Got Drawn - Now What?

[mcdenney]

I just found out that I was lucky enough to get drawn in the Elk quota hunt this year. I got a cow elk tag in the at large zone. Now what?

There is not a lot of information on the KDFWR website about what to do next or how this works. The release says someone from the KDFWR will be contacting me. If anybody has any information or experience on how this works and could provide any information I would appreciate it. I have no clue where to begin.......

If this is a self guided deal covering approximately 16 counties where do you begin your search if you do not know someone in that area? Also, since I have never hunted elk where would be a good place to learn how to hunt them?

Thanks in advance.

[SixPack07]

Well I'm not from Kentucky, so I'm not sure what advice to give you except to have fun and congrats!!!

[greenskeeter]

Congrats on the draw!

[Mount-N-Man]

Congratulations. If its anything like last year somebody from the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife will call you. You will need the orange paper they gave you when you got the permit. They will need you to give them the number on the tag to confirm that you are the person who was drawn. You will then send a check for $25.00 to pay for your tag. After they recieve your check they will send you a packet with your tag and all the rules and regulations. They will also send you a list, since you have a zone at large tag, that will have people who will allow elk hunting on their property. It is still up to you to contact people and get permission to hunt. Hope this information helps.

[mossyhorns]

Ask some of the commissioners. I hear they own land up there.

[mcdenney]

Thanks for the info guys. I contacted KDFWR and they said they would be sending me a packet which would explain some of the upfront stuff. However, I have to tell you that I am still in the dark on the details of hunting elk (probably via bow). It is very overwhelming!!! I have a lot to learn.

Questions such as:
Where to scout?
How to hunt elk?
The big question of what to do when you get one?
Finding someone to go with you to help get one out?

I hope it all works out.

[CM12]

Useing a bow will make it more of a challenge. There will be several places listed on the material they send you. Finding the elk won't be too hard, unless you don't have much time to dedicate to it. The elk I know of aren't too shy yet. They're not gonna walk up to 10 yds. of you though. (Although I've have been close enough to smack one young bull on the rear) Practice, practice, practice with your bow but bring your gun in case its needed. Good luck.

[trust me]

Mcdenny,
Yours is a good problem to have! i considered the same issues when I bought my lottery ticket as well. The internet has some good sites that detail just how to skin and dress the elk once it's on the ground...it's not like shooting a 90 lb doe that you can throw over your back and haul out. You better draft your A-team, at least a couple of strong backs, to help you and your wife. Weather in December can be warm, and an elk on the ground only gives you a few hours to hustle it out. The good news is most elk can be taken on strip mines and you hopefully can back the truck right up to your carcass.

As far as where to hunt...KDFWR will give you a list of property owners in many counties you can contact. Some of the strip mine lands are owned by absentee coal companies and you can camp and hunt there.

If you end up in my area, I can give you some directions and assistance. I'd wager some of the other hillbillies on here will do the same.

[CM12]

Yea, if by the time of your hunt you don't have any ideas or help, I'll be glad to help you. (unless it interferes with my hunting schedule;) ), Let me know.

Do you have an atv and trailor?

[mcdenney]

Yeah, I can do some research on where and contact some folks and put in the time to find them. Since I have an at large tag I think I can hunt from October 1st until middle of January which gives me some time to accomplish my goal. Therefore I am hopeful to be able to hunt when the weather is not so warm because I do not want to kill one and ruin the meat. I think my biggest problems will be around learning how to hunt them and getting one out after the shot. As for putting together a team, I agree with you but I am unsure if anybody I know will be able to go when I can. Also, I'm sure most hunters will want to do their own hunting and I can't blame them. However, I have heard stories which range from 12 hours to 30 minutes on getting one out. I do not have an ATV as I never had a need for one with deer or turkeys. I definitely think one would be a huge asset in elk hunting. Hopefully, once I start scouting I can get some local contacts that would be willing to help. I have field dressed a lot of deer but I have never had a need to quarter one or skin it, much less one that is 500lbs. I will need to do some research on this part as well. There's just a lot to know.

