San Juan archery elk

tgurn7 · May 23, 2018

I drew the expo tag for this hunt and am going to be making my first trip down this memorial weekend. It's going to be an adventure not knowing the unit well. I hear there's a lot of water on the unit? I'm also curious if anyone has an opinion on hiring for a Guide for the hunt or not. I've never used on in the past but it's looking like a OIL hunt. Lastly, I've heard varied opinions on when to hunt. Some people say the first part is the best but others say focus more towards then end hoping for the rut to kick in. My plan is to hunt the first week and focus on the last two. I'm just not a huge bow hunter so I'm a bit nervous on what to expect.

littlebighorn · May 23, 2018

tgurn,
I have a rifle tag and was down there last weekend. I have never seen that mountain so dry, so finding water could be a key for your hunt. If you are going early hunt water holes from a tree. You won't be able to chase bugles until the last week or so. At any rate maybe we can keep in touch via PM.
Best of luck. Should be a fun year for both of us.

c3 · May 24, 2018

I had the archery tag in 2010. I spent 48 days on the mtn that year scouting and hunting. I will just tell you now that there are elk virtually everywhere. Throw a dart at the map and I'll show where there are elk within a half mile.

As for hunt dates, I think the last few days of Aug to the 5th of September is the premium time. The big bulls are still off on the edges, but just starting to talk. If you cow call at them then, they will run off the mtn. I killed my bull Sept 3rd from a treestand with bulls bugling all around me from before light that morning until 5:00 pm when he came in.

The last week of the archery hunt can be insane. Save your energy for those two weeks. Just my $0.02 for timing.

Here's link to a video of all the bulls I filmed during my hunt not including any scouting video. The one wallowing and bugling half way through is the one I shot.

I also have a complete write up and pics in the 2010 hunt adventure challenge called "Lucky 25" that has a ton of info on all the places I hunted and scouted.

Enjoy your summer !!!

Cheers,
Pete

c3 · May 24, 2018

Here's a couple more video's from last year on another friends hunt down there.

2017 san juan scouting

Benton's Opening weekend

Cheers, Pete

tgurn7 · May 24, 2018

C3,

Thanks for the amazing info and even better videos! That looks amazing. I'm still in shock and awe that an average guy like me actually drew a half decent tag at the expo! There?s been a lot of sleepless nights since! This will actually be my first attempt at an archery animal I've always been a rifle guy. I'd love to chat some more if you're willing too! DM me if you are and I'll get or send you my number

If anyone else is open to sharing any info or water holes I'm more than willing. I've been a hunter my whole life and know that you don't usually wanna blow up areas but this is a tad different being that it's more than likely a once in a lifetime hunt for most of us. Thanks again to all!!

Sliverslinger400 · May 25, 2018

Congrats on the tag! I drew archery elk in 2012. You may have seen my post on the other rifle elk thread. I knew the unit very well but also realized that this was more than likely a once in a lifetime hunt. hunted with BTO and it was the best decision that I could of made. Shoot me a PM, I would love to tell you about it. Give Randy a call. Straight up dude that will absolutely do everything needed to ensure it is an experience of a lifetime!

Randy
‭(970) 903-2264‬
http://www.blacktimberoutfitters.net

tgurn7 · May 29, 2018

thanks for the info! what a bull brother! I just sent you a message with my details as well.

tallelkchaser · May 29, 2018

Congratulations! I have helped a few guys out on this unit and it is absolutely amazing! That being said, if you are concerned about shooting a big bull, I would consider giving BTO a call. They are awesome and know the country, but one thing most people don't think about is the ability they have to filter through bulls. Unless you have been in a place like this and can judge big bull after bull in a matter of seconds, the moment may get the best of you and you lay the hammer down on a nice 330 bull day one. There is nothing wrong here, but if your goal is a big bull the unit is famous for, having a good judge in your corner can make all the difference when sorting through bulls. If you go DIY shoot me a PM and I'd be happy provide some info. Congratulations on what will be the hunt of a lifetime!

Hawkeye · May 30, 2018

Pete-

Thanks for sharing your videos again. That must have been the hunt of a lifetime. Do you have any footage of the kill shot on your bull?

-Hawkeye-

My Favorite Expo Tag Quotes:

"It is fair to ask how much comes in with the five dollar application fees and how much went onto the ground.? Don Peay of SFW during 3/31/2005 Wildlife Board Meeting.

"There will be a full accounting of how the applications fees are spent.? Don Peay of SFW - 9/26/2006 - Monstermuleys.com

c3 · May 30, 2018

Thanks Hawkeye !!!

I don't have any video of the kill shot. I was filming hand held and solo for two weeks down there. Decided to shoot him when he got up from wallowing. Put the cam in my pocket, picked up my bow and stuck him at 35 yards. He went about 38 yards and fell over in 15 seconds, 58 yards from the stand.

One of, if not the coolest hunting experiences of my life.

Cheers, Pete

Gator · Jun 1, 2018

You listen to C3 and he will headed ya in the right direction.

