34 days

[Csrbowhunter]

34 days till I leave for New Mexico! It's going to take me 2 days to get there. Then a day at camp to get acclimated to the altitude and scouting the next day. Then hunting for 7 days!!!! A year of planning, working out and shooting and it will be over before I know it. I hope to kill a bull and have some good memories to look back on that will last a life time! I can only hope for good weather for sept 12-18 and that the bulls are horny looking for cows! lol This year I'm holding out for a monster bull till the last 2 days then I'll pretty much shoot anything
I'm a little sad because I won't have much to look forward to the rest of the year. Plus summer will be over. But God willing I'll start it all over come January.

[Deafirishman]

Best of the luck Craig !! I leave for Idaho on Sept 3rd and will be on the ground hunting on the 4th hopefully that afternoon after driving straight through from MN. Only 28 more days til we are on the road....Hopefully this year we will get a few opportunities. Last year we had our opportunities but couldn't close the deal on 4 different bulls. With 6 of us in camp, we sure have our stories to tell at the end of the day. Nothing better then being in the mountains chasing the mighty wapiti with some good friends and knowledgeable hunters. I haven't gotten an elk while archery hunting so hoping this will be my year....All I am asking for is an opportunity Again best of luck and hope you have a success story to tell at the end of the season !!

[Csrbowhunter]

Aaron,

You are right about friends in camp, it's my favorite part to hunting is getting back and hearing all the stories. Nothing better if you're not doing well to get back to camp and hear about your buddy having a good day! It gives you hope! The more the merrier in camp for just that reason. Plus it helps finding the elk.
I got my first bull on the morning I was suppose to leave. I went out one more time after a two week hunt and it paid off! Now I was two days late getting back to work because that's how long it took me to get it out but it was worth it!!! So don't give up even if things are looking bleak. The elk woods can change in a second. Good luck to you and your group. Keep the wind in your face and your bow in your hand!

[zpd307]

aaron, that means 31 days for us!

[ElkNut1]

Craig, good luck sir! Just think you'll have the rest of the year to share your hunt with us! I know I look forward to hearing about it! Thanks!

ElkNut1

[Fridaythe13th]

This year I'm holding out for a monster bull

What is a monster bull for you or your area?? 300" or 350" really big 400"

[Csrbowhunter]

Craig, good luck sir! Just think you'll have the rest of the year to share your hunt with us! I know I look forward to hearing about it! Thanks!

ElkNut1

It's funny my wife doesn't look forward to hearing my stories over and over and over again! Lmao

Friday,
I'm holding out for a 350 plus. I got a really good unit this year in NM (16a)! But if I see one with a lot of mass it will be hard for me to pass up. I just don't want to waste this tag on a small bull.

[Deafirishman]

If I saw a 350" + within range, I would have to change my shorts Or have a heart attack...

[NoWiser]

Craig, I've got the same hunt as you! Good luck! We'll be camped out in a white fishhouse from Minnesota (though we'll be prepared to bivy if needed), maybe we'll see you down there! Internet scouting has been pretty productive for me and I've got a good game plan. We'll be arriving on the evening of Sept 6th to scout for 4 days before the season opens. Let's hope for good weather and plenty of big, bugling bulls! I personally would be thrilled with a 300" bull. I've never shot an elk before and have only seen a handful in the wild so, even on a tag like this, I can't be too picky! Heck, I'd be thrilled with a fat cow on the last day. If there is one thing we learned last year in Wyoming it's that this DIY elk hunting gig isn't as easy as it looks.

Good luck man!!

[Ghost]

Man!! You guys have me jonesing!!! We have 78 days, but thats a good thing because Im still a bit chubby

[Csrbowhunter]

Nowiser,

How long did it take you to draw a tag? Me 4-5 years. It's hard to believe I drew this tag with only 15 NR getting the tag. I kind of cheated this year. I'm going with an outfitter. I hunted Montana for the last 6 years doing DIY hunts. Had lots of fun and shot two bulls but this year I just think I can do better than 300 class. From everything I've seen there are huge bulls in 16 A. I'm going to pass a few bulls If they are small but if I'm not getting much action then plans might change! I don't know how long you've been putting in for NM but I don't plan on getting another tag there. AZ I've been putting in just as long and they say it takes 8 years to draw. So when I draw that tag I'll be really picky on the bull! Good luck to you and I hope you kill a monster!!!

[NoWiser]

Craig, this was the first year my dad and I have applied for NM! I couldn't believe it when we drew, and couldn't sleep for a good 3-4 days after results were posted.

Last year we hunted Wyoming on a general tag. Neither of us got an elk, or even a good opportunity, but we learned a ton about the area and elk hunting in general and wanted to go back real bad. We put in for the general tag again there, but didn't draw. Our plan was to get a leftover tag for Montana but we figured in the meantime we'd put in for a Gila tag and just see what happened, not expecting in our wildest dreams to draw. But, low and behold, we drew our first choice. So, here we are!

I've met some incredibly helpful people from this site and others that have been far more generous with information on the unit than I'd ever expect. I owe them big time! I have all the information I need to be successful, so now it's just up to us to put it to good use. We'll have no excuse if we don't come home with an elk. It's still archery hunting and there are no guarantees, but I'm optimistic that we'll be able to at least have some good opportunities. I'm with you in that I don't ever expect to draw this tag again, and odds say that I won't. So, I know I should be somewhat selective. At the same time, I'd sure like to get that first bull under my belt and go into winter with a freezer full of elk meat. I think after our 4 days of scouting we'll have a real good idea of where to set the bar as far as elk size. If we are seeing a bunch of real good bulls I think we'll be pickier for the first few days. If we aren't seeing much for monsters, we'll probably be a little less selective.

Like you, I am also building points in Arizona and should be able to draw a good tag in about 10 years if I can get my hunters safety down there. That's the hunt I'm keeping in my back pocket for a big bull! I need a house with taller ceilings before I can shoot a big bull, anyways!

Good luck again, and if you see a couple yahoos from Minnesota, swing on by and say hi!