Elk help needed for disabled hunter.

MasterCaster · 10-15-2002, 09:14 PM

After my fathers heart attack a couple months ago he is restricted and cant get around like he used too. Im just looking for advise on which tag he should purchase for Elk. He has pretty much left it up to me since Ill be the one hauling it out for him and helping him out. Either the Coast or Cascade general hunts. He has a permanent disabilities permit now and just wants to put some meat in the freezer for this winter and will take a cow if he gets the chance. Any suggestions on areas to hunt? Its down to the last couple days to decide so I thought I would throw it out to you Ifishers for advice.

Thanx for any and all help you can give.

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

outdoor.spec.ops · 10-16-2002, 07:10 AM

I know your dilema, we have a disabled hunter in our hunting group who has a hair tag, and my father who also had a heart attach last year. The dilema is not finding them an elk to shoot, but finding an area where he can shoot one that I can get out alone. We hunt the coast area, which offers a lot of clear cuts that they can see and shoot from. They are very understanding of the terrain, and we usually get them an elk, but its a bear when they do get one due to the lack of help. It is very rewarding however to see their faces when you finally get the buggers out though. I will have added help this year since my brother and I both went to bow hunting and have rifle season to be pack mules.

I havent hunted up the Smith river area in years, but it does offer a lot of elk, and some fairly easy clear cuts to hunt, with roads "usually" at the tops and bottoms of the units. The coast units do have a lot of elk, and if he wants a cow, I think the coast units will produce if you take your time and scope them out. Good luck to you and your dad.

MasterCaster · 10-17-2002, 10:39 AM

outdoor.spec.ops

Thanx for the reply and help. Im at the point now to where as long as My dad can get to where he can see it and shoot it. Im going to haul it out. If it takes me a whole day its still worth it. Even if i have to steak it up on the spot :grin: . If you need some help on a weekday or something hauling out one for your father let me know. The only day we have taken up is Fri. cause thats my dads rehab day. Drop me an e-mail if ya like and we can talk about it. Trigrhpyx@aol.com

Thanx again

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

outdoor.spec.ops · 10-17-2002, 10:52 AM

check your email

skein · 10-17-2002, 11:37 PM

MC and Spec Ops,

It sounds as if you have your tags this year, but something to watch for next time are damage control hunts. Often those animals are closer to roads or in fields where you can drive a rig or ATV up to them after they're down. The ranchers/farmers are interested in getting rid of them, and lots of times look kindly on helping the disabled out. Another plus is the "season" stretches out and you don't have to compete head-to-head with all the other hunters.

If you're interested, I'll try to chase down a couple of names for you to contact.

Skein

MasterCaster · 10-17-2002, 11:53 PM

Im very interested! This is my Fathers first hunt since his heart attack so this disabled stuff is kinda new to us. ANY information that can help with this hunt or future hunts is more than welcome. For this hunt he hasnt bought his tag yet but going to tonight and it will either be the Wilson-trask or Cascade. We have a little info on some area in the Trask and some timber property to hunt in the Cascade.

Skein thanx for your offer to help. I would definately be interested in any info you have to give.

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

[ 10-17-2002, 01:06 PM: Message edited by: MasterCaster ]

MasterCaster · 10-18-2002, 12:30 PM

Thanx for the info and help Skein! It looks like I really need to do some serious looking into those type of hunts. I think they would help out alot for my fathers future hunts.
We should hook up and do some fishin or something and we can talk about it more while hauling in the hawgs! :grin:

Thanx for all your help

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

skein · 10-18-2002, 11:42 PM

MC,

I made a couple of calls last night, but they were both innundated with calls from regular hunters or heading out hunting themselves, and didn't have time to think about anything out of the norm. I'll call again after things settle down, but that won't be for a while. Those tags are usually available even after the first of the year, so that really does lessen the time-crunch.

I'll keep trying and keep you in the loop. Last year I took a friend over who is a quadrapelegic and he got one from my truck. The rancher wanted the herd thinned, and he felt pretty good about helping my buddy out. Sort of a win-win scenario. In fact he invited us back this year, so I really think there's more openings here than meet the eye.

Also, I took good care of my hunter *and* the animal, and was careful not to leave a gate open or trash a road. I helped him feed his cattle while I was there and gave his son some tips on using a coyote howler, and they notice things like that. They really appreciate it too.

Good luck during the regular season.

Skein