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NewlyMinted

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  4. Posted · Report reply

    6 minutes ago, muledeerarea33? said:

    If you can do $1699 or under then look at the Zeiss 15’s or used swaro’s. If your closer the $1000 and under then there’s a few options. Hate to say it since I’ve heard it my whole life but..... save for the swaro’s! Once I got mine I knew why.

    As a new hunter without that kinda budget, I've been told that too. I have some Vultures I bought from a cool member on here, and a razor spotter from another great CWT member, and my optics won't be upgraded until I have put aside the cash (maybe 2025? 🤣) to get some 15x56s. I've already bought twice on the scope and other equipment that I thought i could get a decent knock-off that ultimately failed.

    I'm a broken record in mentioning this, but I was able to get a side by side comparison between Swaros and Vultures when I went on my glassing lesson with Duwane Adams, It knocked my socks off how we could be looking at the same hill. The Vultures are great, everything is clear and there isn't any edge effect. The details on the mountain and animals were good BUT colors, contrast, brightness, fine detail were nothing when compared to Duwane's Swaro setup.

    I know I'm going to be buying twice (but hey, my kid will need optics too), but I'm not buying 3 or 4 times.

    • Like 1

  11. Posted · Report reply

    On 12/30/2019 at 12:45 PM, muley224 said:

    A very concerning Stat.....

    80668418_10157880052542889_4692047446400827392_n.jpg

    Page 25 of the idfg talks about the area. Apparently The winter of 96 was awful for mortality and the current population is way below expected.

    Page 25 talks specifically about the Lolo Zone and wolves feature a starring role

    https://collaboration.idfg.idaho.gov/WildlifeTechnicalReports/Elk Statewide FY2019.pdf

    Quote

    Winter 1996–1997 was marked by severe conditions, including extremely deep snow exceeding 200% of average snow-pack in some areas. These conditions apparently caused higher-than-normal winter mortality, leading to a dramatic decline in the GMU 10 population (-48%). In addition, a survey was conducted in GMU 12 during winter 1996–1997 and those results suggested a 30% decline at that time. This data, in combination with overwhelming anecdotal information, suggests that catastrophic winter losses occurred in GMUs 10 and 12.

    Predation is acknowledged.. interesting read..

    Quote

    Management Objectives

    Long-term objectives for the Lolo Zone (Figure 5) are to maintain a population of 6,100–9,100 cows and 1,300–1,900 bulls, including 725–1,200 adult bulls. Current population levels are well below objectives with 1,137 cows, 425 bulls, and 286 adult bulls estimated in 2017.Management of the Lolo Zone elk population and setting appropriate population objectives presents a serious quandary. Existing information suggests that both predation and density dependence (habitat limitations) have been causing low calf production and recruitment.

    Further down..

    Quote

    Research in the zone indicates that wolves have had impacts on elk demographics and wolf predation has been the leading cause of mortality of adult cows and calves ≥ 6 months during some years, particularly heavysnow years. The Department has conducted numerous annual wolf removal efforts beginning in 2010, in addition to aggressive wolf harvest seasons intended to reduce impacts of predation on this elk population. Improved survival in recent years could be due to a combination of mild snow conditions and wolf removal efforts.

     

  15. Posted · Report reply

    5 hours ago, azbirdhunter88 said:

    How did you do? 

    It was awesome! I didn't tag a buck, but   learned a ton, had a blast, and saw things I've never seen before.

    A forum member here had the same hunt and so I got to ask him a ton of questions and chatted in the afternoons which was a huge relief since I was out there solo. 

    I had patterned a group of bucks all the way up until the hunt, found my plan and plan B, and then at 4a on opening morning when I was walking to my spot I got flashlighted by a Hunter that beat me to the spot. I was too far away to make it to plan b before first light so hiked into the unknown and found a spot to glad from. At sunrise I saw how many hunters were inn this area and so pushed around to a different hill and set up. 

    I had not planned for pressure, I can't believe I'd thought I'd be in my area alone, but in the 20 times Id been out there, I hadn't seen a single person. Also hadn't planned for the wind the last couple of days and the cows. 

    It took a couple days to find the bucks again, and a few more to find a way to reach them. My best  chance at a stalk ended up empty handed.

    The most sobering moment was walking a trail and coming across a literally streaming cat scat. Cameras near by suggest it was this guy.

    I chatted with one group who had taken 5 bucks between them (8 hunters) total with a couple days to go.

    Last day I got to watch the most amazing sunset.

    Ended up buying a bow about 3 weeks later and bought my 2020 OTC tag and a HAM javelina.

    Probably the best week in the outdoors I've ever had, and I can't wait for next October to do it all again!

    2D6A6FD3-48B6-4FF9-8269-D70A552B4BCD.png

    • Like 3
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