Have You Ever Notched Your Tag On Opening Day: A poll

[timberland]

Archery, 2021. called in 2 small bulls then got into a herd, done by 8 am.

 

[Ucsdryder]

last year I shot a 6x6 bull 3 minutes after legal light. He bugled 20 times right into me broadside. At 28 yards I shot him right in the crease and watched him run off with 3/4 of the arrow sticking out. Still not sure what happened. I ended up killing a rag horn out of anger that evening.

 

[rkcdvm]

Nope. I typically don’t even find the correct species for a day or two.

 

[trevvamos]

Took a spike opening day 2021 7:15 am.. no ragrets

 

[5MilesBack]

last year I shot a 6x6 bull 3 minutes after legal light. He bugled 20 times right into me broadside. At 28 yards I shot him right in the crease and watched him run off with 3/4 of the arrow sticking out. Still not sure what happened. I ended up killing a rag horn out of anger that evening.

"After legal light", huh? It's harder to shoot accurately while trying to hold a spotlight in your bow hand.

I had a bull bugling outside my tent night before last, so ya, they're vulnerable opening day.

 

[Laelkhunter]

I got spoiled hunting the Quinlan Ranch in Chama. Never waited longer than the second morning, and always a 6X6. Most of the time, I killed first day when a 6X6 showed up that I couldn't resist. I was always picked on for shooting too early in the hunt then just hanging out at the saddle shed to help others pack theirs out. Loved every minute of it. Lots has changed-Ranch sold several times- new managers running things, prices skyrocketed, over hunted- It's ruined forever.

 

[well_known_rokslider]

View attachment 596331

Great view!

 

[Sccritterkiller]

1st elk hunt, cow tag, had the rifle setup and was watching my watch for legal shooting light to start so I could touch off the shot. I have shot 3 WTs in velvet all on opening day.
I am usually a mess opening day, gear in all the wrong places, stuff not adjusted to my liking, ect. Takes me a day to get into the groove.

 

[taskswap]

I have actually ONLY taken elk on opening day. I hunt Rifle 1 in a highly congested area. 90% of all the animals taken there are taken opening day. By Monday or so it's a ghost town - for people and animals.

 

[Broadhead]

Three opening day archery bulls across six years. It's sure helpful to know where the elk are prior to opener. Headed into a new unit with no insight this year. T minus 3 hours till go time. The challenge keeps us going!

 

[COelk89]

Strictly speaking western draw hunts, I have punched a tag a few times the first day of the season that I chose to hunt. Only one time did I hunt opening day of a season and punch a tag. I won't even go out for archery elk until after muzzleloader season. The first few weeks of hunters tend to push animals into my honey hole.

I do plan to go out and kill some grouse with my dogs tomorrow.

 

[TripleJ]

It’s been a while. This was an opening morning with my dad, 1st setup that year. I tried to call it in for him, came to me instead.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Done it with a muley buck once; never an elk

 

[Mojave]

Opening day, yes!

When I hunt by myself I will rarely tag an animal on opening day. Because I am usually looking for something special.

In New Mexico there are a mountain of seasons, so opening day for me might mean a month after everyone else has been out there.

In Wyoming yes.

I rarely get to hunt Wyoming alone, as my father and my uncle both like to go with me. So they push pretty hard to shoot the first anything. Which is annoying, but I enjoy their company.

 

[MallardSX2]

I have filled 50% of my tags on the last day. What kind of street cred does that give me? lol

 

[Stache Attack]

Couple days, one bull with a rifle on opener, he was a dink.

Another time we shot a double on second day morning. 2 6 points. Could’ve killed 3, but two was enough work.

 

[Sako76]

I’ve killed 16 elk (14 bulls and 2 cows) and have killed most of my bulls on opening day with an outfitter near Craig Colorado. Then trophy hunt mule deer the rest of the hunt. Most hunts took place during third combined!

 

[Ross]

many with a rifle and never with a bow

 

[elkhunterUT]

Killed my best bull at first light on opening morning in 2020 on my Utah LE muzzy hunt. I located him on the Saturday and Sunday before the opener and killed him first thing Monday morning as he bugled non stop trying to keep his harem of 30+ cows rounded up

 

[Highhuntin]

no opening day elk but a few first day deer.