Just back from chasing turkey in the Black Hills for a few days again seen a bunch of elk in a couple places this morning heading out one group of about 30 in a meadow. See elk about every day I’m out there, often just a few here and there sometimes bigger groups often but I’m busy trying not to run into a surprise one that might pop up so I might miss a few when counting.

I applied for several draw tags this year and I noticed I did not get a rejection notice on the archery tag when I checked them but no confirmation notice either in my emails. Went to the GFP site I see my preference points were zero and a tag will be issued and the fee was taken out of my account so I should be good.

I had around 23 years of preference points since my last tag so that last tag was over 30 years ago because if you draw you cannot apply for 10 years for the same tag so 23+10 years. I’ve got over 35 points in the State Park elk hunt but that’s just a dream 3-4 tag season total. Hunted with a buddy last year same season different unit it was a hoot lots of bugles most days more elk then I thought are out there.

My dislocated shoulder is about at 90% I’m not sure what poundage I can hold and for how long even but I’ve got time to work on that other than that I have everything I need. Crossbow permit is my last option but that is not the plan at this point I’d rather use the compound.

Congratulations

Good deal, enjoy.
I’ve got 20+ on both rife and archery and haven’t drawn yet.

That sounds awesome very jealous enjoy can’t wait to see pictures

Outstanding! Can’t wait to read a story and see some pics!!

Just found the info I was looking for to see exactly what I drew I wanted H2 but got H1 any elk the same unit I help a buddy with last season only 40 tags in that unit 30 any elk 10 cow tags. Heard a lot of bulls last year, now just to get close to one cow call here we go.

Awesome.Good luck hunting.

Awesome

I drew a cow elk with 1 point Nevada resident. My brother in law drew a mule deer tag with no points in a zone that is not that easy to draw a tag. I'll be sending him a bill for my services of draw suggestions

15 years seems to be a popular draw number in SD when you’ve seen first time people draw a tag and you have 30+ points its a head shaker but good for them.

Now to find a place to sleep.

How exciting! Prob twenty years ago I sent in for an elk tag and I never even hunted deer at the time! Young and foolish! Like what would I do if I actually won?!?
I hope you connect

Congratulations! I won't live long enough to draw a tag in Virginia elk draw.

That is great. I haven't bow hunted them for a few years now just too many other hunts I go on and I run out of time.

Very good, good luck hunting.

I know they are hard to draw tags.

You will do well grasshopper!!! Congratulations best of luck my friend!

Yeah, that's tuff. It is definitely the exception and not the rule. I wouldn't even bother if it took that long. After I draw a bull elk tag,which will be awhile, I'll have to wait 7 years, same with antelope. This will be my first elk hunt ever, I'm excited. It's been 12 years since Ive taken a big game animal ( pigs dont count). Good luck to you

good luck cuz,

With my shoulder and knees I’ll just pick a place and park it in the forest on some good trails the guy I hunted with last year moved around a lot he was interested in a call in ground shot. He missed a few shot opportunities in a couple stand locations by moving around and not being in his stands but it was his hunt his call he had bulls on cameras during the daytime.

I paid attention to where the elk bugled from even though I had no future plans to hunt that unit last year but it worked out with drawing a unit this year that I scouted last season blind luck really. LOL I plan on putting up my aluminum ladder tree stand that can be carried in and set up easily along with a comfortable seat for long sits. I have a very comfortable folding strap stand with a built in padded seat I’ll set up to play the wind if needed but I only plan on hunting those 2 stands in the same area but things change.

The elk were often on the same ridges bugling in the morning last year I just need to find the right trails they might be using but I’m used to running and gunning so leaving the stand if needed it not out of the question to work an elk. I’ll go out ahead of the season and put out trail cams I have a bunch but no cell type cams I’m too cheap but they are coming down in price so that might be an option. The season is a month long but rifle season in the next month so later in the month those folks will be scouting and the side by sides pop up about anyplace. If the trails not blocked off well itscavpass hunting the trails can be disappointing due to random riders lots of good places you just can’t hunt sadly.

Good luck Jerry.

Any chance you could find some private ground to hunt?

I might hunt down a guy we ran into last year that had property down the road from where we hunted last season and see what he says the guy I help out was already set up so moving was not a option then.