Archery elk

[muleymaddness]

What would you all advise: I'm big into archery, hunting whitetails in Texas. Good at shooting long distances, etc. Would you advise taking my first elk hunt with a bow? I'd always put in for a rifle hunt thinking that since it will be my first elk hunt, I better increase my odds and use rifle, BUT, I came across an archery elk tag at a pretty good price in a unit with lots of elk, from what I hear (didn't draw my rifle elk tag).

What do you think? This would be a DIY hunt.

 

[Coyote_chaser]

what state and what unit?

 

[muleymaddness]

NM unit 9

 

[bulls1]

I don't know what your waiting on. Unit 9 can be a blast if you go shoot me a line and I'll tell you what I know about it.

 

[muleymaddness]

bulls1 - sent you an email.
Cory

 

[HullinPhx]

Not sure what time of the year you will be hunting, but Hunting Elk with a bow in September during the rut is the best time you will ever have. The bulls are screaming, they are chasing cows. Nothing better if you as me

John

 

[muleymaddness]

I can only imagine what it will feel like when I hear my first bugle! (and not on t.v.)

 

[springbear]

Well, then let me help you.. As far as the first bugle..
First you are going to start smiling, and if he is closer than 1/2 mile you are going to start getting nervous. If he is close enough that you might actually get to see him, you are going to get pretty warm, and your hands are going to start sweating. If he actually come close enough to be considered "in range" you will likely loose control of one or more bodily functions. If by some miracle you manage to pull your bow back and send an arrow on its way. well buddy you might just as well be hooked on meth or some other drug. cus you will never be the same again. and no matter how much fun hunting whitetails in Texas is, you won't look at them the same anymore.....

 

[muleymaddness]

Pretty similiar to what I figured........

 

[usa]

AMEN to springbears advice, until 94 All I hunted was whitetails , went to Colorado killed a bull and I haven't been the same since, I've killed 6 more bulls since then all on public land DIY and I have trouble even thinking about whitetails/muleys. What springbear forgot to mention was the feeling when you've done everything right and this 800 to 1000lb screaming elk is almost close enough to touch , you hear him /see him and smell him but he never gives you an ethical shot, the emotional letdown is enough to make your legs weak ! Also when you finally put a bull on the ground and you're all alone the realization hits you that you've just killed an animal the size of a horse and the closer you get to it the bigger it seem's (no ground shrinkage here ) it doesn't get any better than that !! you will find yourself actually looking forward to the the workload of getting your animal back to civilization, If you haven't gutted an elk before its basicly the same as deer but do yourself a favor and learn to quarter or bone him out without gutting, I prefer boneing and I can pack out an elk in as little as 3 trips if hes not huge.

 

[hollysdad]

springbear hit it on the nose....................

 

[HunterHarry]

Did anyone mention that you might puke from adrenaline overload?
HH

 

[Chef]

>I can only imagine what it
>will feel like when I
>hear my first bugle! (and
>not on t.v.)

Can you say...my legs will turn to jelly?
Good luck, the makings of a fantastic hunt.

 

[DonVathome]

I took my first, and second elk every with bow, go for it. Bow tags are easier to draw, and cheaper to buy, it is a lot easier to kill an elk with a bow tag your drew then a gun tag you did not draw!

 

[NMHUNTNUTT1]

DonV DID YOU PLUCK ANOTHER TAG?

 

[elkantler75]

your chances at a big bull are better when they respond to you and you dont have to go looking for them. if you understand elk then you will be rewarded big time using a bow! be patient and keep your cool when that beast comes in and it will be the time of your life!