Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: vandeman17 on January 15, 2012, 01:58:20 PM

Title: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on January 15, 2012, 01:58:20 PM: My dad just emailed me and said that he is interested in booking a rifle rut hunt for elk this fall. We went on one in Montana two seasons ago and had a good time. We are contacting that outfitter but I was wondering if any of you guys or gals out there has any recommendations on places to go. We are open for any states as well as guided, semi-guided or drop camp hunts.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: Bob33 on January 15, 2012, 02:18:08 PM: Why not contact Bearpaw/Dale?
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: Bean Counter on January 15, 2012, 02:19:44 PM: If I had the money for a guide, I'd think New Mexico. For one thing, 10% of the draw tags are set aside for non residents who use an outfitter. Also, there's landowner tags. Oh yeah, did I mention BIG BULLS? :drool:
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: bobcat on January 15, 2012, 02:24:20 PM: I've never done it but you might check into doing a fly in hunt out of McCall or Salmon, Idaho. I believe they have a September elk season in the wilderness areas and you can get flown in for a DIY hunt, or a guided hunt, depending on your budget. I think deer is open at the same time. I've always wanted to try this.

Here's one site I found with Google:

http://www.mccallaviation.com/hunters.html
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on January 15, 2012, 02:24:45 PM: Quote from: Bob33 on January 15, 2012, 02:18:08 PM
Why not contact Bearpaw/Dale?

I am going to shoot him a pm for sure but I just also wanted to see what other guys had to say.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on January 15, 2012, 02:29:36 PM: Quote from: bobcat on January 15, 2012, 02:24:20 PM
I've never done it but you might check into doing a fly in hunt out of McCall or Salmon, Idaho. I believe they have a September elk season in the wilderness areas and you can get flown in for a DIY hunt, or a guided hunt, depending on your budget. I think deer is open at the same time. I've always wanted to try this.

Here's one site I found with Google:

http://www.mccallaviation.com/hunters.html

That actually looks pretty cool too. Will have to research the areas that they offer and see what they look like. We could easily buy a nice wall tent and all that stuff for the cost of going with a guide.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: JLS on January 15, 2012, 02:36:53 PM: Idaho's early season opens Sept 15th, in the Frank Church. A caution about the fly in hunts. You still have to get from the airstrip to your hunt area, as you'll likely have other hunters with the same idea as you. The Franch Church is steep and deep country, so do your homework well.

Montana has early hunts opening on Sept 15th in the Bob Marshall complex west of the Continental Divide, and also in the Absorakee Beartooth Wilderness north of Yellowstone. The A-B hunt has really fallen on hard times with the decline of the northern Yellowstone elk herd.

I believe WY also has early hunts in the Thorofare and upper Green River Basin that opens Sept 15th. Much of this will be wilderness area, so you'll be required to hunt with an outfitter.

Good luck in your planning.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on January 15, 2012, 02:46:05 PM: We hunted the Bob in 2010 on a rifle hunt and it was tough but I believe the weather and the full moon had a lot to do with it. I have actually been reading about the Thorofare and seeing what it has to offer.

I didn't think about how we would get our gear and all that away from the landing strip and to a place to hunt and set up camp... hmmmm
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: deerslyr on January 15, 2012, 02:52:08 PM: Did you guys see many elk in the Bob when you were there?
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: JLS on January 15, 2012, 02:55:13 PM: What outfitter did you hunt with? The Bob is not an easy hunt, despite the notion many folks have about bugling up bulls every day.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on January 15, 2012, 02:57:51 PM: We actually only saw one elk on our whole trip and I was lucky enough to harvest him. About a 270" 5x6 on our last full day of hunting. We had blue skies, warm weather and a full moon all week so the hunting was tough. We went with Mills Wilderness Adventures. If we were to go with them again, I would hunt differently but that is true with any new spot in that it helps to learn the area.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: 7mag. on January 15, 2012, 03:05:45 PM: Quote from: bobcat on January 15, 2012, 02:24:20 PM
I've never done it but you might check into doing a fly in hunt out of McCall or Salmon, Idaho. I believe they have a September elk season in the wilderness areas and you can get flown in for a DIY hunt, or a guided hunt, depending on your budget. I think deer is open at the same time. I've always wanted to try this.

Here's one site I found with Google:

http://www.mccallaviation.com/hunters.html

Be careful about that hunt. As others have already said, the work begins when you get off the plane. The wolves have cleared most of the elk out of there now as well. Not near what it was a couple of years ago.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: kglacken on January 15, 2012, 03:24:57 PM: My uncle did a new mexico hunt a few years back and had a good time! lots of bulls and a great camp. Talk to Dale Matthews at iron Mountain adventures. Great guy to book hunts through. I have met him and hunted with him I know for a fact he wont book a hunt for you unless he knows you will have a positive experience. Check out some of the pictures he has on his site too. http://www.ironmountainadventures.com/
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on January 15, 2012, 07:20:40 PM: Did he have points accrued to draw in New Mexico or was he just lucky? I seem to have terrible luck!
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: bobcat on January 15, 2012, 08:42:22 PM: New Mexico does not have a point system.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on January 15, 2012, 09:15:23 PM: Quote from: bobcat on January 15, 2012, 08:42:22 PM
New Mexico does not have a point system.

