September 2014 Wapiti Hunt Plans

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 03, 2014 • [Post 1]

Sooo campers, is everybody set for your fall elk hunt plans? Partner(s) lined up, state selected (potential draw or OTC), driving significant other crazy with hard copy or on line map work for your target area, etc.? Mrs Phantom just rolls her eyes during the year long process for me but there may be a wrinkle in my ID plans this year. I might need to track down another like minded elk hunter to go with me the last two weeks of SEP. How are your plans going?

by **LckyTylr** » 03 03, 2014 • [Post 2]

I drew a WY Bull tag, so I'm headed with a friend over there (he also drew). We can pretty much hunt the entire fall, depending on which unit we want to hunt or which weapon we want to use. I'll be archery hunting Idaho during September, but I don't have a partner for that (my buddy is strictly rifle).

by **Swede** » 03 03, 2014 • [Post 3]

I think it is my old haunts except I may try a new spot for a few days.

by **elk-n-walleye** » 03 03, 2014 • [Post 4]

My draw doesn't take place until after May 31st. Then I'll know if I'll be returning to last years OTC unit or hunt around my home town for the first time in three years. The two units near my home town are always my top choices. I'm kind of regretting my alternatives for my third choice draw. I selected as my third alternative an antlerless elk tag in my hometown area. The odds of getting it are good. The odds for the any elk tag (my 1st and 2nd choice tags) is about 25%-30%. So basically I will likely not draw either of those tags for a third year in a row but will draw antlerless tag. To be honest I would rather go OTC area with the chance of taking a bull. Maybe I'll go online and take that 3rd alternative off my application if its an option.

by **mrganser** » 03 03, 2014 • [Post 5]

I think I have my tag draw strategy down. We shall see come mid June when Oregon's results are available. General tags are nothing to cry about here though. In the meantime, like Phantom, map work is a constant as well as calling practice (thanks again Wapiti River Calls!) gear evaluating and soon to be shooting again.

by **Njdiverdan** » 03 03, 2014 • [Post 6]

September will find me in the same area of Idaho as last year. I will hunt every weekend solo until my buddies from NJ come out for the 3rd week.

-dan

Oh and yes on the wife eye rolls. This will be my third elk season and I am more excited this year than I was last year. Almost got it done last year so hopefully this will be the year of my first elk.

by **Raven10** » 03 03, 2014 • [Post 7]

I hit the lottery for a drawing sheep hunt in the Alaska range for Aug.10-25 then I will rest up for a week and head down to eastern OR to stay til the end of elk season.

by **Wyo67** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 8]

Waiting on resident draw for Wyoming...

by **Toby** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 9]

I will hunt the same area in Idaho as I did the past two years. I am still waiting on hunting partners to sort out vacation details. I spend a little time each day "preparing".

by **Trophyhill** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 10]

I'm in for NM and CO. If I don't draw I'll be heading to my favorite little OTC unit in CO.

by **8upbowhunter** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 11]

I will be hunting the same OTC unit in Co as last year with my son the last 2 weeks in Sept. We are pretty much set but still have a few items to buy before then. We have 2 others that are supposed to come but they won't know for sure until late summer so as of now I am counting them out until I know for sure.

by **Fridaythe13th** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 12]

We are hopefully down one this year, not because he was a bad guy, because he should go to collage and get a good job to afford this out of state passion. Not to worry, after the fun we had last year the spot well get full fast. Even after you tell them it's a 21 hour drive and sleeping in a tent. the old spot was a condo with 2 bathrooms, shower and plug your food in before you leave in the morning or call pizza.

by **timberland** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 13]

Same spot and plans as last year, only with a new guy. Researching a new spot ten miles down the road. I would like to spend a few days in there hunting since I can't get out there to scout. We only have about 8 days to hunt so I'm torn between hunting a proven area or expanding my horizons. Any suggestions?

by **Triplebhunters** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 14]

Hunting the same area providing license ap is successful. Hopeing to take some time and scout out a couple areas and look for employment while out there. Waiting til mid august to pack.

by **ElkNut1** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 15]

Rory, I'd love to meet up with you even if someone else shows up! I most likely wouldn't hunt but would enjoy tagging along! (grin) Other than that All OTC hunts for us here at home!

ElkNut1

by **BrentLaBere** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 16]

Early September Montana Archery hunt. Same area but plan on exploring a bit more country I have marked out on maps. Hoping to extend the hunt by 2 or 3 days if possible. Doesn't look like I will be able to scout the new area prior to the season.....so I will venture out with bow in hand.

by **ishy** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 17]

Still undecided...local with a couple of newbies or other end of the state with the old timers. Old timers is less pressure, and more action but helping someone new to archery is priceless. That being said I didn't get the newbies much action last year.

by **elkmtngear** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 18]

Thought I was going solo, but I've got a strapping young lad who is dead set on killing his first elk that wants to hunt with me again (he followed us with a camera last Season; and hopefully they will be running that footage on TNT Outdoor Explosion soon).

