I want to hunt elk

[sniper65]

I live in NJ and i would like to go on an elk hunt. i have a muzzle loader and a bow but i do not own a rifle. Where is the best place to go, and do i have to hunt with a guide or can i find state game lands. thanks

[HuntElk4Fun]

To reallyhelp you out, how soon you looking? How big you hoping? Want to pay for a guide?

Withno guide is what you want, youmight want to look into Colorado. They have the largest elk herd in the country and lots of over the counter tags. I know several members of our hunting crew take their muzzleloaders down there with good success. Nothing huge, just small 6x6's and rags. You can buy the tags when your ready to hunt, so you can commit or not up to the last minute.

When are you going... this year? For example, Wyoming's deadline is over, same with Utah. States like Utah have weak over the counter hunts, but you if build up points over the years you could chase some bulls of a lifetime, especially if you go with Archery or Muzz. They really break out the hunts, while Wyoming doesn't at all.

Idaho has some decent archery hunts too. We hit SE Idaho every year with over the counter archery only bull tags. Again, can buy them once your ready to go or not.

New Mexico has huge elk with no point system. I'd say just put in there and if you draw (odds are like 1-5%) then go have the hunt of a lifetime. It only costs $6, then if you draw you buy the tag and even have the option not to as well.

[CFHUNTER]

Sniper-

Like already mentioned, there are too many variables to give a straight-forward answer to your question. One thing you may want to do is look at a state that has both easy availability to a hunt, (i.e. Over the counter tags) and a decent number of elk. Idaho and Colorado both fit that bill. A great resource is the Hunt Planner at the Idaho Fish & Game website. Simply go into Hunt Planner and there you can type in your species and get hunt options as far as seasons, bag limits and areas. Idaho has a number of state wildlife areas and Access Yes land that is open to the public free of charge. A lot of it has good game populations. Of course thereare huge areas of National Forest and BLM also as well as accessible timber company land.

Best ofluck,

CFHUNTER

[fillae]

HuntElk4Fun,

I believe Archery and Black Powder are draw only in CO. You can get leftover tags over the counter. This is the first year I've put in for a black powder tag, so if I'm wrong, please set me straight!

[RedRiverHntr]

In Colorado, archery is over the counter (unlimited). Muzzleloader is by draw only.