San Juan Archery Elk early tag.

Iddogguy · May 31, 2023

Well I’m going to get to experience a great Elk hunt this year. I drew with 25 nonresident points.

I’ve been on the unit a couple times in August running bear. Plan on at least 4 scouting trips. Can hunt the whole season if need be.

Was hoping that people with previous experience on this hunt are willing to share some of their knowledge they gained through their hunt. Anything you’re willing to share I’d appreciate the information. For people that were fortunate enough to draw and harvest pictures would be great. If you’d rather PM me that would be fine. Thanks looking forward to hearing more about what I’m about to experience!!!!

I really enjoy the planing and information gathering aspect of a hunt like this. I can’t express how excited I am for this opportunity!!!!

Thanks Mark

DDubs · May 31, 2023

Hey Mark,
I drew the archery tag this year. There are a couple guys in this site that are extremely helpful if you reach out to them. I found them through old threads.
If you don’t hear from anyone I’m happy to share some of what I found and let you know what I see during the bow hunt.

Deer · May 31, 2023

Look forward to hearing about the hunt.

Iddogguy · May 31, 2023

DDubs said:
Hey Mark,
I drew the archery tag this year. There are a couple guys in this site that are extremely helpful if you reach out to them. I found them through old threads.
If you don’t hear from anyone I’m happy to share some of what I found and let you know what I see during the bow hunt.

Congrats on the tag. We'll have to stay in contact, I'm good with sharing information. I just starting to gather intel, been running bear last 4 days.

tallelkchaser · May 31, 2023

One of my favorite places to hunt elk. Do you want to focus on the plateau/elk ridge or up on the blues? Both hold lots of elk and there are elk in places you would not expect.

DDubs · May 31, 2023

TallElkChaser,
in your experience is the hunt pressure even across the unit it does one part get a lot more attention?

roadrunner · May 31, 2023

The blues are easier access from the hwy, elk ridge requires a little more investment on dirt roads.

Have hunted the unit archery a few times spike/cow with the intent on drawing the bull tag one day (LOL).

Every year I hunted it and shot a cow, there was also at least a 350ish bull standing within bow range (30 yds).

If I had the tag and was doing DIY, I know where I'd start...

Iddogguy · May 31, 2023

tallelkchaser said:
One of my favorite places to hunt elk. Do you want to focus on the plateau/elk ridge or up on the blues? Both hold lots of elk and there are elk in places you would not expect.

I’m going to try and look over as much country as possible before the season. I like the out of the way places. I burned 50 gallons of fuel in a Honda rancher in 23 days of hunting and scouting for Cal sheep in Nevada unit 033. ? PM me a couple places to start if you would! Thanks for responding! Mark

Iddogguy · May 31, 2023

I’ll be DIY. Just bought me a new PSE carbon bow for the hunt!

tallelkchaser · May 31, 2023

DDubs said:
TallElkChaser,
in your experience is the hunt pressure even across the unit it does one part get a lot more attention?

Haven’t spent as much time down there during the archery hunt but I would say there are probably more people on the blues. You can glass a lot of country from the road. Rock pile is popular but always seems to be a good spot to pick out bulls year after year. My dad actually killed a bull on the flat right below it one year, steep hike back to the truck! I personally prefer the blues from an experience standpoint, prefer pines and quakes rather than oak but have seen bulls everywhere. Ill pm you both some general areas.

hkm · May 31, 2023

My lucky brother drew the only NR early ALW. The bad news he broke his pelvis but he insists he will be ready for the hunt. I will be headed Dow for 5 days of scouting the end of August. You guys with the bow tag have a great time . Any information you could share would be greatly appreciated

Iddogguy · May 31, 2023

tallelkchaser said:
Haven’t spent as much time down there during the archery hunt but I would say there are probably more people on the blues. You can glass a lot of country from the road. Rock pile is popular but always seems to be a good spot to pick out bulls year after year. My dad actually killed a bull on the flat right below it one year, steep hike back to the truck! I personally prefer the blues from an experience standpoint, prefer pines and quakes rather than oak but have seen bulls everywhere. Ill pm you both some general areas.

Thanks

Iddogguy · Jun 5, 2023

Got lucky 4 nonresidents with 25 points. Grateful to draw this year!!!?

JEM · Jun 23, 2023

I drew the archery tag in 2013. Amazing unit. I was able to harvest a 413" with the help of a local guide. Let me know if you want to contact him.

Iddogguy · Jun 23, 2023

Thanks PM sent

elkassassin · Jun 24, 2023

Hey JEM?

You Get A New Handle?

JEM said:
I drew the archery tag in 2013. Amazing unit. I was able to harvest a 413" with the help of a local guide. Let me know if you want to contact him.

goforbroke · Jun 24, 2023

The year I hunted it -2011, the elk moved out of summer pattern about the 4 th of September. If scout before season, know that the elk will move a ton. I was happy with any 350 plus bull and I wanted to do spot and stalk. Literally every day we found one or more to stalk. Took me 7 days, but man it was fun. If you want a 400”, I would scout and hunt the first part of the season if DIY.

Please post lots when hunting. A tag I will never have again.

Iddogguy · Jun 24, 2023

Thanks for your reply!

My scouting before season will consist of getting a fill for the road & trail systems. If I glass something I'd like to try and harvest, I hope to know the best way to get close for the stalk. Also, will be checking out areas that have been brought to my attention from past tag holders. I appreciate your information about when they moved out of there summer pattern.

I hope to be there for the whole season or until I harvest.

Thanks again, Mark.

Iddogguy · Jun 24, 2023

elkassassin said:
Hey JEM?

You Get A New Handle?

elkassassin

Rumor has it you're the San Juan Elk Guru!!

Throw me a couple crumbs, Please!!

Mark

goforbroke · Jun 25, 2023

It is a long season. Plan some breaks or make sure you have company so you don't wear yourself out mentally. The bull I ended up harvesting, we were out of ideas that day and had blown a good bull out that morning, and the day before that and the day before that

. 2:00 pm we went to a different area we picked out from topography on a map. at 5:00 I heard an elk coming my way. No bugling, just raking. I got in his path with good wind. I had about 5 seconds to decide if he was big enough. He was. 382" - big bulls are there, have fun. From your profile I guess you have taken some big elk. enjoy the hunt.

elkassassin · Jun 25, 2023

I'm Not!

It Has Changed So Much In The Last 30 Years It's UN-F'N-BELIEVABLE!

Not Knocking Any Guides Or Outfitters But I/We Can't Compete With What Goes On Now Days!

Should Be Some Good HEAVY Antlers This Year!

Best Of Luck!