High and LOW of a Owens Valley Tule Bull Tag

[chap_dog48]

So I need to rant a little on the forum. I am not really one to brag about tags I have or brag about the deer I kill each year. I post up photos and share stories ok BRAG a little and trade info like all the rest on here, but, I have to RANT! I was fourtunate enough to draw a Bull tag for one of the Owens Valley Bulls. I was so pumped when I found out in June and only told a few people (Sorry for holding out JHOers) but I kept my mouth shut so I could have a great hunt and share with you folks here on the forum when or if I was successful. So I drew the Whitney Bull tag which is the only tag for bulls they give for that area. It is the West side of 395 near Lone Pine. I was pumped to get the tag, made some calls to the Biologist, and even talked to DFGELK and we exchanged info and all the stuff that you should do in preparation for this great tag. I went out and scouted 3 weekends now and have just about every elk in the area sighted and looked over. So where is the LOW for this tag? Well just today (Sunday) I am watching these elk and a few bulls from about 1000 yards out and I see two trucks driving and moving as the herd was moving. I end up talking to both of the trucks at seperate times in the day and find out they are holders of 2 of the 5 open zone archery tags. They both tell me they are planning on hunting this unit to get their bulls. CRAP there goes this little herd I have to pick from. Then one of the guys tells me another two archery hunters that have a guide are hunting the herd as well. SO now its not 2 guys its 4 and then to top it off I talk to another guy later that is planning on guiding a guy from Colorado that got a raffle tag at a RMEF (or somthing like that)banquet and he is going to take a bull from the unit. What the hell! I know that they are entitled to hunt in any zone and I have no problem of a guy or 2 poking around but 5. You may be saying suck in up chap_dog and you get what you get and that is true but here is the situtation on this herd. There are only 27 elk total in this unit as I type. 19 cows and 8 bulls, of the 8 bulls 2 are spike/forks, 1 is a rag horn 5x5, 1-5x6, 2-6x6, and 2 shooter bulls 7x6 and a big 7x6. The biggest bull is the 7x6 NOW since he broke off about 15 inches of his whale tale. When I saw these two shooters I was stoked that I may actually get a big bull and be able to mount it. I have even called and set up a Taxidermist to get my elk to after the hunt. BUT, Man this really sucks. Of all the zones, and they all want to hunt the zone I have, and my hunt takes place in OCTOBER!!!! The archery hunt takes place next weekend. I posted on the forum a few weeks back about some giants on the Owens River that several people said I should hunt but this tag isn't for that area so I tried to show them where these bigger bulls in others units were, I have pics of the bulls and have info backing it up from the biologist, a local rancher, and a Water and Power guy who all have said the biggest bulls are near the river and they said "I had an OK tag if I only got to hunt this side of 395." OUCH that sucked! Anyway looks like my AWESOME BULL tag is a meat bull tag, Oh Well. I am still OPPTOMISTIC and still hoping they miss with their bows(that kind of suck to wish guys to miss). The IRONIC thing was I was planning on archery hunting this tag since I thought WOW I have the only tag for the unit. I even stalked several times to see if I could get close and I at 15 yards I think it is a done deal. Now if there is this much pressure, I dought, any of the bulls that will be left will let me get with in 100 yards so I think I am bring out the 300 Mag. DANG IT!!!! I hope they go to the other 4 zones they can hunt and get bulls there but from what they said this area is easier to access for both the hunter and for trucks, so OH WELL! OK, I am off my rant.

 

[slanttop357]

To hell it does Kurt wish away, i will be wishing with u

 

[DFGELK]

I can tell you that there is no hunter with an RMEF auction tag. There was the tag that use to be auctioned off but we changed it to a random draw and a hunter out of northern CA drew that tag in the random special draw and got a bull opening weekend for that tag (weekend before last if I remember correctly) not sure which zone it was taken in. I still think it is a good hunt and a handful of tags is really not that much pressure. These elk will move around a bit and you may see some different bulls show up by the time your hunt rolls around in a couple months. This area is known for breakage of antlers, they are deficient in two minerals and more prone to breakage than most other areas. Again, I still think it is a good hunt and you will have a good time and I wish you the best. Joe

 

[huntingheritage]