Ok thanks. I was reading through some of the regs but couldn't find it.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: lokidog on January 15, 2012, 09:52:18 PM: BC and Alberta have guided elk hunts that might be during the rut for gun hunters. I was looking at moose so didn't pay a lot of attention to elk details.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: et1702 on January 16, 2012, 10:21:57 AM: Quote from: Bean Counter on January 15, 2012, 02:19:44 PM
If I had the money for a guide, I'd think New Mexico. For one thing, 10% of the draw tags are set aside for non residents who use an outfitter. Also, there's landowner tags. Oh yeah, did I mention BIG BULLS? :drool:

I would like to second the NM suggestion. They also have land-owner tags available. Another option is to buy a lottery ticket from teh Valles Caldera in NM. It is the BEST elk hunting on the planet, and you get 3000 to 6000 acres of the 100000 acre preserve all to yourself. I was drawn the first year I applied, and been buying lottery tickets every year since.

Bad news is that if you want to hunt on your own, they just changed the license allocations for the state drawings and non-residents only get 6% of the total (bull tags only). But, no points system, so everyone who applies has equal chance.

ET
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: Kowsrule30 on January 16, 2012, 02:01:41 PM: I'd do Nevada.... If I could....
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on January 16, 2012, 02:24:06 PM: Quote from: Kowsrule30 on January 16, 2012, 02:01:41 PM
I'd do Nevada.... If I could....

Do they offer them? I know a lot of states don't unless you are in a very limited draw group.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: JPhelps on January 16, 2012, 02:57:46 PM: I will let you know how our trip in the BOB Marshall goes this year. First time I have ever paid to hunt but I figure it is cheaper than owning horses. Going in with Montana Backcountry Outfitters.

I am pumped and can't wait. LittleJohn on here now lives over there and guides for him.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on January 16, 2012, 03:12:10 PM: Quote from: JPhelps on January 16, 2012, 02:57:46 PM
I will let you know how our trip in the BOB Marshall goes this year. First time I have ever paid to hunt but I figure it is cheaper than owning horses. Going in with Montana Backcountry Outfitters.

I am pumped and can't wait. LittleJohn on here now lives over there and guides for him.

Keep me posted. We did our Bob hunt in 2010 and it is some very pretty country! I talked to LittleJohn plenty of times before we left too. :tup:
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: Kowsrule30 on January 16, 2012, 03:32:07 PM: Quote from: vandeman17 on January 16, 2012, 02:24:06 PM
Quote from: Kowsrule30 on January 16, 2012, 02:01:41 PM
I'd do Nevada.... If I could....

Do they offer them? I know a lot of states don't unless you are in a very limited draw group.

Haven't looked it up in a few years but I'm sure it's still a very steep draw.....
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: bugs n bones on January 16, 2012, 03:57:40 PM: Quote from: bobcat on January 15, 2012, 02:24:20 PM
I've never done it but you might check into doing a fly in hunt out of McCall or Salmon, Idaho. I believe they have a September elk season in the wilderness areas and you can get flown in for a DIY hunt, or a guided hunt, depending on your budget. I think deer is open at the same time. I've always wanted to try this.

Here's one site I found with Google:

http://www.mccallaviation.com/hunters.html
Been there done it several times...buy your wolf tags
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: ridgefire on January 17, 2012, 07:57:49 PM: if it was me i would be looking into a wyoming hunt
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: 6x6in6 on January 17, 2012, 08:45:06 PM: Quote from: ridgefire on January 17, 2012, 07:57:49 PM
if it was me i would be looking into a wyoming hunt
Not going to happen this year with their points system, unless he has points of course.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: coachcw on January 20, 2012, 12:50:43 PM: last time I was in the bob three years ago , the elk where living on the steepist crap on top off the mountain , with the wolves the elk where no ware near the rivers and meadows . I wont be going back anytime soon.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: Little Fish on January 20, 2012, 01:44:06 PM: For what its worth.....before heading to Idaho I would do some serious due diligence on wolves in the area I planned on hunting.
Title: Re: Rifle bugle hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on January 20, 2012, 02:03:57 PM: We are doing as much research as we possibly can. We are hoping to talk to the local biologist to see what he has to say about the area. Does anyone know if there are muzzleloader rut hunts available in any states?