DIY Hunts this year

Scoot · 2 point Joined: 07 May 2008 Posts: 109 Location: Fargo, ND

What DIY hunts do you have planned this year?

I think/dream about elk all year, every year- however, I'm afraid I won't be doing another DIY elk hunt this year. Instead, I've got three hunts in mind:
1) DIY bear in MN. I've applied for a bear tag in a MN unit near my mother-in-law's cabin. I've never hunted bear, but I think that'll be a ton of fun. If I don't pull a tag, there's also a bear in her woods near her farm in an unlimited tag unit, so I'll chase him if I don't pull the draw tag.

2) DIY whitetail in MN and ND. I've got some great land to chase deer on in both states. Both places are about a 50 min drive and I'll be making use of them as much as I can this fall. Should be fun.

3) DIY muley hunting in Western ND. I'm going to bivy hunt through a no-motorized area again this year. I'll also do a ton of day trips. I found a little pocket of land that holds some monster muleys and whitetails that I can hunt too- should be a blast.

I'm sure it'll be a blast again doing all my hunts. As always, they'll all be DIY. I'll post pics and stories as the year progresses. I hope lots of you do the same...

ribo451 · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:32 pm Post subject:

So far all I have for certain is a backpack elk hunt and regular over the counter deer tag. I always buy a bear tag and even though I usually see a couple bears every year I never have shot one. They are always doing something adorable and I would probably have to sleep on the couch if I shot one. I keep buying the tag because if I don't I'm sure I will see a monster bear. I am putting in for a couple deer tags and maybe a late season cow elk tag but I won't know for a month or two about those.

gobbler1662 · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 6:29 pm Post subject:

I've got two DIY Wilderness hunts planned for 2010. First one is coming right up next month in May. 8 day Hells Canyon Wilderness Bear Hunt. Planning on going in about 10 miles with a group of 6 guys and spread out from there on bivy hunts. Everything on our backs no horses. There is enough of us to easily haul out a bear in one trip.

Next is our DIY wilderness 14 day Archery Elk hunt in Eastern Oregon. This is the one I am already dreaming and planning for. Got a great group of guys going so we should be able to pack out an elk in one trip with 5 guys. Planning on going in around five miles to our secret spot. Took two bulls out of that area last year. Last year I spent one 10 days in, but this year stepping it up to a full 14 day hunt. Pack weight will kind of suck with two full weeks of food but hopefully we will stack up some big bulls.

Other hunts depend on the draw. If I get the Deer tag I put in for we would do a couple of two to three day Bivy hunts for deer also.

Other than that doing a wilderness fly fishing trip in June, 2-3 days long should be great fishing.

Thats about all my wife will tolerate! Probably will still cost me some chick flicks and maybe even a weekend at the coast. A small price to pay for being in the woods I guess!

alaskalanche · 2 point Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 96 Location: Alaska

What are DIY hunts?? How do they differ from other hunts the most folks go on??

I have a pile of hunts planned but not sure if they are DIY or not.

Malloy805 · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:02 pm Post subject:

Gobbler1662
Can you make a trip or two into the elk area this summer to cach'e supplies for the 14 day trip?? Might make for lighter packs in the fall. idea

gobbler1662 · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:15 pm Post subject:

yeah, thought about doing that, but an extra week of food should add around 6-7 pounds. Once youre over 50 pounds whats a few more.

UWyoHunter · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:51 pm Post subject:

alaskalanche · 2 point Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 96 Location: Alaska

UWyoHunter · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 2:19 pm Post subject:

BobcatJerry · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:31 pm Post subject:

I find that I really don't want someone else telling me when to shoot, how to hunt, and when to wake up. I like the planning, scouting, and moving at the pace that I want. I can afford guided hunts, and will do them some time in the future, but I prefer DIY. To have a guy, telling me to shoot an elk at 400 yards just isn't hunting to me. I want up and personal, I want the experience of what I have done, not what someone else has done for me. No that there is anything wrong with it, I just don't like it. It is DIY by choice for me.

I am DIY elk this year and a semi Guided, first time antelope hunt in WY. One time and I am on my own for antelope. DIY whitetails every time I go.

Butts · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 9:57 am Post subject:

Every evening driving home I look to the south at the mountain range 50 miles away. Still see snow, need to get up there when its almost gone but not all gone or I won't be able to cross the creek that starts raging with run-off. Start scouting NOW learn the area better better better DIY step #2. Step #1 one was after I woke up because I was dreaming I was already there Very Happy

Scoot · 2 point Joined: 07 May 2008 Posts: 109 Location: Fargo, ND

Arrowslinger · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:33 pm Post subject:

Just got my spring bear hunt out of the way, so this fall i'll be headed into California backcountry chasing bears and blacktails with the bow, then rifle later on. Then off to Oregon for rutting bulls in September -10 days.

Magic · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:05 pm Post subject:

I've been on the "guiding" end a few times. Talk about a trip. Trying to position "hunters" for a shot. Trying to get them to hurry. Trying to get them to sit still and be patient. Watching them spray bullets all around a bull elk at 100 yards.

It gives you a very deep appreciation for DIY..

alaskalanche · 2 point Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 96 Location: Alaska

Arrowslinger · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:31 pm Post subject:

Best of luck with the bears and take lots of pics, a grizz is my dream hunt.

gobbler1662 · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 9:14 pm Post subject:

I wish sagecreek had a thread for those of us that take diy a step further. I am talking about wilderness backpack hunting only. Thats the way I go, all my hunts are that way. Even going to convert my annual spring turkey hunt next yesar to a wilderness back pack hunt. Love it, no people lots of room, and as pure as it gets. To me thats what DIY means!

Arrowslinger · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:35 am Post subject:

Jim, start one up. I'm with ya though, to me, that's the purest form of hunting and my favorite!

Scoot · 2 point Joined: 07 May 2008 Posts: 109 Location: Fargo, ND

Matt Palmquist · 6 point Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 621 Location: Kansas

Magic · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:33 am Post subject:

Each of us have different styles and degrees of DIY depending upon our physical abilities. My definition has changes over the years as I've aged.

We may stray a bit on any of these forum boards, but in all, I think that we are fairly well disciplined and remain on subject.

WW · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:15 pm Post subject:

I'm with Magic. I've been a guide in the past. About half of the time, I felt more like a high priced baby sitter. DIY all the way for me.

blackwolf · Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 9:05 pm Post subject:

First hunt is bivy-backpack hunt from a base camp in N. Idaho Sep 12-26. Second hunt is canoe-wilderness whitetail hunt in N. Minnesota Oct 28-Nov 12. Third is whitetail hunt from a tent camp in N. Wis after I either get lucky in Minn or forced out by early winter weather.

Magic · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 9:58 pm Post subject:

My Son and I will be going to a completely new area for our Colorado OTC 2nd elk season in October. I'm Google Earthing, and mapping, and reading.

saddlesore · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 9:17 am Post subject:

All my hunts are DIY. A lot of them by myself. This year so far I have an elk tag and a deer tag, I'll probably buy another elk tag and another deer tag. Next week I 'll most likely draw a pronghorn tag.
I can't see why someone would say the purest hunt is a back pack hunt into the willderness. That is exactly the attitude that lost RMEF a bunch of members years ago.The archers decided they were tthe elistist and the RMEF started to catering to them.
I respect anyone who takes the time and does it all themselves