Advice - Bowhunting the West 2008

[Monsterbull]

I have a 30-day sabbatical coming up in 2008 - I've already got it earmarked for hunting

. I have preliminary plans, but I'm wonderining if y'all might have some suggestions/advice? I'm looking mid to late August into September for 30 days. At the moment I'm thinking about the following:

Everything is backcountry DIY - with horse pack in/out, but no guides.

- Nevada Archery Mule Deer (if I can get drawn) Mid to Late August.
- Idaho Archery Elk/or Mule Deer (if I don't get Nevada).
- Oregon Archery Mule Deer/Elk. September
- Wyoming Antelope (maybe)

For Oregon, I pretty much have a handle on locations, access to horses, etc. For Idaho though, I'd like to get some advice on areas/units where I can have a reasonable chance at both bucks and bulls.

I've not had a chance at antelope yet, but I think Wyoming is a good bet. Any suggestions on DIY opportunities there for lopes?

Transportation could be an issue. I have air miles I can use to fly up to Idaho/Wyoming, for instance, but what about getting to/from airport to the trailhead(s)? (Will packers provide this kind of service?). I can always drive for the whole deal but prefer to avoid it if I can.

Any experiences, unforseen details, or alternative hunts I should consider?

 

[leftyhunter]

Sounds like fun! Try to talk to various state game wardens for advice and at least some fish and game depts list what zones have archery success stats. Ask their advice if it would be worthwhile to pay an access fee on private ranch land you could still have a DIY hunt. Once you got an interesting area in mind try google earth to narrow down where the best areas are.

Goodluck;
Leftyhunter

 

[One Track]

Are you talking about doing all the above or just one of the above?

You could kill an antelope in one day in WY. You'll have to buy a left-over tag. I'm sure there are plenty.

If I had 30 days, I would definitely have my own truck with me. And, I'd go for the OR pack-in with a bow.

 

[SDHNTR]

Wow. That's super cool. Good for you. If I had 30 days, no question, Alaska.

But since you did not express that interest, It sounds like you have it pretty well figured out. You will definitely want your truck with you. OR and ID aren't that far apart or far from NorCal and it will give you much more flexibility.

I have no experience with OR or ID but have hunted antelope in WY a few times.

WY antelope will be the easier of the hunts. You won't need to pack in anywhere and it will be far less strenuous. Again, you will want your truck. You might get lucky and draw a tag in a unit with a lot of public land, and it will help if you have a point. Look for the central part of the state for the highest antelope densities. Look for the SW part of the state for the real big antelope (and of course difficult draw odds too). There are always lots of left over or undersubscribed tags available in units with mostly private land. If you get on the horn now and call some rachers you should be able to line up a place to hunt with minimal expense. Call the WY GFD and ask for thier list of landowners that will let you hunt for a trespass fee. This will be your best bet to ensure that you get a tag and a place to hunt.

 

[Monsterbull]

Thanks for the input so far.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (One Track @ May 8 2007, 08:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Are you talking about doing all the above or just one of the above?[/b]

Certainly more than one, but not necessarily all. 30 days is a lot, but I want to dedicate enough time to each to give myself a reasonable chance at tagging decent animals. I want to be fairly selective, so I expect to use 10-days or so (including travel time) for each leg. Oregon for deer/elk combo is a definite, probably in the later part of the archery seaon. If I can draw Nevada for deer, I'll do that for the early portion. If not, I will go for deer or elk in Idaho. I have a location where I'm pretty certain I can obtain a deer tag with big mulies, but elk numbers are not so great; so I'm looking for units/locations that are promissing for both.

Thanks for the antelope info, I will most certainly look into fitting that in somehow.

I'd love to do Alaska - archery bull moose is a dream of mine - but I believe it's guide only and it's simply too much money. It's on the list, but that will have to come some other year. Plus, I'll be hunting with my brother on some of the trip(s).

 

[wmidbrook]

There are at least a couple of ID elk units that are OTC, first come first serve quota archery but are limited entry rifle. I think one of 'em is unit 76--it gets some serious archer pressure tho but it's still supposed to be alright. I've got some info on where to rent horses for backcountry areas of this unit...if you shoot me an email, I'll send you the info.

 

[Monsterbull]

Thanks wmidbrook, I just sent you an email.

 

[wmidbrook]

Email seems to be down. I sent myself an email and did not get it. I double-checked my email address here @ jesses and they have the right one.

 

[paulc]

If your willing to fork out the money i would seriously consider buying a landowner tag in NM. They have a 21 day archery hunt for elk and money will buy you a tag in a premium unit.

In 21 days you could really get into some quality bulls.

Everything starts with time and money.

 

[wmidbrook]

I agree with Paul too. I love NM elk. This will be the first year in the last 5 years that I'll probably not be hunting elk down there unless I draw a long odds Super Tag. I've got a Premium Tag in Wyo this year that I want to focus on. But, if I draw my desired NM tag....Wyo will take a back seat...lol.

The last 3 years in NM have been quality hunting experiences for. Paul's unit is outstanding and on a par with the Gila NF from all knowlegable accounts I've heard. The Gila is to die for (from first hand experience)!

There are also some outstanding opportunity units where a crack at a P&Y bull is not all that expensive...can get a tag for under $1500. These are areas where you'd only see a few other archers (if that) which makes it awesome IMO.

 

[Monsterbull]

Thank you gentlemen.

wmidbrook - I got your email, so it seems to work on my end anyway. Thanks again.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (paulc @ May 9 2007, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

If your willing to fork out the money i would seriously consider buying a landowner tag in NM. They have a 21 day archery hunt for elk and money will buy you a tag in a premium unit.

In 21 days you could really get into some quality bulls.

Everything starts with time and money.[/b]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

There are also some outstanding opportunity units where a crack at a P&Y bull is not all that expensive...can get a tag for under $1500. These are areas where you'd only see a few other archers (if that) which makes it awesome IMO.[/b]

I'm not sure I'm willing to fork out the dough, but what are we talking about $-wise for a NM landowner tag?
A quality <$1500 tag is something I would definitely consider. I hadn't really thought of NM as something within my reach, not so much in terms of expense, although that is a consideration, but draw potential. You've piqued my interest though and I'll have to look more seriously into NM. I hope you don't mind some more questions in future; I started browsing through the NM regs and my head is already spinning.