here anymore that help me find work out here, you Sir (opps again, never call a Chief, Sir)(my bad!!!) have helped me more than anyone I've met in Wyoming.  You have showed me the crossings, sent me gps locations of all elk killed by anyone in your camp, described and showed me their migration patterns, toured me thru the area and shared how the hunting pressure effect em in the area, shared some dark timber hunts and your camp.  You are the reason I first join the NAHC.  Imagine that, almost 30 years in the Club and, you're the reason I first signed up.  Go figure?  Keep it coming Tom, you've got more Elk savvy to share here!  Thanks, big time!!!

BCRITES
I have a mountain bike with fin grips on the handle bars to hold my rifle or bow in place while biking into areas.  Many areas (outside wilderness areas) that hold Elk have been gated (no motorize travel.)  Many of these are fairly flat roads or trails that can be biked in fairly easily.  Over the years I've hunted the elusive wapiti, I've noted that they prefer flat ground.  Now, flat, is a description and relative.  On a topo map, it's where the lines are further apart.  You can almost hold up a topo map of any area that holds Elk and find them where the lines are furthest apart.  Though not always a rule, as others here have stated, Elk will go where they are least pressured.  I think they seek out the steeper slopes to avoid that pressure, but don’t stay there long (a couple of days).  When in further than most, by what ever means you get there, Elk tend to be where the lines are furthest apart.  A bike can be just one way of getting there!

 

Terry (7MM Mag)

I too remember that day in Idaho when we jumped that spike.  I almost killed him.  Instinct had me pulling the trigger, when it wasn't meat I was after on that hunt.  I remember cow calling to him to keep him in range, until we decided it was too early in the hunt to fill either of our tags with a spike.  I remember asking you if you were sure and saying "this might be the only opportunity either of us gets to fill" that tag.  We both passed on that shot, and we both went home with empty coolers.  That's the way of hunting Elk!  You may only get one opportunity.  It's a spit second decision.  We learn from those encounters.  I learned from that encounter, spikes are dumb, a cow call can keep em around long enough to decide if you want meat in the fridge early in the season.  Or, do you pass for the chance for horns on the wall later?  Elk hunting is so much about decisions.  Which drainage do I go up?  I see Elk, do I move in for a better shot?  Do I bugle, or cow call?  Every time out we learn something and we put it in our day packs for the next time out. If I'd have known that  was going to be the only legal elk our crosshairs would have encounter during that hunt, your coolers would have went home full!  Hindsight.  It was early, we were seeing Elk regularly.  I was hoping for something bigger as were you.  Guess that's why they call it hunting?  Looking forward ta doing it again, know we'll have at least as much fun as last time!

 

To All

Can't reply to everything posted here any more, too many savvy Elk hunters adding what they know (a good thing.)  If a question is asked to me, or I have info to add, I'll post it.  Would really like to keep this post on topic.  Speel your Elk savvy!  Post what you know about huntin the Monarch of the Mountains.  Conversations between friends can be done in a PM or email, phone call.  A lot of really good info is coming out here, from hunters that know what they're doing when it comes to hunting Elk.  Let's keep it flowing!  Those of you that are new or old to wapiti whacking, ask your questions.  I have met many that have posted here, and know they are wapiti wise.  Read the post of those I have not met, and know by reading their words that they know what they are talking about.  I have still much to learn, and I know others here do too.  Please keep it coming!!!

 

Question:

I try to hunt back in further than most.  I've always packed my meat out on a pack frame, never boned one out.  Had a butcher cut it up, and got it back in packages all labeled and such.  Any info, anyone can give me on boning out an Elk would surely be appreciated.  How do you keep it separated so when you cut it up, you know what's sirloin, what's round steaks (I know round comes from the hams), what needs to ground as burger.  Wife likes it in the package all labeled.  Packing the bone out when your way back in doesn't make sense to me.  Just the only way I've done it.  Has got to be an easier way!

 

Dean

H2O

Hunting Elk in a rainforest; ya haven't experienced it till ya had rain running down the crack of your *** 30 minutes out of camp. Formerly a Roosevelt Elk hunter on the Washington coast, now hunting them Rocky Mtn. ones, in Wyoming.

Hey Dean,.. I can tell you how I've done it for pretty much all my whitetails for the last 40 years. As long as you pretty much know what your planning on getting from your critter and what areas of the animal produce which cuts you've pretty much got it made. I normally process my kill at the house in my shop out in the barn.