I think he's over the culture shock (found out just how tough the terrain was last year). We get along very well, he's a high energy dude, but seems willing to learn and follow directions. I am sure he learned a ton last Season. If we are lucky, I plan on exploiting his youth and vitality to the fullest

So we have put in for the Draw (Colorado). Odds of drawing with no points are extremely high. I am keeping Oregon as a backup (I asked for a refund if unsuccessful). I am planning on doing some mule deer hunting/ elk scouting in Oregon in early September. If I find elk, I may be able to hunt closer to home next Year. Rest assured, I will be getting boots on the ground in that Country right after the Spring thaw.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 19]

ElkNut1 wrote:Rory, I'd love to meet up with you even if someone else shows up! I most likely wouldn't hunt but would enjoy tagging along! (grin) Other than that All OTC hunts for us here at home!

ElkNut1

Heck yah!

by **bowhunter04** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 20]

My wife's pregnant and due around the beginning of September so I will be skipping this year. Still hoping to get out scouting in July to help us get a better idea of our area and just enjoy the mountains.

by **stringunner** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 21]

Back to the normal stomping grounds...perhaps I will sit in Swede's tree stand while he is off hunting his "new" spots for a few days. LOL

by **riverbeav** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 22]

I plan on drawing the same unit again this year (easy draw). This will be my third season in this unit and I will be using a tree stand in the afternoons this time. I already have a few new places to check out that I found on GE, and hope to get in 16 days of hunting. We have a later season this year, and I am looking forward to hunting the peak of the rut.

by **zpd307** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 23]

ditching Colorado for Idaho this year. its otc so I will keep an eye on tag counts through the spring/summer. I have been scouring the internet and google earth since December and have the unit and particular canyon dialed in. now I am focusing on the terrain so I can further get some spots to go to when we get out there during our family/scouting trip in aug. now its a matter of learning strategies so I know what to do when I find an elk.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 24]

PD307, you won't have any issues with the ID tags selling out. At least they have not in the handfull of years I've been hunting there. Good luck on your pending scout trip. Are you doing a solo hunt to ID or are you locked in with a buddy? Just curious.

Edit: I see you mentioned when "we" get out there.. Question answered

by **Washington Wapiti** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 25]

I think so?? Probably the status quo first week and then of course our Okanogan deer/bear/grouse/rabbit trip the third week or so of September.

by **easeup** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 26]

I threw real money at NM again and now wait. then there is always the OTC CO waiting for me when the draw luck doesn't work.

by **ctdad** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 27]

Montana last ten days off sept. Also going to try a quick four day hunt over labor day in Colorado too.

by **elk-n-walleye** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 28]

once I know my draw result I will know where I'll be the last week of Sept and 3 weeks in Nov for rifle. My wife has agreed that if I don't get an elk down in Sept. I need to go back in Nov. since we are running low on elk meat. who am I to argue with that.

by **JJ Overkill** » 03 04, 2014 • [Post 29]

it all depends on your answer to my PM

im waiting for the draw to come out. put my son and myself in for a draw unit. if we don't draw its OTC for sure. trophy hill bailed on me this yr. putting in for two draw units. he cant handle seeing me shoot another bull bigger than his :lol:

J/K david

by **Indian Summer** » 03 05, 2014 • [Post 30]

elk-n-walleye wrote: My wife has agreed that if I don't get an elk down in Sept. I need to go back in Nov. since we are running low on elk meat. who am I to argue with that.

Nice! My wife is the same way. We haven't run out of elk in 14 years. So I figured I'd take it one step further and asked her just the other day "what will we do if I kill two?" She said "vac seal it and it will last forever" So imagine what I think when guys say "my wife won't let me go" :?:

One day she looked at me and said "I'd like to have a full body mount of a mountain goat" Huh! Ok.

by **scrubs** » 03 05, 2014 • [Post 31]

Probably not going to hunt elk again this year.

by **zpd307** » 03 05, 2014 • [Post 32]

phantom. yep,, I have atleast one guy going with me. a second guy is waiting to see if his vacation will be granted. they had to let a guy go and have been tight about granting vacations..... that's also what the salmon game warden told me also, they haven't sold out of tags for a bunch of years. he stated when the wolves took their toll on the elk population. but knowing my luck, I better keep an eye on it.... also, we are leaving on the 7th so we will be out there on the 8th and hunting for 9 days so we will be leaving on the 17th.

by **Deafirishman** » 03 05, 2014 • [Post 33]

Heading back to Idaho again this September. My OTC tag came in the mail today

Now I know I am locked in !! I am quite sure I will drive my wife and kids crazy again with all the preparation and planning. Drove them nuts last year...but hey what's a guy to do in his downtime ?? We usually have 6 guys in our group but like Friday said, he may have to skip out this year so he can get a college education first.

