Sorry if this is redundant, but what is the story with hunting elk in Carrizo? I was up there today and saw a herd of about 50. I couldnt get more than about 500 yards, but I think I saw two bulls and a few juvenile males through the glass. Does this sound right? Just curious since I was up there scouting quail. Also saw the pronghorns...nice looking herd
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el_vaquero
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Couldn't tell ya, but would have liked to have been there to see 'em...
easymoney
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Welcome bpenn,
The tag for the Carrizo area is a hard draw(as are all CA elk tags), yet there are good numbers of elk.
That being said, the bulk of the animals here in SLO county are easily seen from the roads but are on mainly PRIVATE PROPERTY. I watch the Pozo herd all the time and there are some real whoppers, but they might as well be in a zoo. Untouchable, unless you have blood relative connections or you buy a guided tag for up to $12,000 dollars from one of the ranches. The Carrizo Plains NM is a huge place and the game tends to hang along the private ranches because there is water and cultivated grain. The odds of seeing them in the same place day after day is slim.
This could also be said about the wild pigs as well. Plenty of tags, but the odds of scoring, for the above reasons is slim to none. There are folks who do score but I would wager they were more lucky than good... Lots of rumors but few success stories.
Just my two cents.
The tag for the Carrizo area is a hard draw(as are all CA elk tags), yet there are good numbers of elk.
That being said, the bulk of the animals here in SLO county are easily seen from the roads but are on mainly PRIVATE PROPERTY. I watch the Pozo herd all the time and there are some real whoppers, but they might as well be in a zoo. Untouchable, unless you have blood relative connections or you buy a guided tag for up to $12,000 dollars from one of the ranches. The Carrizo Plains NM is a huge place and the game tends to hang along the private ranches because there is water and cultivated grain. The odds of seeing them in the same place day after day is slim.
This could also be said about the wild pigs as well. Plenty of tags, but the odds of scoring, for the above reasons is slim to none. There are folks who do score but I would wager they were more lucky than good... Lots of rumors but few success stories.
Just my two cents.
easymoney
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The elk were, according to your description of the location, most likely on public land. But, that does not mean they will be there again today... They migrate back to the west, on to the ranches with water and grain.
And, I believe the electric fence is to keep antelope off the road. This is one of the "new management techniques" the "new" staff (who are also trying to stop all hunting and grazing on the CPNM) is using but with marginal success.
The odds of drawing a tag, then to locate the elk on public land during season is always a crap shoot. First one has to get drawn, then worry if they are still there.
And, I believe the electric fence is to keep antelope off the road. This is one of the "new management techniques" the "new" staff (who are also trying to stop all hunting and grazing on the CPNM) is using but with marginal success.
The odds of drawing a tag, then to locate the elk on public land during season is always a crap shoot. First one has to get drawn, then worry if they are still there.
Well shit, yesterday would have been one hell'uv a lucky day then! They were right down on the plain, barely visible through the heat waves from Soda Lake Rd, but looking good. I was just messing around, coming from upwind and not concealed at all, and got to 500 yards. If I had come in downwind, hoofed a mile or two and belly crawled a low hill I think 200 yards would have been realistic. It was very windy and gusting, but at 200yrds I would guess thats not a huge issue when elk hunting. Never hunted large game, but I imagine you have a good size (12-14"??) vital area so there is a little room for error.
On the other topic....how "wild" can wildlife be when there are electric fences all over the damn place?
Just looked at the free Carrizo Plain map on their website and checked an aerial. The elk were just inside the "no shoot" zone nw from the visitor center less than 100 yards from the light blue colored State Lands on that map. Still, what a good opportunity.
On the other topic....how "wild" can wildlife be when there are electric fences all over the damn place?
Just looked at the free Carrizo Plain map on their website and checked an aerial. The elk were just inside the "no shoot" zone nw from the visitor center less than 100 yards from the light blue colored State Lands on that map. Still, what a good opportunity.
easymoney
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Sounds as if you have a tag in hand, congrats that is the hard part.
The area around the visitor center and any of the other "public outreach" sites or campgrounds are very well marked and all off limits. The best thing to do is cruise around glassing for animals and looking for water holes. This year there will not be many, but you will know it when you see one.
The "sweet spot" on an elk is about the size of a large dinner plate and if hit will dump them, but a broad side shot into the chest anywhere just above the crease of the leg will usually do the trick if it hits the lungs or liver. That is if you have the right rifle and bullet choice.
The game animals are all completely wild out there, the fences are a feel good technique by the huggers who work there. The elk run over or through fences and the antelope won't jump them.
It is truly frustrating having them standing just inside the no hunting areas, just like at FHL...
The only area you can't shoot down in the valley is California City but it is well posted and there aren't any animals except squirrels or coyotes.
Good luck...
The area around the visitor center and any of the other "public outreach" sites or campgrounds are very well marked and all off limits. The best thing to do is cruise around glassing for animals and looking for water holes. This year there will not be many, but you will know it when you see one.
The "sweet spot" on an elk is about the size of a large dinner plate and if hit will dump them, but a broad side shot into the chest anywhere just above the crease of the leg will usually do the trick if it hits the lungs or liver. That is if you have the right rifle and bullet choice.
The game animals are all completely wild out there, the fences are a feel good technique by the huggers who work there. The elk run over or through fences and the antelope won't jump them.
It is truly frustrating having them standing just inside the no hunting areas, just like at FHL...
The only area you can't shoot down in the valley is California City but it is well posted and there aren't any animals except squirrels or coyotes.
Good luck...
