Need advice

[LadyHunter]

I'm planning on putting my name in for the drawing of a elk permit for the hunt next fall. I know it's a long shot to get my name drawn but just incase I do, this will be my first elk hunt so I need all the tips I can get. I know it will be totally different than hunting whitetails. I didn't apply last year because it would have been the first elk hunt in Kentucky in 150 years and I knew the press would be following the hunters every where. I hope next year it would be different.  Any advice from the seasoned elk hunters??

 

[hronk]

Depends on the time of year, (rut or post rut) terrain (mtns., valleys, water sources) and pressure(amount of hunters in a given area)....  Fill us in and I'm sure someone here can help you out.......hronk  

 

[LadyHunter]

The hunt will be held in a split season. One in mid-Nov. and one in early Dec. I don't know when the elk rut is but the whitetail rut seems to come in late Oct. and early Nov. The hunt is in a 12 county zone in the mountains of eastern KY. There will be 10 permits drawn and last year there were over 9,000 applicants. Long shot, I know. Each hunter will be assigned his own area to hunt, he can bring two helpers and if it's like last year, a guide and a few thousand reporters and game officals. The water sources can only be geuss at. I live in western KY and don't know the area. Last year everyone drawn for a permit got an elk. But once the elk know they are being hunted it will get harder every year.

 

[Passthru]

 About all i can tell you is get a cow call and learn to use it,and that they are as skittish as a whitetail.Wish i could help.but these guys from out west should be able to help.

 

[Rimrock]

Ladyhunter,
Lots of luck for your elk draw! My experience is with western elk but I am assuming that all of them share common traits. Ordinarily the rut would be over by mid November so bugleing is probably not an option. Passthru's advice about a cow call is good. They will respond to it and it helps to settle them down when only half spooked. If they are really spooked, just get out of the way!
Elk usually travel in herds of from a few to several dozen, depending on the terrain and their density. They leave a lot of sign when using an area but may travel a long ways in a short time. I would scout for sign, locate trails, feeding and bedding areas and set up in a tree stand. They are as effective for elk as for deer.
Elk usually head for bedding areas early and they usually bed in real thick stuff. Usually they don't move again too much before late afternoon. At least that is true during early bow seasons. You should have colder weather and that should help with daytime movement.

Good luck.

Play fair.

 

[KIDKY]

good luck to you ladyhunter, i also live in Ky (lexington) and will be attempting (again) to get me an elk tag this year.  I'm alot like you, i'd have to have LOTS of advice to actually stand a chance of killing one, best of luck, and maybe if one of gets drawn we'll actually have some elk in the freezer - MMMMMMMMMM

 

[wapatiwhacker]

Ladyhunter,
First off, apply for the tag - the rest is just details. Seriously, getting that tag is going to be the hard part cuz you really are on your own. But once you have beaten the odds and got your tag you'll have plenty of help to go to especially on this board. When you do get your tag, contact the local chairperson for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and let them know of your good fortune and situation. The RMEF was very instrumental in helping re-establish KY's elk herd and would be a huge source of information. The website should be "www.rmef.org" if I'm not mistaken.
Since this is a special hunt, I would also bet that there's a mandatory orientation for all drawn applicants where you'll also get a lot of usefull information to make your hunt a successfull one. It's in the program's best interest that the hunt be a success for all so the information flows freely.
As for the hunt itself, remember that elk do not pattern like whitetails so be prepared to put in some milage on your boots. It's nothing for an elk to put 4 or 5 miles distance between you and them if they get spooked. If your not in good physical shape, now would be a good time to get started in the event that you get drawn. Invest in a good pair of binoculars and let your eyes do the walking for the most part. Like Rimrock said, look for trails, bedding and feeding areas to narrow down the area.

P.S. - As for the draw odds, Its 100% ZERO if you don't apply....ok ok why doesn't anyone tell me to stop babbling???  Good luck!

 

[LadyHunter]

Thanks for the advice! I would be happy just to be drawn and to get to hunt. Getting an elk would be icing on the cake but that's why it's called hunting. If I'm drawn, I'll give RMEF a call and I'll make sure to thank them for their part in restoring elk to Kentucky.

 

[knothead]

hope you get drawn ladyhunter,and hope you bag a trophey.i am gonna apply too,never took no horns that big.