My tag is for a mature bull only. A mature bull is one with a brow time six inches long or four inches of forked antler. I think the first three day I'm going to hold out for something 280 or bigger. Come day four I may drop my standards to the first legal bull I see. The tag is only good for five days and this is only my second time hunting elk. I've done some reading on elk habits, calling, and looking over maps of the area, but with out actually scouting the area I'm a bit concerned.
The good news is that there are only 200 hunters for the entire unit (It's big too), there is a three week break in between archery and ML season, and we should be catching the very tail end of the rut (or so I'm told). Don and I are going to split up so we increase our chances of success. If one of us gets one then we'll rally and help pack out the meat and then help the other get his bull.
I'm in probably the best mountain hiking shape I've ever been in. I've got most of the equipment I need and the stuff I don't have I'll get in the coming weeks.
I have two plans. The first is to listen for the bulls and then try to sneak in or cut them off. I'm going to keep my calling to a minium and do what ever I can to get 100 yards from the bull. I've got a few cow calls, but since I'm not confident with them I'm going to use them sparingly. I'm going to avoid using my bugle unless I'm trying to locate a bull. Once he bugles then I'm going after him. The second plan is to hunt over water holes/wallows. I might do this during the mid afternoon when things quite down.
Another concern I have is how I'm going to get the meat and horns home. I'm thinking of using FEDEX and have it over nighted to my home in PA. The only way I'm going to keep the cape for a mount is if I shoot a true monster. Elk are just to big and will take up the entire house. I also don't have $2,000 to pay for it either. I'm going with the euro mount thing otherwise.
I do feel some pressure because of the cost of the tag (it's A LOT), but the good news is that its the most expensive piece of the whole trip (I used my frequent flyer miles to get a free round trip ticket). I'll admit I would feel better if I could shoot a cow, but I guess that's how it goes. Either way the adventure is gonna be fun.