Planning my hunting trips - ELK in BC

[FGTV]

Hi, let me introduce my self to let you understand what is my objective there.

My name is Franck, I'm from Rimouski, Quebec, 28 years old. I'm located in the eastern of Quebec, a lot of moose, not a lot of deers. I'm an hunter since 14 years And I want to learn about new species cause for now, i'm hunting waterfowl, moose, deer and small game.

I'm currently looking at Rocky mountain Elk for the archery season. A friend of mine is currently livin in BC so it can be a great opportunity for me to go hunting in BC.

I wanna know where I must start for scouting on maps and choose where I will go.

Thanks for the help.


FG

[bugler]

Check the regulations. Any zone that has an archery season for elk is a good place to bowhunt elk.

[moosinaround]

Franck welcome! Share some eastern hunting stories! Lots of elk all over BC, just none in PG;)!!! Moosin

[FGTV]

Cool, thanks for your answer, I will post my moose hunting story soon.

[Moose Guide]

If it was me, I would look at the east Kootenays or the Ft. St. John areas! There are better areas for a trophy bull but I would look for an area with a higher population that would increase my odds of success.

[DawsonCreedmoor]

In my opinion it would be a decision between Region 7b Peace and region 4 Kootneys. From there, there are many different factors.

-You say you want to hunt with a bow. In region 4 there is a bow only season for the first 10 days of september for any bull, in region 7 there is not.

-In region 4 after september 10th rifle season opens and you can only take a 6pt bull or larger regardless if its a bow or gun and it is open until october 20th

-Region 7b has much more generous seasons, 3pt and bigger bulls are open for all of september and october, and cows are open from sept 15th to october 30th. However there is no special bow season, so you will be hunting with rifle hunters no matter when you come.

-The terrain in these two areas are quite different from one another (with exception to how far north you go), region 4 is quite mountainous and region 7 is more agricultural

-In general (definitely some exceptions) the bulls in region 4 have larger antlers

-They can both be very busy with hunters so I wouldn't weigh to much on that, it more comes down on how hard you are willing to work for it

-In general I would say the success rate is higher in 7b because of the generous seasons.

Good Luck with your decision!

[Brez]

There are proposed changes to the elk seasons and Region 8 whould not be ruled out as there may be opportunities there as well. Parts of region 8 may be absorbed into Region 4.
Bow - only seasons can be good, but, presently, they are early on and calling a bull in can be challenging and the weather can be quite warm. Going later in Sept/Oct can provide more action. Just look for more remote or difficult-to-reach places which would deter most other hunters.
Good luck and I await your posts.

[FGTV]

Thanks to all of you, it's awesome to get all these informations. It's appreciated. I will give your more info on my planning.

[BiG Boar]

Is this you Franck Guy? https://www.wildtv.ca/watch-bites/24_goose-hunt?videoquality=3000

https://www.wildtv.ca/watch-bites/24_goose-hunt?videoquality=3000

[hunter1947]

I would leave it up to your friend that lives in BC to figure out where and when to go on your bow hunt ..

[FGTV]

Is this you Franck Guy? https://www.wildtv.ca/watch-bites/24_goose-hunt?videoquality=3000

https://www.wildtv.ca/watch-bites/24_goose-hunt?videoquality=3000


Yes, it's my movie. I just submitted 2 clips on Wildtv and they add it to their website, sometimes, I can see the clip on Wildbites.

[hunter1947]

A tree stand would also work for bow season I passed on a small 4x5 bull last year the bull was out broadside at 30 yards to small for me let it walk when you find out there travel path get in there and set up early I mean well before daylight and wait same goes for the evening 3 hours before dark.

The big timber is a good way to bow hunt elk feel safe when in the timber in there bedding areas find these areas and you will have a good chance on calling one in learn hoe to master a bugle and cow calling devices you will have an upper hand on getting your animal when you master there calls..

Elk head back into the timber just after sunrise to there bedding areas and come back out one to two hour before it gets dark find water ,, scats ,, fresh rubs ,, beds and you have found where the elk are elk have it all they have excellent eye,hearing and smell I see elk always smelling the air for predators that means you..

Work the wind when you can this will help big time and don't be afraid of working the timber mid daytime hours many times I have taken my bull mid day in the big timber when doing this hunt in the timber set up now and then a good vantage point do 4 or 5 cow calls or a bugle listen and wait for an answer for 5 min if nothing them move on..

The tree stand self climer I use in bow season..

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Picture_12013.jpg

I cow called this bull in bow season the second day of Sept 2013 early morning was up in my tree stand he..

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/7740.JPG

[quaint bucket]

Nice use of white out. :P