Flattops GMU 25 and 26 or no?

[drrice]

I was there during archery season. We saw a ton of elk sign when were there but always just a couple days late it seemed like.

 

[cshore93]

One was probably mine second rifle. It's crowded to be sure. Never been third rifle though, hoping things clear out and the weather turns to bring the elk down.

I did buy a SO Cimarron and stove this year so I could get away if it warrants.

Other than archery in unit 49 ten years ago, a small area of unit 25 second rifle is all I know. The first year, 2013, was awesome but still crowded. Then the last two years stunk with warm weather, a d-bag outfitter and more people.

So we are seriously thinking of axing the trip. Have two days to decide.

Thanks,

Chris

As of right now the weather isn't looking good. Supposed to be mid 40s. Maybe an inch or 2 of snow the whole week.

 

[5MilesBack]

As of right now the weather isn't looking good. Supposed to be mid 40s. Maybe an inch or 2 of snow the whole week.

That pretty much looks like great elk hunting weather to most guys. I'd prefer it a bit warmer for my tastes, but most consider that ideal.

 

[cshore93]

Unsuccesful for my first hunt but had a lot of fun! I saw 3 bulls but just couldn't get them during shooting hours. I saw 1 Hunter the whole time and heard 0 shots. Must have been a rough 3rd season around sheep mountain.

 

[fngTony]

Unsuccesful for my first hunt but had a lot of fun! I saw 3 bulls but just couldn't get them during shooting hours. I saw 1 Hunter the whole time and heard 0 shots. Must have been a rough 3rd season around sheep mountain.

Believe me it's not just that unit. You got out and had fun, thats what matters.

 

[lightning3m1]

I'm not sure we really disagree. I said "Almost every bull is worked for." I'd echo your sentiment that guys shouldn't make excuses off the bat, that will diminish their ability to potentially harvest and their ability to learn for future hunts. I don't disagree with your thoughts on that.

The rest of my statement is based on a statistical fact. I get 20-30 calls per year from DIY guys coming for their first trip. 3-4 of those guys will harvest, but they all will leave a lot more prepared for their next hunt. A guy who kills a bull on his first elk hunt is partially/majority lucky, period. I don't care how good of a hunter you are on other species, or how hard you can click your mouse on google earth.

I love this one "Work hard and accept the results that occur", I think that is great advice. good luck!

I disagree. My first DIY elk hunt was in 2008, I prepped Hard, I scouted G Earth, and after a 3 .5 mile climb in, I killed a 5pt on my 1st day (200 yards from my "#1" location from Google Earth scouting). Lucky? Maybe, but in the 9 hunts that have followed, I've only eaten tag soup twice, but those were balanced out by 2 years I also filled a cow tag. I also killed a corker of a muley on the only year I targeted deer. All my hunts have been general area, public land DIY backpack hunts in NW WY. Caveat: I did go one a single outfitted (Winterhawk in CO) elk hunt in 2004, so I learned a lot on that hunt.