I drew the late tag for what sounds to be a super good unit! Have visited with a few folks about it, opinions seem to vary on which areas to focus on. Which is cool, as hopefully that will evenly disperse the hunters! If anyone would like to chime in on what to expect as far as weather conditions, hunter densities, or anything else constuctive, I would certainly be very interested and very grateful. It sounds as if the Ely area has had above normal spring precipitation that was preceded by an easy winter, so hopefully that is the formula for great antler growth. This could very well be the best elk tag that will ever come my direction....would certainly like to make the most of it!
111-115 Late rifle
- Thread starter Bigsky4570
- Start date
NVFlyGirl
New Member
Hi Bigsky! I hunted those units for cows the last two seasons, and I absolutely love it there! You won't be disappointed! Congrats on your tag, I'm assuming a bull tag? I've seen nice bulls out there late season. I was just out in January filling my late season Antlerless tag for 114-115, they are out there!
Thanks for the reply FlyGirl! Yes, it is a bull tag; was good to hear that you saw some good bulls on your cow hunt. Nice that you love the country, I am really looking forward to looking it over for myself. Haven't hunted in that type of terrain before, so it will be a learning experience. How is the visibility as far as being able to spot for elk? Also, are the secondary roads fairly decent, for the most part? Thanks again!
Gr8, thanks for the response! From what I've been able to gather, the east side of 111 seems to be a very popular area. Sure there's a valid reason why that is. Thanks for the tip on the Blue Mass area...will check into that. How did your brother's hunt end up?
I see...that's the way it goes sometimes. But I'm sure those 6 big boys will be etched in his mind for years to come!
NVFlyGirl
New Member
Hi there! Road access is pretty amazing there. Saw elk every day we were out on the east side of the range. Scouted in October, hunted November in 111 in the 2013 season, and this past January in 114 for the 2014-15 season. Bulls were still with the cows by November, and in January of our recent trip they had separated from the cows. I'd be happy to pm you some more detailed info if you'd like. Visibility is good as well, hang off the road and glass the benches, look in the groves of pinion junipers, they'll be there. 
. I know this picture is a ways out, but we counted over 60 head, this is the east side of 111, north of Cleeve Creek in November of 2013.
. I know this picture is a ways out, but we counted over 60 head, this is the east side of 111, north of Cleeve Creek in November of 2013.
Last edited:
Thanks FlyGirl! Glad that you included the pic, as its always cool to see what some of the unit actually looks like. Sounds as if a guy had better be ready to do some serious glassing. Anything that you might believe is helpful would be much appreciated! Thanks again for the reply!
Thanks Packmule! I have looked at that area around the park and wondered if it would be wise to at least check it out...you must have knowledge of some "mingling" in the past. Would love to hear more!
Well, I'm planning on making the 10 hr drive next weekend to look at this unit. Pretty excited to see it for the 1st time! Would it make sense to throw in a dirt bike to check out the secondary roads, or are most of them fairly decent? It sounds as if doing a loop around 111 is easily done with the truck, am mainly concerned about the 113, 114, and 115. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks for the reply! That's what I was hoping to hear, I will probably throw in the bike and zip around a bit. Am bound to see some things that i wouldn't in the truck.
I went down and looked around this past weekend. Huge country, with tons of good habitat; in fact I wish there wasn't so much of the goood stuff! The bike definetely came in handy, the main roads are amazingly good but a couple of the side rods wouldn't have been fun in a pickup. Didn't make it to 113, the unit is so big that there simply wasn't enough time. Hope to make 1 more trip this fall. After being there I can see why there are older age class bulls in the unit...lots and lots of hiding places!
Rsnk61
New Member
I haven't been out yet. Leaning on spending Labor Day at Cave Lake for a little fishing and scouting. Mainly looking for a place to set up camp. Then maybe 1 or 2 more times in Oct to narrow it down.
A lot of those two track roads are closed now so make sure you are staying on open roads.
This is my 111 late rifle Bull. Just to help get you fired up. We when to the tree line after a 380" 6x7 but couldn't find him once we got there so I took this 350"
350 as a consolation prize isn't bad...
This is my 111 late rifle Bull. Just to help get you fired up. We when to the tree line after a 380" 6x7 but couldn't find him once we got there so I took this 350"
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
WOW! That is a gorgeous bull! What year did you take him? Thanks for posting the pic...definitely fires me up!!