Going back with a rifle this time

kelsoboy1382 · Oct 18, 2018

After a fantastic time listening to and chasing awesome bugling bulls with archery, I get to go back to 45 with a rifle in hand. Was only the 2nd time archery hunting but learned a ton and was into good and great bulls most of the last 2 weeks of September. I'm however most likely starting over to find where the bulls will be now when I head over for the 17 hour drive on Monday. Any help or ideas anybody is willing to share would be greatly appreciated and hopefully and I can help somebody in the future lucky or patient enough to draw this tag. Good luck everyone!

Wyohunter1 · Oct 19, 2018

I know the northern part of the Bighorns got some good snow last weekend. Shell Creek got 17 inches which will move elk down the mountain. Not sure about that far down.

kelsoboy1382 · Oct 19, 2018

Thanks Wyohunter1. As a creature of habit and results my instinct is to go right back to the timber they were in everyday but not sure if they've had too much weather or just timing to push them out. Time will tell I suppose and once again a learning curve!

Hawkeye · Oct 19, 2018

kelso-

I am in the same boat as you. I also have a Unit 45 ta,g and I had a blast during the archery hunt. We are heading back up next Thursday to get after it with our rifles. I will send you a PM with my cell number. Call if you want to touch base or compare notes.

-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

Wyohunter1 · Oct 19, 2018

>Thanks Wyohunter1. As a creature of
>habit and results my instinct
>is to go right back
>to the timber they were
>in everyday but not sure
>if they've had too much
>weather or just timing to
>push them out. Time will
>tell I suppose and once
>again a learning curve!

I'd go back and spend a day and check. They got less snow between Shell Creek and Powder Pass. Maybe not enough to push them down. The snow moves them down in the Bighorns, sometimes in September.

kelsoboy1382 · Oct 19, 2018

I will definitely get a hold of ya! Solo leaves a lot of time to second guess and also get after it! I'm leaving here Monday and will get there Wednesday I think. Let's meet up!

mta5672 · Oct 22, 2018

Just got back from there last night. My wife has the type 1 tag also. There is virtually no snow in most of the unit, except WAY up high. We were in the elk in all of the places we archery hunt. Wading through the 17 million deer hunters was the problem. The elk hunting gets better after the deer hunt closes!

Good luck!

kelsoboy1382 · Oct 22, 2018

I sent you a P.M.

kelsoboy1382 · Oct 22, 2018

Also, when does the deer hunt end? I can look it up but easier to ask I guess. Sorry it didn't go your way but hopefully you guys will still be after them!

COLOelkman · Oct 22, 2018

PM sent Hawkeye

mta5672 · Nov 2, 2018

How did your hunt go?

COLOelkman · Nov 2, 2018

My buddy took a 5 pt the first day we were there as he was mainly looking to get some meat. We saw a few decent bulls but they were out of range.

mta5672 · Nov 2, 2018

We are heading up for the last two days in about an hour. Its been cold and snowing the last two days, I sure hope it didnt move the bulls yet! We passed on several bulls last weekend, I am sure my wifes standards may be a little lower these final 2 days.

Dman · Nov 6, 2018

Hey MTA, looked like your wife didn't need to lower her standards too much! Assuming your post on the elk forum was what she held out for... very nice.
We filled 4 bull tags there this year too. Couple decent 6's, a smaller 6 and a 5pt. No giants though. When the pressure went down the elk seemed to come back out... but when the quads started buzzing up again they held pretty tight.
We had a pretty fun hunt in some beautiful country. We ran into KelsoBoy on the mountain too had him over to our camp for couple of dinners, nice guy. He hadn't had any success yet by the time we were leaving though.
Hopefully, he'll chime in and give us his story.

Congrats to your wife!

Dman

mta5672 · Nov 6, 2018

She surely got her wish, a very nice 6 point bull. We had one chance at a very big bull and just didnt get set up in time. We could have shot him from 600yds but knew we could close the distance a few hundred more, I thought the bulls would stay put but they had other plans! She shoots her rifle very well past 600 but closing the distance is the right thing to do in my opinion. We kept at it and found these bulls at 10,000ft in the rough nasty stuff. Had one of the best days I've ever had on the mountain. Sounds like you guys had a good time as well.

kelsoboy1382 · Nov 15, 2018

Yes, it was great meeting you and your group Dman!Had a good time getting to know you guys a bit and thanks again for the steak dinners!Look forward to when you guys head over here for your logging competition. Was a ton of quads in that area after u guys left. Elk were not sticking around very long. They heard the quads and watched them take off a mile away a couple times. Wishing I could have gone over a few days earlier when it was so busy. Was great to hear that your wife was able to connect on a really good bull mta5672.Way to stick it out until the end!