OTC Archery Elk in 31/32 During Muzzleloader Mule Deer Hunt

Hey All,

Kinda random question here.

2 of my buddies put in for the muzzleloader mule deer hunt in Unit 31/32. I don't have much desire to buy a muzzleloader but am interested in hanging out with them for a hunt this year.

Those units look to be OTC for elk with the OTC archery elk season overlapping encompassing the muzzleloader hunt (mid-september). I've never been to that area but am wondering if anyone who has thinks it'd be feasible for me to hunt with them for elk while they're looking for mulies.

I'm not looking to necessarily walk around all day with them, but it'd just be nice to camp with them and hunt the same general areas. If we're getting up each morning and heading different directions that's fine, I'm just trying to make sure that the elk aren't on one side of the unit and the mulies 3 hours away on the other side or something.

Thanks!

TX_Diver, the deer and elk share the same summer and fall habitat in those units, specifically on the north and west side of 31. During archery, both species will still be in their summer/early fall patterns, i.e. they will not be migrating due to weather (but may be due to hunting pressure). The public land in those units is all BLM and can be tricky, so make sure you know where you are at if hunting public land. Statistically, elk harvest success rates are twice as high in 31 due to heavy hunting pressure in 32 (in 2016, hunter density was 1.4 hunters/sq. mi. in 32 compared to 0.5 hunters/sq. mi. in 31).

Bottom line is yes, you could tote an OTC elk tag alongside your buddies and have a reasonable chance at getting into elk. If your buddies spend a lot of time glassing, maybe they will locate the elk for you=)

Clint Bagwell

For in-depth hunting research and planning, visit westernhuntingresources.com