What Is Your 2017 Elk Hunting Goal?

[Swede]

I have been thinking it over and am still debating what I want to do. Elk hunting with my son, Stringunner, and his dad are on now. We are looking hard at different scenarios/areas. Maybe my cousin will come to Oregon again next year too.
Stringunner is it true that your dad just cuts the legs off an elk at the knees, cuts a strip out of the hide over the backbone and carries the elk out like a suitcase? He is a large and healthy man that I would enjoy seeing on a pack out.
With the different potential areas come different challenges. I am no longer thinking of holding out for anything. If it is brown, it goes down except I will still not take a calf, or nursing cow early in the season. Fair warning cows and calves: You had better stick close together as I cannot tell a lactating cow at 30 yards by staring at her udder. Maybe I am just not into studying udders that much.
In addition I am thinking about contacting Indian Summer about an out of State hunt. It is your own fault I.S. for bringing up the subject here in December. I just need to firm up my plans here before I plan to venture out.
Anyway I would still like to get another large bull and hope the Lord is in agreement.

[Tigger]

Plans are set and we should draw in WY. My harvest goal is still the same....a branch antlered bull. Maybe a cow late in the week. My overall goal is to have a good, quality hunt with multiple opportunities. I want to enjoy a week of working hard elk hunting. I don't want anyone on our trip to get injured.

We are going to four wheeler in a couple miles this year to set up a traditional elk camp. Looking forward to that. I asked for a propane PEET boot dryer for Christmas!

[Fridaythe13th]

That's easy, burn my preference points on a CO muzz tag. 5 of use have 5 PP in a zone that only needed 3 last year. We didn't get drawn with 4 points ( not sure why ). Don't understand PP I thought for sure we would get tags. I keep thinking CO don't like a bigger groups for a draw zone. Might be just me that thinks that. Wow I guess I'm still a little mad . But anyway, looking for 1 or 2 of us to get a muzz bull in 2017. PLan B is Idaho archery. Plan C is ????????? maybe Lake Michigan salmon fishing.

[six]

This year we’ll be archery hunting an over the counter unit while banking points. Hope to draw a deer tag for the unit. 3 guys hunting public land any elk will do.

[WapitiTalk1]

2017 goal for me is to pull a couple of nice bulls out of the elk woods . As of right now, the "crew" will be myself and two other buddies. I have "got" to get my dusty tree stand in operation; I'm so dang impatient I haven't put it into motion yet. There are a couple of spots that I think sitting a stand will pay dividends. With my recently developing osteoarthritis (and me at the tender age of 56, what the heck!), a whole new spin has been put on how I will be able to hunt wapiti in the future. Perhaps some TS hunting is finally in the cards, at least for a few days each week. I think this dude (captured on trail cam this summer) in the image should be a pretty nice 6 point next fall; his rack would be a nice addition on my shop wall.

[bald9eagle]

My goal...make a return trip. I learned a lot of things and have more things that I want to accomplish. My biggest goal is to return. My next goal is to put myself in position to harvest a legal elk.

[Kellum]

I hope to kill a branched antlered bull and help my friends fill there tag's. Also need to practice my calling which i belive is getting much better!

[Elkhunttoo]

i will be archery hunting with an over the counter tag here in Idaho.
Goals will be the same as always, Go, enjoy it, and then come home.

If I have to make a goal I guess it would be to help my wife get her first bull with her bow. That is if she doesn't draw on a rifle hunt. I would way rather her get one then me. We have been close to getting her a bull in the last 3 years but haven't got it done... in those 3 years we have only been able to hunt for around 10 days and have had one shot (miss under belly) and have had several close encounters. So she would be my top priority.

[Brendan]

My current goal is to go through all my pictures of my 2016 hunt and get a story posted before it becomes 2017 - does that count?

I'd been throwing around options of doing a Sitka Blacktail hunt in AK, Auodad in NM, or something different, but it looks like another Elk Hunt is in the cards. Need to decide if I want to try to draw anywhere without many points, if I can get another Wyoming general tag with no points, or if it's true OTC / leftovers... Go somewhere new? New state? Back to the area of MT I've hunted?

