Oh the personal battle

[bow4elk]

Lots to consider for sure.  I'd recommend you first decide what success means to you and make all your decisions based on that, and what's realistic for you and your family.  Make a list of what you can do, what you have, what you need, and what you can't realistically accomplish.  Know where you stand and how that relates to your defined success criteria.

Next, I'd try to leverage some of the former tag holders on this site and design a strategy to trade favors, etc. in order to maximize your experience.  My hunch is that you'll get some practical help in some way, shape or form.  I think we all want to see those with premier tags to succeed in a BIG way because the tags are few and far between.  I can't make any scouting trips for you but I can certainly make calls to biologists, etc. on your behalf.

Oh, CONGRATS on drawing your tag!

[Deer slayer]

Where do you live and what tag did you draw?  I will be making some scouting trips to the wenaha east throughout the summer. We could possibly car pool. Congrats on the draw. Remember this could be a once in a life time hunt for you. You can make up time with the kids in future years. It would be a shame to see the tag not get the hunting it deserves.

[Elkpiss]

Sorry Kids! Once in a Life Time Hunt!!   
You can play with the kids next year!  ! 

[JackOfAllTrades]

Help the kids for 4 days...Carma will reward you.

Another way to look at it... Carma HAS rewarded.  If you've been working with the kids, then this is your reward for sacrificing for so many years. Yes, I said sacrificing. You may enjoy the work, but it is a personal and family sacrifice to volunteer.  You wouldn't be abandoning them. Just taking a vacation from the volunteer work. Do due dilligence though, and make sure all is prepped for those that would fill in for you well in advance of the kid camp so that the kids are served, the people volunteering are successful in their efforts because of the road you've paved for them.

Take the two weeks for what some would consider OIL hunt/tag. If you score early, make good effort to still go to the kids camp, but don't assume duties as if you were never gone. If you put someone else in charge, let them learn and succeed with your guidance. Someday, someone will have to take your place. That way, you'll know down the road that if you were stricken by illness or other life change that you will feel confident that the kids were in good hands.

Go get a good bull and share photos and the story with the rest of us.

-Steve

[Deer slayer]

Well said Steve. I agree. I was once told at work that we are all replaceable and once I thought about it for a while I realized how true it was.

[croix]

I could be wrong but I don't think the kid's camp is the same time as the hunt, just doesn't have enough vacation time to do both. 

I understand that situation myself (not enough vacation time) and am sacrificing hunting camp for a summer trip this year because I haven't been to South Dakota in 8 yrs to see family, but if I had that tag it would be 9 yrs. 

Kids are pretty cool about stuff like that and I bet they will be excited for you.

Have a great hunt.

[runamuk]

Well said Steve. I agree. I was once told at work that we are all replaceable and once I thought about it for a while I realized how true it was.

Well I tried to get them to take my badge last night and they wouldn't ....hurt so bad I wanted to be replaced ...

Go on the hunt you are being rewarded for the time spent with the kids PLUS a big bull will be an amazing story to tell them the next time you do camp

[JackOfAllTrades]

I could be wrong but I don't think the kid's camp is the same time as the hunt

And that's even better! You might be able to check in on the weekends? You'd be available by phone at least for advice for those that are filling in for you.

-Steve

[Pathfinder101]

Well, you have been hunting that area long enough to know what is in there, so here's how I would do it:

If you are going to hunt for the whole season, then set your sights on shooting something that would take you all season to find.
If you are only going to hunt part of the season (say 5 days), you should have a pretty good idea of what kind of bull you are likely to get on in that 5 days.
For instance; I hunt that unit every September, usually for about a week.  In that week, I know in a normal year, I will see a half dozen 300" bulls, a couple of 350" bulls, and maybe one 350+ bull.  So, if I had a full week to hunt, I could set my goal at 340" to 350", and expect to find a bull of that caliber.  If I only had 5 days to hunt, I would set it at 320".  If I had the whole season, I could set the bar at 350+...

I have never hunted the rifle season up there, so not sure what you are used to seeing in Nov.

[rosscrazyelk]

Thanks everyone for your input.  The kids camp starts  July 10, so they are nowhere near each other.  I have talked with my managers at work and they know how important both these things are to me.  I asked if I could have a week off unpaid come hunting season that way I can do both. Things seem like they might go my way. I should know before the camp starts. If it is questionable in anyway I just will have to break some kids heart. But I am not sure it is possible to say no to the kids. Like I said I am a pretty big cog in the wheel and there is not really alot of time to find someone to replace me. We are short this year as it is because people can't afford to take time off work.
I will let you know what I find out

[WaltHenry]

I say you find a good buddy. One who is already involved in the camp. One that you know already wants to do your job for this year. You talk this buddy of yours into running the show this year since it is what he wants anyway. This frees you up from camp for a year. The camp will survive a year without you. I know this from personal experience. If you don't find a way to hunt the whole season and scout as much as possible you will NEVER forgive yourself. My

[BLUEBULLS]

if you're wanting a super bull it can be tough. They get pretty hunkered down after rifle deer season. This hunt is definitely not a gaurantee at a monster. I get nervous thinkin about when I get drawn, whenever that will be. I know exactly what kind of bull I'd hunt for and I remember going long periods of time up there without seeing a great bull. Some days you'll find them and others you won't. Last year there were about 3 or 4 good ones that were targeted by a lot of people and none of them were killed. If I had the tag I'd make whatever sacrifices it took to find a couple good ones before hand. If you know the unit well enough you'll have no problem killing a good bull but without scouting you may never see the one that your dreams are made of.

go up there in deer season, kill that buck you found last year, and locate some bulls. Stop by our cabin and we'll talk bulls over a cold one. you're gonna have fun.

[Deer slayer]

Well said Bluebull. Your PM is full.

[WASHBCBOOK]

WHY WOULD YOU EVEN PUT IN FOR THIS TAG,I GUESS YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST WENT FOR POINTS
MAYBE THERE IS A GUY OR LADY WHOM DIDNT GET DRAWN AND YOU DID YOU JUST TOOK THAT HUNT FROM THEM
ALL IN ALL I GUESS IF YOU CANT SPEND A GOOD BIT OF TIME SCOUTING AND TIME OFF FROM WORK DONT APPLY
LET SOMEBODY ELSE HUNT WITH THIS TAG..

[PA BEN]

I hear your pain, When I drew my moose tag I would wake up at 3:00 am thinking about my hunt. Now I drew my best elk tag ever. I have never killed a branched antlered bull, ( spikes and cows only), I only have 5 days to hunt, Sept. 20th to the 24th w/a rifle. I have been hunting elk for 24 years. It will be hard to pass on a rag horn, but I won't kill a big bull if I don't. This is the second year of this tag and I drew it. I'm trying to be clam and play it as it comes. Do my scouting and do the best I can.