Best State for Do it Yourself Elk Hunts
01-03-2002, 02:49 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Andover OH USA
Posts: 18
Best State for Do it Yourself Elk Hunts
What states are best for planning and going on an elk hunt without a guide and has plenty of Public Land to hunt. I know that Colorado is probably the most popular. Are there any other other States you would recommend looking into?
01-03-2002, 08:48 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Salem WI USA
Posts: 32
RE: Best State for Do it Yourself Elk Hunts
Well Longspur, i'm a recent resident to CO. I'll have to tell you this, i've seen more elk than i've ever seen moose back home. I'll have to go with this state because i've not been in many others with this many woods beef.
Hunt smart, hunt safe
Hunt smart, hunt safe
01-04-2002, 07:34 AM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Winchester WY USA
Posts: 8
RE: Best State for Do it Yourself Elk Hunts
I'll give the nod to Wy. The western side of the state offers much public land, and most of it offers easy access( much of it has two-track roads) and is not nearly as "vertical" as much of Co. It also has a very large population of elk. "The damn wolves haven't gotten well established there YET !"-memtb
01-04-2002, 07:45 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Central Ohio OH USA
Posts: 172
RE: Best State for Do it Yourself Elk Hunts
I was in the same position two weeks ago.Best advice I was given is, try to contact guys who do it in your home state. Dont expect to much your first trip,go for the expierience the first time.
I got an offer to join group that already goes to CO on public and have taken elk.
Im in process of planning my trip now.
One thing for sure is it is totaly different than whittails
I can see how it will take a hunter who has never hunted elk 9 month to prepare.
TrestandEd
"Hard work ... conviction ... pride ... responsibility ... class ... character ... success...BOWHUNTING
Edited by - TreestandEd on 01/04/2002 08:50:06
I got an offer to join group that already goes to CO on public and have taken elk.
Im in process of planning my trip now.
One thing for sure is it is totaly different than whittails
I can see how it will take a hunter who has never hunted elk 9 month to prepare.
TrestandEd
"Hard work ... conviction ... pride ... responsibility ... class ... character ... success...BOWHUNTING
Edited by - TreestandEd on 01/04/2002 08:50:06
01-04-2002, 09:05 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: ......
Posts: 3,643
RE: Best State for Do it Yourself Elk Hunts
LongSpur - I'll give a little different advice than TreestandEd - expect EVERYTHING !
My first do it myself hunt I spent the time to plan it, get the topo maps, read up on elk hunting, watch videos, practice with my equipment and be in shape. I back packed in with a 70 lb pack, stayed 5 days by myself and then went in again before finally taking a 5x5 bull. I saw more elk on that hunt and called more bulls in than any other, and it was the most satisfactory of any hunt because of the time and effort I put into it.
The state was Colorado. I have been back 5 times and killed 3 more bulls with bow and muzzleloader. The two years I didn't tag I chose not to (looking for BIG one) and I lost an elk that still sickens me. All do it myself hunt, either backpacking, renting horses (I didn't like) or renting Llamas (I loved them). I expect every trip to be outstanding as far as the scenery, the experience, the camping, the comraderies, the hunt, the kill - I have high expectations for all aspects of hunts planned.
That said, I think Colorado offers a lot of elk, OTC tags and public lands that are good to hunt - don't expect a 300 and up bull. I would take a look at Idaho too, as I think its overall got bigger bulls and less crowded areas, but its a lot farther away and more expensive. I'd love to try Oregon, but thats like over 2000 miles for me to travel.
My first do it myself hunt I spent the time to plan it, get the topo maps, read up on elk hunting, watch videos, practice with my equipment and be in shape. I back packed in with a 70 lb pack, stayed 5 days by myself and then went in again before finally taking a 5x5 bull. I saw more elk on that hunt and called more bulls in than any other, and it was the most satisfactory of any hunt because of the time and effort I put into it.
The state was Colorado. I have been back 5 times and killed 3 more bulls with bow and muzzleloader. The two years I didn't tag I chose not to (looking for BIG one) and I lost an elk that still sickens me. All do it myself hunt, either backpacking, renting horses (I didn't like) or renting Llamas (I loved them). I expect every trip to be outstanding as far as the scenery, the experience, the camping, the comraderies, the hunt, the kill - I have high expectations for all aspects of hunts planned.
That said, I think Colorado offers a lot of elk, OTC tags and public lands that are good to hunt - don't expect a 300 and up bull. I would take a look at Idaho too, as I think its overall got bigger bulls and less crowded areas, but its a lot farther away and more expensive. I'd love to try Oregon, but thats like over 2000 miles for me to travel.
01-05-2002, 06:48 AM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Los Angeles CA USA
Posts: 192
RE: Best State for Do it Yourself Elk Hunts
WAIT,,,,I TAKE THAT BACK.... IDAHO SUCKS, DON'T GO THERE....TOO CROWDED, NO BULLS...EVER!!!! YEAH, STICK WITH COLORADO....YEAH, THAT'S IT!!!!! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Edited by - Hk45USP on 01/05/2002 07:48:42
Edited by - Hk45USP on 01/05/2002 07:48:42
01-05-2002, 03:03 PM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Central Ohio OH USA
Posts: 172
RE: Best State for Do it Yourself Elk Hunts
srealthycat, I like your frame of mind. Im pumped up for my my first elk hunt.
TrestandEd
"Hard work ... conviction ... pride ... responsibility ... class ... character ... success...BOWHUNTING
TrestandEd
"Hard work ... conviction ... pride ... responsibility ... class ... character ... success...BOWHUNTING
01-08-2002, 09:05 AM
#9
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Andover OH USA
Posts: 18
RE: Best State for Do it Yourself Elk Hunts
Thanks for the responses. I am trying to put together a trip for my Father, Brother and I this fall. My father has been to Colorado for Elk twice with a group here from Ohio, but I am interested in some different areas within the state and also was looking at different season dates in other states as we have a couple conflicts with a couple of the Colorado seasons this year.
01-08-2002, 09:20 AM
#10
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Andover OH USA
Posts: 18
RE: Best State for Do it Yourself Elk Hunts
Thanks for the responses. I am trying to put together a trip for my Father, Brother and I this fall. My father has been to Colorado for Elk twice with a group here from Ohio, but I am interested in some different areas within the state and also was looking at different season dates in other states as we have a couple conflicts with a couple of the Colorado seasons this year.