To the mods…

[HvyBeams]

Rokslide bans sharing specific unit information and then immediately puts Jason Carter on their podcast.

 

[Rob5589]

I drove out to CO to scout in 2020, then a big fire started and half of my unit was shut down and had to start from square one. Other states are not as convenient and vacation is limited.

Most have limited vacation time. If it's your first time in an area the best mindset going in is that it is a scouting/hunting trip. People wanting information because their time is limited from those that have put in sweat equity is presumptuous, to say the least.

 

[Pacific_Fork]

Some folks really need to find a hobby. Hunting is not a hobby, its a lifestyle. 10% of hunters kill 90% of the game for a reason. Those folks arent asking where to go online or complaining of lack of vacation time. Golfing and buying beef works for people too and thats not a bad thing.

 

[Wags]

Most have limited vacation time. If it's your first time in an area the best mindset going in is that it is a scouting/hunting trip. People wanting information because their time is limited from those that have put in sweat equity is presumptuous, to say the least.

I can see what your saying but there are exceptions IMO. Much like pulling a Griz Bull or a unit in WY or CO that takes 20+ Points to pull. Nobody wants to burn that hunt "scouting" and not everyone can afford a guide. I don't mind that guys reach out and ask questions, especially on a once in a lifetime tag. I'd just like to see the responses that hold any information on that unit be sent VIA PM vs posted for the world to see.

With more and more states going to 90/10 the ability for guys out of state to draw regularly has declined. This puts more pressure on the hunt when they do draw because they may not see that tag again for 5+ years in a lot of cases (Rifle). I agree that hunters should use the states websites, talk to wardens and biologists and gather as much information as possible. However I understand guys asking for guidance on here also. In the end it's up to us rather or not we choose to share information. Regardless of what I think I respect the Mod's decision and will adhere to it.

 

[[insertspecies]Slayer]

Some folks really need to find a hobby. Hunting is not a hobby, its a lifestyle. 10% of hunters kill 90% of the game for a reason. Those folks arent asking where to go online or complaining of lack of vacation time. Golfing and buying beef works for people too and thats not a bad thing.

Ya know I've always seen that number thrown around, but never a source for it. You wouldn't happen to have one, would you?

 

[Rich M]

Some folks really need to find a hobby. Hunting is not a hobby, its a lifestyle. 10% of hunters kill 90% of the game for a reason. Those folks arent asking where to go online or complaining of lack of vacation time. Golfing and buying beef works for people too and thats not a bad thing.

Ya know I've always seen that number thrown around, but never a source for it. You wouldn't happen to have one, would you?

There is no source. Most hunts I've researched had about 30% success rates, would imply that 30% of the hunters were successful.

It's tough to thump your chest and say my lifestyle is hunting and "I'm in the top 30%". So they changed it to 90/10 - with only 10% being successful cause folks felt better that way.

If someone comes on here after getting some info off Go Hunt on On X or whatever pay subscriptions there are, then they get the go golf bs, they might be inclined to take up golf, Cause at least those folks are nice.

 

[sndmn11]

I can see what your saying but there are exceptions IMO. Much like pulling a Griz Bull or a unit in WY or CO that takes 20+ Points to pull. Nobody wants to burn that hunt "scouting" and not everyone can afford a guide.

Why would a person apply then if they don't have the capacity to learn the unit or hire a guide?

There's nothing requiring a person to draw a hunt code at the first possibility. I don't see how a person's lack of preparation over X amount of years becomes the responsibility of everybody else to make up for.

What would be the issue with a person realizing they could draw a OIL hunt code but using that year to scout in season and apply the following year?

What would also be the issue with the same person showing up to hunt blind and just simply accepting that scenario is a product of their own choices in preparing?

It comes across as everyone wants to be an astronaut but not learn space stuff.

 

[Dos Perros]

If you can't scout, do you really want it bad enough to do the things you'll need to do on the hunt to be successful?

 

[woods89]

One of the things that makes hunting rewarding is the potential for failure. It seems like that failure is getting less palatable to people.