 

But there have been times up in the UP of Michigan where I have deboned out in the field. I purchase 1 gallon zipper freezer bags and after cutting the meat from the

bone all the meat goes into those for further processing when I do get it home.

Just follow your normal meat handleing routines by keeping it as clean as possible,

and then cold as possible. I try not to freeze my meat unless it is totally processed the way I want it. IE: Steaks, chops, roasts. The meat for burger and such can get frozen as it normally grinds better in the semi frozen state anyhow.

 

I always debone when I process,.. I don't want any of that waxey marrow and tiny

bone chips from a band saw on any of my meat (nasty stuff) and in my opinion taints the meat.

 

You just cut all the way through the meat to the bone (on the inside) the complete length of the bone of the removed quarters, and then roll the meat back away from the bone, while using the knife tip against the bone to "fillet" the meat away until the meat breaks free of the bone itself.

Put the boneless meat in the freezer bag,... toss the bones aside. You can use a sharpie or magic marker to lable the bags for processing later.

 

Big game animals are normally butchered into 6 Major sections:

1. Two Front Shoulders - ground burger, ground jerky, or roast.
2. Two Loins or Backstraps - tender steaks, butterfly steaks.
3. Two Hind Quarters - steaks, prime roasts, or hams.
4. Two Inside Tenderloins - most tender steak but small.
5. Neck Meat - ground burger, ground jerky, or sausage.
6. Ribs - Use as ribs or debone for burger or sausage.

 

 

Once you've actually done it you'll kick yourself for not attempting it earlier. It makes packing an animal out so much nicer. No real reason to lug all the extra weight of those bones out now is there??

I guess I'll have to show you this fall,....

. There's room for all Gods creatures,.. right next to the taters' an' gravy! ,.........
. Shoot Straight & Stay Safe ! ,..........
. Terry Webster,...
. NAHC Life Member,.
. NAFC Life Member,
. RMEF Sponsoring Member,..
. SCI Member,..
. Michigan Sportsman's Assoc.,
. NRA Life Member,..
. US Army - Nam' Veteran SGT E-5 1970-72 1st/327th /101st AB

The Colorado DOW has a tape on deboning.

You can find it through their websight.

http://wildlife.state.co.us/

 

 

 

I think Terry gave a very quick, easy description of how to do it and it's exactly like I have been doing the last two years on deer and antelope in Wyoming.  Elk are done the same way, with the only difference being that they are a lot bigger critters and take a lot more packing out because of the weight involved.  I never leave a bone in any meat I process for exactly the reasons Terry stated!
Topgun----30-06 NAHC LM NWTF US Army Vet Corp SP5 68-71

Snow -

 

Completely changes the dynamic of elk hunting.

My tactics change.

If you are familiar with the area - use your travel time on logging roads to find tracks. If there are lots of roads, you can quickly figure out what section of the mountain that the elk are. set up the next hunt down trail from where you saw the tracks. Try and head them off - figure out which way they are going. Elk hunting in snow makes it much easier to locate the elk and determine their movements.

I always get excited when there is new snow on the ground.

Always check the tracks to make sure they are fresh - touch the tracks. If they are frozen they are not new. You can figure out if they are fresh pretty quickly. Knowing where the elk were, helps you find out where they are. Tracking in snow mud or dust is a must, and eliminates some of the chance encounters and makes them skill encounters. When you get it right it makes for an enjoyable hunt. Doesn't matter if you don't get one, just being right and hearing that big sucker break that timber makes you know that you were almost smarter than that elk. Sometimes you will do everything right and get him. Sometimes you will try again the next day and do things a little better.

 

Tom

Brian (BCRITES)
Saw another question you asked, and didn't see anyone else address it.
In elk country, I prefer to be back in a a ways from anything that would disturb them.  And that includes roads.  Gated roads seem to disturb em less than ones with trucks running up an down em, trails less then the gated roads.  Believe road less (tailless) areas are Elk havens.  But one has to get there if your going to hunt them!  Any way that you can get back into these areas will benefit your hunting!  Most hunters want one close to a road, or an easy pack out, me included.  Over my years of hunting Elk, I've found that it is those that make the extra effort that are successful.  I've packed bulls out (bone in) seven miles on my back (four of us x's two trips).  I've slid em out on a fresh layer of snow and dropped em onto the tailgate of my truck.  I've hauled em out on my back to the nearest gated road, placed em on a meat cart (unloaded it, an packed across areas the cart couldn't take em) and hauled em back to the truck.  Packed one on a meat cart to where we could get to it with a truck (right Skud).  Where there's will, there is a way!  You need to plan your hunt, and be prepared.  You'll have to get the meat out.  Nothing worse in my mind, than one who leaves game meat behind!!!  Don't hunt further that you are prepared to get one out!

