Elk Hunt on Limitted time?

[Interseptor]

Is there anybody who has been on an elk hunt but has had limitted time to hunt?  Like 4 days or less?  If so, who did you hunt with?  If it is possible to make it happen, how would you do it?

[Grizzbear]

Went to idaho killed one first day. Can be done. Better chance if you diy. Just hunt like a dog would for rabbits..

[elkbreath]

Hunt all day... we always say that 1:30 is killin time.  

Have a bunch of spots to hunt, different 'herds', so that you can be aggressive from one to the next.  If you blow one group, get out and go to the next drainage.

4 days is plenty of time

[JoeM]

You need to know where the elk are immediately, you don't have time go looking around.  I did a trip into Idaho for 5 days.  Took two days to find elk, one day to pack one out (my buddies), one day of heavy rain.  See how quick time can disappear.  Joe

[Pete McMiller]

All my bow elk hunts (17) have been DIY though one time we did rent a drop camp in Idaho.  Is it possible to kill and elk in 4 days - sure (my average is 7-8 days in the years I killed something).  IMO it is not likely if you don't know elk or the place you are hunting.  Heck, it could take you 3 days just to FIND them.  If I had your tight schedule and the budget for it I'd look at a private ranch outfitter/guide.  You'll pay more obviously but will have a much better chance of connecting.  Check out the outfitter real well and tell him upfront what you want.

[twitchstick]

Most of my hunts have been short hunts unfortunitly. I have not had more than 4 days off in a row in a long time. I do have the advantage to hunt elk 20 minutes from my house which allows me to hunt after work and on my days off. It makes it tough to hunt like that but I am a junkie. Do a search for a post I did last year " I just need one more day". I would just post the link but I can't figure it out.

[Outwest]

Pretty tough to do from S.Carolina. You would have 3 days travel time to and back.
Unless your not counting travel time.
Still 4 full days of hunting is cutting it pretty short.
Best bet would be a private ranch somewhere.

Good luck.
John

[widow sax]

Can be done the first year in the area I am hunting now I had three incounters with bulls. Last year one of the guys hiked in setup camp took off to hunt the last few hours of the day and killed a bull. His hunt was over in two hours so like I said it can be done. With that being said it can go the other way also.   Widow

[Geezer]

I'd really consider an outfitted drop-camp.  Like has already been said, it'll take at least 2, maybe three days to find the elk...and outfitter should know where they are (that saves time).  The outfitter will have the camp ready for you when you get there (saving time again).  If you kill an elk on day 3 1/2, the outfitter will help you care for it, get it to to the cooler and help with shipping.  My experience says that if you only have four days to hunt, pray/hope you kill by the end of day 2 because you'll need 3 & 4 to take care of it.

[Bjorn]

It might work if you don't kill anything.............if you do connect you need to haul it out and bring it to a processor. Then he needs a day or two; you gotta pick it up and so on.
You are better off staying where you are and hunting Elk when you have more time.

[elkbreath]

Bring some coolers, process to big muscle groups in the field then drive home.   I age mine that way for nearly a week anyway, nowhere in America you can't drive in a week.

The biggest issue is finding em.  Do that you got a chance.  Solid map work and homework can get you close, real close.  

I think it's doable.   Drop a line if you need a hand with maps, etc

[old_goat2]

Two out of my five seasons I got shots on second day. Other three seasons I either didn't get a shot or it took considerably longer. I didn't get a shot at a bull until my fifth season.

[Interseptor]

Bjorn,
With my work situation I don't know if there will ever be enough time so I just got to do my homework and find what works for me.  Those that work in education know what I mean.  Thanks to all for the suggestions and I'll keep looking.

[jhg]

The best advice I can offer beyiond what is already said about finding elk is this:
 find out where the heavy use trails are for mtn bikers, hikers and rec users, atv addicts and the like and go someplace else.

 During archery elk, it really sucks to hunt an area that gets a lot of use already. September is a very popular month for people to be out.

There are some very nice OTC areas that do not see anywhere the traffic that others do. Contact all the agencys that would have usage  info and go from there.

Joshua

[Whip]

It can certainly be enough time.  My first bull was taken on the first day of a hunt, and I have also shot a cow on day four.  Plenty of other close encounters early over the years as well.

Sure, it cuts down on your odds of success, but those of us who choose to hunt elk with bows generally don't like to look at those odds anyway.

There is a limit as to how many elk hunts we get in our lifetime.  If you can do it now, and it isn't going to eliminate some other hunt, go for it!  Four days in the mountains is priceless, and are four days you will never make up for if you don't do it.

[Stump_pounder]

If you live in elk country and know elk, then yes but not knowing you and seeing where your from Id use them four days for deer hunting. and wait till you can go for 2 weeks.

[NBK]

Last years hunt we only had five days.  My best advice is to go out and bugle your first night in camp several hours after dark.  Check your map of your area and get to a high vantage point where you preferably can call out to several drainages at once.  In heavily hunted areas or when "they just aren't talking" I could get a response at night.  We "found" them on the second night, killed him on the fourth day.