San Juan early rifle help

D

dlelk1

Guest
Dilemma...... My cousin finally drew his San Juan tag this year and we've been planning this trip for the past few years. Long story short I found out 2 weeks ago someone turned back a wasatch tag for the same time and its now mine. He had someone else lined up to help him so we agreed I should take the wasatch tag and he would have help from his buddy.... Today buddy says he can't go so I'm wondering if there's anyone who might give us some pointers in the right direction as for now we will be splitting up hoping I can kill my bull quick and then go help him. Any help or info would be much appreciated at this point, even local packers in case he needs help. Thanks in advance #toomanytagsatonce
 
Have Him turn the SJ Tag back in!




Founder just Banned My Signature!
Hang in there!
I'm working on another one!:D
 
finding elk isn't that hard on SJ, now get to them is a different story. Have some great glass and a high point and you will find elk.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]
 
Elkassassin you would almost think you had max points and would like a shot at the tag if he did...j.k. That's crossing his mind but we are all not getting any younger and wow after that many years turning it back would be a tough call
 
Do not let your cousin turn in that tag. Congrats to him, that is a once in a lifetime tag especially for a rifle. I have hunted/guided on SJ for over 10 years and finding bulls is fairly easy depending on how big of a bull he wants (340 easy, 350-365 fairly easy, 375+ hard). It is easier to find bulls on the blue mountains because you can see more country from high glassing points (they are all over). Have your cousin take a couple days off before the hunt starts and get familiar with the area (either blue mountains or elk ridge). For a hunter new to the area he needs to pick one and stick with it, the country is too vast to try to hunt everywhere. On the blue's a lot of hunters glass from the rock pile (this can get crowded), but bulls can be found in nearly any drainage but the country is rugged. As with any other unit, if he doesn't mind walking and getting away from the roads he will be able to find the bigger bulls. If he is by himself, he may need to stay in places that are easy to get a bull out, in that case he may be better off focusing on Elk Ridge as good bulls (not giants) can be found on the tops where a pack out is relatively easy, but finding bulls on Elk Ridge is more difficult due to the thick trees and lack of glassing areas, he will just have to chase bugles. Congrats to both you and your cousin, post pics when you you have a big bull down.
 
Elkaholic14 !thanks for your advice, I have heard from a few people and it just reaffirms where I was going to take him, on the blues. He will have some family members with him but they have never hunted a L.E. unit for elk. I think they are in for some fun and I am sad I won't be there. I hope they just keep him from shooting to early and not getting a San Juan type bull. I will for sure post pics when we both get done and am hoping to find a nice bull on the wasatch.

Thanks again
Dlelk1
 
Call Black Timber Outfitters if you need help. They are awesome on the San Juan.

I'll see you all this coming fall in the Big Rock Candy Mountains!"

 
Why can't yer cousin hunt solo? I hunted Idaho a few years ago. Never hunted the area and wasn't quite sure where it was until I started reading some maps after the draw. Researched it, called people and after 6 days of camping and hunting solo, came home with a trophy class buck. I'll be doing the same again this year after drawing a hard to draw elk tag...
 
He draws a once in a lifetime tag and you might miss it!!

If it were me, I would turn the Wasatch tag back in, get my points back and go with him. The memories you will have are worth it. And you will draw a tag in the future. You will never regret it!

It is not always about what "I" kill.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
Unless you got lucky and drew Wasatch with only a few points, turn it back on and hunt next year. You will never get to chase bulls like the San Juan again in your life. That place is one in a million.

Grizzly

PS. Tristate, please be an adult and respect my wishes that you do not respond to any of my posts. I, in turn, will do you the courtesy of not responding to any of yours. I simply do not wish to converse with you.
 
You will regret not coming down and helping him on the SJ hunt.
Turn your tag in.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]
 
Thanks for the input, tough call, my 21 year old daughter is back from utah state going to weber living at home for 2 years, my 16 year old son will be on a mission in 2 years, I only have 10 points, so I figure keep my tag and hunt with my kids who are both avid hunters, may be the last good hunt before they all move out. My luck I would draw while they are both gone and that would suck hunting without them
 
If it were me, I would hunt the first few days on the SJ with your cousin and then hit the Wasatch the last of the hunt. In my opinion, the Wasatch just gets better the last of the hunt when most have tagged out and gone home.
 
I know that this decision is hard but think about this option. You're kids are home and want to just spend time (hunt) with dad on the mtn away from home and school. It doesn't matter if you have the gun in your hand or not.
Take them with you on the San Juan hunt. IT IS ONCE IN A LIFETIME! You will have less pressure, you will be more relaxed, and you will be more emotionally available to the teaching opportunities that will present themselves.
Give them the opportunity to go on two hunts with dad and not just one. To be on your hunt thinking about somebody else's would be miserable. Especially when your cousin had been planning on you for sometime. He said he doesn't care but deep down I know he would rather have you there with him. Think about a hypothetical situation.... you go on your hunt and have amazing success and he goes on his and doesn't... that would not be something I I would like to live with knowing I could have been there to help him....
The next time you draw your tag for the wasatch, your cousin will be there to hunt with you and maybe he will get to take his kids along for the hunt as well. Just some thoughts. Either way I hope success comes your way!
 
As far as your dilemma regarding the tags, it doesn't really sound like a dilemma to me. He drew a tag and has it in hand. You were called up because you were the next one in line, making it sound like you will have max points next year.

If it was me, I'd go on his hunt this year, and take him on your hunt next year... More time, more memories, and more eyes on the mountain for you both.

:) :)

Good luck. I posted a video to Youtube with some Bulls from the Blues.


"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
 
Hey Browning!

You've surely seen bigger Bulls Right?:D




Founder just Banned My Signature!
Hang in there!
I'm working on another one!:D
 
Hard to argue with CaptainJack's advice, sounds pretty wise to me. Better advice than I would have been able to drag out of my brain.

NRA Life Member

Leftys are the only ones in their right minds--and I ain't talkin' politics!
 
Gotta love the commentary in Brownings video. FYI none of those bulls are shooters on the SJ!

"I'll see you all this coming fall in the Big Rock Candy Mountains!"

 

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