I could use a little help...

[randy01]

Hello all,
After 15 years of trying, I finally drew Nevada unit 061, 071 for muzzleloader bull elk. I have never been in these units. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I am 61 years old and will never draw another tag of this quality, and would love to kill a very good bull.
I also drew unit 011-13 muzzleloader deer...I am somewhat familiar with these units, but any help would be appreciated. Good thing I am retired....Sept is going to be busy.

 

[sneakypete]

Seems like you should get ahold of the area biologist, have a list of questions to ask like where to scout areas, deer and elk populations. I've never hunted Nevada so I'm not familiar there. Also you should go over the the new member section and introduce yourself.

 

[randy01]

Good advice. I have been looking for the new member section..not familiar with this site yet. Throw me a bone! Thanks!

 

[Musket Man]

Get out and scout all you can. Its a big area and will take a bit to narrow it down.

 

[Slugz]

As MM said....I would devote 10-14 days of scouting. That many points, lots of good animals.......key to success will be your pre hunt preparation with glasses on the area.

 

[Calbuck]

Agree %100 on scouting..the more you know your way around your hunt area the easier it will be to make decisions come hunt time

 

[sneakypete]

I agree with all above, the more time you spend in the area the better idea of animals and where you'll want to hunt. Best of luck!

 

[randy01]

I will begin scouting in July. Hope to make at least 2 trips over. 8 hour drive one way.

 

[Slugz]

I will begin scouting in July. Hope to make at least 2 trips over. 8 hour drive one way.

That's a good plan. If possible give your self 72 hours of glassing prior to opening morning also.

 

[treedagain]

I would say one scout trip for 2 days to learn the roads and get a good idea of the area. No real need to look for animals....you know there will be good bulls...if you get time glass a bit to find a few to get you excited...show up 4-5 days before season and find the elk and have one picked out and down on opening day..... do a ton of research and phone calls to narrow your scout trip to core areas. No offence but 10-14 days is a waste to me. On a sheep hunt that would be an advantage. But an open country elk hunt is pretty well glass...find elk...kill elk...
Good luck and have a safe and fun hunt

 

[Slugz]

I would say one scout trip for 2 days to learn the roads and get a good idea of the area. No real need to look for animals....you know there will be good bulls...if you get time glass a bit to find a few to get you excited...show up 4-5 days before season and find the elk and have one picked out and down on opening day..... do a ton of research and phone calls to narrow your scout trip to core areas. No offence but 10-14 days is a waste to me. On a sheep hunt that would be an advantage. But an open country elk hunt is pretty well glass...find elk...kill elk...
Good luck and have a safe and fun hunt

No offense taken......but if its a once in a lifetime hunt then 2 x 5 day scouting trips and a few days prior to the opener is no brainer for me. I'd want scrapes, wallows game trails, bedding areas....in my GPS. Roads I know already before I step foot in the area. I want not only a solid primary plan.....but a solid back up and a solid tertiary.....I've saved many a partners trip with a relocation of camp to another spot after the scouted animals got bumped by other hunters, forest fire, logging etc.

Just saying...... 15 years of points/ 2 ML tags / and older gentlemen......I'd be putting all my effort into this one......and leave nothing to be guessed or assumed is all.

Just my 2 sense, not meaning to offend anyone, but I think its a mindset thing......I don't wanna leave the mountain knowing I didn't try everything and anything to be prepared. Regardless of animal down or not.

 

[treedagain]

I understand your points slugz....i spent 25 days scouting for my desert ram then 9 days hunting to kill the ram i wanted. I am hopeful someone shortens the learning curve for him to make the time he has be fruitful. I have not spent alot of time there but i have in the 6 units if anyone needs help with deer or elk

 

[randy01]

I think the tough part will be passing up smaller bulls. Plus I would like to see the rut kick in. Fortunately, I am retired so I have plenty of time. Then on to unit 011-013 for muzzleloader deer.

 

[Slugz]

I think the tough part will be passing up smaller bulls. Plus I would like to see the rut kick in. Fortunately, I am retired so I have plenty of time. Then on to unit 011-013 for muzzleloader deer.

I agree sir...that's the tough part. Knowing and being confident that you can let a certain size walk in lieu of another size coming by.

 

[randy01]

Good advice, no offense taken for sure. I plan to set several trail cams out as well.

 

[crzy_cntryby]

Randy01, that is really big rugged country. Get set up with some horses and good glass. Four wheelers will only be usable in a small part of the area holding good elk numbers. Get in as good shape as you can. Lots of canyon and cliff climbing. Think Twin Falls.

 

[randy01]

Well, I am headed over to Nevada on Sunday. A lot of people have been very helpful and I am very grateful for that. Hoping for cooler weather and lots of rut activity. Will update when I return, staying the entire season.

 

[Cobbhunts]

Well, I am headed over to Nevada on Sunday. A lot of people have been very helpful and I am very grateful for that. Hoping for cooler weather and lots of rut activity. Will update when I return, staying the entire season.

Good luck Randy!! Can't wait to see the results.

 

[JScams]

Good luck. Slay em

 

[randy01]

Thank you to all who gave great advice...I killed a 6x6 on Wed evening. After we finally got some rain the bulls started bugling and I called this one in. Saw lots of bulls in this size class. Only saw one really big bull, but saw 50/60 bulls in the 14 days I hunted.