My goal for my 4th trip? 6-Pt bull, but knowing myself if a 5-pt gives me a shot, I'll take it...

[Indian Summer]

My current goal is to go through all my pictures of my 2016 hunt and get a story posted before it becomes 2017 - does that count?

Need to decide if I want to try to draw anywhere without many points, if I can get another Wyoming general tag with no points, or if it's true OTC / leftovers... Go somewhere new? New state? Back to the area of MT I've hunted?

My goal for my 4th trip? 6-Pt bull, but knowing myself if a 5-pt gives me a shot, I'll take it...

Dude you are one of my clients. I'll always help you out if I can. Before you count yourself out on a Wyoming general license you should let me know. I have friends who don't hunt every year and buy points. You never know when we might have enough points to be able to add a solo hunter without giving up our guaranteed tags.

[Lefty]

My goal is for my daughter to get an archery elk with me right there. Even better would be if my wife and granddaughter were along or in camp. I really would like my daughter to get to know the area we hunt, relatively secluded tough country. Maybe set up a spike camp. The other group and myself have found that starting at the top , working our way down through out the day with someone to pick us up is the most practical way to hunt. Ill still hold off on an early any elk ,... but I may shoot a cow or small bull if Im very close to the pack out.
My daughter like to chase deer ,.. So I may put more effort into a deer during the elk hunt.

[Brendan]

My current goal is to go through all my pictures of my 2016 hunt and get a story posted before it becomes 2017 - does that count?

Need to decide if I want to try to draw anywhere without many points, if I can get another Wyoming general tag with no points, or if it's true OTC / leftovers... Go somewhere new? New state? Back to the area of MT I've hunted?

My goal for my 4th trip? 6-Pt bull, but knowing myself if a 5-pt gives me a shot, I'll take it...

Dude you are one of my clients. I'll always help you out if I can. Before you count yourself out on a Wyoming general license you should let me know. I have friends who don't hunt every year and buy points. You never know when we might have enough points to be able to add a solo hunter without giving up our guaranteed tags.

Thanks Joe! I guess the only thing for me to work out is - I may have a chance to hunt with one of my hunting partners this coming year. That's not likely to be a frequent occurrence, so if I'm not Solo we'll probably try our luck at an area where I haven't been so we're both part of the scouting and learning the area. If it's just me - that's a different story!

[under H2O hunter]

I will be applying for a General tag in Wyoming along with my girlfriend. I expect to get a point but if we get drawn then great we'll split our month between Colorado and Wyoming. If we don't get drawn then I will split the month between a new spot thats above timberline and deep in the backcountry and heading to my usual unit but a new part of the unit that shows some real good potential for some dandy bulls. If things don't seem like they are working out then we will head to my honey hole for the final 5 to 7 days to hopefully get it done.

Now if we are successful with drawing Wyoming then we will do a week in Colorado above timberline head to Wyoming for 2 weeks then come back to Colorado for the final week.

[tikka]

Last year I had planned on going to Colorado and hunting with a friend that lives there. He got busy so wasn't able to scout or hunt with me when I got there. This year I am going to go out regardless of what he does. I figured I can't get an elk if I don't get out there and time is a wasting. So my goal is to get out an hunt. I will be satisfied with any bull.

[WapitiTalk1]

I figured I can't get an elk if I don't get out there and time is a wasting. So my goal is to get out and hunt.

I like you're thinking mister. Its sure nice to have a like minded partner that you can plan your hunt with throughout the year though. Perhaps consider throwing your hunt plans out in the "looking for a hunting partner" thread and see what pops up. Also, maybe consider some of the other elk states..... Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, etc. all have good elk pops and they taste just as good as the Centennial State elk

[stringunner]

Stringunner is it true that your dad just cuts the legs off an elk at the knees, cuts a strip out of the hide over the backbone and carries the elk out like a suitcase? He is a large and healthy man that I would enjoy seeing on a pack out. D

Yep that's pretty much how he does it. I tell him "beast mode" requires throwing it over your shoulders but he always says, not looking to be a beast, I'll just carry it like a suitcase.

