Fort Hunter Liggett FHL elk hunt Nov 2011. Bow, shotgun, muzzleloader?

[spectr17]

I know the elk like to hang out in the primitive weapon areas the most. I've got a bow and 870 Rem shotgun but should I get a muzzleloader too for just in case? I've always wanted to get back into the smokepoles so now may be the time. On the shotguns, can they go in all the areas as the bow and smokepole?

Cow elk tag if that matters.

Thanks.

 

[weekender21]

There are some archery only areas so the short answer is no.

 

[ltdann]

You drew a cow tag? Congrats! I always thought cows were tough to hunt.

Bring everything, ML, shotgun, rifle, bow. Never could tell where you'd see them and It would suck if you were under armed.

I've chased 'em with bow's, shot one with a shotgun and one with a rifle.

It varies from year to year, but normally, anyplace that will allow a muzzleloader will allow a shotgun. I'd check on the shotgun though, one year they would allow them at all. Really torqued me off.

That Nov cow hunt gets COLD, with a capital C. Bring water, the pipes in the campground froze last year.

 

[weekender21]

Chains for your tires would be a good idea too. That black mud up there is horrible if you get any rain.

 

[ltdann]

Chains for your tires would be a good idea too. That black mud up there is horrible if you get any rain.

+1. I will NEVER hunt FHL again, without a shovel, axe, saw and tow strap. I slid sideways off the road and buried my 4x4 up to the WINDOW. If I hadn't just swapped phone numbers with a coupla para-rescue guys I'd still be there. As it was, it took 3 of us, 4 hours to get that thing out. That damn winch busted right away and I didn't have a shovel or a saw.

That was in area 16, on a good road, during the rain.

 

[LongCaribine]

Agree with what LTDann said. I drew a cow tag last year and I took everything except a bow, because I don't have one, and I'm glad I did. The elk seemed to be hanging out in area 22 and that was a muzzleloader only zone. If you are thinking of getting into the smokepole hunting I would say this is a perfect time to get a smokepole. Good luck and be safe.

 

[Live2hunt]

You drew a cow tag in FHL? No way!!!........You only hunt with a video camera......j/k.

Congrats on the tag....you gonna have a whole filming crew on the base?

 

[spectr17]

Thanks for the help everyone. I know some think I'm crazy burning max elk points to cow hunt but I just wanted to do that hunt, ya never know, might get run over by a trash truck next year.

I think I'm going to buy a ML. Dad and I used to hunt with them back in the 60s and 70s when we hunted with a group that were big on the mountain man thing. Buckskin, smokepoles and coonskin hats. Caney Mtn in the Ozarks was the first time I ever saw one fired at a deer and the big smoke cloud really covered the woods that morning. I thought it was kewl as hell and everyone hunted that way. LOL. The ML I really want is made by a MO fella that rides a mule around. He uses old wood and steel he finds at old homesteads in the Ozarks. He made the MLs that were used in Last Of The Mohicans. I hear the wait is 4 years so I'd better get in line for that one I guess. Off to the TRAD ML forum for me, them newfangled ones just don't seem right. THank god there is no waiting period for MLs.

 

[ltdann]

Trust me, the cow hunts are NOT as easy as everyone thinks. That time of year, the cows are all herded up. Once you find a herd, its a struggle to get close enough for a shot. Then, there are SO MANY eyes looking around and one false step and they're gone. After that, its a waiting game to see if you can a clear lane for a shot on a single animal. Don't want get a two-fer-one special 'cause that's big trouble.

If you stay the entire season and hunt every minute of every day, you'll get one. Most folks leave by turkey day and you'll have the place to yourself. The place is an absolute ghost town about 4 days into the season. Last year, I was the only tent in the camp ground.

 

[CaliJeephuntr]

It varies from year to year, but normally, anyplace that will allow a muzzleloader will allow a shotgun. I'd check on the shotgun though, one year they would allow them at all. Really torqued me off.

It depends... sometimes they only allow an area to be Archery, Muzzleloader, or Shotgun with bird shot only. It'll specify on the weekly hunting area updates.

Pretty stupid rule if you ask me, but... atleast you know ahead of time.

 

[CaliJeephuntr]

When is your hunt Jesse?

As for muzzleloader, i'm sure you're reading the muzzy section here... but absolutely cannot go wrong with a TC Omega with a 3-9 scope, blackhorn 209 powder at 110 grains and a 250gr TEZ Barnes.

 

[Huntr Pat]

I would take what ever you are comfortable with and can shoot accurately. I shot a cow Elk with a 7mm and my bow. My wife shot hers with 7mm. you just gotta hunt them hard and get in front of their passage if they are moving. jesse not sure if you have my cell but you can pm me. good luck

 

[ltdann]

I would take what ever you are comfortable with and can shoot accurately. I shot a cow Elk with a 7mm and my bow. My wife shot hers with 7mm. you just gotta hunt them hard and get in front of their passage if they are moving. jesse not sure if you have my cell but you can pm me. good luck

What Pat said. Hardest lesson I ever learned was that " A running man CANNOT outdistance a walking elk." If your behind 'em, you'll always be there.

You got figure out where they're going, get there first and let 'em come to you.

 

[CaliJeephuntr]

What Pat said. Hardest lesson I ever learned was that " A running man CANNOT outdistance a walking elk." If your behind 'em, you'll always be there.

You got figure out where they're going, get there first and let 'em come to you.

Oh come on... we had fun chasing those elk around that year! It was like a game of chess! With pigs mixed in trying to run us over...

 

[ltdann]

Wait! I was chasing, you and yours were camped out under a shade tree, laughing at me.:lol bashing sign:


It was fun, and I did learn that lesson.

 

[spectr17]

Thanks for all the help. With the forecast for rain for several days can we cut up the elk in the field or do we have to keep it whole to bring it to the check station? All the elk hunters I've seen there brought in the whole elk and cut it up there.

 

[solus]

If I remember all deer had to be braught in whole so they could be inspected. It probably goes for elk as well. Let me know how it goes I'm thinking of taking off wendsday night after thanksgiving dinner or Thursday morning.... are civilians allowed to hunt during the week? I know last time it was only Saturday and Sunday but this being a holiday it should be ok right?

 

[ltdann]

Thanks for all the help. With the forecast for rain for several days can we cut up the elk in the field or do we have to keep it whole to bring it to the check station? All the elk hunters I've seen there brought in the whole elk and cut it up there.

They'll probably cover that during the orientation and if not, it's a good question to ask. During my orientation, they told us they preferred us to bring it in whole, if at all possible.

Bring your chains in case it rains. Areas 15-16 are a mess when they're wet.

It just occurred to me, that's THIS Sat! Good luck to you, Sir!

 

[DuckFever]

Really anxious to see/hear how your hunt went. Good luck to ya Jesse.

 

[spectr17]

Off to Fort Hunter Liggett tule cow elk hunt. Goin over grapevine just north of LA. Gonna b a mud bowl

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