It took me 3 trips to kill my first bull. We had some close calls but it just never happened. Also had to turn a tag back in because of fire in that time-frame. Honestly I'm happy it worked the way it did, as time and effort makes success a lot more rewarding.

 

[Rob5589]

I can see what your saying but there are exceptions IMO. Much like pulling a Griz Bull or a unit in WY or CO that takes 20+ Points to pull. Nobody wants to burn that hunt "scouting" and not everyone can afford a guide. I don't mind that guys reach out and ask questions, especially on a once in a lifetime tag. I'd just like to see the responses that hold any information on that unit be sent VIA PM vs posted for the world to see.

With more and more states going to 90/10 the ability for guys out of state to draw regularly has declined. This puts more pressure on the hunt when they do draw because they may not see that tag again for 5+ years in a lot of cases (Rifle). I agree that hunters should use the states websites, talk to wardens and biologists and gather as much information as possible. However I understand guys asking for guidance on here also. In the end it's up to us rather or not we choose to share information. Regardless of what I think I respect the Mod's decision and will adhere to it.

If I were getting close to drawing I would spend the previous season/s scouting the zone. The animals move for sure but, at least you'd have the "lay of the land" so to speak. For myself, every time I go somewhere new it's a scouting trip for the most part with the hopes I can get into animals. I also agree, PM is the way.

 

[ladogg411]

Rokslide bans sharing specific unit information and then immediately puts Jason Carter on their podcast.
View attachment 564156

@robby denning was dropping unit numbers in that podcast faster than I could write.

 

[Pacific_Fork]

There is no source. Most hunts I've researched had about 30% success rates, would imply that 30% of the hunters were successful.

It's tough to thump your chest and say my lifestyle is hunting and "I'm in the top 30%". So they changed it to 90/10 - with only 10% being successful cause folks felt better that way.

If someone comes on here after getting some info off Go Hunt on On X or whatever pay subscriptions there are, then they get the go golf bs, they might be inclined to take up golf, Cause at least those folks are nice.

"Most hunts I've researched..." research some more and don't be looking at controlled hunts. OTC or general hunting success is def sub 20% on average, CO OTC elk rifle is around 10% I bet...oh look a source (and just the first one I found)

"Average hunter success for the 2015 – 2017 OTC 3rd rifle season was 11.5%."
- https://www.ibelongoutdoor.com/post...l elk) ranged from,3rd rifle season was 11.5%.

The 10%ers know whats up as I havent seen anyone disagree. Its hard to quantify and is a ballpark VERY well educated guess.

Its not about being nice, this is a lifestyle and passion that majority of folks arent cut out for (ie where should I go? I'm not looking for a 350 bull, etc)

I golfed last weekend for the fist time in 10-15 years. It was enjoyable, I even saw some tanker bucks on the course maybe some here can start there?

 

[Pacific_Fork]

Ya know I've always seen that number thrown around, but never a source for it. You wouldn't happen to have one, would you?

See my reply above and do some more googling on the subject per state OTC or general. Add into the mix guided hunts in these areas that skew results. I will die on the hill that my above stats are more accurate than Rich's 30% emotional guess.

 

[robby denning]

@robby denning was dropping unit numbers in that podcast faster than I could write.

I was?

Sorry, I'll watch that. I never try to hotspot a unit. If I mention one, it's usually a well known or just in passing. But seriously, I don't want to add to the problem.

As far as the Epics, Huntin' Fools, they spread more unit info than about any source. But like we're trying to do here, they have a barrier to entry too--the joining fee..

 

[Gobbler36]

I drove out to CO to scout in 2020, then a big fire started and half of my unit was shut down and had to start from square one. Other states are not as convenient and vacation is limited.

D
pivot and have multiple areas ready and improve your career to a place that allows more time off so you can hunt/ scout more

in any scenario spot burning with any unit numbers period isn’t the answer

 

[Gobbler36]

Rokslide bans sharing specific unit information and then immediately puts Jason Carter on their podcast.
View attachment 564156

Haha ok this I can agree with

 

[Wags]

Why would a person apply then if they don't have the capacity to learn the unit or hire a guide?

