Thanks for pics Brooks, that does look intimidating.....
-06 I’m not sure where you ran with idea of this being a pure solo hunt, I said I was going to go there soon to a solo run, do some camping, check out the terrain to see how I do with the elevation before just showing up blind in September. As someone that has never elk hunted before, I chose to go with the outfitter as a learning experience with teachers, this way would have help packing should I connect with an elk. Not knowing anyone in the area this was important to me especially given the warmer temps on the early hunts.
I am still going to research this and plan it as if I'm going solo and (hopefully) the guide(s) will look at my ideas an show me or tell me where I’m thinking right and wrong with my plans. The owner has been really encouraging and helpful so far, but Ive not really talked with him much since I started applying with him several years ago. I’ve never hired out help for hunting so I’m not sure what to expect. After asking around this guy did come recommended and I thought for my first hunt it would be worth the extra money and gamble. Time will tell and Ill post my opinion of them after the hunt.
I cant afford an fully guided hunt every year nor is it worth 2K$ extra just to increase my draw odds an extra 5-7% only to still not have a clue what Im doing. If Im going to cough up the extra money for that Im going to try to learn as much as possible in the process. I am contracted with him for the first 5 days and can do whatever after that, assuming I am still able to walk at that point. I can always add guides the days from day six to ten, but Ill just have to see how it all goes. One of my concerns is to have them just plop me down "here" on day one and I shoot some 1/2 tame bull thinking I’ve done something. What would I learn from that? He did encourage me that if that happened I was welcome to stay on with them and help others in camp which I thought was cool of him and plan to do just that should I tag early. Of course all of this is before the money changes hands and the drawing was done.
If my thought process/plan upsets you and "many other people" think I’m just taking advantage of the "deal", Im sorry, its just the nature of the game. It all comes down to money just about any way you slice it. I don’t like the fact folks can just plop down 2-10 grand on a landowner tag and bypass the draw every time, or maybe its just because I cant afford to do that. Come to think on it though, as much as I have spent on LE draws and gearing up to get ready to do an ek hunt over the last several years I might would have been money ahead to do just that, especially if I find this elk hunting aint for me.
All that said Ill still help anyone that needs any thing I might could help with concerning this hunt, even if its just, never again! or dont do this....
Best wishes.
I understand there was a big fire a couple years ago in that unit? I was wondering if anyone who had past experiences would feel ok to share some insight as to what drainages I should concentrate on. Many thanks ahead of time. I totally understand what kind of effort it takes to gain experience in these draw areas and really appreciate your advice.
