Post by: MichaelJ on September 22, 2009, 12:00:23 PM
My goals for the hunt is 320"+ but would depending on how my 2 days of scouting goes prior to opening day be willing to pass on 310-320" bulls for a chance at something substancially bigger. This is unit 11 in ID which is a draw only unit. I will have anywhere from 8-14 days of hunting spread out and focused around the weekends from October 25 to November 24. I've never shot a bull before.
I'm asking anybody if you have pictures of bulls from 300" to 340" please post 'em, I'm pretty good at guessing a gross score from a picture, but haven't had a whole lot of chances of doing it with them on the hoof and me behind a scope!
I've made 3 scouting trips up there and on each of them I've been really successful at finding elk with the biggest bull being about 320" but it was still pre rut... last weekend I had field trips for class both saturday and sunday, and am leaving tomorrow until sunday for another class trip. The following weekend I have a wedding and the following weekend I have bull riding school and the following weekend I have another full weekend field trip. So I'm planning maybe 2 more evening drive scouting trips and then will scout Oct 23, Oct 24, and hunt opening morning of Sunday the 25th as well as monday morning the 26th... With following hunting dates surrounding the following weekends until I notch my tag... Any advice you guys got would be greatly appreciated... This waiting and not being able to get in there during the rut and scout better is killing me!
Michael
Post by: jackelope on September 22, 2009, 12:03:41 PM
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,29512.msg344803.html#msg344803
Post by: coachcw on September 22, 2009, 12:05:52 PM
Post by: MichaelJ on September 22, 2009, 12:06:54 PM
Ya'll know how it is to have a very coveted tag and you want to make the most of it? You want that feeling that when you drive out of the unit for the last time that season with a tag notched or just driving out on the last day that you gave it your all and you had an awesome hunt? That's the feeling I'm looking for...
I really don't want to come out of there with a bull in the back of the pickup thinking to myself "man that's a good bull, but I know I could've done better...."
Guess I'm looking for more of a support group than anything hahaha
Michael
Post by: MichaelJ on September 22, 2009, 12:10:07 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=29512.0;attach=36551;image)
Post by: mossback91 on September 22, 2009, 12:12:46 PM
Post by: MichaelJ on September 22, 2009, 12:13:36 PM
Michael
Post by: coachcw on September 22, 2009, 12:15:30 PM
Post by: MichaelJ on September 22, 2009, 12:20:36 PM
Post by: MichaelJ on September 22, 2009, 12:22:41 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=29512.0;attach=36724;image)
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on September 22, 2009, 12:23:56 PM
This bull I would have a hard time deciding... I mean seriously, I see a nice 6x6 but not a monster, but a good bull... haha I'm all sorts of twitterpated huh?
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=29512.0;attach=36551;image)
Michael, if it helps that bull won't break 300 - and maybe not even 280. A 320 is a big-bodied, young adult to adult bull - he'll look BIG.
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on September 22, 2009, 12:27:01 PM
Post by: MichaelJ on September 22, 2009, 12:36:01 PM
There's typically on this hunt between 50+ tag holders only 1-5 bulls being taken that go over 330". Hopefully one of them will be me this year!
Michael
Post by: mossback91 on September 22, 2009, 04:12:41 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on September 22, 2009, 04:21:53 PM
Post by: Lowedog on September 22, 2009, 04:37:53 PM
Thanks bud! ;)
Ya'll know how it is to have a very coveted tag and you want to make the most of it? You want that feeling that when you drive out of the unit for the last time that season with a tag notched or just driving out on the last day that you gave it your all and you had an awesome hunt? That's the feeling I'm looking for...
I really don't want to come out of there with a bull in the back of the pickup thinking to myself "man that's a good bull, but I know I could've done better...."
Guess I'm looking for more of a support group than anything hahaha
Michael
Michael, took me 10 years to draw the late buck tag that I drew last year. I went into that hunt with a thought that if I see a buck I like I would go after him. I tried not to think of a score. I had 18 days to get it done and I hit it hard. Never had a doubt in my mind I would find what I was after. I never saw that buck I liked. Passed on a few that most wouldn't and ended up taking about a 23" wide, tall 3 point on my last day. I watched that buck for about 6 hours before deciding to shoot. I had lots of time to reflect on my hunt while watching him and decided that I had had a hunt of a lifetime and he was meat in the freezer and a nice rack to look at once in awhile and remember that I had waited 10 years to kill that buck.
My advice, enjoy the hunt!
-Mark
Post by: 270Shooter on September 22, 2009, 04:40:10 PM
Post by: bucklucky on September 22, 2009, 05:31:38 PM
Post by: 270Shooter on September 22, 2009, 05:32:35 PM
Post by: bucklucky on September 22, 2009, 05:33:56 PM
Post by: 270Shooter on September 22, 2009, 05:36:41 PM
Post by: Crowns on September 22, 2009, 05:43:39 PM
Post by: 270Shooter on September 22, 2009, 05:45:25 PM
(http://C:\Documents and Settings\Shelly\My Documents\My Pictures\deer and hunting\6x7 4.JPG)
Post by: 270Shooter on September 22, 2009, 05:47:11 PM
Post by: MichaelJ on September 22, 2009, 05:47:36 PM
Not on the first day. I'd look at that bull and say "Man he's a nice bull, but I'd put him around 310 at BEST and I won't be happy with that bull the first weekend. Entirely too many 300" bulls in the unit to shoot one opening weekend..." (hopefully lol)
That second bull you posted I'd guess around 350" and he'd be a first light first day shooter EASY!
Now on the 2nd to last or last weekend I'd be looking REAL hard at that first bull...
And no, like I said in my original post, I've NEVER killed a bull elk, never had a branched tag before. Also, I'd rather take a 320 heavy 6" than a spindly 320 7 point. If I see a bull like that one I posted on the first page that only grosses 320, he's a gonner for sure. Thats like what Lowedog is talking about, if I see the bull that I like, score won't matter he'll have a 165 grn sierra gameking headed his way! :IBCOOL:
Moss no worries, if I get that 400" bull down you'll be the first to hear! haha
Michael
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on September 22, 2009, 09:04:27 PM
Post by: elkoholic1 on September 22, 2009, 09:11:44 PM
Post by: coachcw on September 22, 2009, 09:31:12 PM
Post by: bucklucky on September 23, 2009, 12:11:44 AM
Post by: jagermiester on September 25, 2009, 10:46:18 PM
Post by: Craig on September 25, 2009, 10:50:30 PM
Post by: letmhunt on September 25, 2009, 11:14:49 PM