My goals for this year include scouting some new ground with Olympus Hunt and Swede and ending this two year slump on elk. I'm soooooo tired of chicken these past two years.

[CurlyTail]

My goal is to hunt the great state of Wyoming for the first time (Archery).

I have 3 hunting partners, should be able to draw a General Tag. I would be thrilled if we get one or two Elk between the four of us. Not getting my expectations too high the first year in a new area.

[olympushunt]

Just the usual goals learn some new ground...kill a big bull or two. Swede might like it if I shot his bull for him.

[Indian Summer]

My goal is to hunt the great state of Wyoming for the first time (Archery).

I have 3 hunting partners, should be able to draw a General Tag. I would be thrilled if we get one or two Elk between the four of us. Not getting my expectations too high the first year in a new area.

In the right place of Wyoming that shouldn't be too awful hard. Good luck Curly!

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

My goal is for me or my partner to harvest our first elk. We will be better prepared this year with knowing what to expect. The way I plan to reach that goal is put myself in better situation and be a better caller. Going to push myself harder in my workouts. Even though I am in good shape I don't think I will ever be fully perpare for those 50% plus grades and downfalls.

[longspeak74]

My goal for the upcoming year is to hit the ground running in September with an OTC Colorado archery tag. Harvesting is secondary to at least getting close to one.

[TennMatt]

First of all, I'd like to simply see an eligible animal that we have a tag to hunt. I'm a new hunter and we have not had any success finding "huntable" animals in the field.

Second, I need to learn to call since my partner is going to be the shooter during archery season.

Third, harvest a public lands elk in Colorado.

There's lots to do between now and late August.

Matt

[njdoxie]

Return to my CO OTC spot during 2nd rifle, see no one, and get another bull, any legal bull. So far, I've always had a shot opportunity, and seldom see other hunters, crossing my fingers that it continues.

[oldnovice]

After two very dry years, my goal for 2017 is to SEE a frikken elk!

[Tigger]

Back to Wyoming this year to an area we have hunted before. I would like our group to get 2 elk for the 4 of us and I would personally like to call at least 2 bulls in to less than 30 yards from me or my partner. Oh, and I almost forgot, I would like to shoot a 380+ bull within 1/4 mile of the trailhead with very easy walking (with my bow)! That's it, pretty easy goals for me.

[ishy]

Got some decisions in the next couple months. I have 15 points for Utah and am teetering between holding out a little longer for a top archery unit or taking a lesser unit and giving some points to a buddy so we could both get le tags. I should say it's really his choice, I would love to be able to give him something back for all he's done for me. His issue is he does really good in his OTC Idaho hunts. He's one of those 10% types that kills elk every year...well almost every year. So he may not be that interested in paying more $ for a unit with lots of tags. I have little doubt it could give him better odds at a bigger bull than he's taken in Idaho.
If that doesn't happen I get to decide to hunt local (jungle) or the other Idaho (the sagebrush). It's always tough, here I get more days and don't have to take days off work due to working 3 12's. Also is easier on the family which is usually the deciding factor as much as I like hunting with our group. As far as goals...I'm a meat guy and love calling for friends as much as hunting myself, so I take the first legal elk. I may have to hold back a little if I get the Utah tag this year though.

[N2mywake]

My goal for 2017 is to be in the best shape of any of my hunts and get by dad and buddy on bulls (then hopefully me). We'll be hunting new country in a draw area for archery tags. I've just started week 6 of treadmill training. I pray we all stay healthy.

[leadcowwatcher]

I want to help my brother get his first elk. And I want it to be 350" or better so it beats my biggest. Call it in for him in archery would be the best.

[bowhuntermojo]

I would like to finally kill a bull elk either in the Utah General Season or Wyoming General Season. After striking out on my Utah LE elk hunt last year (long story), I need to regroup and start finding some elk in some of the general area hunts. I would also like to venture out more into the state of Wyoming. I have some points for deer and none for elk right now.