If anybody has info on quartering an elk, bowhunting for elk, etc. I would appreciate the information.

[aceoky]

mcdenny PM sent :)

[Mount-N-Man]

mcdenny... gutting an elk is just like gutting a deer. I gutted and skinned my first one last year. You will need a saw to cut the pelvic bone, a knife will never cut through it. Also you will get covered with blood because you almost have to crawl inside of the chest cavity to get everything out. It is a job, I can gut a deer in about 5 minutes and the elk took me 45 minutes. Because of their size you do need to gut them as soon as possible because they will spoil much faster than a deer will. The body will hold heat alot longer.

I froze water in 2 liter bottles and gallon jugs for about 3 weeks prior to my daughters hunt. I packed the body cavity full of them after I gutted it which really helped to cool him down.

Unless you quarter the animal a quad runner will not do you much good getting one out. If you hunt any of the wma's you won't be allowed to use one anyway.

[CM12]

You may want to think about how you're going to get the meat home also.

[trust me]

Some suggestions I found included building a coffin sized plywood box for the truckbed and lining it with foam house insulation. The quarters go in there with frozen jugs of ice for the trip home.

Also, cloth meat bags apparently make it easier to transport the meat and keep it clean. Buy the material and sew up extra large pillow cases with zippers to slide a quarter in and zip it up, then you can drag or carry it and not get it filthy.

[mcdenney]

Hey, thanks! Some good ideas that I really need to think about. I did some research last night and read something about getting some CLOTH game bags. However, I like the idea of making my own. I also like the idea of stuffing the cavity full of froze ice bottles and/or using them to transport the quarters. I was thinking about checking with some buddies to see if they have any of those huge coolers that I might use to put the quarters in. If not, then I need to think about maybe building something. Good ideas guys and I really appreciate the comments and having someone to talk to about this that kinda knows.

Thanks again.

[CM12]

I think if it were me I would hunt in early Oct. The bulls are still bugleing good then and if you haven't gotten to hear them then its kinda cool. Being that this is probably a once in a lifetime draw, you want to make the most of it. I don't think spoilage will be too much of a problem either way.

As for how to hunt them, I've always wanted to ride on horseback into a herd of elk and arrow one like the indians did with buffalumps.:D

[mcdenney]

Yeah, I thought early October would be a good time but I am worried about it being too hot (spoilage), plus I need to get my game plan together. However, I am still shooting for early Oct. I don't know about the horse back thing though. I think I will stick to spot and stalk with a bow and do some calling. I got a real good pack with calls & DVD from Primos on Elk. I would like to call one in and want to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Also, I got my packet in the mail and was somewhat surprised, not much to it. I got 3 pages, a cover sheet congratulating me and two pages on where I could check out (5 areas) for hunting along with contact information. There is a lot more to this than what they provided IMO. The letter said there was a map included but mine did not have one. I need some info on quartering an elk if I can find some then I need to figure out how to get the meat home.

[trust me]

We had a big time discussing this a few weeks ago. Check this thread:http://www.kentuckyhunting.net/forums/showthread.php?t=17259&highlight=ground

[mcdenney]

Thanks. I will check it out.

[ryan hickey]

best of luck mcd, wish i could be of help but i'm just like u. i ask myself these EXACT ?'s everytime i get in the lottery :D , so if i got drawn it'd just be me askin the same stuff


hope ya get one, r

[mcdenney]

I sure have learned alot the past few weeks. First, I learn that I have access to some great people including friends, family, people I haven't heard from in years and of course some wonderful people on this board who have offered advice etc. Lots of good info! To everyone, THANKS!

Second, I have done alot of reading and looking on the internet which has been a big help. I have also invested in some videos on hunting elk and using calls. In addition, I have been given access to a couple places to hunt and look forward to scouting them in the near future. My bow setup is coming along due to switching from mechanicals the last several years back to fixed blades. Very pleased so far with my progress.

With all that being said I still have alot to learn but will tell you that after this is all over with I hope to be able to help others who get drawn and provide them with as much help as I possibly can.