More About Elk

HUNTS IN UNIT 34

I’m Dennis Kauffman , the registered outfitter.  My wife Mary and I have lived the past 10 years in unit 34 in year round elk habitat.  We base our hunts right from our residence.  We live in remote country.  When we leave our home it’s a half hour drive to the next residence, and it’s one hour (20 miles) of dirt road to the post office. 

We can hunt moderately open gentle ridge tops, deep dark ravines, areas thinned by contractors with habitat stamp money, large slopes with naturally occurring oak brush or even in Ponderosa/Douglas Fir timberland.  Both the muzzleloader and the adult rifle hunts had 15% draw odds in 2008.  The youth hunt is a very good choice for folks under 18 on opening day.  Draw odds are high. We do not charge extra for a parent accompanying a youth hunter.

HUNTS IN UNIT 36

When compared to unit 34, elevations are higher here, more of the occupied elk habitat lies on steeper slopes and there is less vehicle access.  Therefore, the hunts here are more physically demanding.  The higher country is absolutely stunning when the aspens are turning golden during the hunts.  Happily, the number of large bulls in relation to the number of licenses issued is higher in 36.  Bow hunting and road hunters have less impact on the behavior of the elk here. 

Cow elk season is open during both of the centerfire bull hunts.  Cow hunters tend to operate very close to open roads.  So, especially on opening weekend we stalk bulls farther away from the roads and trail heads.

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Elk

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