Ed, HoundDawg,
I figured that I would raise a stink with my comments. First of all, I stated in my post that I was just frustrated at the way my hunt turned out, and was just venting. I also acknowledged that bear hunters have as much right to the woods as I do, or anyone else does for that matter. My post was actually meant to be somewhat in jest, although now that I read it again, I realize that it did not come off that way.
I would appreciate if you wouldn't include me in the group you consider ?prima donnas with elk tags.? Maybe if I gave some background on my particular situation, you may understand why I don't think I merit being included in that group. With the exception of a couple of years back in college when I couldn't take the time off, I have put in for an elk tag in NM for 18 years?.and have never drawn. I was fortunate this year to have a friend whose father owns some land and gets land owners permits. I saved since last year to be able to purchase this tag, which was not even for a unit considered to be great elk hunting. So given the fact that I have never even hunted elk, that should exclude me from being lumped into some stereotypical group of elk hunters. On opening day of the hunt, (which by the way, even though the date was Oct.4, the elk had stopped bugling in that particular unit a couple of days earlier?possibly due to the rain, who knows why), we had gotten into some elk and were close to getting a shot off, or so I thought, when we heard the elk take off like there was a lion on their tail, only to discover a pack of hounds chasing a bear. Maybe the other elk in the area stuck around, but the one I was trying to get a shot at was in the next county by the time the dust settled. The hunter missed the shot by the way (on the bear, so the resultant chase and gunfire was even more of a ruckus, but kinda funny though). I suppose I was just hoping that after 18 years of waiting, that It would be myself that screwed up my chance, and not someone else?at least in this particular case. I do believe that not all elk are spooked by bear hunters. Like I said?.I was just frustrated. To top it off, at the end of the first day, we actually saw a medium sized 4x4 bull standing broadside and sky lined at about 200 yards. It looked like something you would see on TV. I am almost convinced he was smiling at us, because he had just crossed the fence onto the Jicarilla side. I think he knew he was safe on that side!
I don't actually mind the bear hunters or bear hunting itself. I go out on occasion myself without dogs, because I don't have access to them. Still trying to get my cousin to get me out there with his dogs. He took me out for a lion once, and it was a thrill. The thing is that the bear and lion seasons are pretty long, and coyote hunting isn't even regulated in NM. I actually enjoy hunting coyotes more than anything else, and I spend most of the winter doing that. I actually bagged a coyote during my deer hunt, and one during my uncles elk hunt. Great way to pass the time during the day! The elk hunt was only good for 5 days, and it was a good five days. It was my poor hunting skills that kept me from bagging an elk over the 5 day period?.not the bear hunter(s). However, that one bull was my best chance, and I feel that it was a poor set of circumstances that had the dogs/bear and the elk in the same vicinity at the same time. That's just my opinion, and we all know how opinions are. I didn't go up to the guys and tell them off?they were just doing their thing, like I was trying to do mine. Remember, I'm just venting due to frustration. I do feel for you HoundDawg, Utah definitely seems to have some nimrods running the DWR (based on yours and other posts I've read here).
Bottom line, I agree that we all have a right to be in the woods, no hunters are more equal than others, and I do resent being lumped into a group of so called ?primadonnas with elk tags? who feel we need exclusive access to the forest. I'm just a frustrated rookie elk hunter who is trying to find an excuse for coming home empty handed. Maybe I should have singled out the excessive heat we've been getting lately, and not the hounds that I ran into. I apologize if I have offended any hound runners.
Once again, good luck to any and all who still have hunting left to do. I'll be looking for coyotes from here on out.
Agar426