Kurt
I am one of the archers hunting with Jerry. I can tell you this, we are looking at all of the zones available to us. I tell you what, tell me where those big bulls were in another zone and I will hunt them! The raffle tag holder killed his bull in the Tinemeha zone (a zone neither of us can hunt), you no need to worry about him. As far as the other hunters go, who knows where they will hunt come opening day. I guess it will depend on their research (on the forums, biologists, ranchers, contacts, etc) and whether or not the bulls they are targeting are broken or not. They should have a plan A, B, and C already as we do. A lot will happen between now and October. If I were you, I would still be stoked. And for the record, I wish you the best of luck. We are all hunters and support each other.
Kevin

 

[coyote 1]

Kurt
I can tell you right now, there are more than 60 elk in that zone in three major herds. There are at least 5 shooter bulls included. (Unless you want a 300" bull- there is only one). Come October you will be lucky to find a bull that is not broken. The bulls break their antlers raking the brush and ground, not just fighting. Once the rut is over, the elk are going to change their habits and area drastically. The bulls will go back into bachelor herds and disappear. They will still be there, just more nocturnal. Keep going up there scouting as often as possible. The biologist is a great asset. You can also call me if you want to discuss anything. (Even if it is all ranting. I totally understand, but I'm one of those guys who would love to have your tag.)
Jerry

 

[chap_dog48]

Hey Jerry, I got what you are saying. I am totally stoked don't get me wrong. I have seen another group in the area but i was told they went back to the east side. Run me a personal message at chap_dog48 @ yahoo.com

 

[suavegato]

I get where you are coming from and can't say I wouldn't be a bit frustrated too but that said, I'd love to have your "problem"... Sounds like there is still hope for you, have fun and good luck!

 

[markt800]

I can tell you that there is no hunter with an RMEF auction tag. There was the tag that use to be auctioned off but we changed it to a random draw and a hunter out of northern CA drew that tag in the random special draw and got a bull opening weekend for that tag (weekend before last if I remember correctly) not sure which zone it was taken in. I still think it is a good hunt and a handful of tags is really not that much pressure. These elk will move around a bit and you may see some different bulls show up by the time your hunt rolls around in a couple months. This area is known for breakage of antlers, they are deficient in two minerals and more prone to breakage than most other areas. Again, I still think it is a good hunt and you will have a good time and I wish you the best. Joe

why would you not make the heard a mineral site and fix this problem???? oh thats right our state doesn't make the laws on hunting the ANTIS do, take the public out of the DFG please.

 

[suavegato]

I'm not sure what you mean by, "making the heard a mineral site"? I assume you mean adding some mineral lick blocks or scattered mineral powders & mixes in areas that they frequent? If that is what you mean, I'm just going to guess that if solving the problem were as easy and cheap as mineral blocks, it would have been done. I'm sure there is MUCH more to it that we aren't aware of.

Maybe Joe can help with this?

 

[markt800]

i'm willing to bet its no harder then that.

they know what two minerals they need, why not offer it to them on a free choice basis.

who knows they might be trying, but i doubt it.

you can't feed big game animals in california.

do you think "Utah DOW" would ever let any big game herd lack two minerals???
no never, and they also would never let toe tag liberal groups shut down the hunting of lions.

like my warden buddy says. we need to fire all of our biologist and hire one from every other state in the west.

anyhow sorry for ranting on you ranting post CHAP.

 

[suavegato]

Well, I won't argue with you on how great the Ca DFG runs it's programs, cuz they don't, that's for sure... But, I just have to think that if it were as simple as that, they would be doing it. Or the local ranchers or sportsmen, or clubs or RMEF or a joint venture? Doesn't seem to hard or expensive, that's what makes me think there is more to it? Maybe not, I'd love to hear from Joe on this one...

 

[Nickman]

Chapdog......I understand your frustration about your zone and the animals you saw in that zone. You are stressing out over nothing. I live in that unit and I can promise you that at this minute there are at least 80 animals in there and probably 11, 6x6 or better bulls. I have looked that herd over 5 days this month.

On Monday next week that number can double or reduce itself by half. This valley has no boundaries and these elk travel in and out of the individual units at will. Now that the rut is in full swing, the batchelor herd may or may not move into the Moffett Ranch and remain there for several weeks, leaving you a choice of maybe 25 bulls.

