Building Priority For Big Bulls

[Moreland]

Hey Guys,

I have been building priority for bull elk (at a 12 now) while trying to learn the ropes of elk hunting on general tags and I was successful last season on a nice 5x5 (more luck than anything on that one though!!).

Anyways, my plan had been to draw for bull elk on Ya Ha Tinda, but with seeing big bulls coming from other parts of the province, I am starting to think that I should be looking elsewhere.

This is my big bull or bust tag, so any input into where I should be considering is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

[Stinky Buffalo]

This is the last trail cam photo that I have from the 'Tinda:


Just kidding!

I think it's more like this now, no?

[CDNOutdoorsman]

If you are saving for the Yaha, you better be prepared to wait at least that many more years, likely longer unless all the 13-20 year priority guys wanting to go to the same place ahead of you decide to draw somewhere else. Only 5 tags/year, going to take many many years to get through all in front of you.
There are more and bigger bulls killed in other areas every year as well.
Just my 2 cents

[-JR-]

i hunted there years ago for Elk in bow season . Seen only like 4 trucks and seen a heard running full blast across the place early opening morning .
Last place i would pull a tag ,unless in the hills on horse back .

[hayseed]

I agree with CDN… I would start looking for other zones or options to be honest.. lots out there

[walking buffalo]

What do you consider to be a big bull?
Will you pass up a 300 bull, 350?

High priority Elk draws no longer assure a good chance at a "big" bull.
Those days are over for the near future, especially the mountain units.


You need to change your strategy.
Don't draw a zone based on history then hunt it...
Go scouting, find the elk you want in an area that you can access THEN draw that zone.

[SouthWestRanger]

What WB said, very few high priority elk zones still consistently produce large bulls, there’s big bulls all over the province, finding the bull you want to kill before you draw is the key. Bulls over 350 are killed in general zones as well, if you want to go big bull or bust learn an area you can afford to scout often and scout often!

[3blade]

What WB said x 3.

The days of traveling to a “good zone” are over. Bulls on yaha and Suffield aren’t a shadow of what you read about in the past.

The guys that are killing big elk (and mulies) live eat and breathe scouting, and have exclusive permission on large chunks of private land. Think 30-60 scouting days or more.

[Big Grey Wolf]

If you want monster bulls suggest WMU 527, Where they hand out few hundred cow elk tags and very few hunters, takes lot of 6 point bulls to service All those cow elk.

[BloodHound70]

Originally Posted by 3blade

What WB said x 3.

The days of traveling to a “good zone” are over. Bulls on yaha and Suffield aren’t a shadow of what you read about in the past.

The guys that are killing big elk (and mulies) live eat and breathe scouting, and have exclusive permission on large chunks of private land. Think 30-60 scouting days or more.

X4
Takes a lot of work, and a dash of luck to get a true "monster" bull.

BH