New Elk Hunter Question Thread, Part 3

[WapitiTalk1]

Got an elk hunting question to ask? Here's your thread. The old salts are getting cabin fever and need to talk wapit Anything from tactics, to calling, planning, remote scouting (map work), tree standing, etc. Post em up

[zpd307]

have you decided where you are going this September?

[archery bum]

I understand the topo lines on a map benches saddles and possible bedding areas. I seen some guys mark on a map, could be water in that area on a ariel map with no creek in sight. What are you looking at when you think there maybe a small spring their or a wallow?

[timberland]

Bum-
Where we hunt there are a lot of intermittent streams that run out of the mountain for a little ways then disappear. Some are only 50 yds long. Look for collecting water where ravines flatten out or two ravines meet. Also, Aspens seem to often grow near water or areas that can hold water. You will often see aspens show up on aerial photos as a lighter green than the pines and spruce.

[WapitiTalk1]

have you decided where you are going this September?

WA and ID for me.

[zpd307]

just was wondering if you had your Idaho plans finalized yet.

[WapitiTalk1]

just was wondering if you had your Idaho plans finalized yet.

Ya, pretty much locked and loaded. Will be in the Gem State the last two weeks in SEPT, having meaningful conversations with the indigenous population

[zpd307]

good!

[Lark Bunting]

Maybe someone can list out the temperature ranges and time frames I should be concerned with for an archery hunt in Colorado(Sept) at 8-9k' in regards to elk meat spoiling.

I've watched a ton of youtube videos on the gutless method. I've read books that talk about caring for meat after the kill but they don't really specify a time frame and temperatures.

Let's say I kill an animal opening week, daytime temps are 80°+/- 5°. Do I need to immediately start skinning? Can I admire the animal and take a few pictures? If I remove the meat off the bone, do I hang the bags as they fill so they are not resting on the ground? Or, do I fill them up and hang them after all the deboning is done? As a first timer, how long should it take me to debone an animal?

I'm really concerned with spoiling meat, as you can tell.

[timberland]

Last time at that elevation in central CO it was mid to upper 70's for highs, 30-40's for lows. Had frost on 8th or 9th of Sept. Shot a bull Aug. 30th and left overnight gutted and propped up off the ground and it was just fine. It cooled completely through.

[zpd307]

Maybe someone can list out the temperature ranges and time frames I should be concerned with for an archery hunt in Colorado(Sept) at 8-9k' in regards to elk meat spoiling.

I've watched a ton of youtube videos on the gutless method. I've read books that talk about caring for meat after the kill but they don't really specify a time frame and temperatures.

Let's say I kill an animal opening week, daytime temps are 80°+/- 5°. Do I need to immediately start skinning? Can I admire the animal and take a few pictures? If I remove the meat off the bone, do I hang the bags as they fill so they are not resting on the ground? Or, do I fill them up and hang them after all the deboning is done? As a first timer, how long should it take me to debone an animal?

I'm really concerned with spoiling meat, as you can tell.

yes I can i can only give you info on the temps though.... last year was a little cooler because it was constantly raining or cloudy, I would say temps were mid 60's. two years ago it was sunny the entire time and the temps were low 70's.

[Lark Bunting]

Maybe someone can list out the temperature ranges and time frames I should be concerned with for an archery hunt in Colorado(Sept) at 8-9k' in regards to elk meat spoiling.

I've watched a ton of youtube videos on the gutless method. I've read books that talk about caring for meat after the kill but they don't really specify a time frame and temperatures.

Let's say I kill an animal opening week, daytime temps are 80°+/- 5°. Do I need to immediately start skinning? Can I admire the animal and take a few pictures? If I remove the meat off the bone, do I hang the bags as they fill so they are not resting on the ground? Or, do I fill them up and hang them after all the deboning is done? As a first timer, how long should it take me to debone an animal?

I'm really concerned with spoiling meat, as you can tell.

yes I can i can only give you info on the temps though.... last year was a little cooler because it was constantly raining or cloudy, I would say temps were mid 60's. two years ago it was sunny the entire time and the temps were low 70's.

I remember opening weekend I about cooked to death.

I remember the last weekend we woke to temps at 24° in our tent and I was NOT prepared for that. (Our sleeping system is getting upgraded before season opening).

I also remember the rains. Sucked.

I am really concerned about elk spoiling though. I want to make sure we aren't wasteful.

[zpd307]

both times I have to Colorado, it was sept 12-21. for use as a reference.

[razorback]

Okay I have no elk hunting experience. Plan on getting some in the next few years somewhere out west. In the mean time, what state and unit would a reasonable draw to starting putting in for and expect to have enough points for in about 5 or six years. I see a lot of hunts on TV where guys just jump out of their truck glass a minute, pick out a bull and then make a move on him and start calling. They always claim it's public land so I figure it must be some kind of hard to draw tag. By the way I'm only interested in archery hunting.

