Elk Hunting Question

[oregonmuley]

Hello,
This is my first post - have been reading the Ifish Hunting for about a year and really like what everyone has to say. OK, so here is my question, I don't expect any specific info from anyone just wodering what people that hunt elk and think about it all the time like me would recommend. I currently have 6 preference points and based on the Oregon Tag book - the one put out by the guys in Salem that show your odds of drawing based on points - it looks like next year with 7 point I can draw a Mt Emily #2 tag - there are only 61 tags I think. Anyone want to comment - should I go for it or wait and keep going for a Walla Walla or maybe a Weneha tag. I started out hunting Mt Emily when I was a kid but have not hunted their in about 10 or 12 years. I always hunted the Hilgard area, also up around Ruckle Junction. Like I said, I'm not asking for anyones "secret spot", just any general info would be greatly appreciated. I'm just trying to decide what unit would be best to burn up my preference points since I've been saving them up hunting Starkey spike only want to at least know if any big bulls still live in Mt Emily. I would be happy to trade info on Murderers Creek or Desolation - have hunted both since about 1990 and know them pretty well, especially for deer. Anyway, thanks and great info on this site.
Thanks
Frank

[StickFish]

Don't forget abou the Northside unit, lots of nice bulls there. Put it on your application as second chance and you won't loose your points if you get drawn for it and not first choice.

[stickflicker]

oregonmuley i have hunted both and The area we used to hunt in mtemily was around the blackmt. area which i beleive is south and west of ruckel jct.I can also tell you that the walla walla unit has some monster bulls in it that i have seen first hand since i called in a few last year for a buddies wife during archery season of course. Back to the mtemily area there is area over there called the hell hole for a reason but thats where the big bad boyz live

[stickflicker]

if you have anymore ?? feel free to ask I'm always up for telling people about new areas

[kodiakfisher]

I have hunted Mt. Emily for 3 of the last four years and been successful. The area during first season rifle can be tricky. Some years there are herds of 50-60 animals and other years there are pockets of 10-12 animals. We will normally hear one or two bugles when the cows come into the second estrus. There are two classes of Elk in my opinion the migratory and the resident elk. There are elk in some areas that never leave that area as best I can tell. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] If you get into a good area that has great sign either they are still there or have left and as part of their pattern will be back in a couple of days. There is a pattern that they will follow from one feeding are to the next and if you can mark the pattern you are golden. I have only laid eyes on a herd bull once :blush: and that was about 20min before legal shooting light. Granted I was over 500yds away but I did see him he had 50-60 elk with him. I don't think Mt. Emily has one of the best bull:cow ratios. The Mt. Emily area gets significant road hunting pressure. The elk are long gone from areas that can be seen from the road by first light, at least this has been my experience. Cloud/fog cover seems to make them stay out a little longer. Clear days mean elk clear out early. Contrary to popular belief elk will bed down within earshot of a road they don't have much choice in Mt. Emily. The old rule of get as far away from a road as possible doesn't always apply. Understanding their "pattern" is the key to elk, It's whats for dinner.. :grin: :grin: :grin: All in all with seven points you could probably pick a better area, but first do you want to shoot a bull or do you want a cow tag or an any elk tag?

Kodiakfisher

[oregonmuley]

I would like to shoot a bull - or at least have a chance at a nice one. I know thats what everyone wants. I guess the reason I put the post out is that I realize its up to me to hunt hard and find the elk - I'm just wanting to get general idea of if this unit is worth the 7 years it will take to draw a tag. I could be the greatest hunter ever and hunt from dawn to dusk but if the unit does not have much in the way of nice bulls it really does not matter. I'm starting to think maybe a should be patient and keep collecting preference points until I can draw a Weneha or Walla Walla tag. Just trying like everyone else to get a nice one for the wall before I get too old! Thanks for info.

[kodiakfisher]

In my opinion this unit is not worth seven years.
If I had that many points I would at least hire a packer and go into the Eagle Cap Wilderness area.

Are you rifle hunting or archery? If you cannot hire a guide or a packer the Emily unit at least provides the ability to learn the roads in the area and scout out a herd or two. In that unit after the first day the Elk wise to the fact they are being hunted. If you spent a considerable amount of time scouting and could be in position to get your Bull the first day then It may be worth it. I think scouting and having two bulls that you are familiar with is the way to go. Pick a unit you can scout or hire a packer or guide.

Kodiakfisher

[Small Fry]

I hate to admit it but I have to agree with kodiakfisher. If I had that many points I don't think I would hunt Mt Emily if I didn't have access to private land.

One thing to remember about Mt Emily is there is not much public land to hunt thats not over run with hunters. The elk get pushed off the public land eraly every year and then seem to hang up on the private land. If you can get on some private land your much better off.

I had to pass on two large branch bulls last year because I had a spike only tag. So I know there are some good bulls in the area. At least on the private land.

Next year I will apply for my buck tag in this unit. We saw some nice buck during a late deer hunt this year.

[ 02-09-2004, 09:40 PM: Message edited by: Small Fry ]

[Luckybill]

Can't help ya, but wanted to welcome ya! I think you should go for the big bull and go where you know! I have five points and I am going for the hair tag in East Northside, Good luck to ya.

[Elkhunter]

If I had that many points I would hunt the Walla Walla, there are some monsters and with the number of tags the hunting pressure isn't to bad. Spike hunters everywhere in the Mt Emily Unit, there were so many trucks it was like I-5, everyone road hunting.

[Water Ready]

Northside is a great unit, the only problem is it's mostly private. :depressed: If you head south to Murderers crk, Lot'O'area to hunt and big bulls too. Have been hunting it for a few years and have saw some big bulls. A few have yielded their exsistance to me. Chased a nice 6 point and 7 point last season for 3 days, but a 4 point got in the way. My pick would be Murderers creek. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]
Oh ya, Did I mention, I don't have any preference points, and that I know how to build fires and can cook too! :grin:

[oregonmuley]

Thanks everyone for your input. Looks like I have 2 choices - keep trying for a Walla Walla tag sounds like the best chance for a really good bull. Also sounds like my kind of hunting area - I'm a walker, I don't own a 4-wheeler and don't plan to. I like hiking in on foot and this area hopefully isn't overrun with ATV's. Don't mean to start anything just seems that everyone rides them versus actually hunting on foot. Other choice pool my point with dad and my fishing partner turned elk fanatic and hunt the Murderers Creek unit. From what I'm hearing its still a good area for elk and since I used to hunt it at least I'm not going in blind and learning a new area. Thanks again for everyones info, glad to be a new member of this website. Would be happy to give my 2 cents to anyone that wants to know anything about Desolation or Murderers Creek.
Thanks