Scouting Report . . . Deuce

[LckyTylr]

Well, as you all know, i made personal history in my own hunting obsession this year (killed my first bull), so I figured I'd go for broke and try to kill two elk in a year. This time I'll be toting a rifle in Idaho.

My good buddy Matt and I left his house this morning at 03:30 to head out for a 1/2 day of scouting. We were scouting in a very heavily-hunted unit as it's the closest elk unit to Boise.

We know there are plenty of elk in this unit, but they are difficult to get to if you don't have horses, and the season doesn't open for another 3 weeks . . . so a lot can and does change in that amount of time. We rode dirt bikes for about 8 miles and then hiked up out of a saddle and hiked a very rocky knife ridge for another 2.5 miles all before daylight. Right at first light, about 300 yards away we spotted 7 cows/calves, 3 rag horns and 2 six points. One of them was a HUGE bull for OTC Idaho, he had really good mass, good fronts, Idaho 3rds, pretty good swords, awesome 5ths and his main beams were pretty long. I looked across the canyon in my binos and spotted another really nice 6 point, a smaller 6, a rag head and 4 cows/calves.

The good news is that we finally found the canyon that we think they escape to once deer season starts and pushes them into hiding. The bad news is that it's REALLY difficult to get to if it snows before the opener . . . meaning that the only way in is a 6 mile hike on a different trail to a saddle and then about 2 miles of bushwhacking to get to the elk. That's pure torture . . . but my buddy has done pack outs like that several times and the only thing that scares him is eating his tag for the first time in the last 7 years . . . he always tells me "the toughest part of elk hunting isn't the pack out, it's getting an elk to submit to being packed out, to be a successful elk hunter, you need to do whatever it takes to kill one . . . and then figure out how to pack it out".

He's insane, but he sure has killed a lot of elk in some very game-desolate places. I'm excited. This will be the first time ever that I'll pursue Elk with a Rifle.

Not really headed anywhere with this post, just thought I'd share my excitement. Seems like most of us on the forum are mainly bow hunters and the action somewhat dies down once September passes . . . I'm still very much excited!

[ElkNut1]

Tyler, good luck to you both! I would have also seriously considered a rifle tag but burned up my options! You friend is right, don't worry where the elk are just go get them then worry about getting them out! (grin) Of course this pertains to those in good shape & health like us younger guys! (big grin) When a guy puts no limitations on himself he's generally rewarded!

ElKNut1

[LckyTylr]

Thanks Paul, that's the kind of encouragement I have been feeding off of for the last 5 years. I never knew what I was capable of until I made it out safely. Each year I stretched further and with each stretch, I got closer to elk. I finally went for broke and it certainly was rewarding. Now I know what it takes to get it done . . . and I'm hungry!!!

[MTLongdraw]

Man you're having a great year. I've been out 14 days this year. Seen elk 11 days been full draw twice but it hasn't happened yet...We'll just keep going farther and farther until it happens. And when it does, I'm going to smile the whole way back to the truck. Regardless of how many trips that may be.

[LckyTylr]

Yes, a very good year for me.

For yourself . . . seeing elk 11 of 14 days is pretty darn good. There were days, even long weekends last year, when I would have given my first-born away to see an elk . . . well, that's drastic . . . but I would have made a deal with the devil for an opportunity.

I hope it happens for you soon.