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Elk in Big Bend #7115907 03/19/18 12:14 PM
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Cherokee Mingan Offline OP
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I took last week off to go visit Big Bend and this would be my 2nd time. My first day out I decided to get off the beat'n path and explore. As soon as I did that I ran into a group of elk (2 cows, 1 young bull) and was so surprised that I forgot to grab my phone and take a picture. But it got me to thinking that I thought you could shoot an elk during a mule deer hunt in Big Bend as an exotic? So I researched just now but I didn't see anything. My buddy also saw a mountain lion on day 3 and we were way back in off any roads or trails looking at fossils. Nice place and I look forward to going back.

Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Cherokee Mingan] #7115967 03/19/18 01:12 PM
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You cannot shoot any species in the park without being drawn for a designated hunt of that species.

Elk are considered an exotic and only require land owner permission and access with a hunting license.


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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Cherokee Mingan] #7116900 03/20/18 02:08 AM
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You see them at Big Bend National Park or State Park. If it’s the state park that hunt is by drawing. If it’s the National Park.....Hunting is off limits.

Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Cherokee Mingan] #7117121 03/20/18 12:30 PM
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I saw them on the National Park.

Last edited by Cherokee Mingan; 03/20/18 12:30 PM.
Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Cherokee Mingan] #7117639 03/20/18 06:41 PM
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If only we could hunt the 1million acres of National Park in Texas...


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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Cherokee Mingan] #7117863 03/20/18 09:50 PM
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Yep that would figure out to be 1 hunter per 10 acres... pretty scary thought.
How many elk would be left on public land if they allowed anyone who had a hunting license open access.


"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."

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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: DStroud] #7117954 03/20/18 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted By: DStroud
Yep that would figure out to be 1 hunter per 10 acres... pretty scary thought.
How many elk would be left on public land if they allowed anyone who had a hunting license open access.



Really, you think utilization would be that high? That would be cool if it was, the other million acres of Texas Public Fed Land that’s open to hunting doesn’t have 1 hunter per 10 acres???

States manage wildlife and exotics, not the Fed except NP, NM and NWA’s. The state of Texas already administrators several areas with exotics and game animals for sustainable harvest, I don’t for see an issue here. We already have specific state cow elk hunts, , opportunity bull elk hunts, auadad, nilgi, Axis etc . No reason we can’t add 1,000,000 acres to state draw hunts for deer, elk, java, quail, and hopefully bear some day.

I may be wrong but pretty sure that’s what Texas and the other 49 states do when they want to limit harvest for sustainablilty.

We need hunting opportunities for everyone especially or youth.








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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Pitchfork Predator] #7118025 03/21/18 01:03 AM
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Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
You cannot shoot any species in the park without being drawn for a designated hunt of that species.

Elk are considered an exotic and only require land owner permission and access with a hunting license.
I once applied for a mule deer hunt in which elk were an option; that hunt had elk or exotics as within the permitted game.

But those drawn hunters may be forced/asked to first shoot their deer and then hunt the extra game, as I was on my MD doe hunt in Palo Duro Canyon a few years ago.

Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: chital_shikari] #7118035 03/21/18 01:13 AM
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Originally Posted By: chital_shikari
Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
You cannot shoot any species in the park without being drawn for a designated hunt of that species.

Elk are considered an exotic and only require land owner permission and access with a hunting license.
I once applied for a mule deer hunt in which elk were an option; that hunt had elk or exotics as within the permitted game.

But those drawn hunters may be forced/asked to first shoot their deer and then hunt the extra game, as I was on my MD doe hunt in Palo Duro Canyon a few years ago.


They can set any rules for what ever allocation they deem appropriate, exotics just mean it’s not a tag association on your license it’s more of a permitted. If they say only 1 cow elk, it’s one cow elk. They say 1 ram aoudad it’s one ram aoudad, etc









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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Cherokee Mingan] #7118339 03/21/18 12:40 PM
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Kill them all bolt


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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: stxranchman] #7118496 03/21/18 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted By: stxranchman
Kill them all bolt


I think we could break world records if our elk didn’t have to compete against those weak hearted mulies.

smile ani


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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: BOBO the Clown] #7118510 03/21/18 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted By: BOBO the Clown

Originally Posted By: stxranchman
Kill them all bolt


I think we could break exotic world records if our elk didn’t have to compete against those weak hearted mulies.

smile ani

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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: stxranchman] #7118576 03/21/18 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted By: stxranchman
Originally Posted By: BOBO the Clown

Originally Posted By: stxranchman
Kill them all bolt


I think we could break exotic world records if our elk didn’t have to compete against those weak hearted mulies.

smile ani

rifle


Well played, unless they get legislated into being a game animal again smile


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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Cherokee Mingan] #7118611 03/21/18 03:56 PM
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I guess I misunderstood I thought you meant just open up to public hunting and since Elk have no regs you could shoot them like feral hogs.

Last edited by DStroud; 03/21/18 03:56 PM.

"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."