Best of luck to everyone in 2014 in their planning and perperation for the upcoming season !!

by **elk-n-walleye** » 03 05, 2014 • [Post 34]

Deafirishman wrote: We usually have 6 guys in our group but like Friday said, he may have to skip out this year so he can get a college education first.
Best of luck to everyone in 2014 in their planning and perperation for the upcoming season !!

Don't let college stop your hunting partner from hunting elk. I was fortunate my first year of graduate school that I had a quarter break during November so I took the family the 19 hrs back home and got myself a nice cow. The next year when I didn't draw a tag I stayed home but I regretted it. This past year I didn't draw again but I couldn't possibly stay home again. So I went with an OTC general tag, took a week off school and flew back home in Sept. I'll do the same my last year of school. After I finish school getting into elk country will be a breeze.

by **zpd307** » 03 05, 2014 • [Post 35]

now that's an addiction I can agree with

by **dlnwohio** » 03 06, 2014 • [Post 36]

September 2014 will find me in the flat tops of Colorado with longbow in hand and a buddy with a muzzleloader on quite possibly his last western big game hunt as he has some health issue that are getting the best of him. Hope to make it a trip with many great memories.

by **Eldonvieira** » 03 06, 2014 • [Post 37]

Waiting for idaho a regs to come out I just moved here and have a friend that wants me to go with him to diamond creek unit another friend wants to take me to the lemhi unit and i have been looking at palasaids or text creek as they are lose to home and the wife doesn't want me to hunt. At the close ones I can take a morning trip or go after work

by **Deafirishman** » 03 07, 2014 • [Post 38]

elk-n-walleye wrote:
Deafirishman wrote: We usually have 6 guys in our group but like Friday said, he may have to skip out this year so he can get a college education first.
Best of luck to everyone in 2014 in their planning and perperation for the upcoming season !!

Don't let college stop your hunting partner from hunting elk. I was fortunate my first year of graduate school that I had a quarter break during November so I took the family the 19 hrs back home and got myself a nice cow. The next year when I didn't draw a tag I stayed home but I regretted it. This past year I didn't draw again but I couldn't possibly stay home again. So I went with an OTC general tag, took a week off school and flew back home in Sept. I'll do the same my last year of school. After I finish school getting into elk country will be a breeze.

Last year was his first time elk hunting. He is a senior in high school and now has elk hunting in his blood..maybe he will change his mind and hold off

by **elkaholic** » 03 09, 2014 • [Post 39]

This year my partner and I will wander around the same Idaho area as last year unless we get lucky and pull a controlled hunt permit. We are looking at camping in a different spot and will know more after a scouting trip. Looking forward to learning more about the country as last year was our first in this new area.

by **Huntography** » 03 09, 2014 • [Post 40]

Put in for my tags. Wait and see now.

Rudy

by **Kevrod3** » 03 09, 2014 • [Post 41]

Doing the MT thing for the first time with 3 other guys. Only have a 8-9 days to hunt because of kids birthdays. Never thought September would be such a busy month to be having kids! Been studying maps and topos for the last few months. Have a few spots in mind, but we will see. As for the wife... She has pretty much given up on me!! haha! Already starting to prep for 2015 as well.

by **zpd307** » 03 09, 2014 • [Post 42]

Kevrod3 wrote:Doing the MT thing for the first time with 3 other guys. Only have a 8-9 days to hunt because of kids birthdays. Never thought September would be such a busy month to be having kids! Been studying maps and topos for the last few months. Have a few spots in mind, but we will see. As for the wife... She has pretty much given up on me!! haha! Already starting to prep for 2015 as well.

adaboy!

by **2011bullyelk** » 03 13, 2014 • [Post 43]

bowhunter04 wrote:My wife's pregnant and due around the beginning of September so I will be skipping this year. Still hoping to get out scouting in July to help us get a better idea of our area and just enjoy the mountains.

I did that 3 years ago, wife had the baby on the 24th of September. I am getting better at math now........ :lol:

We will be hunting our usual OTC hunt here if we don't draw, well and if the big fire last year didn't scorch our spot.