Hunting Forum

Any helpfull hints for late bull hunt in 5b? I've hunted this unit many times before for cow, but i finally pulled a bull tag (late hunt nov. 30th - dec. 6th)! I know the bulls will be spooked, but im wondering if anyone with late hunt experience would have any advice!!!

It just so happens that I hunted there last November with success. I harvested a nice 6x6 but it wasn't easy. Unlike the year before in 6A, we had to go to those EXTREMELY thick areas off 87. We took the Chavez Pass road (5A & 5B were combined last year) west. Basically, I found a group of satellite bulls (at least 3 that I saw but there were more) just southwest of the road up Jack's Canyon. I can't emphasize the part about the thick stuff. My shot was from about 15 yards because that was the only shot I had. We managed to get a Ranger to the elk but the whole process from shot to skinned back at camp took 11 1/2 hours. There were too many road hunters on the west side of 5B for my liking, so we resorted to the thick stuff. But who knows, you might get lucky like by buddy's grandson did. We were driving back from an area around dusk and he shot a small 6x6 150 yards from the road.

Do me a favor and let us know how your hunt goes. I'm taking this winter off from big-game hunting and will be living this season through you guys who are hunting.

I will defenitly keep everyone informed on how the hunt goes, im itching to go now but it's still a month or so away. I appreciate The help, any help goes a long ways!

I also got some interesting information from the butcher who sets up at Clint's Well. In 2010 and 2011 (I hunted 6A in 2010 - BIG bull), I took my bulls to this guy for processing. After standing around watching bulls come in for a couple of hours each year, I noted him often referring to the bigger bulls as, "oh, that's a 6A bull." I asked him and he said 6A was producing most of the big bulls that were coming to him. So, if I ever hunt 5B again, I'll probably spend at least one full day (probably about the 3rd day of the season) just north of Happy Jack a little off of Lake Mary Road. I have to admit that I saw many more bulls in 6A and the smallest was a 2x3 (very few cows). So, the idea is that when the hunting pressure gets fierce in 6A, the big boys are going to cross the road into 5B headed for Jack's Canyon where they have the most cover. Just an idea.

Much appreciated!

Much appreciated!

One other thing. If you've never been there that late in the year, you need to be prepared for snow. Don't know if you're a tent or RV guy. If you take an RV, be ready for the deep stuff. The roads will turn to a slushy mess and make getting out difficult if not impossible. I am fortunate to be able to take extra time away from work so if I did get snowed in I'd still have a job when I get home but some people don't have that luxury and have ended up leaving their RVs up there until the weather clears. And depending on how far you live from there...you get the idea. Just little things people don't think about, especially when their focus is one those huge, beautiful, great-tasting elk.

kpike,
Dezrtrat has it right about the weather. Be prepared. The areas he decribed hold elk until they get pushed, then they head out there where I told you in the PM. If you want easy and possibly a big bull, do what he says about the FH 3 road above Happy Jack, nearly to Turkey nountain. Set up about 100 yds east of the road, close to one of the fence crossings with the white wire cover. There will be lots of elk cross when the pressure is on and maybe you will see something big. I have in the past afer I got my bull, but that seems to be the way it goes sometimes.

How did your hunt go?

Well the Hunt was a bust but the beer was a must....... WE hunted high and low, all the elk were really really skittish! We saw a couple of bulls once and were already on the run, n saw some cows here and their. WE were bombarded with people in the unit, ran in to about 12 guys on one hill tried other areas but still crowded. I tried all the spots everyone gave me just that bad of a trip, did see plenty of turkeys though.


I also have a story that was passed down to me from an elder man the day before the hunt started. WE were sitiing at camp and theirs a road with a gate across the way and a man had got out he was elderly, so i walked over helped him out talked hunting, then he left. The next day he had shown up at camp unexpected, walked over n told me he had something for me with a story. He pulled out a $5 bill, and he seemed a little flustered and teary eyed, so as he was telling me about 40 years before in the same exact area he had done the same thing for another man in his elderly age. The man gave him a $5 dollar bill and told him that he was to never spend it and he would never be broke, but he was to pass it down when someone was to help him out in the future. The man who had given me the 5 said he went through a financial debute at a time he spent the $5 (not thinking about it)but eventually recovered of course as he was out their hunting with family. But i had honestly touched someone in a way i never thought i would by a common courtesy, now i have a legend to pass down in my time one day, hopefully the world will have a change not needing 40 plus years for someone to stroll along with a good deed!

Well the Hunt was a bust but the beer was a must....... WE hunted high and low, all the elk were really really skittish! We saw a couple of bulls once and were already on the run, n saw some cows here and their. WE were bombarded with people in the unit, ran in to about 12 guys on one hill tried other areas but still crowded. I tried all the spots everyone gave me just that bad of a trip, did see plenty of turkeys though.


I also have a story that was passed down to me from an elder man the day before the hunt started. WE were sitiing at camp and theirs a road with a gate across the way and a man had got out he was elderly, so i walked over helped him out talked hunting, then he left. The next day he had shown up at camp unexpected, walked over n told me he had something for me with a story. He pulled out a $5 bill, and he seemed a little flustered and teary eyed, so as he was telling me about 40 years before in the same exact area he had done the same thing for another man in his elderly age. The man gave him a $5 dollar bill and told him that he was to never spend it and he would never be broke, but he was to pass it down when someone was to help him out in the future. The man who had given me the 5 said he went through a financial debute at a time he spent the $5 (not thinking about it)but eventually recovered of course as he was out their hunting with family. But i had honestly touched someone in a way i never thought i would by a common courtesy, now i have a legend to pass down in my time one day, hopefully the world will have a change not needing 40 plus years for someone to stroll along with a good deed!

P.S. I saw a few 7x7's pulled out of 5b

Well, better luck next time. 5B & 6A have gotten pretty popular in recent years, thus the hoards of people. Thanks for sharing that story. Pretty cool!