Scout Report!

[ltdann]

So I drew this cow tag for Nov at FHL. I went up over the weekend for the first time and did a little scouting/pig hunting.

I had a tough time finding a cow!

 

[ltdann]

here's some more

Lots of game. Most of the reserviors are dry though.

 

[ltdann]

and one more

It appears that I'll need a bow. All the elk I saw were in archery only areas.

 

[ORElkBow]

Nice Itdann. That many bulls but no cows, that's fine with me. All around good photos.

 

[BelchFire]

ltdann,

Those are some awesome looking pics. You could whack any of that with a rifle (if they're in a rifle zone); is it really that easy?

This pic just goes to show why it's imperative to watch your backdrop when shooting.

 

[ltdann]

I eventually did find a herd of cows sunday morning, way off in the distance, not close enough for a photo. I know they are there, but still in an archery area. I'm hoping that during the Nov hunt, they'll be split up over a wider area. I'd really feel more comfortable behind a rifle.

As it sits, I'm seriously thinking of getting a bow to give me another option.

 

[ltdann]

ltdann,

Those are some awesome looking pics. You could whack any of that with a rifle (if they're in a rifle zone); is it really that easy?

This pic just goes to show why it's imperative to watch your backdrop when shooting.

Belch,

Its no secret where they're at. Problem is its a no hunting area and there's no guarantee they'll be there in NOV. I personally believe that they WILL be there. Funny, they'll let you shoot an abrams tank and a bow in there, but not a muzzleloader.

 

[barel74]

wow, great pic :10 sign:

dang those bulls are fat, their definitely eating good.

 

[Live2hunt]

This pic just goes to show why it's imperative to watch your backdrop when shooting.

Those are not actual human. They are dummies placed there for the troops to shoot during their training.

 

[biseger]

itdann, Go bowtech and get'er done.

 

[hank4elk]

They move around constantly at FHL,depending on base activity.And the areas that they have open when you get there change ,Daily. Range control has control,not DFG. Good Luck and good hunting.

 

[ltdann]

Your not gonna believe it, momma was with me this trip and INSISTED I buy a bow for this hunt. She used all my arguments on me, i.e. it gets you into better areas/hunts, you'll kick yourself if you don't have the option, its a once in lifetime hunt and you'll never draw that tag again.....

If they're that close in a rifle zone come this Nov, yeah, it'll be that easy. But since its a 5 day hunt, I can't take that chance.
So, I guess I'm going bow shopping.:smiley-mouse:

 

[Norcal Hunting Kid]

Those are some nice looking A Zone bucks. Now you know where to whack the deer at too.





NHK

 

[Live2hunt]

Dan, I'm sure you will get an elk regardless of what weapon you choose to use. If I was a tag holder, I would stick with the rifle.


L2H

 

[Litch]

I was lucky enough to go along on that hunt the last 2 seasons with buddies who drew. It is not nearly as easy as it seems. Once the shooting starts they go to a training are they know is safe or a deep dark hole that no one goes to. The success rate for both seasons was right around 50%, we didn't have luck either year. Last year we wore out our shoes hiking around and saw lots of Elk, just not where you wanted them. A lot of training areas were closed last year and that had a lot to do with a low success rate.
Don't get me wrong, I still put in for it and would go again in a heartbeat as the area is a great place to check out.
Get some pig tags, you won't be sorry.
E-mail me if you want a little more info ltdann.

 

[Rampage1]

I was lucky enough to go along on that hunt the last 2 seasons with buddies who drew. It is not nearly as easy as it seems. Once the shooting starts they go to a training are they know is safe or a deep dark hole that no one goes to. The success rate for both seasons was right around 50%, we didn't have luck either year. Last year we wore out our shoes hiking around and saw lots of Elk, just not where you wanted them. A lot of training areas were closed last year and that had a lot to do with a low success rate.
Don't get me wrong, I still put in for it and would go again in a heartbeat as the area is a great place to check out.
Get some pig tags, you won't be sorry.
E-mail me if you want a little more info ltdann.

I agree completely. I had the same tag ltdann has last year and it was tough hunting, the elk are not in every training area and if they don't have anygood areas available your pretty much SOL. I got my elk on the third day and only a few other elk had been checked in. The good thing about the Thanksgiving hunt is most units should be either on leave or a 96, so there shouldn't be anybody training out there thanksgiving day. Last year they had the WHOLE base open for the elk hunters thanksgiving day.

 

[hank4elk]

Get a pig tag or two.. use that w.bow and stick with rifle for elk. They are not a piece of cake hunt.But being Thanksgiving it should be awesome,its not crowded and open as others have said. Go get um.

 

[Litch]

I agree completely. I had the same tag ltdann has last year and it was tough hunting, the elk are not in every training area and if they don't have anygood areas available your pretty much SOL. I got my elk on the third day and only a few other elk had been checked in. The good thing about the Thanksgiving hunt is most units should be either on leave or a 96, so there shouldn't be anybody training out there thanksgiving day. Last year they had the WHOLE base open for the elk hunters thanksgiving day.

Were you the guy that snuck on that herd out in TA 20? If so you were camped a couple spots away from us. There was more opportunities on T Day, but not the whole base. We were set up in a great spot in TA10 waiting for a herd that was working it's way down the drainage when some tool in an SUV drove right through the middle and scattered them. That's public hunting for ya! We couldn't believe how many people never got out of their vehicles, just road hunted all day. We were glassing 2 Bulls one evening and every time they heard a vehicle, even in the distance, they just froze and wouldn't move out of the cover. When the coast was clear they crossed a road and walked by us not 50 yds away. Just goes to show you, Elk can't be road hunted.

 

[ltdann]

Litch,

Which drainage are you talking about in 10? Spent some time in there this last weekend.

What's the consensus then, buy the bow or not?

 

[barel74]

even if you don't go after the elk with a bow, sounds like you more than enough of an excuse to buy one...... I mean she did insist.