Elk super tag

LAST EDITED ON Jul-25-17 AT 10:21PM (MST)[p]What kind of experience are you looking for?
Biggest bull possible?
Rut hunt?
Rifle only?
 
Yes I drew the tag and have been focusing on 54/47. I plan on hunting archery,muzzy and rifle if that's what it takes. Really wanting to get the best bull possible. Unit 40 is also an option but won't have much time to scout it. Just wondering if there are any other units I should be considering.
 
I think you are doing the right thing by sticking to a smaller area where quality bulls are known to roam. Don't get too spread out.

I've hunted 54 and the problem there is the bulls are not there before the season. I only got one bull on multiple cameras in July/August. If you are not finding them, don't get discouraged, they will show as the rut nears. Good luck!
 
Not sure where you are located so that might make a difference to how much scouting you can do in a unit. Not sure how much time you will have to devote to the opportunity either.

If you will be archery hunting on opening day then scouting/finding a specific bull is very important.
If you are waiting until the rut kicks in then scouting is not as important in my mind. Bulls sometimes move great distances to their rutting grounds. Being able to locate bugles before daylight gives you a huge advantage.
If you concentrate on rifle rut hunts then I believe the advantage greatly increases. 40 and 44 have these kind of opportunities with limited competition. I believe that 44 hunt really gets overlooked and it only has 225 deer hunters at the same time. Remember, 54 has huge bulls that can be patterned during archery season but also huge numbers of archery deer hunters, seemingly each packing a bugle and cow call. Then, 500 rifle deer hunters pour in during the middle of the muzzleloader hunt.
The late rifle hunts out in 46 can produce, but they are getting crowded. Those are all pretty much wintering Jarbidge bulls and a lot of them are broken by then.

With all this to consider, if I had a super tag this year I would be putting in a lot of time in 52 this week.

I think everyone who is offering advice would greatly appreciate a follow up post to how your hunt went.
Best of luck!
 
I appreciate all the input! I will definitely be checking in and posting updates / success. I was working in twin falls and scouting during the week but am now on a new project in Pocatello. I do have a buddy with an archery deer that's helping scout when I can't. And he has a couple nice bulls spotted. I'll be taking off the sept 15th- oct 1st which covers the end of archery and the first week of muzzy and should be right during the rut.
 
Well after a lot of scouting trips and seeing some great bulls I was able to take a great 8x8 with my bow. It was my goal all along to get a good bull with my bow and to do it while my parents and buddies where there to be a part of it. It all worked out and I am so blessed for the opportunity and for the family and friends I was able to share this with.
 
Congratulations! Sounds like you made the most of the opportunity with family and friends. Would love to see a pic if you are so inclined.
 
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That is a Hogg of a bull! Beautiful. You wouldn't be able to wipe the smile off my face with a rock if I got one like that. Congrats!
 
Congratulations on amazing bull. Even with the super tag that is an incredible bull and very few of the super tag hunters put their tag on one like that.
Thanks for coming back to share pictures.
 
Thanks guys for all the positive comments. As for a story, I'm writing one up for a magazine so will post it once it's published. But the basics are we had located some bugles the night before, got back in the area the next day around noon and got set up. Two of my buddies stayed about 2-300 yards back and bugled and kept my bull talking while I slipped in with another buddy. When we got within 100 yards my buddy set up to call and I snuck ahead of him another 30-40 yards and got set up with an arrow nocked. As soon as he cow called the bull bugled and started coming in. I had about a 320" bull come in quiet off my right but as soon as the big bull was in sight the smaller bull took off running. The big bull came in to 58 yards and turned broadside and was starting to flank me to get down wind. He stopped again at 58 broadside and I put my 60 yard pin on shot. I hit him about 2" behind the crease of the shoulder and it exited about mid rib cage on the off side. It took out both lungs and he was down within 30 seconds.
 

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