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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: DStroud] #7118706 03/21/18 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted By: DStroud
I guess I misunderstood I thought you meant just open up to public hunting and since Elk have no regs you could shoot them like feral hogs.


up hunting the desert is so unique, everyone needs to do it atleast once.

Hunting Sand Dunes for gaint Whitetails on PINS would also be really cool also, 100k acres of really cool unique habitat, and scenery


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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: BOBO the Clown] #7118754 03/21/18 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted By: BOBO the Clown
Originally Posted By: DStroud
I guess I misunderstood I thought you meant just open up to public hunting and since Elk have no regs you could shoot them like feral hogs.


up hunting the desert is so unique, everyone needs to do it atleast once.

Hunting Sand Dunes for gaint Whitetails on PINS would also be really cool also, 100k acres of really cool unique habitat, and scenery

Being hunted by millions of mosquitoes while hunting whitetails on PINS would not be as much fun as shooting as many elk as you could in the desert. up


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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: stxranchman] #7118781 03/21/18 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted By: stxranchman
Originally Posted By: BOBO the Clown
Originally Posted By: DStroud
I guess I misunderstood I thought you meant just open up to public hunting and since Elk have no regs you could shoot them like feral hogs.


up hunting the desert is so unique, everyone needs to do it atleast once.

Hunting Sand Dunes for gaint Whitetails on PINS would also be really cool also, 100k acres of really cool unique habitat, and scenery

Being hunted by millions of mosquitoes while hunting whitetails on PINS would not be as much fun as shooting as many elk as you could in the desert. up


that was funny. But the wind normally keeps them at bay... wink

I think TPWD needs to up Mulie tags to three bucks a county

Use to be a monster mainframe ten hanging out by bird island boat ramp for a while.


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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Cherokee Mingan] #7119271 03/22/18 03:07 AM
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Don't get me started on Elk and the TPWD. Wolf has blocked my email address. confused2


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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Cherokee Mingan] #7122268 03/25/18 03:07 PM
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Never knew Elk even existed in Texas

Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Cherokee Mingan] #7126438 03/29/18 12:31 AM
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Here are two elk that were taken on the Elephant Mountain WMA Mule Deer hunt in January of this year.





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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: DStroud] #7130837 04/03/18 01:39 AM
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Originally Posted By: DStroud
Yep that would figure out to be 1 hunter per 10 acres... pretty scary thought.
How many elk would be left on public land if they allowed anyone who had a hunting license open access.



I'm at a loss for words on that one. Seriously do not even know where to start.

Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Johnny Rocket] #7131058 04/03/18 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted By: Johnny Rocket
Never knew Elk even existed in Texas



more and more every year.


My friend worked for Del Monte up near Dalhart and they were constantly having to shoot them off their irrigated fields. Those were coming over from New Mexico according to him.

Another Buddy hunted the Longfellow this year and they saw herds of 20-30 animals. A Client of mines son killed a big bull ( 370 + ) south of Marathon just a few years ago. They said they have their pick of elk when they get an itch to shoot one.

A lot more elk in Texas running free than you would imagine


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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Cherokee Mingan] #7131105 04/03/18 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
Originally Posted By: Johnny Rocket
Never knew Elk even existed in Texas



more and more every year.


My friend worked for Del Monte up near Dalhart and they were constantly having to shoot them off their irrigated fields. Those were coming over from New Mexico according to him.

Another Buddy hunted the Longfellow this year and they saw herds of 20-30 animals. A Client of mines son killed a big bull ( 370 + ) south of Marathon just a few years ago. They said they have their pick of elk when they get an itch to shoot one.

A lot more elk in Texas running free than you would imagine


Dalhart is combo CO/NM and KS, but mainly Cimmeron National Grass lands in KS. They have been hell on my pivots for almost 40 years. Okla pretty much fully protected them up until three or fours years ago, when we finally got a season pushed through. I was on a pretty nice bull (300’sh)two years ago and just couldn’t close the deal with my bow. They have gotten smart, they disappear from Oct to Jan.

One of our Mod’s good friends killed a 380’sh outside of Serria Diablo few years back


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Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: Cherokee Mingan] #7131309 04/03/18 04:10 PM
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So, with all of these elk, where can you readily hunt them on Texas public land? Is it only through draw hunts?

I've looked at the Rita Blanca grasslands website with no luck finding a clear distinction on hunting, and Sierra Diablo is the only draw hunt I see that specifically mentions Elk.

As "easy" as it sounds to go to Colorado, I would still prefer to hunt Elk in Texas, and preferably on public land.

Re: Elk in Big Bend [Re: RockDocJoe] #7131631 04/03/18 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted By: DFWpublichunter
So, with all of these elk, where can you readily hunt them on Texas public land? Is it only through draw hunts?

I've looked at the Rita Blanca grasslands website with no luck finding a clear distinction on hunting, and Sierra Diablo is the only draw hunt I see that specifically mentions Elk.

As "easy" as it sounds to go to Colorado, I would still prefer to hunt Elk in Texas, and preferably on public land.


To get an elk on public lands in Texas is a long shot, at best. Yes, it does happen on occasion but I don't think any of those hunts are advertised as having a realistic opportunity at elk.

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