Combo hunt success in North America

[DillonG]

Good evening,

I recently replied to a thread about plans for hunting in North America. My first thought was to plan a single animal hunt. The choice would be between black bear, mule deer, or pronghorn. However, I was curious about the option of a combination elk/deer, deer/bear, etc. I have not seen an article that speaks about success rates on this type of hunt. Obviously, time and location are important.

What has your success been hunting multiple species in a single trip? Was it more of a distraction instead of focusing on a single animal?

 

[375Fox]

I really wish I had a tag for a second species on the Montana mule deer hunt I did. I like hunting all the days booked not just hunting for one animal. It’s unfortunate to be done on the first day but at the same time I don’t want to pass opportunities just to extend the hunt. Having two tags lets you hunt more days if you take the first animal early. As a non-resident though I find the tag draw and points process frustrating. Have you considered areas where you can hunt multiple deer or two bears without a draw? On my deer hunts in SE Alaska on prince of wales island I took 2 bucks one trip and 3 the next. I think a spot and stalk black bear hunt in BC would be a good experience too.

 

[Fatback]

I did a Dall Sheep and Mountain Caribou in 2021. I figure if I was going all that way it would be better to try and get them both on one trip then to make 2 separate trips. I was able to get both of my animals and I am glad I did both on that hunt. I prioritized the sheep and only hunted sheep until I got my ram on day 5 or 6. We then flew back to base camp and I got my caribou 3 days later. My suggestion is to have a clear idea of what animal is the priority but also be will to take “what the bush offers” like in Africa.

 

[DillonG]

I really wish I had a tag for a second species on the Montana mule deer hunt I did. I like hunting all the days booked not just hunting for one animal. It’s unfortunate to be done on the first day but at the same time I don’t want to pass opportunities just to extend the hunt. Having two tags lets you hunt more days if you take the first animal early. As a non-resident though I find the tag draw and points process frustrating. Have you considered areas where you can hunt multiple deer or two bears without a draw? On my deer hunts in SE Alaska on prince of wales island I took 2 bucks one trip and 3 the next. I think a spot and stalk black bear hunt in BC would be a good experience too.

I have certainly looked at BC and Alaska. Alaska is my holy grail. I just didn’t know if it becomes a hinderance trying to cram in multiple species, but you do make a great point. Having an extra tag could extend a good trip.

 

[chuckwellington]

I’ve only held multiple tags in NA for a couple hunts and those were trips that had a primary goal.

For instance, I had a bear tag on my sheep hunt this year. Spotted a good bear early on but no way would I risk blowing out a drainage or spend valuable time packing out a bear. The extra tag in that case would have been a distraction and only for after the primary animal was taken. Coincidentally, no bears were found after I killed my sheep.

I suppose if you had two tags that were equal value to you and the critters inhabited the same area, you would up your odds of filling a tag.

I definitely have been on hunts that I wish I had a second tag. Specifically, deer hunting and wishing for an antelope tag and vice versa.

 

[Fatback]

Also consider getting wolf and/or wolvorine tags if your in an area with them available. Usually not as likely to come across as your main animal/animals but certainly gives you something to go out looking for if you get your primary animal early in the hunt. I’ve always bought them if I had the opportunity but have never gotten a shot at either animal.

 

[Lumaberpat]

In NY because of the restrictions on methods of hunting big game, most black bear are shot from a deer hunters chance encounter with one. You get a buck tag and a black bear tag when you buy the license.
I unfortunately have only see black bears in camp trying to steal the beer cooler.

 

[375Fox]

I did a Dall Sheep and Mountain Caribou in 2021. I figure if I was going all that way it would be better to try and get them both on one trip then to make 2 separate trips. I was able to get both of my animals and I am glad I did both on that hunt. I prioritized the sheep and only hunted sheep until I got my ram on day 5 or 6. We then flew back to base camp and I got my caribou 3 days later. My suggestion is to have a clear idea of what animal is the priority but also be will to take “what the bush offers” like in Africa.

I’m very glad I did also, but for a different reason. My Yukon dall sheep and mt caribou hunt was $11,500 in 2006. Just the sheep alone is triple that now. I never imagined the price of caribou could go up so much.

 

[WildWill]

I've done pronghorn/ mule deer and pronghorn/ elk in Wyoming successfully. Pronghorn and mule deer would be a good combo if you can get the tags. I've had a bear tag while elk hunting in September multiple times and have never seen a bear while holding a tag. I have a elk hunt booked in Colorado next September and my outfitter is confident we can get a bear during our 9 days will see.

 

[R eight]

Good evening,

I recently replied to a thread about plans for hunting in North America. …..

What has your success been hunting multiple species in a single trip? Was it more of a distraction instead of focusing on a single animal?

I’ve hunted Alaska thrice. The first two hunts were for 14 days + and with a fist full of tags each time.
My first hunt I got a very nice BG caribou. Didn’t have any opportunities to fill the other tags.

Second hunt I got a nice Dall ram. Could have taken a small grizzly but passed. No opportunities to fill any other tag.

Those tags are bloody expensive, especially if you’re a non resident alien paying in AUD. But, even with the benefit of hindsight I would have still taken the extra tags.

Third hunt was for Spring Brown bear. Only one tag…obviously. Got my bear on the last day I hunted.

I consider all three trips successful.

Last year I hunted Northern BC for 10 days. Had a moose tag and was successful. Also had a wolf tag in my pocket.
Outfitter also offered me a great deal to include a goat on the hunt. I hummed and arred on that for weeks. In the end I said no. I just wanted to concentrate on a bull moose. Got my moose, on the penultimate day of hunting. There would not have been any time for a goat hunt.

So, whilst I’ve never taken more than one animal on any of my North America hunts. I’d probably still have a second tag in my pocket just in case you fill your first tag early.

In my limited experience with hunting in Alaska and BC I reckon you’ll have to be lucky to fill more than a couple of tags over a couple of weeks, even if the weather is good.

( And for every one who thinks shooting a bull in Alaska is easy…..just remember that for a non resident alien we’re looking for a 4 brow tine or bigger than 50 inch spread on the antlers. I saw just as many unicorns in Alaska)