2010 Nevada Bull Elk Tag Area 111-115... Where's the big one's at?

[Sniper12]

Hi Everybody...I'm new to this forum, but I drew my Nevada Bull Elk tag after only 5 years. It came as a surprise to me as I figured it would take at least 10 years if not more...as was the case with my Uncle when it took him 14 years. So I know I am really lucky for this, but I am also in need of some help on the area. I would like to make at least 3 scouting trips so if you can help point me in the right direction (dirt roads, trails, GPS Coordinates Etc.) I would greatly appreciate it.

A little about myself.....I've been hunting ever since I was 8 years old with my Dad. The last 5 years have been fun as I have got to go with my brothers and Dad on a few Deer Hunts, and one Antelope hunt in Nevada. We all have been involved in long range shooting...especially after watching "BEYOND BELIEF". That was the start of a lot of improvements for us. gun) Since watching a series of videos by John Burns...We have pillar bedded and glass bed our rifles as well as floated our stocks. In addition to this we developed specific loads for our guns and had our scopes sent away to have drop compensator's installed. So its safe to say we love to shoot. Nevada is great for all of this stuff to, as I haven't had a shot closer than 330 yards, and my longest shot was on my Antelope Hunt where I got him at 560. We also love to hike ....especially high. For us I guess we tend to believe the bigger ones are always up high so we start there and anything we see on the way up is a bonus

Last year we got skunked in Nevada and tried our luck in norther Utah for deer, but were unsuccessful in filling our tags. We saw many elk and moose on the hunt however we didn't have tags for those animals. It was a good experience , however it taught me a lesson on knowing your area. So any information you would like to share (dirt roads, trails, GPS Coordinates Etc.) would be greatly appreciated. Who knows maybe I could help you on one of your hunts. Feel free to (PM) me as well. Thanks again.

Here's a few pics:

 

[geargrinder]

Big ones are going to be in the wilderness areas. Your best bet will be to hire a guide with pack animals.

 

[Eaglet]

Big ones are going to be in the wilderness areas. Your best bet will be to hire a guide with pack animals.

Not much help! Sorry buddy!!!

Can he rent a couple of horses and do it himself?

 

[geargrinder]

Yes, it's possible to DIY in area 11. But he got lucky drawing after only 5 years. The average is around 10 years to draw. It will be 10 years before he will be eligible to start applying again.

So, what I'm saying is, this will be his only Nevada bull tag for likely the next 20 years. Why not stack the odds in his favor and hire someone who has the animals, knows the area, and likely knows where the game is?

If you're set on DIY look high in the Schells between Kalamazoo and Success Summits(Wilderness Areas). Cleve Creek on the East side has good access, and there are several good access areas from the Duck Creek basin side(Timber Creek, Bird Creek, Berry Creek, and Worthington Canyon.

There is also the Mt. Moriah Wilderness area. I don't know it well, but have heard good reports.

If you want area with vehicle access, I'd look around Schelbourne Pass to the North and Taylor Mt. to the South.

 

[Eaglet]

I'm Proud of you!!! I knew you could do better. Your reasoning is right
on the money though.

 

[geargrinder]

You made me tell him all my good spots. Now I have to go somewhere else.

 

[Eaglet]

 

[tjbill]

My only addition to what Geargrinder said is that it sounds like you guys are in pretty good shape and that will help alot! I would start looking from about 9K feet and up or 1+ miles off the road. Unless you get some weather those big bulls are going to stay at the very tops of those ridges or away from the roads. We saw a couple of really nice bulls above the end of a campground road at about 10,500, but just couldn't get my dad to them. Most of the big bulls we saw last year were away from the roads. Go over the top of Kalamazoo Pass and pull off at the first big switchback and glass all of that open country. There were some nice bulls, including one in the 350 class on those finger ridges, but again, Pops just isn't that mobile. If you only have one elk tag and can get 2 or 3 able bodied budies (suckers) to come along, you can do without the pack animals. Brush up on the long range game as there are LOTS of opportunities for long shots. My dad shot his mule deer two years ago at 720 and he could of taken a nice whaletail 6 point bull this year at a little over a grand if he was comfortable. Hope that helps.

 

[tobehunted]

You are lucky to draw with that many points, a friend of mine in las vegas and his dad both drew that tag this year also, they had 12 and 13 points. Not sure where hes gonna hunt at yet but i know he plans on scouting several times this year.

 

[Sniper12]

Well I just got back from my first scouting trip. You guys were right...there up pretty high. I saw a few bulls around 10,500 ft and another pack of elk around 9500ft. I started to take the Kalamzoo rd, but I didn't like the road for my Dually. I had heard that Piermont was a good trail to take so I took it instead with my Quad. I glassed around for a couple of hours and saw 50 + elk ...all cows. except one spike bull.

I'm planning on taking 2 more scouting trips, and possibly a third if I need to. One of those trips I will probably take my horses on, and see how they do with the terrain. Does anyone have a suggestion on a good horse trail ...maybe one that doesn't require them to have to walk all the way from the main rd? In other words are there any well maintained rds where I can pull my trailer up, and then off load my horses, and ride from there to some of these high hilltops?

If the horses don't work out, not a biggy...everyone in my party knows its stair-climber time We all have Eberstock backpacks with expansion packs so I'm hopefull that we will be able to carry down a bull in one hike. If not we draw straws

Anyways besides the expense factor with a guide service, as you can see I love to hunt with my family..its a great time for all of us to get away and do something we enjoy...so with the size of my party and the way their fee structure is set up I just don't think its going to be feasible. It would work out better for me to be able to pay one guide individually for him to tag along and point us in the right direction. And instead of them providing everything...I would...I don't know of any outfits like that. In addition to that I really wasn't expecting to pull my Bull tag this early as you guys are aware...don't get me wrong I'm thrilled about the opportunity, and the hunt, but 2 years later after I'm In my first house, and settled in my new residence ...I guess that would have been ideal. So thank you all for all your input...it really means a lot to me and family. Take care. Sniper12gun)

 

[Nevada/shooter]

Pm sent......

 

[martya]

Drew the 2011 late season Elk Tag area 111-115 221, 222. Can anyone suggest any areas. Do have horses and can go high.

 

[geargrinder]

Everything I know about 111-115 is in the beginning of this thread.

I don't know much about 221, but I've hunted 222 quite a bit.

Since you have horses and can go high, I would suggest Mt. Grafton. It's a wilderness area down on the Lincoln/White Pine county line. There is good access and camping from the East near the Geyser ranch on US 93.

There is also good hunting in the hills from the Conservation Camp/Prison down through Horse and Cattle Camp washes and Molly's Nipples.

 

[Sniper12]

Alright boys I figured now would be a a great time to show case the bull I took last season. Thanks for all your pointers it was an extemely tough hunt, and I literally used just about every day of the hunt. Weather was really cold, it got down to -19 degrees, so I was glad I broght the camper. My brothers and I got really accustomed to hiking in knee deep snow, but it was a blast. We saw deer everywhere, and had decent luck spotting bulls. Anyways here's the pics. I took this guy down with a 30-06, from 650 yards about and hour before dark.gun) Thanks again for your help and advice.