There's nothing requiring a person to draw a hunt code at the first possibility. I don't see how a person's lack of preparation over X amount of years becomes the responsibility of everybody else to make up for.

What would be the issue with a person realizing they could draw a OIL hunt code but using that year to scout in season and apply the following year?

What would also be the issue with the same person showing up to hunt blind and just simply accepting that scenario is a product of their own choices in preparing?

It comes across as everyone wants to be an astronaut but not learn space stuff.

I don't disagree with you. I put a lot of effort into scouting for my deer and antelope hunts.

I came on here to learn things about Elk and how to hunt them as I didn't grow up hunting them and my dad & Grandfather are passed. I've hunted Deer and Antelope my entire life but would like to try Elk hunting at some point and have been building points. So I can understand how guys arrive here looking for help. I've learned from watching that this is not a place for that in any way shape or form so I don't ask the questions I have.

In the end it's really on the individual who chooses to respond or chooses not too. I've helped people (Privately) on questions, I even allowed a member to take his son onto my property for Archery Antelope (for free)..... I've also sent some that I know to be Jack Wads on the wildest of goose chases.... I do agree that any Unit info should only be sent VIA PM to protect it VS blasted all over the searchable threads.

 

[sndmn11]

I came on here to learn things about Elk and how to hunt them as I didn't grow up hunting them and my dad & Grandfather are passed.

I'm in the same boat; single mother household and I saw hunting show on tv growing up. When I was 17 I talked a friend whose parents backpacked into going on an archery elk hunt.

In the end it's really on the individual who chooses to respond or chooses not too. .... I do agree that any Unit info should only be sent VIA PM to protect it VS blasted all over the searchable threads.

I think that the people asking for unit information are looking for a magic bullet. They analogy of a thread on here titled "equipment vs practice" (ish), or when people think that they need to be told "spots" on the South Platte to net a trout, comes to mind.

I ran across a thread on here last year where a NR had a license that I also had. I asked that person to remove the unit number and I'd tell him everything I knew about the hunt. He did so. He ended up going home without a shot chance because while he was in the right "spots" he thought hunting was just showing up.

 

[HvyBeams]

I'm feeling a little sarcastic, so here we go. 9% of 10% are shooting dink 3 points and 5x5 bulls. They get dressed up in head-to-toe Verde, get behind their computers, and brag about being in the 10%. Interesting side fact is that 100% of that 9% have hunting stickers in the back window of their trucks. They also leave blood on their tailgates until January to let everyone know they are in the 10%. Also 100% are dumbfounded the blood on their truck don't cause women to drop their panties.

 

[Fisherhahn]

I love reading all the different opinions. That’s what makes the world turn…I just turned 50 and have been hunting since I got my first BB gun and chased field mice behind our house. I live in the east, NY, but have hunted a bunch out west. Yes, things have changed, things will keep changing, many things we will like and many we won’t. Some people will always go out of their way to help others, either on forums like this or in person. Others will always just keep to themselves and do what they do. I’ve got a buddy who won’t go fishing until 10 people tell him they are doing good over at spot xyz. Other buddy that goes all over, fishes all the time, sometimes strikes out, sometimes kills then. Some new guys are on here looking for spots, I’d bet there are many many more that don’t ever find this forum. I’d love to be able to get tags like way back when, but I’m just happy when I get what I get now. I contribute here and there on stuff, I don’t think I’ve ever asked for help with a spot, and don’t think I know enough to help someone with a spot. I will say, I do not feel bad for people who say they are just trying to get general information. It’s all here already. What to know how steep the terrain is? Look at the contour maps. Density? Look at a satellite view. You could lock this entire forum, and there is MORE than enough searchable information on this site to be comfortable starting blind, e-scouting a new state or area an hour/night for a couple weeks, driving 30+ hours, and be able to find some deer/elk/bear to hunt. Will you have a mountain to yourself-no. But you should be able to put yourself in the vicinity of your target animal. If not, I guess pay a guide next time and then steal their spot!