Hit the jackpot this year and drew the Northeastern Elk tag in northern California, there is only 15 tags for this area. Monster bulls 370+ even 390+ have been killed in this unit. Looking for any other hunters that have possibly hunted this area in the past or even some info that they could possibly pass on for hot spots for Elk, I'm not asking for honey holes or anything like that, I would just like to know where to start looking for Elk, it is a huge unit consisting of 5 Counties with only a 12 day season I will need all the help that I can get. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Northeastern California Elk hunt ... Information please
- Thread starter Live2Hunt
- Start date
sneakypete
Veteran member
Congrats on the draw. Eastmans magazine featured a giant bull last year? Check it out,I believe it was a guided hunt but can't remember. Good luck.
Yes , there has definetely been some monster bulls killed in this unit. I am hoping to be so lucky
squirrelduster
Active Member
You drew an awesome tag. My brother drew the archery tag in 07. We did a lot of scouting and there are elk all over the unit. He shot a really nice 5x5, his first archery kill. When he drew his tag I knew nothing about the unit.
There are some huge bulls in the area but for the most part they don't bugle much. I have been scouting since my brother had his tag hoping to draw one of my own.
I will give you a couple really good tips.
Put your time in doing some scouting but don't go too early. They start to pattern good around the first week of August. Look for cows, the bulls will show up. Don't be concerned if you don't see bulls scouting.
Don't bugle unless it's at night. Cow calls may get a bull to reply but I have never had much luck calling. Look for tracks crossing roads and hunt them if you see lone tracks. Get off the road and walk. I have never seen one from the road.
Take a GPS with you. A lot of the country is very flat and super easy to get turned around. You won't be able to glass in most of the areas.
Final tip - Most of the unit is fairly dry so find the water sources.
Good luck and post pictures.
There are some huge bulls in the area but for the most part they don't bugle much. I have been scouting since my brother had his tag hoping to draw one of my own.
I will give you a couple really good tips.
Put your time in doing some scouting but don't go too early. They start to pattern good around the first week of August. Look for cows, the bulls will show up. Don't be concerned if you don't see bulls scouting.
Don't bugle unless it's at night. Cow calls may get a bull to reply but I have never had much luck calling. Look for tracks crossing roads and hunt them if you see lone tracks. Get off the road and walk. I have never seen one from the road.
Take a GPS with you. A lot of the country is very flat and super easy to get turned around. You won't be able to glass in most of the areas.
Final tip - Most of the unit is fairly dry so find the water sources.
Good luck and post pictures.
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Go up early and talk to the ranchers and the blm or forest service field staff. Those cowboys up there are generally hunters too and will give you ideas where to start looking. I know of one ranch that let folks hunt no problem elk tore up hay stacks and fence every year and he wwnted them hunted to just keep them off the place or at least able to scare off. Look in the Warner mnts to start or around devils garden.
One good cowboy or firefighter contact will put you into the elk those guys are on the ground every day
One good cowboy or firefighter contact will put you into the elk those guys are on the ground every day
squirrelduster
Active Member
Talked to some folks at work they had to fly this area for work and saw over 500 head of elk scattered but some good bulls.not as many as they thought they'd see in the graden tho.
Pm me ill give you some ideas who to call and ask questions of.
Pm me ill give you some ideas who to call and ask questions of.