My permit cow tag went unfilled
But I still had a great time and learned lots about the area and how the elk react to numerous factors. I was only able to hunt the 1st weekend due to work schedule and found it very crowed, hot and dry with little elk activity. The second week I had 4 days and the hunting was way better! I was seeing elk through out the days. I was getting into elk (80 to 100 yards) but was having a hard time closing the distance for more manageable shots. I missed a huge cow on a uphill shot and just shot over her back. No blood on the arrow, but did lose the broadhead to a tree..LOL
I was hunting Solo for the second week so I was pondering some thoughts:
First week trying to locate the elk was not as successful in the past, seemed the elk were not to interested in responding. The second week way more vocal but still was only getting about two responses and than they would shut up. Was this due to pressure, predators, little rut activity?
Never saw a real sizable heard.. Most elk were in 5 to 8 groups. Often the elk I was seeing were in very crappy/rocky areas. Most of the spots I hunted before were full of boot tracks and no elk. I assumes some of this was due fires, extra Labor Day traffic and the large number of cow permits creating extra pressure.
Second week I drove rd to a hunting spot where I had seen some elk the previous week and notice increased rubs, and lot of the small plants totally mowed down but little tracks crossing the rd on either side.
Saw very few bulls compared to previous years I typically would see multiple bulls per day and usually some very nice ones. I'm concerned where all the bulls went? It got me thinking about all the cow tags issued this year if WDFG wanted to bring the bull to cow ratio inline. But why? Where did all the bulls go to? Can't be from permit holders since there was maybe 5 permits issued. Was it due to predators, poachers, over hunting by another user group? Like many I been waiting sometime for a bull tag and to be honest I would have been pissed if I had a bull tag this year.
Overall I saw less elk than ever and with the increased tags this year for archery and rifle I'm concerned what the elk heard will look like for next year. My small group had 3 cow tags and only one was filled. Pretty low percentages. If archery goes 10 to 15% and I'm sure rifle will be significantly higher I wonder how the heard will look next year?
I really hope elk season gets moved away from Labor day. Week later really makes a difference.
Never hunted elk growing up, nor really ever had anyone show me till recently. I been bowhunting elk for number of years and have taken 1 cow elk in the past with archery gear. I love elk hunting and will continue to do so just need to re-elevate where I hunt.
My observation and
