16B/22 Elk

I am considering applying for an elk tag in 16B/22. From what I understand this is a remote and rugged unit. I was wondering if a guy can still have a good hunt here without horses. I would be willing to backpack in if necessary. Is it hard to find water in the unit? Out of the archery and rifle seasons, what do you feel is the best season to hunt the unit? Feel free to PM me.

I would say you could to a certain degree. If ya have help. Get a hold of BUGLEnmIN on here. He would info.

Here's why the quintessential western hunting trip involves livestock.

Let's assume that the killin' part of your hunt is successful, and your elk corpse is only 3 miles away from and only 1000 feet below the road, and there's no canyons or ridges in the way (btw this is exactly where I 'found' elk on the last evening of my hunt in 16B two years ago). Now lets reduce that elk and move 300 pounds of meat and antlers (plus camping equipment) from the kill site up to the coolers before it turns into compost.

Instead of trying to do that alone, I would like the reassuring and entertaining company of pack animals, either the four-legged kind or the two-legged kind. But how much can each kind carry and thus how many pack-critter-trips will it take, and how long will it take?

My figuring suggests 3 to 4 horses or mules for a single trip (one hunter only) or the same number of young, strong, and foolish two-legged pack animals taking 2 or 3 trips.

BTW, water is generally not far, horizontally, but can be pretty far vertically...

If you must go back packing, the Gila is a fabulous place all year long and you don't have carry a rifle or bow and a ton of meat or make multiple trips along the same track to have pleasant trip.

Do you have enough strong-backed buddies, own livestock, or are you willing to hire an outfitter?

RS

Yes you can definitely have a good hunt. Hunted archery this past year diy with my dad with no horses. Had a great hunt. Didn't get one but had multiple close encounters but just wasn't able to close the deal

LAST EDITED ON Feb-02-18 AT 07:24AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Feb-02-18 AT 07:12?AM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Feb-02-18 AT 07:09?AM (MST)

Soady has it exactly right!! I've been there every year for a decade,and every year someone asks this question.
Can a guy get into elk on foot? Of course!
Can a guy get in over his head chasing bugles with the adrenaline taking control OF COURSE!!
My camp is 12 miles in, and year after year I find people ON FOOT back there . Every year I find animals dead with out a head and two quarters gone .
Last year two guys stumbled into camp dehydrated , delirious, and with a bull down . The entire bull wasted!!
If you don't have stock I'd advise against it. Or KNOW YOUR LIMITS!! Do not cross over any of the major drainages . Have a detailed extraction plan . Or pay for a drop camp. It's some of the most rugged country around.
There are plenty of units with roads that have plenty of elk.
Without these guys I would not be in there .
If you want any information p.m. me and we can go over any questions you have.




http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2018/19550img952017080595110022772

Found these in 16B/22 one half mile from the road and 1,000' above it. Would still be a rough pack out given that 1/2 mile.

Pm sent

LAST EDITED ON Feb-03-18 AT 06:36AM (MST)[p]Reubin nailed it,Bugle confirms .Nice Mule Bugle!
As much as I want to go again, I'm 63 & know what Reubin is talking about. I cruise the edges these days. I hunt alone & know I will not get one out by myself.
It is tough country. Little canyons that will eat you,big ones that will swallow you.
On a side note,it is very dry in the Gila now. The whole SW region. Snowpack is 4-14% of normal. Not much relief in sight either.
I was up in the north part of the Gila yesterday on Slaughter Mesa & hardly any snow. There's usually several feet & you could not drive over this time of year. Normally.

There are guys that kill them close to the roads every year. The further you get back I'm sure it's better.But if you study maps you can find areas to hunt on the north and the south sides of the unit. Get a hold of the camp host in willow creek very nice guy and helpful. Last year he said there was a bull bugling and drinking from the creek during the 2nd archery.one morning

>There are guys that kill them
>close to the roads every
>year. The further you get
>back I'm sure it's better.But
>if you study maps you
>can find areas to hunt
>on the north and the
>south sides of the unit.
>Get a hold of the
>camp host in willow creek
>very nice guy and helpful.
>Last year he said there
>was a bull bugling and
>drinking from the creek during
>the 2nd archery.one morning

Camp host is definitely a ccool dude.