What to do?

[rosscrazyelk]

Hey guys I have a question for everyone.  I have been hunting the Dayton unit for years and have seen some seriously nice bulls. I have taken my fair share of spikes out of there waiting to get drawn but have had no luck. I have 12 points. As much of you know the raffle elk holder pulled a dandy bull out of there this year and the gov.tag holder is working on it  also. Here is where I struggle. My best friend shot a monster bull in the teanaway  and have seen many others this year. He and some friends want me to put in for that tag next year. What would you do?

[elkaholic]

go with your points , you are do..... this could be your year

[actionshooter]

I agree, I think you would be settling

[Cougeyes]

I would stick with what you've been doing, 12 points is a lot and you should get drawn soon, but i'm sure you've been thinking that for the past few years.  I know the Teanaway and there are some nice bulls out there, but i really think the Dayton area would produce higher quality bulls.  What weapon are you using?  Just because one person harvested one nice animal doesn't mean you should really switch your approach.  I've been putting in for the Desert A unit for deer for the past 9 years just because I know it produces every year and the deer are there.  I could switch and put in for a Teanaway unit tag and get probably get drawn but the chances of a high class buck are sliim.  If i were you i'd just stick with putting in for the Dayton area.

[Ridgerunner]

Stick with what you know, the tough part of drawing some of these tags is that guys who draw them don't know the units, you'll pull the tag soon and you'll get a BIG BULL!

[M_ray]

I usually hunt the Teanaway and was able to hunt it with tmike when he had a branch tag there 2 years ago, if it weren't for the WDFW changing the Teanaway to a private land Damage hunt in December I would have tried my 10 points there this year instead of Peaches ridge.

That said I was with the Raffle tag holder in the Blues too and if that Teanaway was still in the rut for muzzle or you maybe had 10 instead of 12 I'd say it's a toss up, but if I had 12 points I would stay with the Blues. I was able to see more Quality there not that the Teanaway doesn't have them, Because they do ... but the Blues management plan of 3-1 cow ratio just means that you are more likely to see what you want sooner!. Not sure what the Teanaway is but it seems it is more like 10 or 15 to 1.

It also depends on where you live?? One of the reasons I chose Peaches for instance was it is close for me to scout it more often and after work. Sounds like you know the Blues well and to me that means allot too!

[high country]

why give up now?

here is the deal, you put in as many years of scouting as it takes, you get to know the "holes" elk hide in......eventually you pull the tag. now you can go shoot the bull you want and have been seeing for the last few years.

you want to know what a true troph is;

you go pick up three or four sets of sheds from the same bull then go kill him....if he only scores 280 he is still the best trophy you can ask for.

[nwhunter]

Do you only put down one choice for elk then? If you are wavering put Dayton first choice and Teanaway second maybe. If you have that many points and really want to draw a hunt there are certainly four choices you could put down and feel good about hunting. Thats my opinion of course. It is hard to beat the Blues but the bull that was on here from the teanaway was a hog too. nwhunter

[Coasthunterjay]

go with your points , you are do..... this could be your year

dude i have hunted in walla walla since i was 12 and i would stay in the dayton or same area hunt. I have been putting in for the bluecreek draw for a long time. i believe they only give 2 tags out a year for both but they are right next to eachother and trust me you will be happy when you get it. I messed up a couple years ago and rushed filling out my tag. had like 8 points or something like that and accidently put the wrong number and drew a cow tag instead of a bull tag. Wasted all my points .....take elkaholics advice if not mine ....STAY WITH DAYTON!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jackelope]

Do you only put down one choice for elk then? If you are wavering put Dayton first choice and Teanaway second maybe. If you have that many points and really want to draw a hunt there are certainly four choices you could put down and feel good about hunting. Thats my opinion of course. It is hard to beat the Blues but the bull that was on here from the teanaway was a hog too. nwhunter

there are definitely 4 units in this state you could pull and be totally happy and confident in if you put your time in...hell, there's 4 in the blues alone.
sounds to me like private land is an issue in the teanaway on that late hunt.

[rosscrazyelk]

I  have been hunting the modern firearm season  and only put Dayton as my choice. I appreciate the feedback from everyone you pretty much have confirmed my thoughts. It is just frustrating that  I have gone this long without getting drawn. I always see the same people where I hunt and one guy got drawn two years in a row.  Ugh...I could walk that place in my sleep. I have been 20 yards from this 7 point  3 years in a row  , And it kills me everytime I see him. I guess I was second guessing myself after witnessing my buddies elk In the teanaway. He knows the area pretty good and we have friends that live there so getting an elk there would be fairly easy. I just want a big bull... I have plenty of spikes..  So rougheye  you will just have to wait for my Dayton tag before I go bow full time .

[rougheye]

PEER PREASURE   SUCKS!!!!!!!      HURRY UP AND DRAW    IT ONLY TOOK ME 4 POINTS      stick with it you will get drawn next year for sure

[BLUEBULLS]

if it were archery i'd say teanaway just to up my odds in the blues. just joking.
stay with Dayton and you'll be glad you did in the long run.