CA tule elk..........

[Live2hunt]

My dad is fortunate enough to draw an antlerless elk tag in the Tinemaha and West Tinemaha hunt after 6 or 7 years of trying with max points. Dad and I are trying to put together a few scouting trips between now and the opener in Oct. Neither of us have been to that part of the state. We would appreciate any info on where we could start scouting. Not looking for anybody's honey hole. Just general info on where to start and where to get quality maps that will show private/public land boundaries or who (biologist, DFG officer) to talk to about the area. Thanks in advance for your help.




L2H

 

[Dan Moss]

I hunted there in 2002. When I hunted that zone you were not allowed to hunt the west side of 395. Finding that herd is fairly simple. Just a few miles south of Big Pine there is an alfafa field on the west side of 395. When I scouted back then and when we hunted the zone and just as recently as first week in july the herd normally stays in that field. Luckly we found two bulls on the east side and were able to take our two bulls. As for land. Most of the land is public or land owned by the Los Angelas Dept. of Water and Power. The land is then leased by local farmers. Contact the Bishop office of DFG. I dont know who the biologist is now. However there was nice youg lady there when we hunted it. She was very helpful. The biologist should be able to get you in contact with the local rancher as well. As I was saying the elk stay in that field and if spooked we would see them funnel out an open gate to the west and cross Fish springs rd then start up the lava slopes of the Sierra's.

 

[Live2hunt]

Thanks for the info Dan. I pulled up a satelite/hybrid map of the area and found the alfalfa field you're talking about. We will check that out. Although we can hunt the west side of 395 this year, we're still not sure where the private/public land boundaries are. The letter sent by DFG with that tag said the hunt area is a mixture of public and private lands. Cautious must be taken carefully not to tresspass as the area will be strictly patrolled during the hunt. I will be looking for maps. Again thanks for you helpful info.



L2H

 

[easymoney]

What live2 said is very true and one needs to be very careful of te private ranches or leases. It is hard to find really factual boundries and the animals will cross 395 to the previously closed area.
There are many public roads that criss cross the area and you can drive around on the East side doing the looksee. But, be very careful of the closed areas as they are not well posted.

 

[jerkee]

L2H- That's a great tag and you're not going to have a hard time at all. First of all the ranchers are very cooperative in helping hunters! Secondly the numbes are very high right now so there are elk just about everywhere. Lastly, every Joebob in the world will hunt that group Dan mentioned. I'd recommend finding other elk incase those are pressured. Either way your Dad should tag out quite easily.

 

[Live2hunt]

Jerkee,

Thanks for your encouragement. We planned to do three scouting trips before the opener. Hopefully we will find multiple groups and meet some of those cooperative ranchers.



Thanks,

L2H

 

[DFGELK]

I just want to remind everyone that there were several boundary changes this year in the Owens Valley. There is specifically a boundary change in West Tinemeha. In order to safely allow rifle hunters in the zone the Region proposed changes, if I recall correctly the boundary now does not include those alfalfa fields. Alisa is the unit biologist out of Bishop and is very helpful. Please give her a call 760 872-1173.

Joe

 

[Zimm]

FYI- I have recently been in contact with Alisa for my upcoming Lone Pine period 3 bull hunt and she is AWESOME!!! They are conducting some aireal surveys next week and will provide herd location info after that!

 

[Lurediver]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zimm @ Jul 30 2007, 10:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

FYI- I have recently been in contact with Alisa for my upcoming Lone Pine period 3 bull hunt and she is AWESOME!!! They are conducting some aireal surveys next week and will provide herd location info after that![/b]

Zimm only you would require "aireal surveys" to locate game, get your butt off the couch and go find them yourself.

 

[Zimm]

LD, I am 100% dependant on Alisa to find my elk, and for you to find my buck at the secret spot!!!!!!! A little bird told me you been seeing them pretty good...how does Labor day weekend look for you???

 

[Dan Moss]

Sorry PC problems could not reply sooner. 10-4 on what Jerkee said. I did not know they changed the boundaries either. However just a good starting point. When we hunted there we had a hard time finding the 2 bulls that we did out of the alfafa. However this herd was not hunted on that side of the road. They may be pushed around a bit more now. I didn't realize that they opened this as a rifle hunt again. I thought it was still an AO hunt. good luck

 

[Sodhunter]

If it's the same Lone Pine bull as in 93 I would focus my time between the Owens and the aqua duct. The herds are mostly cows with some busted up herd bull maybe the way I recall. Do some serious scouting to find a bull that is not all busted up. I don't know if it's the same now but in 93 it was tough to find a good bull with all the brow tines even. Found little groups of bulls. Was fortunate to find a 650 lb. 7x7 with only very top of one side broken. North end of zone seemed to be a little less breakage. It looks pretty barren out there but you will find a lot of bulls down in the low areas that can't be seen unless you get out thereTry to contact the ranchers ahead of time so you don't have to mess with it later. I found they wanted you to kill elk and said just leave gates the way you found them and go wherever you want. Go before the season and enjoy the "hunt" as much as you can then knock him down opening day. Remember there are not many hunters but there is one other guy your season and 4 before you I believe. Have fun.

 

[Live2hunt]

Sodhunter,

Thanks for your advice. My dad only have an antlerless tag so we will focus on a big mature cow. We were there scouting on 8/4 - 8/5 and didn't see any elk anywhere else in the zone except the herd in the alfalfa pasture mentioned by Dan Moss. There were over 100 heads in the herd. I wonder if hunters can actually walk into that pasture and shoot one. Maybe if they get shot at, they might leave that alfalfa pasture, otherwise it will not be easy to move them out of there.




L2H

 

[Orygun]

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

Maybe if they get shot at, they might leave that alfalfa pasture, otherwise it will not be easy to move them out of there.[/b]

They'll run, but not that far.

Sod, 93? early or late? I did the Lone Pine early hunt that year. Back when they had the mandatory orientation class with map of th herds circled with instructions on where to go to get help if you couldn't find them. Understand you actually have to work for them now.

Live2hunt, I can't think of a better reason to get up to the Owens as much as possible. I made 5 or 6 weekend trips the year I drew. I scouted till I found several big quail concentrations, chukar areas, great jumpshoot and blind spots for ducks. As well as some sweet pools for trout and bass. We seemed to find the elk as well. It should be a fun hunt. Try not to shoot them in a real sandy spot with a good 4x4 or a winch and rope.