You on the north side, or south side of I-90 ?
If I had access to the area behind the fire station near Nelson.....
But not being drawn ? "back-up plan" ?
Modern, Muzzy, or Bow ?
In my opinion, you would be wise to pick a unit to hunt (and apply for permits)
And hunt THAT unit as "your back up plan" (if the season allows), knowing the unit inside out, and seeing animals you will only be able to shoot once drawn, makes your odds of success a whole lot better than hunting one area, then when drawn for a permit hunting a whole different area.
Hunting Elk is all about LOCATING elk, what you do next is up to you, but if you can only shoot a spike, your odds are better by looking for cows, as this years calves, and last years calves will still be with the cows, (young spike, yum mm !
it is not until a Calf starts acting like a bull that a herd bull will force them to "go away", and the mother will not defend them, as she will be entering estrous herself.
Spikes will then "satelite" a herd, as they are confused between their urge to stay where they are comfortable, and fearful about going off on their own.
This will continue for a few years, until they get to know their "Bachelor herd" where they tend to group during the mid to late summer.
Then again will be forced out on their own... but understand that "Spikes" referr to one point per side...
In a healthy Elk herd, "spikes" will only be yearling calves...
I have seen Elk in the Manastash (before spike only seasons) that were 5-6 years old, had 3 FOOT spikes !!!
Now there can be a 2 year old 5 point, because the "spike gene" has been removed from the gene pool, same as the gene that allowed them to stand next to the road, during season
Antlers on a "mature" elk depend entirely on genetics and feed, the food is there, but in the "
Spike Only" units, harvestable animals depend entirely on calf recruitment, because when the breeding age of the bulls matures, so does the strength of the gene pool, and a 5X5, 6 year old bull will have 5X5, 3 year old babies, and the 5X5 gene will be passed on...
Actual mass is dependent on health, but structure is dependant on the gene.
