Post by: pd on April 15, 2016, 03:18:02 PM
Background: I never play the trophy draw game, so I don't have any points accumulated in either the quality bull or bull elk categories. Last year I hunted with a bow for the first time, and missed several opportunities to kill nice bulls (all due to my inexperience---a more experienced hunter would have tagged out, and one of my partners actually did kill a nice bull). In previous years I hunted with a rifle, and have never hunted with a muzzleloader before. I drew the multi-season tag this year. If I were a points-builder, I could see the benefit of applying for multiple areas, multiple seasons. But in my case it will just be a decision on which units, during which general season.
A couple of my hunting partners have had the multi-season elk tag in recent years, all very talented hunters, but none of them sealed the deal. This lead me to the following question: Is it better to concentrate on a single unit, and hunt it hard through 3 seasons, or is it better to bounce around, and join multiple buddies in different areas and different seasons?
My quandary is this: What is the chance that I focus on one area (known to hold quality elk), but get so fixated on a small area that I hunt through the season and never score? Thus, can the multi-season tag be a curse in disguise??
(I know, some of you will say that a season spent hunting elk is a success even without using the tag. That is not the point of this thread.)
Post by: Westside88 on April 15, 2016, 03:29:53 PM
Post by: chester on April 15, 2016, 03:37:28 PM
For your question if you have an area that holds elk and your party has had success there before I'd stick to the elk you know . You'll have plenty of time to catch them making a mistake. Don't leave elk to find elk.
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Post by: JimmyHoffa on April 15, 2016, 03:43:00 PM
Post by: RadSav on April 15, 2016, 04:49:05 PM
Don't leave elk to find elk.
Good advise! :tup:
Doubling your time afield is never a curse, if you ask me!
Post by: buglebrush on April 15, 2016, 08:15:49 PM
1. Know elk
2. Know your area.
I would focus on being successful in your spot if you are consistently into elk.
Post by: jeffitz on April 15, 2016, 08:46:45 PM
Post by: Piscatory_5 on April 17, 2016, 05:23:42 PM
Post by: dreamunelk on April 17, 2016, 06:05:40 PM
Two huge keys to being a successful elk hunter.
1. Know elk
2. Know your area.
I would focus on being successful in your spot if you are consistently into elk.
Don't leave elk to find elk.
Good advise! :tup:
Doubling your time afield is never a curse, if you ask me!
:tup:
Curse? Your wife may think so.
Post by: pd on April 17, 2016, 07:00:56 PM
Curse? Your wife may think so.
A-hem. We have just started to have that conversation. Perhaps I should have waited until after Mother's Day to explain what a "multi-season tag" means. :yike:
Post by: coachcw on April 17, 2016, 08:31:14 PM
Post by: pd on April 17, 2016, 09:17:34 PM
Means more gear !
Are you serious? I own more gear than you would see at a typical Cabela's retail store. With the exception of snow camo, I have everything covered, sometimes twice over.
Exception: The one thing I don't own is a front stuffer. Gear is not the problem, time is.
And, the Permission Slip.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on April 17, 2016, 09:19:46 PM
Post by: pd on April 17, 2016, 09:21:19 PM
Need snow camo for the late seasons on the multi tag.
Jimmy, go to bed! You are a trouble maker. >:(
Post by: coachcw on April 18, 2016, 12:19:27 PM
Post by: Katmai Guy on April 18, 2016, 12:25:26 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on April 18, 2016, 12:42:20 PM
Don't leave elk to find elk.
Good advise! :tup:
Doubling your time afield is never a curse, if you ask me!
:yeah:
Post by: jeffro on April 18, 2016, 01:39:11 PM
Hunt with your buddies/mentor/experts.
It will come in handy when you have a nasty pack out.
Post by: Ghost Hunter on April 24, 2016, 06:08:19 PM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on April 24, 2016, 06:24:11 PM
Post by: pd on April 24, 2016, 07:12:39 PM
To me the big advantage is being able to apply for east side quality draws while still able to hunt with buddys on west side elk camps.
I get that, I really do. But as I said previously, I don't apply for quality permits, so this is meaningless to me. (For the guys with 10+ points, I can see how the multi-season elk tag would be really valuable.) I guess it is similar to the situation faced by the gal or guy who buys the leftover tag on August 1st: No advantage for applying for draws, just more opportunity.
When I got the notice letter in the mail from WDFW I opened it and kept it on the dinner table for a few days. Sorry, no dice. My wife never even looked at it. Hmmmm. How to tell her I drew a "once-in-ten-years tag?" How to get multiple weekends off for hunting?
This is a curse.
Post by: Tim in Wa. on April 26, 2016, 06:33:35 AM
PD that WDF notification should have been right next to a dozen roses!
Post by: buglebrush on April 26, 2016, 07:37:36 AM
Post by: davidcperkins on May 15, 2016, 09:26:08 PM
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