Terry
Thanks for the info!  Hope we get one close enough that we don't have to try it, (NOT).  If you're up to it, might have you show me, even if we get one close to a road!  Looking forward ta sharing my Elk camp with you this fall.  Man are we going to kill some Wapiti!!!

jroode
Thanks for the info.  Plan to order it.

Topgun
Thanks agian!

Skud
Most times on the Washington coast, we were tracking em in the mud. LOL  Love hunting em in the snow.  Same tactics apply!  Always best when you can be ahead of Elk!!!

Dean
H2O

Hunting Elk in a rainforest; ya haven't experienced it till ya had rain running down the crack of your *** 30 minutes out of camp. Formerly a Roosevelt Elk hunter on the Washington coast, now hunting them Rocky Mtn. ones, in Wyoming.

Thanks H20 for the reply.  I am going to prepare myself as much as a I can in OH and I would hike through the night to get an animal out if there was a chance of it spoiling.  I hopefully will get into an elk in the next couple of years.  I keep telling my wife that once she has it I won't have a problem getting sent to get another. 

Good Luck this fall I will be hunting whitetails locally. 

Brian

LawmanU27, NAHC LM, Formerly Hunteverything

Right on Brian
Only thing better eatin than Elk, IMO, is Moose.  Though, Terry did bring down some mighty good tasting Whitetail from Michigan last time I hunted with him!  As Terry said "I recommend running steps/bleachers".  Good luck to you on your hunts, hope the information here helps you and other Wapiti slayers!

Was talking with my son tonite.  Going over topo maps of the area I hunt and have hunted.  Amazing how when to put where you've seen them on a topo map, you can see the patern!  I pulled out topo maps of the areas I hunted em in Washington, compared it to maps I'm hunting now.  Nothing has changed, except the weather and presure.  Finding the Elk thousands of feet in elevation, and thousands of mile apart in the same places.  Can't help but think, I can read some State Game an Fish info, look at a topo map and have a real good idea on where to find em.  Anyone else experience this?

Dean
H2O

Hunting Elk in a rainforest; ya haven't experienced it till ya had rain running down the crack of your *** 30 minutes out of camp. Formerly a Roosevelt Elk hunter on the Washington coast, now hunting them Rocky Mtn. ones, in Wyoming.

Hey there bud,.. It would be my pleasure to show you my bone out method. Having a couple good scary sharp knives it the key.

 

You know,.. I have noticed that whitetails seem to pattern pretty much the same way you describe the wapiti doing it. They have a tendency to use the same types of structures to travel through and hide out in. After some 40 + years chaseing them in various places I find myself in familiar looking areas almost to the point you say to yourself "I've been here before" but in essence it's a totally new area all together.

 

 

Seeing I've only done 3 wapiti hunts going on my 4th,... there's still plenty of learning that I need to become as savvy with these critters as either you or skud. But now seeing the both you and he will be my mentors this coming fall I'm sure to learn much more this time out. Not to mention the chance to sit aroung the fire ring in the atmosphere and countryside with good friends who embrace the outdoors and hunting as much as I do. Filling the tag is just the iceing on the cake!

. There's room for all Gods creatures,.. right next to the taters' an' gravy! ,.........
. Shoot Straight & Stay Safe ! ,..........
. Terry Webster,...
. NAHC Life Member,.
. NAFC Life Member,
. RMEF Sponsoring Member,..
. SCI Member,..
. Michigan Sportsman's Assoc.,
. NRA Life Member,..
. US Army - Nam' Veteran SGT E-5 1970-72 1st/327th /101st AB

Got the sharp knives, you just get your arse out here and show me where to cut!  Lookin forward to us putting a couple of them down in the fall.

