My unit 12 muzzy elk hunt

[Freedomrocks]

Here is the hunt, It started many months ago, I was looking for a hunt to use my points. I had 11 NRPP and I wanted a muzzy hunt in the rut and with the point creep and my age creep it was time to go. I talked to 2 different game bios for the area. They talked of good numbers. I also got some info from fellow MM via PMs. Thanks for the info guys ( this site rocks ). After a quick 1,000 mile drive we set up camp. On thursday eve.pryor to opener we go on a short 2 mile walk . No elk, no fresh sign,not one bugle. Thats ok we were close to roads and the archers have been at it a while. Friday we hit the skinny fish T H we walk in over 3 miles, still no fresh sign and no noise. We talk to 2 archers that had been there a week, no shots, 1 bugle , slow, I hope it turned around for them. With all the good reports at least numbers I was suprised not to see 1 elk. O well thats hunting, Day 1 up to boulder lake. we hit the TH at 5 am. elk total 2 bulls, 15 cows, not bad for the opener. No shots. . Day 2 up the carhart trail to get on top. A long walk but it is so beautiful, who cares 3 hrs. later were on top.While eatin lunch We hit the cow call, we get a hit back, but he just wont committ no elk seen all day. Day 3 off to pagota peak, another long walk to the back side, 2 bulls and 4 cows. They are just not talking and the cows are smarter than the bulls. Day 4 off on pagota trail going east. We were the first on the trail just to be passed by 2 other groups of hunters. Very little sign and no bulls talking. We leave that honey hole in a hurry, That afternoon it rains about 1 inch. Day 5 up to mirror lake,all day with about 1 hr of day light we get a good 5 pt coming in hot, he was ticked off and was lookin for a fight, he holds up at 200 yds. if he goes left he is mine, he goes right,,o so close. Day 6 we hunt from dark to dark getting back at the truck at 10 pm. We see 1 small bull all day. No shot. No shots all season. Not even a good shot at a cow. We walked at least 75 miles in 8 days..if i could draw it again would I go back? IMHO not sure!

 

[elks96]

I hate to say it, but you had some crummy luck this year. This has been the oddest year yet for elk. I know some local processors. Their numbers are down on both elk and deer from the archery/muzzy seasons. One of the best processors around here is stating he has seen a 60% decrease since last year this time.

The area you hunted are some of my favorite places for fishing etc. If I was hunting that area you mentioned several places where I would have tried. The only thing I can say is the elk were just not active this year at all yet. Good luck on your hunt. IMHO 12 points is a lot to spend for a unit that rarely produces anything more than a rag horn. On the flip a nonresident hunt with a muzzy is not exactly in low demand.

Look at the other unit 12 report a few threads down. Atleast you had some luck.

 

[Loner]

Last Winter, while Looking at units to burn some points in on a possible Muzzy hunt; what struck me about 12 was that for first rifle it took zero to one point. That must say a lot for what is available for bulls, no? I assumed there must be more to it, maybe good bulls are there early that head to private, or leave the unit by first rifle?

You covered a lot of ground, maybe too much, sounds like you enjoyed yourself.

Ryan V

 

[Freedomrocks]

Hey Loner, We covered lots of ground only because we could not find any elk with in 3 miles of the road, We did not want to walk that much every day but we had no choice. We ended up seeing 8 bulls of witch only 1 was a small rag 4. The other 7 were mature 5s and 6s. The thing that got me was i talked to several groups that drew cow tags for there 2nd choice. I have taken many elk with a high power, its a new game with a smoke pole, and waiting 8 to 10 more years just to hunt 201 or other units is not worth it to me. Hunting big mulies is my 1st choice any way. DIY only. 40 years and counting