Archery Elk in the 400s

[Screamrider]

Looking for a few general thoughts reference archery elk hunting in the mountain WMUs.

Bottom line, I'm heading out second week of September for a 8 day backpack hunt. I'm focused on the 400s as taking part in a remote mountain hunt means as much to me as filling my tag. I'm going to stick to archery only, but unfortunately I'm away for work and will only be flying back the day before my hunt starts....so any scouting will be during my few precious hunting days. For some background, I've been chasing elk for 7 years now throughout western Canada and the US, and I've followed both the Elk101 Elk University course and all of Elk Nut's DVDs, so my calling is at least reasonable....so I hope at least, haha.

I'm leaning towards 400 and 402, but I've read a lot about high hunting pressure in these WMUs. First question I have is how bad are the crowds during the archery only season? I also typically hike in at least 10km from any roads with the tipi and spike out from there, so I'm hoping the effort separates me from the masses if there is a lot of pressure.

Also, in terms of elk numbers, how are 400 and 402? I've heard the populations have declined in recent years, but looking at historical harvest reports there still seems to be a number of elk taken each year, albeit with rather low success rates. I'm wondering if the low success rates are a product of folks trying to road hunt the area with little success - meaning that those who work a little harder actually have decent success?

I'm looking at 426, 432 and 434 as well, realizing they have a 6 point limit vice the 3 point in 400 and 402. The stats show only 6 elk taken in each of those WMUs last year, but high success rates - are that few people actually hunting those zones? It's also impossible to decipher success from archery only versus general season, unless I'm missing something?

That's all for now, appreciate any feedback, or other ideas where to look. These WMUs are just where my research lead me to date - but I'm not stuck on them.

[JTRED]

Not specific to your region but I've found since I began backpack hunting if I go just further than day hunters but not as far as horse hunters I have the area mostly if not completely to myself. I know when I go just for the day once I'm 5-8km from the truck I usually begin hunting my way back to the truck/trailhead. So I backpack in 5-8km depending on the area set up camp and hunt from there. Very few people hunt very far off trail anymore it seems. Probably due to the aging babyboomers not being able to pack out those heavy loads anymore(I know my dad and his buddies never gave it a thought about shooting a moose pretty much anywhere but now that they're all in their 70's without a family to feed they gotten more selective).

[3blade]

Don’t worry to much about the harvest stats. Would you report a 6 point if you had the area to yourself? Most guys won’t even give you a compass direction regarding their elk spots, let alone a wmu, and certainly not a report to a government agency that has done a pizz poor job of management.

Yes, the bears and wolves have done a number on the mountain elk herds, and made them somewhat quiet and very alert. There are still elk in all of those zones, and lots of pressure in any area you can walk to/is open enough to hunt effectively. Hiking and shooting a bow is no longer uncommon, nor is internet scouting.

Long and short of it is, you just have to go and put your skills against the mountain.

Be aware that the southern elk herds can and frequently do migrate in and out of the parks/BC.

[Screamrider]

Originally Posted by 3blade

Don’t worry to much about the harvest stats. Would you report a 6 point if you had the area to yourself? Most guys won’t even give you a compass direction regarding their elk spots, let alone a wmu, and certainly not a report to a government agency that has done a pizz poor job of management.



Yes, the bears and wolves have done a number on the mountain elk herds, and made them somewhat quiet and very alert. There are still elk in all of those zones, and lots of pressure in any area you can walk to/is open enough to hunt effectively. Hiking and shooting a bow is no longer uncommon, nor is internet scouting.



Long and short of it is, you just have to go and put your skills against the mountain.



Be aware that the southern elk herds can and frequently do migrate in and out of the parks/BC.

Good point on the stats, and I plan to do exactly as you suggest in terms of just heading out and giving it my best crack!


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[fatboyz]

Almost no elk left in 426, 432 and 434. You'll never get an elk out of 432 on foot. 434, nice scenery no elk, just a few feral horses in there.

[Screamrider]

Originally Posted by fatboyz

Almost no elk left in 426, 432 and 434. You'll never get an elk out of 432 on foot. 434, nice scenery no elk, just a few feral horses in there.

Good to know, thanks. Looking hard at 404, 406, 408 and 410 as well.


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[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by fatboyz

Almost no elk left in 426, 432 and 434. You'll never get an elk out of 432 on foot. 434, nice scenery no elk, just a few feral horses in there.

They all headed East, that's where the best elk hunting is these days.

Grizz