More About Elk

Because the Department of Game & Fish periodically changes the scheduling of the elk hunts in our units we don’t always offer the exact same hunts from one year the next.  Youth elk and cow elk hunts are not always available.  We offer an elk reference list that includes every hunter who has hunted with us within the most recent two years.  Note that the late dates for centerfire rifle hunts provide opportunity to harvest big bulls that have abandoned their harems and are found feeding in open areas during more of the daylight hours as they prepare for winter.

HUNTS IN UNIT 34

We provide food and lodging right at our permanent residence.  It’s at 7,000 feet elevation in a beautiful canyon setting at one of the most remote portions of the unit. Except in winter and following very rainy weather, two wheel drive SUVs with reasonably high clearance can drive right to our home.  Each day begins and ends with meals in our home’s dining room.  This unit has very high elk density and a wide variety of surface conditions in which to hunt.  We can hunt moderately open gentle ridge tops, deep dark ravines, areas thinned by contractors with habitat stamp money, large slopes with naturally occurring oak brush, re-vegetating burns or even in Ponderosa/Douglas Fir timberland. 

HUNTS IN UNIT 36

We camp in travel trailers here and occasionally base our operation in a local motel with kitchen facilities.  This unit provides the absolute best glassing options for our spotters.  Most of the occupied elk habitat we choose to hunt lies on steeper slopes above 8,000 feet. Therefore, the hunts here are physically demanding.   Vehicle access is limited, but the available roads are good unless early deep snowfall occurs.  The higher country is absolutely stunning when the aspens are turning golden during the hunts.  Happily, the number of large bulls in relation to the number of licenses issued is high in 36.  Road hunters have very little impact on the behavior of the elk here.   

HUNTS IN UNIT 37

Expect to consume your meals under a tarp and sleep in a tent while hunting here.  Much of the unit is wilderness or is otherwise not easily accessed.   The occupied habitat extends up above 10,000 feet.  The unit contains several separate mountain clusters that have elk populations.  Sadly, many of the preferred feeding areas lie on private land.  Happily, many of the bedding areas are on public land.  Elk density per square mile is relatively low.  Low hunter density coupled with the access issues provides opportunity for a few bulls to live long lives and grow big antlers when annual forage conditions are good.  Road conditions vary widely here and many of the forest roads are very steep and become nearly impassable during wet or snowy weather.

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Elk

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