The guys that have hunts ahead of you DON'T have any advantage whatsoever! Many bulls are busted up right now and more will break off some antler before this weekend. Besides, they are stick flickers, that have to get really close and when these herds move out into the desert area, those guys are out of the game. I will bet my Swaros', that not 1 of the 5 archery tag holders will even hunt west of 395.....what they want is not there right now and I have met and worked with 3 out of the 5, so I know what they are after. One of the other 2 lives in Bishop and he has one on a leash up that way somewhere.

Simply because there is a herd that you have spotted bedding down in a certain area on your scout trips, things change....bugs hatch and drive them crazy....water conditions make them move ....Water & Power may be repairing a ditch and they spook to a new location. They kill each other......whatever.

Other than learning the features of your unit and enjoying the scenery, coming here to profile elk behavior relating to your October hunt is a complete waste of your time and fuel.

As far as an RMEF tag goes.......that is a fairy tale. There is no such tag. After this weekend when the stick flickers get here, no one else will hunt a bull in the Whitney zone.

There will be no pressure on the elk and if you just want something to worry about, the quail hunters will disturb them FAR worse than any more elk hunters. I would not be surprised to see 50 quail hunters and DOGS in your zone opening day of quail season. The X9b deer rifle season opens on Sept 16th and there will be deer hunters in your unit also........not many deer, but some locals hunt that ranch.....HARD!

The best thing you can do to help yourself is to show up on Thursday , scout Friday and hunt Saturday. You get here and have any issues, look me up and I will help you find your bull. For now, don't stress out......life is good! You have a GREAT tag!

By the way, I guided the Whitney zone hunter in 2010. He had several bulls to choose from and took a VERY nice 6x7.

 

[Orygun]

There will be no pressure on the elk and if you just want something to worry about, the quail hunters will disturb them FAR worse than any more elk hunters.

Happened on my dad's cow hunt last year. 2 guys and a dog got between 9 tag holders and a large herd. A few shotgun volleys and the game was over for that day. Went out the next morning and found a bunch with no problem. We ended up having to actually pack out over mile from the road across lava rocks. It turned into an actual hunt and was way more enjoyable for that.

 

[slanttop357]

Nice read Nickman.

 

[chap_dog48]

I did get some good news I talked to the Mike the Biologist and that that one guys who was going to guide some guy is BUNK, only the tags in the Big Game raffle and the supertag where given out. So that is good to know. As you said Nickman, I know things are going to change but if you have looked at the herd in that unit you know there are 2 stud bulls. One is probable going to go over 300" easy and there was another that was real close to the size of that herd bull but has broke off 15" off his whale tale as of Sunday. So when you go and scout and know what the caliber of bulls are in that unit you get pumped like I did and DREAM, wavering on which bull to shoot. Now talking to those guys that have the archery tags they want to get that 300+ bull all of them I talked to and as a conselation prize will take the smaller bull. I would too. One of the archery guys only wants that 300+ bull or said he may eat the tag. I know the owners of the alfalfa field I was college roomates of the Grandson and Zach said he saw a large part of the herd head east over 395. So the last day I was there I only saw the 27, 22 in the herd and 5 other random bulls. I did not go check on the Sheppard herd since I thought that was the elk that vacated that area over 395. I know there is going to be bulls to choose from come Oct. I will search for the best one I can find and go after it. I just was shocked to learn that 4 of the archery guys were going to concentrate on that Zone when there are 4 other zones they could hunt. I have a pic of 14 bulls in one bachelor herd from last year around late october so I know they MAY be in the zone come Oct, OR they may move to the river. All I hope is with all the pressure they all don't decide "Lets get out of here and go over the HWY." When you have a tag like this you are hoping for a giant like the 2 I had as my #1 and #2 bulls. Take those big boys out and I will take a nice 6x6 but it won't be 300" bull more like 250. Still a good bull in my book and I should get about 250 lbs of meat to eat which like everyone say you cant eat horns, but when you have a tag like this you can be picky.

 

[chap_dog48]

Also Nickman lets see a pic of that Whitney Bull from last year. When I get home I will post some pics from my scouting trips I was just waiting to share after my hunt but since I let the beans out about my tag might as well share now. Kurt

 

[baco]

Chap I can feel where you are coming from but put yourself in their shoes wouldnt you want to go after the biggest bull you were allowed to hunt?

 

[baco]

And to Market there are mineral blocks all over up there for the cattle so I'm guessing the problem is more than just that

 

[Nickman]

Chap......sent you a PM...

 

[jdjtexas]

I like PICTURES!! haha