Limited Time & New Area - How/When would you Hunt

[welcher83]

Here is my situation for this year - my wife and I are having our 2nd child at the end of October, and I will use the majority of my paid time off to be with the family at that time (and I am happy to do so). I will most likely be able to get two days of work off for Archery Hunting. I will be hunting a new area this year and it is approximately 2.5-3 hrs from my house to the areas I will be hunting. I should be able to get 2-3 days scouting in over the summer. I have a buddy that will most likely join me - distance and schedule will make it tough for him to scout where we will hunt.

I have been looking at a lot of Topo Maps and also Google Earth and have identified (3) general areas that I'd like to hunt, and within those (3) general areas I have identified 3-4 specific spots that I think should be good (many thanks for the threads on scouting tips and locating bedding/feeding areas).

Question is 2 parts:
Part 1 - Given this scenario, when would you use your hunting time? Options I have thought of:
1) Given labor day falls on Sep 7 this year, I could take preceding Friday and Tuesday after Labor Day off. This option would give me 5 straight days to hunt. It would be before the peak of the rut so hopefully fewer other hunters. If I do this option, the most I can probably talk my wife into after that would be a Saturday only later in the season.
2) Hunt a day or two over labor day weekend, then use my 2 days off work on either the 17-18 or 20-21. This would give me 4 days during the rut but also more hunters.
3) Other options?


Part 2 - Where and how much time should I spend at each area/specific spot that I have identified? This will partly depend on how much scouting I get to do and what I find when scouting. Options I have thought of:
1) Focus my time and energy into a few specific spots in one general area.
2) Try to get to as many specific spots as possible but not spend as much time in them.
3) Other options?

Also to consider - I am planning on hunting this same area again next year (I want to give it 2 good years unless I absolutely don't get into elk or sign this year). I shouldn't have the same time constraints next year. I will have 5 more days of paid vacation than my wife, so I will probably hunt use those 5 days during peak rut and the 2 weekends around it. Also, I will probably be able to talk my wife into doing something with her friends for Labor Day weekend so I would have those 3 days as well. Obviously I would like to harvest an elk, but my main goals this year are to get better as an archery hunter (this is only my 3rd year) and identify areas for next year and hopefully beyond.

Thoughts?

Thanks

[Indian Summer]

Part 1: I'll take option 1. I'll opt for the more days consecutively. You can get into the zone and stay there. So often we get on elk but find ourselves one step behind. More days gives you a better chance of sealing the deal on an elk by making adjustments day after day until you get that one step ahead. Plus any give day can be worthless. Some days they are talking and some they are not. More days in a row means a better chance of being there on a hot day or two. of course... after that I'd beg for my other days too but by then you'll have a good hunt under your belt. Plus early on the elk are pretty low key. They haven't responded to hunting pressure yet. They are easier to pattern.

Part 2: This one is hard to answer. Impossible maybe because it's basically a play it by ear situation. You didn't mention how far apart the spots were either. I'd run and gun. If there is fresh sign then you know there are elk. If you're on them stay on them. If the place is dead and void of any fresh sign I'd hit the ground running straight to my next area.

Good luck dad!

[one_elk]

I would agree with “IS” on part one. I prefer consecutive days versus shorter periods of time unless you know the area really well. As for Part 2, your comment that stands out to me is “I want to give it 2 good years…..” With all due respect and in my opinion it is very hard to learn an area in 14 days over a two year period. There is a lot a variability between years that can motivate elk to use an area differently, I know a spring that elk use a lot during the months of July and through the middle of August then for some reason they move another spring that is a little under a mile away, on the same contour, approximately the same distance from a road, similar slope and aspect with similar vegetation and both are on public land they utilize that spring through the rut and from there move on….my point is that it takes a while to figure out these patterns and the more time you can spend in an area, within a year or between years, will certainly increase your chances of harvesting an elk….long story short don’t leave an area to quickly…

[welcher83]

Thanks for the advice.

Indian Summer - to answer your question, 2 of the 3 areas are relatively close (and the two spots that look the best to me). The area between those 2 areas could be good as well. Thanks for the insight on more consecutive days and the elk being more low key and easy to pattern early.

one_elk - totally agree with your statement. With current work and family obligations I just don't have a ton of time. Also, I'm hoping this goes well and I can continue to hunt there for years. My buddy's work right now is seasonal and he should be wrapped up by Mid-September. Maybe if we hunt together over labor day and he get's the lay of the land, he can go back later and spend another 4-5 days to help gain more knowledge of the area.

Thanks!

[Fridaythe13th]

Congratulation on number 2

5 day early season for me. My son was suppose to be be here May 5, March 19 he decided he want to visit us. I don't want that to happen to anybody, but it does happen. Have a phone close 3 hours can be along ways away.

Part 2: I think this is someone line "hunt were the elk are"

[Lefty]

Congratulations on your second up and coming hunting partner.

Just realize who should have the most influence on your choice.
While my wife was generous with my hunting, that is a bridge I didnt want burning. Now with adult kids it is a whole lot easier

[chainsaw]

Congrats
Is the terrain you'll be hunting glassable? If it is I would put the glass to work hard and move on the elk as soon as I found one I wanted. From most good glassing positions you should be able to hear Bulls a long way off even if you can't see them.
I have to agree with Indian Summer, consecutive days are better to me. With that said though, I have killed elk the first day in new areas by glassing, listening, keeping the wind right and making my move.

[welcher83]

Lefty - yes good point. My wife has been good about me being gone to hunt. On the flip side, elk hunting is really the only thing I leave the house for. I have the green light for my days this year, but I do have to make sure to remind her every month or so to make sure I'm still good and to not surprise her (Amazing that she can't remember when I'm going hunting but remembers stupid stuff I said YEARS ago - but that's just how it is). I also try to do/get something nice for her before I go. Any other tips on the wife front? I think I'm pretty good but I'm up for any other suggestions to keep that bridge intact.

Chainsaw - a good portion of the terrain is glassable, and I do have to say that is something I need to do more of. Other parts of the terrain are steep as hell with thick cover and if something is in there it MIGHT be possible to hear from a likely glassing spot, but I'm not sure. Thanks for the insight.

[welka]

Option 1 for the additional reason that there are more bulls around and they haven't heard or seen many hunters yet. As for Part 2, if you see elk this year, keep pounding the area for multiple years instead of worrying about the greener grass of other spots. If you learn where the elk move when the pressure sets in, you will have a productive spot for a long time. Good luck.

[Mukbowhunt]

Option 1 for part 1 for sure. Pregnancies can throw all kinds of hurdles at your wife the last 30 days. Shoot your bull I early September and then hang at home.

[Indian Summer]

Well hen your decision is easy. Hunt it early for the longer trip. And since the two better spots are close together hit those. If they are good I'm sure the area in between is worth a look. Hunt the best one toward the other one. if nothing is shaking hunt the other one back toward the first one and keep going until you get to where you left off at the first spot.

I'd bet you'll have good luck but I never make bets with a Welcher!