RE: Archery elk hunting?
Torridone,
First off…how much time do you have to devote to hunting elk and learning about hunting elk with a bow? If you have several years to do DIY elk hunts then there is nothing like learning as you go, but if this is a one time thing every five or so years then I would recommend that you do your research and find a quality guide service and put time, effort and money it to getting a quality hunt.
Keep in mind that what we do is call HUNTING and not SHOPPING for a reason and that even if you hire a guide that your chances are still smaller than if you were doing a rifle hunt. A quality hunt doesn’t mean getting an animal every time you go hunting but that you get value for you money spent. I always treat my hunts as a vacation and if I manage to get an elk then that is icing on the cake.
You have friends that haven’t been very happy with their hunts and sometimes that happens, but do your homework and find a good guide. Ask your friends just what were they dissatisfied with about their hunt and why it didn’t meet their expectations?
Just a couple of thing to keep in mind…if you have the time DIY…if not get the biggest bang for your buck and hire a good guide!