Calif. Elk-where ya putting in for?

[gasdocwannabe]

Okay guys and gals..what areas are you thinking about putting in for?

 

[paulc]

most likely lone pine or tinemeha. only reason is because my mom grew up there.

 

[Speckmisser]

I always donate my money with an app for Grizzly Island antlerless.

I do want to look at the archery lottery this year, though. May be better odds, although everybody knows about it now.

 

[DAWG]

1:100 (archery odds last year) is actually better than the Owens Valley bull tags, but you still need to get very lucky. Not quite a sleeper pick. I just will donate my money to one of the Owens Valley bull hunts.

 

[wmidbrook]

I'll be putting in for an Owen's Valley Bull tag too. Who knows, maybe this point system will signifcantly improve the draw odds for those in the max pool 5-10 years down the road.

Grizzly Island has nice bulls but I've heard something that didn't sit well with me personally about the Grizzly Island hunts. I met a fellow in Wilderness Unlimited the year I belonged who drew a GI bull tag. He was met by a biologist at the check station who walked him right out to where a bull was (no choice, must be accompanied by an official). It lasted all of one half an hour. No stalk, no hunting skills required--just shooting skills.

I've heard that at least for Owens Valley, you have to hunt them. I'll be putting in for tags where I can have a chance at bugling them in...that's the part of Elk hunting that appeals to me the most--bugling a bull in. OV hunt may still have a feel of an enclosed-in-a-pen type of a deal...don't know.

 

[Rick]

It's been close to 10 years ago, but when my brother drew a cow tag and then a bull tag a couple of years later, both on Grizzly Island, he had to spot and stalk them. There was no biologist leading him to a bull or cow. Not like a Rocky Mountain pack-in hunt, but a lot of belly crawling in low cover - kind of like antelope hunting.

 

[wmidbrook]

Rick>>Thanks for the info...That sounds a whole lot better than what I was told. I didn't know my source. Just someone I bumped into and chatted a bit with on a Wilderness Unlimited property. He could have fabricated the whole thing as far as I know.

I know an orientation is mandatory on Grizzly and elsewhere too, if I remember right.

 

[Speckmisser]

Bill,

I've heard an almost identical story about Grizzly, but didn't know the source. It's almost like one of those urban myths, except I can't say if it's true or not. You know... "a friend of my brother's friend's uncle said..."

The people I've talked to first hand who hunted there have had quite different things to say, though. Most of them talk about a frustrating time trying to find elk off the private land, especially after the first couple of periods... then make a tough stalk. There's some nasty terrain there. It's flat, but ugly.

But maybe the bull hunt is a little easier, since there's only one or two hunters during that period.

Anyway, it's not like I'll ever get drawn anyway... of course, my luck could be changing (see the Questions about CO guide thread).

An orientation is definitely mandatory at Grizzly. Not for sure about the other areas.

 

[snoopdogg]

I think the WU gentleman may have it all confused going back a bit to when they first opened Grizzly Island to sport hunting, back in the late 80's I believe.

With all of the protesters in the first years, DFG and local law enforcement were necessary to keep those fellers out of your hair while you hunted. In addition, DFG weighed those fat ol' tule elk and took scientific samples, so they helped you take it out of the field in those early days. Again, due to the aniti's efforts.

DFG wanted to minimize the time necessary for the successful hunter to get their animal out of the anti's view. They even went as far as placing visual barriers (blue tarps) while you dressed your kill, in order to prevent the protesters from showing inflammatory pictures in the media.

If it was that easy nowadays, hell, I might as well pay for a canned hunt and not wait an unknown period to get drawn and STILL pay for a $300 tag.

 

[BDB]

I am going to apply for a tag this year for the first time for elk in CA. Actually i have never elk hunted anywhere for that matter. I'd be just as happy with a cow and would like to use the bow, but may use the gun instead. i don't know where to apply since i don't know the elk hunting in CA at all. I'm looking for a decent chance to get drawn 5-1 or so, in an area with good numbers, again not looking for a 6x6 or anything. Any suggestions??

BDB

 

[Speckmisser]

BDB,

Check out the Big Game booklet. It gives you your odds for each zone, and also gives the average success rate for the previous season.

I always put in for Grizzly Island cow tags in the third period. Pretty reasonable odds of getting drawn, and they list 100% success most years. But the main reason I put in for that one is because it's only 80 miles from the house, so I don't have to drive half a day to hunt if I get drawn.

A real good alternative is to look into an out of state hunt, especially in a state with over-the-counter tags. I've been thinking a lot about Oregon archery, and was planning to go this fall until I got drawn for that CO hunt. The cost for an out of state tag isn't all that much more than a CA elk tag, and you can get it over the counter. Not a bad deal.

 

[hunthog]

Every year since they first started doing it I've put in for a Bull tag at Grizzly Island. Wish they would have started preference points way back then. I'd already have my trophy by now. I just keep making my contribution to Tule Elk management every year.

hunthog

 

[rookiehunt21]

Anybody know if they are ever going to open up the Carrizo heard for hunting? There sure are alot of elk out there.

 

[COHunter]

I'm putting in for the.......oh' wait, you guys dont want to share

I saw a hunt Friday night on Elk Country Journal for those Tule Elk at some NWR. The terrain looked like a dream (flat). He shot a nice Bull too.

 

[Mattk53]

Last Year I put in For the Del Norte hunt, I might try for Klammath this year. I think I might have a lead on hunting land there.

Are the big game books out yet? I thought they usually don't come out until April or May?

Matt

 

[JOE MACK]

Originally posted by Rick@Feb 4 2003, 10:40 AM
It's been close to 10 years ago, but when my brother drew a cow tag and then a bull tag a couple of years later, both on Grizzly Island,  he had to spot and stalk them.   There was no biologist leading him to a bull or cow.   Not like a Rocky Mountain pack-in hunt, but a lot of belly crawling in low cover - kind of like antelope hunting.

This is what is wrong with the drawing for elk in this state!!! I've been putting in EVERY year since the drawing for elk started. I obviously haven't been drawn and some have been drawn twice within a couple years? I bothered Fish and Game about once a month for years and they are just starting a preference point system. I feel it should be once in a lifetime like Utah moose. This would give some long term applicants more of a chance. This isn't any reflection on your brother, Rick. It is a glaring problem with the system. RKBA!

 

[fpscabs]

OV bull, just need to keep everything in the same general area as my deer zone(I hope)

 

[1SoCalHunter]

Not putting for CA elk this year! I'm going to Colorado!

 

[COHunter]

1SoCalHunter,
Colorado is Resident only this year, just like CA. They just announced it an hour ago.

 

[Hogskin]

Originally posted by rookiehunt21@Feb 15 2003, 09:16 PM
Anybody know if they are ever going to open up the Carrizo heard for hunting? There sure are alot of elk out there.

Rookie,

That's the LA Panza hunt. Lots of elk but rumor is the private landowners in the area herd the elk onto private land before the hunts begin and then charge an arm and a leg ($10,000+) to come onto the property to hunt.

Regards,
Paul