Post by: rosscrazyelk on June 28, 2010, 07:22:46 PM
Anyway I have been having some personal dilemas ever since I found out I was drawn. I mean seriously I have had many sleepless nights already thinking about this and it is only been a week since I found out.
This is the first time I have been allowed to hunt big bulls. I have hunted the area for over ten years and know it fairly well. But now what do you do? Hunt the whole time for the big beast or hunt for the big one for half the time then lower my expectations?
I know how ever it ends up it will be gratifying, I hunt with a bunch of great guys and we all excited. But do you try and use every resource you can to accomplish my goal or do I just try to do it all myself and hope for the best? I have talked with the biologist and he recommended some areas, Funny thing is I have never hunted the areas he talked about. Guess I will have to break the bank on some trips for the gas I will be spending.
Another dilema is that I used up most of my vacation on some time spent away from work because of my surgery. I have two weeks of vacation time left til the end of the year and I for the past 20 years have volunteered at a kids camp. that starts soon, so do I say sorry kids I can't help this year and be shelfish and use it all for my hunting or hope things will work out and still do both? I am a pretty important piece to the camp. I am the chairman of the board and camp director. What to do what to do?
Post by: gasman on June 28, 2010, 07:33:16 PM
Here is my :twocents:
As for going for the trophy bull full season or setting for a lesser bull, the one you decide to kill will be the true trophy :tup:
And the kids summer camp :bow: i applode your time and efort you give for others, there is not manythat will do that, but if it was me, and i would do what would make me feel self satified. Is one week at each a possibility :dunno:
Good luck on you hunt and congrats on the draw....
Post by: SkookumHntr on June 28, 2010, 07:41:23 PM
Post by: WDFW-SUX on June 28, 2010, 07:44:41 PM
Post by: brew on June 28, 2010, 07:45:37 PM
if what you say is true (and I have no reason to doubt your commitment) and you've been volunteering at this camp for the last 20 years I think the Big Guy in the Sky has given you an opportunity you can't pass up. Why waste the opportunity to teach these kids about what it means to strive for something then not try? Sacrifce and goals are a message that needs instilled in the young.....you sacrifice for years to have an opportunity to do great things, be it only once in life. These youngsters need to know that they may only get one chance in life to do something that they have always wanted to do and they need to take advantage of the opportunity presented them. What message would you be sending to finally get drawn then not take the challenge? Regardless of success or failure you took the chance! In my humble opinion you would be doing them a disservice by not attempting the challenge put forth to you. Remember what the song says " when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance" Well my friend in this case I hope you dance.
Post by: coachcw on June 28, 2010, 07:48:11 PM
Post by: SuperDave on June 28, 2010, 07:54:50 PM
Post by: hunterheinz on June 28, 2010, 08:01:14 PM
Post by: rasbo on June 28, 2010, 08:05:25 PM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on June 28, 2010, 08:37:54 PM
Post by: BoomWhop on June 28, 2010, 08:42:05 PM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 28, 2010, 08:45:22 PM
I once payed a co-workers wages to cover for me, out of my own pocket, so the "boss" didn't have to pay overtime.
As far as what to shoot, you will know when the time is right....
Post by: buckhorn2 on June 28, 2010, 08:55:27 PM
Post by: letmhunt on June 28, 2010, 10:04:53 PM
Post by: Tony 270 on June 28, 2010, 10:08:14 PM
Post by: bow4elk on June 28, 2010, 10:44:25 PM
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!
Post by: Deer slayer on June 29, 2010, 02:43:20 PM
Post by: Elkpiss on June 29, 2010, 02:51:58 PM
You can play with the kids next year! :cmp1: :tree1:! :twocents:
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on June 29, 2010, 03:23:29 PM
Quote
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
Post by: Deer slayer on June 29, 2010, 03:30:12 PM
Post by: croix on June 29, 2010, 03:37:23 PM
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. 8)
Kids are pretty cool about stuff like that and I bet they will be excited for you.
Have a great hunt.
Post by: runamuk on June 29, 2010, 03:43:04 PM
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
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on June 29, 2010, 03:44:23 PM
Quote
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
Post by: Pathfinder101 on June 29, 2010, 05:02:59 PM
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+... :twocents:
I have never hunted the rifle season up there, so not sure what you are used to seeing in Nov. :dunno:
Post by: rosscrazyelk on June 29, 2010, 06:48:04 PM
I will let you know what I find out
Post by: WaltHenry on June 30, 2010, 12:14:11 PM
Post by: BLUEBULLS on June 30, 2010, 12:27:09 PM
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.
Post by: Deer slayer on June 30, 2010, 12:49:12 PM
Post by: WASHBCBOOK on June 30, 2010, 04:20:16 PM
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..
Post by: PA BEN on June 30, 2010, 04:52:01 PM
Post by: Deer slayer on June 30, 2010, 04:58:42 PM
Post by: rosscrazyelk on June 30, 2010, 09:14:11 PM
Quote
WHY WOULD YOU EVEN PUT IN FOR THIS TAG,I GUESS YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST WENT FOR POINTSI am not even going to respond to this..
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..
GOOD NEWS..... Today is a great day. I recieved word and got it on paper that I have the o.k to take as much time I need to do this hunt. I guess my boss likes me more than I thought. Oh what a happy day. I can do the kids camp and spend the whole season in the woods.. YIPEE..
Post by: yelp on June 30, 2010, 09:48:01 PM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on June 30, 2010, 09:52:53 PM
Post by: Deer slayer on July 01, 2010, 12:42:23 AM