[thepennsylvanian]

I was wondering how many of you guys have drawn an elk tag and went at it alone. I put in every year and if I am ever drawn, I will not be using a guide. It's just a personal thing. I know that alot of land owners every year will let elk hunter on their property if they are not using guides, and I've read a story in game news about a guy taking a hog of bull diy.
Every year I I put in bull only, no zone preference. Is this my year? Who knows. I just thought I'd start getting myself prepared in the event I ever draw.
Even if you haven't drawn, what are some things you are doing in the event you ever do? How many of you would go diy if you do get drawn? I know that many think diy is not a smart move but it's just who I am and they way I would want to hunt my once in a lifetime Pa bull elk!

 

[loridr]

See Kudu58's thread:


https://www.huntingpa.com/forums/45-bear-elk-hunting-forum/211993-kudu58s-2017-pa-elk-hunt.html

 

[Buckskin Dave]

See Kudu58's thread:


https://www.huntingpa.com/forums/45-bear-elk-hunting-forum/211993-kudu58s-2017-pa-elk-hunt.html

Just finished re reading Kudu's thread. One of the best threads we ever had here. :smile2:
If I'm drawn Ill go DIY and Ill get Buff to advise and hunt with me.

 

[Loggy]

If l lived within a reasonable commute of the elk range I would certainly consider a DIY hunt. I live approx 180 miles(360 round trip) so I would need to secure lodging(numerous nights) to execute scouting trips. For me...I'm not at all familiar with the area so would need numerous scouting trips for me to properly plan a hunt. I'm all about extensive scouting especially hunting a new area coupled with the stature of a rarely awarded/coveted PA Elk Hunt. I'm a DIY kinda guy but not for this hunt. I've been in the draw every year and will hire a guide with no hesitation whatsoever. Some of my friends went with a guide and their hunts fully met all their expectations as I'm sure a guided hunt would meet mine if ever so lucky! Hey...best of luck in the draw plus hunt if drawn!!

 

[Woods walker]

I was drawn this year after 17 years of applying. I do not know the elk country, I have been up there one time, it is a long drive to go up there and try to scout for enough of a period of time that I would feel comfortable knowing where my best chance was. In addition Killing an elk is a far cry from killing a deer. I have drug some big deer out of the woods in my time but If I shot an elk even f I had a friend with me I would be toast because I do not want skin and quarter my elk in the field. I hired an outfitter because I didn't think I had another 17 years to get drawn again and if I did would I be in any condition to hunt if I got skunked? One of the best decisions I ever made. On the third morning I got my cow, a 150 yard shot. The outfitter had contracted with a logger who does low impact logging and who uses horses to log. The logger stood by at the skinning shed and if you scored you made a phone call and the logger showed up with hos Percheron and a plastic sled. The guide gutted my elk with some help from me, collected all the samples I was required to provide at the check station and called for the horse. When the horse arrived we rolled the elk into the sled and off it went and we met at the loggers truck and horse trailer truck. The logger had to go to his truck and trailer with the elk and then we met him at his truck because there was no good access from the kill to where we were parked. It was a great experience after hunting in rain for two days and driving wind on the second day from morning to evening, to score on the 3rd morning. All and all, it was well worth them money to hire an outfitter who had guides who knew the area. This is the way to get your elk off a mountain.

 

[BugleChaser]

Yeah I did it. DIY
Put in hours upon hours of scouting.
Miles upon miles boot leather.
I had arranged call above horse guy but called him and He was 3 hrs from being available and getting to hot out.
We broke my bull down and hauled quarters out on our packs, but have have many years experience doing it.
I was so proud, I could have carried that Rack on my back for miles and miles.
Not really!!!! That was a load