New around here, and new to hunting in general. Drew an archery elk tag this year which will be my first elk, and first big game animal of any kind. I have a lot to learn.
I did my first scout trip yesterday (less than 2 hours from the house) and I can hardly contain my excitement now. Saw lots of elk scat, several rubs, a herd of 15-20 cows/calves. Smelled elk on 3 other occasions but never saw them. Mapped, and GPS marked lots of "elky" looking areas. A friend of mine who has hunted the same area for many years said that there's usually not many people back there as it's too tough to get to and offered to show me where they know wallows are.
We put on 14 miles with 3k of elevation gain/loss (10,600 highest, 8,400 lowest) and I was more excited at the end of the hike than at the beginning.
This was public land. This area is "Plan B".
Any other significant info I should be looking for this early?
I have the option of hunting another spot in the same area that is private access, likely "Plan A". Haven't scouted there yet. More bears up that way but access is very limited and the hunting may be truly outstanding based upon reputation/geography/topography.
I feel like this summer is flying by. Between reading books, studying this forum, getting gear set up it's just about another full time job.
Thanks to all who have contributed to this forum. It's accelerated the learning curve a great deal.
I did my first scout trip yesterday (less than 2 hours from the house) and I can hardly contain my excitement now. Saw lots of elk scat, several rubs, a herd of 15-20 cows/calves. Smelled elk on 3 other occasions but never saw them. Mapped, and GPS marked lots of "elky" looking areas. A friend of mine who has hunted the same area for many years said that there's usually not many people back there as it's too tough to get to and offered to show me where they know wallows are.
We put on 14 miles with 3k of elevation gain/loss (10,600 highest, 8,400 lowest) and I was more excited at the end of the hike than at the beginning.
This was public land. This area is "Plan B".
Any other significant info I should be looking for this early?
I have the option of hunting another spot in the same area that is private access, likely "Plan A". Haven't scouted there yet. More bears up that way but access is very limited and the hunting may be truly outstanding based upon reputation/geography/topography.
I feel like this summer is flying by. Between reading books, studying this forum, getting gear set up it's just about another full time job.
Thanks to all who have contributed to this forum. It's accelerated the learning curve a great deal.
