Unit 61 archery elk/bear

coyoteslayer · Jul 16, 2019

I did not realize that I could try and pick up a bear tag since I drew unit 61 archery elk. What are all your suggestions about picking up a bear tag? worth it? should I just concentrate on Elk after waiting 22 years? I will be headed over to check the unit over next week. Anyone suggestions on places to check out? I have searched the archives and read all of the past threads and found some general information, but would appreciate any advice that someone would be willing to share. Thank you

BeanMan · Jul 16, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-19 AT 12:12PM (MST)[p]I'd concentrate on elk I were you. You could wast several valuable days if you shot a bear. Get a bear tag next year.

sticksender · Jul 16, 2019

Congrats on your elk draw. Yes I'd want a bear tag....more for the bear repellent value than anything else.

Elkduds · Jul 16, 2019

>LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-19
>AT 12:12?PM (MST)
>
>I'd concentrate on elk I were
>you. You could wast
>several valuable days if you
>shot a bear. Get
>a bear tag next year.
>
Listen to Bean Man. If you find lots of bruins you have something to hunt in 61 in the future. You'll never draw another bull tag there.

FrontRange · Jul 16, 2019

When I've hunted 61, I purchased bear tags, never filled one but If the opportunity came up and it was easy processing I would have shot. I would not have shot a bear if it would have distracted much from the task at hand. I'm a resident so price of the tag seemed ok.

gopher1 · Jul 16, 2019

I'd concentrate on filling the bear tag 1st, and maybe.. go after a nasty old elk , lol ? yes listen to bean man

Bocephus · Jul 17, 2019

Replied to your PM

elkantlers · Jul 17, 2019

For $100 dollars I would get a bear tag just in case I killed an elk. Sit on the carcass and you will have a bear with in 3 days.

CODave · Jul 22, 2019

I had an archery elk tag in 2014 and regretted not getting the bear tag. I hunted the unit 16 days for elk and had 4 to 5 encounters with bears at less than 30 yards, and saw more than 15 bears total. I would recommend getting the tag in case the opportunity presented itself. I could have had a 350 pound bear to go with the 326? bull I ended up harvesting.

Happy hunting, and remember ?Luck favors the prepared?

stalker · Jul 23, 2019

Things to consider, if you shoot a bear you have 5 business days to get it inspected. If it happens to be a weekend you will need to get it some place where it can be cooled, (a trip to town, then another trip to take it to the cpw, unless you are lucky enough to have a warden check it in the field). Coolers with ice can be used but are not ideal for very long.
Most people do not like Bear meat and are more interested in the hide. Figure 1k+ for a rug or 3k+ for a lifesize mount. You will need to use a local Taxidermist or freeze the hide to take to your Taxidermist.
Bears spoil fast so be prepared to deal with the hide.
If you have enough time on your hunt to loose 2 days dealing with a Bear I say buy the tag.I can help with the Taxi work if you are interested.
stalker

Simo42 · Jul 25, 2019

The bear tag would be worth it if your planning on being there the whole season. Plenty of bears and plenty of elk. The trip off the hill could be done with only missing a morning or evening hunt. Or maybe not missing any. If you have any help along I would say go for it!

Gator · Aug 3, 2019

Bear tag is cheap when you think of all the time and money already spent getting ready for the elk hunt.
Kill a elk first day and go home or STAY and then set over a good "area" and kill yourself a bear.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

Elk247 · Aug 12, 2019

Kind how I feel gator. I have a second season bull tag for 61 and bought a bear tag. Obviously elk is my first priority but if I do shoot a bull right away I definitely will stick around for a chance at a bear.

Also if I happen to see a really nice bear early and in a not so difficult spot to get it out of, I could give up one day of nine to get it taken care of.