Snowy Range WY.

Me2Hunter · Sep 19, 2006

Well I have been up the last two weekends in a row and haven't heard a bull yet. The weather has been somewhat miserable, with rain, sleet, hail, thunder and lighting and probably around 6" of snow. Wondering if anybody has been up in and around the French Creek area. If so, are you hearing anything. I have got to beleive that as I sit here posting this thread today that the elk have to be starting their thing. I am heading back up this weekend to try and call in that elusive, majestic elk. Good luck to everyone.

Me2Hunter · Sep 20, 2006

Nobody's been to the snowies? I'm talking area 12 or 110.

WyomingMan · Sep 21, 2006

I was up in the Sierra's above Encampment the weekend of Labor Day and the 9th and 10th but not last weekend. The weekend of the 9th we heard alot of bulls bugling and even called two bulls in, one we could not see because the fog was so thick. The weather was miserable those weekends also, but the elk were talking in that area. I was up by Big Piney last weekend so I didn't make it down there again, but will be leaving tomorrow to hunt the Sierra's again this weekend. There are winter storm watches out, so it might be a fun weekend. I have spoke with some guys around town(Rawlins) and from what I hear, the rut is in full swing.

Me2Hunter · Sep 21, 2006

Thanks Wyomingman.
I am hunting around the French creek area. Giong up again sunday thru Wednesday. Going to try and miss the storm. Good luck to you.

moseleymiddleton · Sep 21, 2006

hey wyomingman and me2hunter i have not gone to the seirras this year as i was planing but i will be there the weekend of the 15 of oct for a week. so i was wondering on what areas the elk where in and then also wondering of if you all would like to mabe have a drink on the night of the 17 becouse its my freinds 21 birthday and we were planning on going to the whisling pig for a drink and mabe we talk. i will be planning on hunting blackhale and cascade creek but camping down lower. the elk sure have been seeming to be hankerd down on muddy this year. my dads been trying to help my grandpa and uncle get elk off of there by now we usually have the elk pegged down so hard we can be right where they are at just about any time of the day or season but not this year. we have only herd two bugles. but my buddy steve got a bull that grosses 398 this year on opening weekend.

moseley middleton

Me2Hunter · Sep 22, 2006

Moseley,
I know exactly where the whistling pig is. I have been there a few times during the ice fishing derby. I'm hoping to get my elk during the bow season, but if I don't I will be up there for gun season and will for sure stop in and get aquainted.

I haven't hunted the seirras this year. I am in the French creek area around Ryan Park on highway 130. I have been there on the weekends of the 9th and the 16th and I headed backup this weekend. I have heard one bugle and seen a heard of about 20-25 with a decent bull in there. I'm hoping this weekend they are more vocal. The weather both times I have been up has been raining, hailing, snowing, thunder and lighting. The whole gament. If you know where Battle mountain is, that is a good area for alot of elk.

WyomingMan · Sep 22, 2006

The elk are all spread out right now. Believe it or not they have had alot of moisture up in the Sierras and everything is green so it has the elk spread out. I have encountered elk way up near Bridger Peak and down by Battle Creek and the Roaring Fork. I will also be up there the weekend of the 15th, that is if I don't get my elk this weekend with the bow. I usually hunt lower during rifle season. I have shot 4 elk sitting from the same tree. I found an escape route they use when all the hunters from the lower flats push them up the ridges. I have hunted a limited time around Cascade Creek and also up by Blackhall Mountain. I know there are some big bulls up there because the timber is alot thicker in that area and it's a more difficult place to hunt and find elk at least in my experience.

I have also deer hunted the French Creek area, but never for elk. Lots of hunters for deer anyways. I did shoot a nice buck in there of the western end of Savage Run Wilderness about 8-9 years ago though.

I know where the Whistle Pig is also. Been there a few times as well, including during the ice derby in Jan. We usually go down to Encampment to the Bear Trar or Mangy Moose. Maybe we can meet up there for a few drinks. Where you all from?

I am getting ready to roll out of town about noon today to hunt the Sierras. I will post a report on Monday. Hope this snow storm has them rutting up a storm also.

moseleymiddleton · Sep 22, 2006

I'm from casper and the area around encampement is my back up area for elk. i have never seen a bull i would say would be over 300. i have killed the biggest elk anyone in my party has even seen ther which was a six by six that scores around 270. we even pay attention to the outfitters camp by six mile. but i will probable shoot the first elk that stands in front of me on the fifteenth. keep me informed on what the elk are doing and how much snow is down there. casper mountain is expecting over a foot tonight.

MOseley Midddleton

WyomingMan · Sep 25, 2006

Well we hunted Friday afternoon through Sunday. Didn't get as much snow as they predicted in the Sierras, probably about 4-8 inches from Encampment up to Battle Pass and just a dusting on the west side towards Battle Mountain. We saw tons of elk, but only heard two bugles the entire time. Did see lots of cows with no bulls around. We probably saw a total of 7 groups of cows ranging in size from 3 to about 10 with no bull around. Also saw two spikes, a 4x5 and a 5x5 but couldn't get close enough for any shots. My friend did have a group of cows walk within 10 yards of him but he decided to pass on the cows. I don't know if the rut is winding down or the peak just hasn't happened yet with all this weather. Spoke with a few people who also hadn't heard to many bugles. Spoke with the game and fish as they had a check station set up yesterday outside of Rawlins and he had checked two bulls this weekend and he said hunters were reporting lots of bugles down on the roaring fork and state line areas. Maybe they are rutting at lower elevations more at this time?? Hope to get out this week again before the onslaught of rifle deer hunters start next Sunday in the area.