bearessentials,

I think this year is going to be a good year to take a big bull. I am suprized you can not draw the muzzy tag with 14 PP's. I will send you a PM of some areas to check out soon. How good of shape are you in and what is your style of hunting ?

Quinton

Sorry ! Double post !

I'm in the same boat that you are.  I'll have 17 points after this years draw and have been trying to figure out just what to plan for next year.  I actually thought about doing a unit 61 muzzle loader hunt this year but decided to wait for one more year due to other hunts that I may just draw this year and didn't want to screw myself up. 

Also after waiting this long for a draw and with the possibilities of never getting the chance again for a prime unit I thought about hiring a outfitter just so that I wouldn't be running back and forth to the unit trying to scout areas that I have never been in  before and trying to find a real respectable bull while doing so.  That along with the possibility of not being able to do a real scouting due to storms or weather, you just never know. 

Now after saying all that I'll let you know that I am not a novice elk hunter.  I have been hunting them now for over 40 years and have taken my fair share of them but after having a guided bear hunt in British Colombia last spring I can see the benefits of hiring a outfitter over trying to do it all by yourself. 

I am an avid elk hunter, I hunt whatever method I can to get the meat in the freezer. I do truely enjoy spot and stalk, but I have become a little spoiled. I have some great elk hunting here on our place, but in the last 15 years I have only harvested one true 300 class bull. I am willing to work for a trophy,I just can not afford the cost of an outfitter and most of the outfitters up there seem willing to help retrieve it if I end up deep in te back country. I want to burn my points now, because my son will start getting points next year, or I would hold out for the muzzleloader tag. I live in Bayfield so I will try and slip up to that area a few weekends in Aug and Sept, if anyone wants to join in for a few day hikes up there let me know.

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