Max for elk, I think I have it figured out, but???

BIGOLMULEY · Jan 23, 2023

So, I have been researching for years and now is the time. As many of you know I was in an accident that left me paralyzed on my right side. It is progressively getting worse. So I am trying to burn every point I have before I can’t really get around anymore.
I have had some great advice from a few members on here and I think I have made up my mind. I am just throwing it out one more time, as this will probably be my last “trophy” elk hunt.
Here are my thoughts,

-I probably need a guide. Deer I can get out myself, don’t think an elk. Most likely can get friends and help there, but I have lots of time. And most people and friends don’t. So a guide works best, but don’t have to. I have decided I am limited on time physically, so if I have to spend I will. What else should you spend on? ? retirement ??‍

I am sure my wife thinks so.

-I do want a big bull. ? I have killed 5 bulls between 320-360 all with a bow prior to my accident. I would love to archery. I shoot with a mouth tab now and have had success. But elk is another level. But I realize that is a tall order. So I am fine with a rifle. Would love 350 + I realize I have limitations. But I have killed a lot. I can and have eaten tags. I shouldn’t be such a trophy hunter, but I am.

- I can hike, miles if necessary. Just not well or fast. And not carrying lots of weight. Shooting I am good at. 5-600 yards all day. I do have to shoot with my rifle in a clamp on a tripod and left handed. But I have killed multiple animals at those distances. It takes me some time to get on an animal. If I can glass and sneak in for the shot is best.

-I do qualify being 50% paralyzed for the extended season dates. Which if I draw gives me 5 days early. So to scout and find something early, I should be the only one around. I had an antelope tag last year I did that with.

-I also do not have to go with max point unit. If private ground gets me better elk and the type of physical hunt I need, I will lose some points.

I appreciate any advice. Pm if you want. This community has been great over the years.

Jason
“The Big Ol’ Muley”

AZGuy · Jan 23, 2023

Wish I had info to share, best of luck, can’t wait to hear about it.

goforbroke · Jan 23, 2023

I hope you have a great hunt. I do look forward to your report. Last year you were thinking 124 for elk? Those desert bulls over 350 are tough to find. I have no helpful info, but good luck deciding on the elk unit.

BIGOLMULEY · Jan 23, 2023

goforbroke said:
I hope you have a great hunt. I do look forward to your report. Last year you were thinking 124 for elk? Those desert bulls over 350 are tough to find. I have no helpful info, but good luck deciding on the elk unit.

Yes I hear you. Would be super fun though.

WapitiBob · Jan 24, 2023

Guided late hunt around the Park. Enjoy the horse rides, let somebody else feed you, and do all the work. Pay a little extra and take the wife.

BIGOLMULEY · Jan 24, 2023

WapitiBob said:
Guided late hunt around the Park. Enjoy the horse rides, let somebody else feed you, and do all the work. Pay a little extra and take the wife.

Would love that! But I should have put down on my list I can’t do horses. I had horses before my accident. But I had a traumatic brain injury when a 2” style pol went through my skull. Dr. Says when they scan my bran it looks like I had 50 concussions. They say if I hit my head hard it could just kill me. So being on a horse is a huge risk. But I appreciate it!

Wapitiwilly · Jan 24, 2023

Jason
If you are open to guided, Meade Dominick has exclusive rights in unit 58. Lots of bulls and no horses. Stay in town and bring your wife

BIGOLMULEY · Jan 24, 2023

Wapitiwilly said:
Jason
If you are open to guided, Meade Dominick has exclusive rights in unit 58. Lots of bulls and no horses. Stay in town and bring your wife

I will give them a call. Thanks

lostinOregon · Jan 24, 2023

Good luck Jason

elkhunterUT · Jan 24, 2023

Hope you find a great hunt Jason - you deserve it!! That Unit 58 option sounds promising.

DanMan · Jan 27, 2023

Well Jason, you decided what you applying for?
A lot of us here are following you now with earnest best wishes for your success! ?

