cow tag first year elk hunt any tips

[huntordie]

got a cow tag and this is my first year elk hunting any one no any good areas to find a cow near salem

[woolybuggerboy]

I went on my first cow hunt two years ago. Elk hunting is VERY different from deer hunting. I'd only hunt openings or clear cuts, and be prepared to pack out an animal if you kill it. Elk are HUGE animals and it will be a lot of work to get the meat out. Make sure your vehicle is capable of hauling out an elk. You're looking at upwards of 150 lbs of meat if you get one, i figure most rosie cows will weigh in at about 300lbs

[bigamefisher2]

Whereabouts did you draw your tag?

[Zeke]

I drew one too and I'm in the same boat. Mine is for Units 41 and 42. There's a lot of family owned land that I can hunt in Unit 41, but it's mostly out in the flats and lava flows towards Maupin. I've heard of some elk around Dufur and also Bear Springs, but I have no experience in those areas. Any clues?

[Maddie'sDaddy]

Originally Posted by woolybuggerboy

I went on my first cow hunt two years ago. Elk hunting is VERY different from deer hunting. I'd only hunt openings or clear cuts, and be prepared to pack out an animal if you kill it. Elk are HUGE animals and it will be a lot of work to get the meat out. Make sure your vehicle is capable of hauling out an elk. You're looking at upwards of 150 lbs of meat if you get one, i figure most rosie cows will weigh in at about 300lbs

I would say if you are talking about west side elk you better reconsider
your numbers on how much they weigh, I would say closer to 800 to 1000
lbs for a good cow, i have carried a cow elk hind quarter that weighed probably close to 150.

But I would think you could find a cow in the Valsets area, but its been a while since we hunted there.

[Bull Hunter]

Tips - Don't shoot one with horns!!!

Go out hwy 20 to the hills around Detroit Lake. I have run into a few heards out that way. I would hunt benches in the timber. Clear cuts may be good the first couple of days of the season but there has already been a ton of pressure already. Then it is into the timber. IMHO!

Good luck. If you get one, butcher your own.

[Duckwheat]

Here is my motto with elk and I have killed 12 of them. Shootem when you got the chance. Dont angle for a better shot, dont...........over think them. Know how far you can shoot and don't be bashful.

They don't often give you a second chance. Where I have hunted, you often work your ass off for the opportunity. It is about 3 days work for the chance. If you blow it, the ratio worsens for some reason.

They are not like deer they will not (most of the time) run to the top of the ridge and give you the back over the shoulder look.

So to repeat, Know your range, and get shooting. If it is still standing there shoot it again.

This is a pearl of wisdom I learned on my second elk. If you know you hit it well. Sit down and give it 30 minutes, unless you can actually eye ball it and you are absolutely sure it is dead. I spent a day chasing a elk around until a friends dad caught up with me and had me sit for a half hour. Walked up on Elk, dead.


Duckwheat

[toas243]

Originally Posted by huntordie

got a cow tag and this is my first year elk hunting any one no any good areas to find a cow near salem

What tag do you have ???? ,so`s we can point youright in the middle of a heard

[Lepper]

Originally Posted by Duckwheat

Here is my motto with elk and I have killed 12 of them. Shootem when you got the chance. Dont angle for a better shot, dont...........over think them. Know how far you can shoot and don't be bashful.

They don't often give you a second chance. Where I have hunted, you often work your ass off for the opportunity. It is about 3 days work for the chance. If you blow it, the ratio worsens for some reason.

They are not like deer they will not (most of the time) run to the top of the ridge and give you the back over the shoulder look.

So to repeat, Know your range, and get shooting. If it is still standing there shoot it again.

This is a pearl of wisdom I learned on my second elk. If you know you hit it well. Sit down and give it 30 minutes, unless you can actually eye ball it and you are absolutely sure it is dead. I spent a day chasing a elk around until a friends dad caught up with me and had me sit for a half hour. Walked up on Elk, dead.


Duckwheat

Right-o once spooked and wound up they will go for MILES before stopping to look back at what it was that spooked them.

[Gone Every Weekend]

With a cow tag a head shot is my first choice, Front sholder with the intention to break the front leg bone is my second choice. I have had to chase too many before I figured out that they can go miles after being double lunged if you dont hit a bone on entry.

[Oregonhunter]

Hmmmm.....I would say go prepaired, be sure to have a bone saw and packboards if you plan on getting away from roads and like mentioned already they are large animals so dont go thinking you will be packing one out by yourself in any short order (I found this out the hard way on my first elk) The average cow we have taken is around 450-650 lbs (and they can get bigger) so plan on a little work!

Have a cow call on you so you can get their attention if needed (does not always work but can help at times) And be sure the shot is a good one, you dont want to be tracking an elk down (this can be a long day)

Dont be affraid to hunt the timber, they if pressured many times will be in timbered areas by daylight. All but one of my elk have been taken in timber right after shooting light.

Hope this helps and good luck!

OH

[Old Soldier]

I agree with Duckweat shoot when you get a chance just like he said! Shoot until the gun is empty or the elk is on the ground. I have a reputation in our group about doing that but have taken more elk than the rest of them.