GMU 26 2nd Rifle Season Private Ranch

[Txmachinist]

So I am going on my first Elk Hunt this year. It is GMU26 and will be on private land bordered by BLM. No guides so I am looking for advice on the best way to hunt it. I am thinking find travel routes coming in and out of the private land and sit and wait. Not opposed to walking etc. I just know there will be lots of hunters in BLM land. We will be in the southern part of the unit south of King Mountain. Any advice is GREATLY appreciated! Oh and it's about 1200 acres.

 

[Shane13]

What is the private land like? Any alfalfa or other ag fields? Any water holes? What makes it different from the BLM surrounding, other than being private (if anything)? How easy is the access to the adjacent BLM land? Are other hunters likely to be just across the fence, or would it be a long pack in from the trailhead somewhere for them to get to your border?

 

[Txmachinist]

Not sure how far from the trailheads it is, but they do have Alfalfa fields and water holes on the land. Access to the BLM from the ranch is pretty easy I believe.

 

[Slugz]

So I am going on my first Elk Hunt this year. It is GMU26 and will be on private land bordered by BLM. No guides so I am looking for advice on the best way to hunt it. I am thinking find travel routes coming in and out of the private land and sit and wait. Not opposed to walking etc. I just know there will be lots of hunters in BLM land. We will be in the southern part of the unit south of King Mountain. Any advice is GREATLY appreciated! Oh and it's about 1200 acres.

Very simple. Find the food. Secondly if there will be a lot of hunting pressure figure out from what direction and generally where the animals will go once pressured. You can use the hunting pressure as your own personal drivers.

 

[Txmachinist]

Well I was trying to decide if I wanted to kill a cow if I don't get a bull. My decision was adequate for me. One of my son's left the freezer door open and I lost all of my whitetail and axis meet.

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[Txmachinist]

My decision made for me. Stupid auto correct.

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[Slugz]

1st elk hunt = if its brown its down. Trust me you don't want to let animals walk until you have knocked down a couple. Just my 2 sense.

 

[JimP]

I agree with Slugz, if I was on my first elk hunt I would drop the first one that came within range that was legal.

Now as a disclaimer, if you are seeing nice bulls you might hold out but if all else fails see the above advise.

 

[Hilltop]

If you are the only one with access, be careful not to pressure elk off of the private. Glass from a safe distance and really figure the property out- preferably a day or two before season opens. 1200 acres is very small in the elk world so if you blow them off without filling your tag you may not have another opportunity. Good luck and please post pictures if you score.

 

[Txmachinist]

Only reason I was debating on a cow was because I wouldn't have room for the meat. Now I have room for the meat. I found out it is actually about 2400 acres with BLM surrounding it. There WILL be other hunters on the private land also. I hope to spend the day before season doing a ton of glassing.