Units 75, 751, 77, 78, or 771??

deer615

New Member
Aug 29, 2013
27
0
Iowa
Hey guys, looking for some assistance in narrowing down a unit to take my daughter elk hunting during muzzleloader season in 2016. She is 16 and has begging to go for years so I have promised her a hunt her senior year. I hunted 76 two years ago and really loved the area and terrain. Top end trophies are not our goal on this one, I just want her to experience a good elk hunt with good encounters and a decent opportunity at a branch bull. We are willing to dig deep and backpack it in to increase our odds. I am also willing to do my homework in researching a unit once we narrow it down. Again, not looking to be spoon fed here just some basics of what units are worth looking at and those to avoid so I can begin the process of showing my daughter a exciting hunt.

So, my question. Would anybody be willing to offer up some info or experiences with these units or units close to them? I'm not expecting anyone to give up their honey hole, just something that fits our needs. If you'd rather not put the info out on a public forum, feel free to send me a private message. Are 751 and those bordering 76 hit hard due to bordering a limited draw unit? Are there better units in the area to take a look at?

Thanks in advance for any info you could share.
 

Dark Mavis

Active Member
Mar 6, 2015
237
17
Vernon Parish, LA
80% of the people i know from LA hunt those areas, lots of pressure. Stay away from any area that has ATV access. There are some primitive and wilderness areas that you can hunt in those units. Take a look at those. Lots of drop camp options are available there too. I've gotten into elk in some of the smaller mountains on the south end of those units as well. Lots of thick oak brush, dark timber, and aspen thickets. Tough to glass, so burn the boot leather and good luck. Mainly just stay away from the ATV trails, and you will find some elk.
 

deer615

New Member
Aug 29, 2013
27
0
Iowa
80% of the people i know from LA hunt those areas, lots of pressure. Stay away from any area that has ATV access. There are some primitive and wilderness areas that you can hunt in those units. Take a look at those. Lots of drop camp options are available there too. I've gotten into elk in some of the smaller mountains on the south end of those units as well. Lots of thick oak brush, dark timber, and aspen thickets. Tough to glass, so burn the boot leather and good luck. Mainly just stay away from the ATV trails, and you will find some elk.
Thanks for the info! I had a feeling it might be crowded. If we venture far from ATV trails or target wilderness areas is this an area to still consider to show her a good elk hunt or should I expand my search into different units?
 

deer615

New Member
Aug 29, 2013
27
0
Iowa
She will only have two preference points going into 2016 and we were hoping not to burn them but it appears with muzzy she would have to. We may have now decided to switch gears and let her go out with her bow. This will reduce her range some but open up some unit options without the limits of some of the preference points required for muzzy. So same question but now switching gears to archery......any suggestions on these units for pressure during archery?
 
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JPSeveland

Active Member
Jun 8, 2014
165
0
Cheyenne Wyoming
All of these units are over the counter for archery either sex. Historically there has always been great luck in some of the trail headeds that take you close to the divide. I think that if you can scout hard and really practice on your calling there is no reason you shouldnt be able to get a branch antlered bull. There are some great elk in this country.