[zpd307]

steven, I wish I knew where those areas were..... I had pretty high expectations my first year diy. I watched too many videos.....

[razorback]

Maybe I'm expecting too much. Don't get me wrong I want to earn my bull. Im just hoping by the time I have some experience under my belt I'll have some pps built up for some place to go with less pressured bulls than what I'm likely to find. I am really undecided on what state to even put in for.

[ElkNut1]

For you newer elk hunters keep realistic goals! If you've not taken any elk with archery equipment then consider taking the 1st legal elk, it does not have to be a bull. You need to break the ice with an archery elk, this will boost your confidence & show you that you can do this & have success. As time goes on & you learn more about stalking, ambushing & calling skills you will be building on your arsenal to be able to adapt to different encounters & apply what's needed on the different situations that may arise. This is where consistent success can come from. Start with the basics & build a solid foundation so it can be built upon or added too. Keep it simple & enjoyment will automatically be its partner! Cold Calling is your best friend, it can come in many forms, master it as it's fairly easy to do & you will have shot opportunities no matter the State & unit chosen!

ElkNut1

[Indian Summer]

Lark... If you shoot an elk and recover it immediately.. meaning in an hour or two or 4..... I don't care what the weather is like you can calm down. Take your time. Get great pictures. Eat your lunch before you get messy. And then go ahead and get the elk apart and started cooling. It's when you don't find an elk and have to come back the next day that can present problems.

Razorback... FORGET about tv! Once you actually hunt elk you will laugh at 99% of the hunts you see on the tube. If a guy steps out of the truck sees a bull strolls up the hill and kills it conditions aren't normal. Even in draw areas. Those places may have limited bull tags but often there are cow hunters, deer hunters etc and the elk NEVER just stand there and wait for a ride to the freezer. The other thing is that on tv they tend to leave a few things out. Like the elk they spotted were 5.5 miles away and it took them all day to get there. Or maybe it was the next day..... and on private land.

What I would suggest is get started hunting asap. There are TONS of places you can get guaranteed elk licenses that have good hunting. Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho all have guaranteed licenses. You can save points in the meantime while you work the bugs out of your gear and get an education. That way when you do decide to burn points which cost time and money you will at least have some prior experience to be able to have a good hunt. I'm sure everyone on here will agree that even with a hard to get tag if you had never hunted elk before it would NOT be easy. Don't go learning your lessons with a tag that took 5 or 7 years and hundreds of dollars in points to get.

[Willie makit]

......Razorback... FORGET about tv! Once you actually hunt elk you will laugh at 99% of the hunts you see on the tube. If a guy steps out of the truck sees a bull strolls up the hill and kills it conditions aren't normal. Even in draw areas. .

What? I guess next Ill find out not everything on the internet is factual.

Razor, I feel your pain, I was in your situation, actually I still am. Ive yet to get out west for my first elk hunt but im already prabably 800$ or more into the adventure and thats not really including gear. I recomend pick two states with at least one being OTC or very easy to draw. Go from there, looking at too many states just turns into information overload.

I could not find anyone around home that would hardly talk with me about going out west and put it off for years. Finally I decided to heck with everyone, Ill go solo. Going solo compounds the logistics and expenses consideralbly, but hang out here and ask your questions, youll get there, but dont expect an X on a map.

[zpd307]

......Razorback... FORGET about tv! Once you actually hunt elk you will laugh at 99% of the hunts you see on the tube. If a guy steps out of the truck sees a bull strolls up the hill and kills it conditions aren't normal. Even in draw areas. .

What? I guess next Ill find out not everything on the internet is factual.

Razor, I feel your pain, I was in your situation, actually I still am. Ive yet to get out west for my first elk hunt but im already prabably 800$ or more into the adventure and thats not really including gear. I recomend pick two states with at least one being OTC or very easy to draw. Go from there, looking at too many states just turns into information overload.

I could not find anyone around home that would hardly talk with me about going out west and put it off for years. Finally I decided to heck with everyone, Ill go solo. Going solo compounds the logistics and expenses consideralbly, but hang out here and ask your questions, youll get there, but dont expect an X on a map.

so are you heading out this year Thomas?

[swmoelk]

This may sound like a dumb question . What's the difference in vegetation I'm seeing on google earth? Its CO. 9-12k in elevation. I'm seeing thick dark green forest and sparser lighter green trees with more undergrowth. I'm assuming its a mix of dark timber and aspen but what trees actually make up "dark timber". One more what does oak brush look like from GE? Sorry if this was too basic but I'm just another out of touch flatlander.

[zpd307]

definitely not a dumb question. on ge, the dark stuff is thick pines. the lighter stuff is usually aspen. aspen groves aren't as dense so when you find aspens, there will be a lot more grass there. there will be a lot of sign in those areas. i found some remote aspen groves in my area that literally looked like a cow pasture. i couldn't tell you about oak brush as it isn't in my area and haven't seen it from ge.