Think, patterning any game animal is real important!  Didn't expect to move to Wyoming, read the regs, check out some areas, go over some topo maps, and decide to hunt the same areas as Skud before I even talked with him!  I was on Elk, first day up!  Do truly believe, topos and areial maps make huntin better for us, with (a little 'other reaserch' and) a day or two pre-scouting, think just about anyone can be hunting where the Elk are!!!  We got into em in Idaho too, didn't we 7mm Magnum!  Do your reserch!  Learn were Elk live, feed, water, and bed.  Hike in ways, and you'll be into em too!

Dean
H2O

Hunting Elk in a rainforest; ya haven't experienced it till ya had rain running down the crack of your *** 30 minutes out of camp. Formerly a Roosevelt Elk hunter on the Washington coast, now hunting them Rocky Mtn. ones, in Wyoming.

Trackin Elk

Before I begin, gotta thank all you savvy elk hunters for your replies here.  Keep it coming!!!!

I have learned much by following the tracks of the Wapiti.  Tougher to do now that I'm hunting em where it's dry, but I keep learning.  Most of my hunting has been on the Washington coast for the Roosevelt Elk.  Tracks up there are wet and easy to follow.  From the tracks (both dry and wet), I have learned much about the Wapiti and their habits,  I have also learned Elk are Elk.  They do the same things, go to the same places, and prefer certain areas.  They bed in the same kind of places, and avoid danger in the same ways.  Don't think it matters whether they are Roosevelt or Rocky Mountain!

Tracking:
Lots to it.  Judging the size of the track (sex,age), the direction they are going.  How old are the tracks?  How many elk?  Should I follow?  How fast?  These are questions I'll try to answer for ya.  And hope other Elk savvy hunters jump in to add their experiences too!  I'll be addressing them in the order listed here!

Size of tracks:
I've read a bunch, and have found that much of what I've read to be true.  Bulls tend to be bigger and heavier.  Bigger/deeper tracks and in soft ground the dew claws show.  Though in real soft ground and light snow, even cows will leave imprints of the dew claws (and when running, everone has dew claws showing).  If the bulls are in with the herd, separating the the big boys tracks is easy.  I have seen Roosevelt bull tracks that are equal to cattle tracks here in Wyoming.  Truly believe Roosevelt's have bigger, wider hooves than the same size Rocky Mountain elk.  As I said above, when in groups, track are easy to distinguish.  And Elk are herd animals, they most often travel in groups (all seasons)( though after the rut, big bulls will break off from the herd and seek secluded areas) (very large single or very large double tracks are worth pursuing!).  You cut fresh tracks (I'll go into fresh later), three large tracks (all about the same width, length, and depth), an two sets of smaller tracks.  Odds are your following, three cows and two calves.  One very large set of tracks, 3 large, 2 small, and you got  a bull, three cows and two calves.  Another distinction I've noted, Elk like deer put the hind foot into almost the same print as the front foot.  Cows (that have born calves) tend to have the hind foot outside the front foot and slightly pointed out.  Bull tracks tend to be more in line with the front feet and in the same print.  Also you just can't pay attention to the ground!  I've found that from Augusts thru November, bulls rub trees.  Any time I find fresh tracks with fresh rubs (bark, leaves, limbs on top of everything else.  Sap not yet flowowing, inner bark exposed and still white), I'm real interested in following those tracks!!!  Determining where they are going, and how I can cut em off!

I'll address the other subjects, in order, latter.

Good wapiti hunting to all,

Dean

Hunting Elk in a rainforest; ya haven't experienced it till ya had rain running down the crack of your *** 30 minutes out of camp. Formerly a Roosevelt Elk hunter on the Washington coast, now hunting them Rocky Mtn. ones, in Wyoming.

Piss

Dean you forgot to talk about piss.

If you find elk beds on snow -

When elk get up to leave (unpressured) they may piss.

If the piss is at the end of the bed it was always a cow.

If the piss is in the center of the bed was most likely a bull.

So if you find a set of beds, and want to determine if there is a bull in the group look for this.

Can also be used on dirt, but where I hunt beds on pine needles and dirt are harder to find.

 

 

Skud,.. got to hand it to ya' pretty good info there! 

 

. There's room for all Gods creatures,.. right next to the taters' an' gravy! ,.........
. Shoot Straight & Stay Safe ! ,..........
. Terry Webster,...
. NAHC Life Member,.
. NAFC Life Member,
. RMEF Sponsoring Member,..
. SCI Member,..
. Michigan Sportsman's Assoc.,
. NRA Life Member,..
. US Army - Nam' Veteran SGT E-5 1970-72 1st/327th /101st AB