"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/]

tgurn7 · Jun 3, 2018

I spent some more time on the unit and am in total shock of the drought they are having on the unit. Rangers said it's the driest year on record. This is definitely going to have a negative effect on horn growth. But, I can't complain about an expo tag! If i had max points though i'd think about turning the tag back in though from what i am hearing. If anyone has info on wallows or water I'd appreciate it because its looking more and more like it will be key this hunt.

Cheers!

Deer · Jun 3, 2018

Jealous I look forward to hearing how you do! Congrats

tgurn7 · Jun 11, 2018

I just wanted to thank everyone who was willing to share any words or info about the unit. Seeing some of the pics posted were awesome too. This will sound dumb to those of you that know that area and unit well, but if you had the archery tag would you focus more on the elk ridge area or the blues? I have heard people mention the "rock pile" area for glassing many times but have no idea where that is or how to locate it on the map (I know I know) but if anyone would be willing to help me understand how to get to the blues and the rock pile compared to the elk ridge area I would really appreciate it.

For reference, I have spent my only time there and plan on being around Kagalia canyon or the duck lake/gooseberry area. It would be nice to know if it is possible to get near the blues or rock pile from around here or how far it is. I access the Kagalia area I mentioned above via cottonwood creek road.

Thanks!

littlebighorn · Jun 11, 2018

tgurn7
PM sent

goforbroke · Jun 13, 2018

>I just wanted to thank everyone
>who was willing to share
>any words or info about
>the unit. Seeing some
>of the pics posted were
>awesome too. This will
>sound dumb to those of
>you that know that area
>and unit well, but if
>you had the archery tag
>would you focus more on
>the elk ridge area or
>the blues? I have
>heard people mention the "rock
>pile" area for glassing many
>times but have no idea
>where that is or how
>to locate it on the
>map (I know I know)
>but if anyone would be
>willing to help me understand
>how to get to the
>blues and the rock pile
>compared to the elk ridge
>area I would really appreciate
>it.
>
>For reference, I have spent my
>only time there and plan
>on being around Kagalia canyon
>or the duck lake/gooseberry area.
> It would be nice
>to know if it is
>possible to get near the
>blues or rock pile from
>around here or how far
>it is. I access
>the Kagalia area I mentioned
>above via cottonwood creek road.
>
>
>Thanks!

I would concentrate on water if you want to come home with a big elk and sit there till a bull comes in. It can be boring, but effective. Elk are everywhere and move a lot once once september hits. When I had the tag I hunted both blues and elk ridge. I only spent about 4 hours near Kagaila and happened to walk into a 380 bull that came home with me. I didn't want to sit water, so I did spot and stalk. That was the 7th bull in the 350 category I was within 100 yards. The first 6 it just didn't work out. Amazing hunt. Not much bugling the year I was there. I hunted earlier in the season before they were with the cows. fewer eyes and ears.

CATMAN · Jun 14, 2018

I agree on the water being a good strategy, BUT don't count on it. Sometimes they get some of the monsoonal moisture that time of year, and you don't want to have all of your eggs in one basket. Besides...there's a lot more water on the unit than some think. The rock pile is as good of place to spot elk as there is anywhere on the unit....that's why you hear a lot of talk about it. There are bulls almost everywhere on the unit. Just like all of the other units...you have to be in the right place at the right time. I hunted the ridge mostly when I hunted, and wish I would have spent more time on the blues, but that being said I'd love to hunt it again on either side. Good luck...and congrats

desperatehills · Jun 14, 2018

I can't help you with where to go but your number one priority right now is shooting that bow. Shooting at hay bales and shooting at elk is like night and day. You should already be practicing some with your broadheads. Be sure to shoot from your knees and at different angles. New bowhunters are rarely successful and not because they can't hit a target in practice. Sounds like you will have lots of opportunities so be prepared to make the most of them. Congrats on a great tag and wish you all the luck in the world.

notags · Jul 1, 2018

tgurn7 The San Juan is really a great unit and you are in for a great hunt. I had an early rifle tag in 2011 and there was elk down low and all the way to the top. I used Black Timber Outfitters and they do know how to hunt elk. Todd guided me and when he pulled me off a 6 by 7 that looked like a 350 bull I just stood there thinking that is a big bull. He was right I shot a 390 on the 5th morning. You really need to figure out what size bull will make you happy and stick to that and enjoy the hunt. Also shoot your bow and shoot your bow some more. You might want to give BTO a call and see what they have to offer. Good luck and have lots of fun...

Sliverslinger400 · Jul 13, 2018

Notags, congrats on one slug of a bull! I had the same great experience with BTO. I too would recommend giving them a call.

My father in law also drew SJ archery elk a few years ago and was limited as far as mobility. We again hunted with BTO and they had 5 different tree stands set over water for him to hunt from. It was a great plan and they had some great bulls patterned and on camera. Unfortunately, that year was the year of ridiculous amounts of monsumal rain. It was unreal. It turned out even better than expected to have a guide where they had backup plans on where to hunt in those kinds of conditions and to provide other shot opportunities where conditions were so tough.