Pretty much nobody I talk to around town is interested in participating in the Wi elk hunt. I don't get it. In part I suspect many think it'd be too easy & not sporting enough. Many of the elk are somewhat tame supposedly, and tend not to stay where DNR wants them. Others seem somewhat protective of the elk. I've applied every year. I'd love the opportunity, and it beats driving across the country to pursue one.

Is there anyplace I can look for population statistics for the various sub-zones for the Central Zone? I am going to apply, as I have every year, but am not sure which sub-zone to apply for. I really do not care if I go for Bull or Cow, because meat's meat and that is what I would be after.

Moosetrot

TTT-Deadline fast approaching.

Moosetrot

Reminds me of a fellow employee years ago who paid big bucks to go on an elk "hunt" in New Mexico. The guide had the hunt filmed. Buddy literally walked into a herd of elk, picked out the biggest one, and shot it. The guide came in with the truck and hauled the animal out. This was not a fenced hunt.

When the rack was finally shipped to his residence, he couldn't get it into the house. He wound up giving it to a friend of his who took out a window and has it hanging in a large room.

The whole thing cost him big bucks.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

It'll be interesting to see how the new zones affect application number/interest.

I bet locals try for the zone that's more private land.

So what do the landowners up there charge for the small chance to shoot an elk? Probably a few thousand? The chances of shooting one on public land I'm thinking are pretty slim.

Actually the success rate is extremely high.

I know of a guy that paid a thousand dollars or so a few years ago, down by Millston, Wi. He succeeded quickly and it was probably still cheaper than going out west.
Many farmers are so frustrated with them that i'm thinking I could find a place for ~free.

That is lower than what I expected. I've figured the expenses roughly to go out west and there's no way I could justify it. It would be a minimum of 5000 to do it and to me it's not worth it. I'll stock around here and hunt whitetail instead. I do give the landowner some different things and I also give them some deersticks and brats which they like. I also will shoot does to help keep the population in check. That's what they want and I'm happy to do it.