30Hart · Jan 27, 2023

You only have one option with those high expectations. Late season NW Wyoming hunt...best odds at what you are after. Plenty of options in the 320 to 340 tier but people have unrealistic expectation about their odds at a 350 bull...good luck and I hope you.shoot a 380.

nfh · Jan 27, 2023

Wapitiwilly said:
Jason
If you are open to guided, Meade Dominick has exclusive rights in unit 58. Lots of bulls and no horses. Stay in town and bring your wife

This^^^^^^^

Cahunter805 · Jan 27, 2023

Good luck Jason. Don’t forget in WY you can use a crossbow during archery season also.

LIK2HNT · Jan 27, 2023

nfh said:
This^^^^^^^

11k plus tag and travel adds up pretty quick. Can’t believe how much hunting cost now a days.
Wish you luck.

BIGOLMULEY · Jan 28, 2023

I appreciate all the advice. Still deciding. I know I have high expectations. I shouldn’t with my limitations, but it’s what I have chosen.

Weiserbucks · Jan 28, 2023

Would a helmet of some sort get you on a horse? Just thinking out loud, best of luck to you.

BIGOLMULEY · Jan 28, 2023

Weiserbucks said:
Would a helmet of some sort get you on a horse? Just thinking out loud, best of luck to you.

Concussion Dr. Told me a football player with 4 concussions he tells to quit playing. Told me when he looked at my brain it looks like I’ve had 30 ? said it really doesn’t matter the cushion of the helmet. It’s the jarring of a fall. Sucks cuz I had horses. But it’s probably not worth the risk. Well maybe a giant bull! ?

Silentstalker · Jan 30, 2023

Good luck Jason. If I can help in anyway I would love too.

BIGOLMULEY · Nov 12, 2023

Just bringing this back up with my hunt report. I hate it when folks ask for help, then never return.
So, after much advice and information from many, and lots of calling. I decided on a hunt that seemed the best for me with my limitations.
Feel free to message if you want to know where I ended up. I will be trying for a random tag now ?
I did end up going guided. The outfitter did cut me a deal where I drove my little motorhome out and did all my own food. I don’t really care much about eating, so that helped. My big concern was about the winter prior. Did they have winter kill, or rough shape coming through? Well end of January you really don’t know. At the deadline to pull your app they said it was rough, but things should be ok. I drew of course. Was a place I did not need max.
I did end up going 5 days early. Nice to be the only one there. Hunt was incredible for seeing animals. 50-75 bulls a day. Elk everywhere. But guide says we were seeing 60% of normal. Can’t even imagine. In talks he said they were averaging a 350 bull if I could be patient. Saw tons 300-330ish, just not the next level. Day 3 did glass up a 350-360 bull and I got real excited. But he turned and was broke on his right side after his 3rd. ? He didn’t even look old. But his 55” beams and 16” 5th were incredible. Guide and I both think most of the older age class died. By the way, every deer was dead. He said usually seeing 2-300 deer a day. We were seeing 20-30. They did not take a single deer hunter.
I had some in-laws that drove out to take the meat home. (My wife had shot a moose earlier and I had an unexpected AZ elk tag in 2weeks) so we took them out with us the last afternoon. He was freaking out we were not shooting any of the bulls ? But we wanted one we didn’t have to work to hard. Did glass up a real pretty 330 bull, but was a 1000 yards out. We would have had to cut him up and pack.
Drove around to where we had glassed a bull from the morning and found him just inside the trees. Got my gun set up on the tripod and clamp. 225 yards and he went 12 steps. We had seen this bull 2 days earlier on a cliff with his cows. For some cool pictures of him.

Heavy bull and a fighter.
Overall a great hunt. Was exactly what I need for a hunt physically. Just never could find that bigger class of bull.
This actually was my first bull with a rifle. Well, I killed a spike when I was 21. But 13 with my bow. So this bull was kind of cool.
I will be posting my AZ bull in that forum shortly. Pretty good year for me.
Thanks again for all the help.
Jason “The Big Ol’ Muley”

Silentstalker · Nov 12, 2023

Once again, nice work Jason! You did great on a really tough year. Congratulations!

woodruffhunter · Nov 12, 2023

Very glad to see that you had a successful and enjoyable hunt. Your positive attitude is certainly quite amazing.

I hope you are able to experience many more hunts.