1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

I am not looking for everyones secret spot, but I am looking for a good starting point for an elk hunt as far as states, guided or not, buying tags ,just some general info for a few guys that want to move past white tail and try the big game, and when the boys get old enough Ill have some good pointers. I have seen to many adds that reguire thousands for such a trip and not sure what to do. so please point me in the right direction. thanks

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

First, you need to decide what you want to get out of an elk hunt. Seriously sit down and evaluate your priorities. If you want a trophy bull, you will need to go the outfitter route. If the hunt is more about comaraderie and being in the mountains, then a DIY hunt might be in order. Do you want to bow hunt or gun hunt? Here in Montana it is not uncommon to drive 1 1/2 hours through the mountains to get to your spot, then another 2 hours of dark hiking to get into position at first light. My point is, hunting can get long and tiring. If your a hiker the mountains can be brutal, you must be in shape. Perhaps you prefer to drive around looking for herds, that's a lot easier. It is imperative to identify the kind of hunt you are looking for. You can do it, but you must be prepared.

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

czap,

I read your post with interest, but didn't feel the energy to write the encyclopedia required to answer it; however, ....

Muley69 has given it some pretty good thought and articulated a pretty good response from which to begin. Answer some of his specifics so we know which way to turn and we'll see what we can do. Please, start with "rifle or bow" AND "trophy or meat."

EKM

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

For a start search out and read all the books and articles you can get your hands on. Be prepared for all weather, it can change very quickly in elk country. I've seen it change from sunny, 70 degrees to windy and snow in a few hours. Always carry a pack with gear to spend a cold night in the back country- fire starter, extra clothes, GPS/compass, map, etc. Good light weight, waterproof boots are a must. Get in shape.

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

Szap, You have your homework cut out for you. Division sites on the net will help answer some of your questions. If you go to Colorado Division of Wildlife it has a link page that will give you web adress for all the state sites. This will cover prices and how to apply for licenses for the different states. Also give you an idea of how many years it will take to get a premium tag if that is what you want. If you are looking at Colo., where I am at, you can buy a tag over the counter in many areas for bow or rifle. But if you want a huge bull, and we have some nice bulls here, you need to look at other states. AZ, NM, NV, MT, would be good choices. If you want a fun hunt in a state that has the largest population of elk, Colo. is your state. But I think you should know, and it has been said, get in good shape. Hunting elk is going to be a work out for you. You will need good optics also. Elk country is big no matter where you go and optics play an important role. If you are on your own a GPS or compass and maps will be needed to learn country and get back to camp. Calling can play a part also in getting elk in close if you are a bowhunter. I can go on and on, but here is a starting point. If you are a rifle hunter, there are some guys on this site that can help you with bullets and such. I am a bowhunter. A web site you should look at, www.elknut.com. Good luck on your quest.
Gselkhunter

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

I would consider a guide for the first time, even if you dont get a huge bull the experience will be invaluable. Trying to elk hunt "LIVE WITHOUT A NET" can really be tough and disheartening. W/ a guide you can get a feel for it w/o hanging yourself out there on a limb. If you can hook up w/ a experienced elk hunter to throw in w/ you can do ok also, but if you screw things up a guy who isnt being paid to put up with rookie mistakes isnt going to be a patient as the guy you paid to help you. good luck :D

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

I will break it down,Colorado seems as good as any for elk.
1.Get your app's in
2.Draw a tag if or when
3.Start excercise
4.Pratice with your rifle at least two times a week.
5.Get your ducks in a row,clothes,baggs,gear ect.
6.Ask ? and lots of them.
If this a do it-your-selfer,get the stuff now and I mean after X-mass.
This should get ya started we can all help fill in the blanks later.
BBJ

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

szap,

"Are you out there?"

EKM

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

szap, I thought we were going to get you started here?

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

szap must have went christmas shopping!!!!!!!!

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

hey sorry for the delay. Thanks for all the great input. I would like to bow hunt but that my reguire more time and experience then i have. As with any hunt being the the forest is half the fun. But i would hate to drive or fly from michigan, pay all the expenses and come home empty handed. I will have to do some home work and deciede. My first thought was to just drive to an elk state having a tag and hunt the public lands. Thanks for all the info.

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

Doing it yourself, unless you "get in" with a group that knows the ropes, involves a high probability of "coming up empty"; therefore, I would recommend you use an outfitter. Yes, the cost will run "high" (but they aren't exactly getting rich) and you will find getting ready for a properly prepared "do it yourself elk hunt" is not cheap either.

Get an "either sex" tag if you can.

EKM

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

We have a place we go for special cow elk w/ pretty good draw odds(80% or so), there is an older Phillipino gentleman at work who has asked me to take him along, and my son is old enough now also, one more wouldnt be a problem, let me know if your interested.

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

szap,

I've been trying to go Elk hunting for years, so I think I understand where you're coming from. Myself and a friend hunted mule deer last year on a private ranch in Co. We had planned on an Elk hunt this year but couldn't make it. I've been told by many on this forun that my chances are about 1% if doing it unguided and it being the first time. I've have had to buy several ink cartridges just to print the info I've been gathering so that I'll be ready. I plan on going in 2005 with my son, son-in-law, and a buddy, we know our chances are slim (do it yourself hunt), but that's not the point, we're going and that is all that matters to us.

I also know I'll never get in the proper shape or know the area like folks that have easy access to the land each year, but as I said, I'm going.

Only advice I can give you is listen to these folks and set your goals. There was one gentlemen that I sent an email to, who lives in Co. and he was gracious enough to tell me which Unit he hunts in and even offered to meet us and give us all the info he can. Can't beat that with a stick. Some good people on here. I believe someone answered you by saying you could go with him, what more could you ask for.

Good Luck,
dog1

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

szap,
One thought would be to do a drop camp through an outfitter in a location that has local elk (so you are not worrying about a migration). Will probably give you one of the best opportunities for the money (relatively inexpensive). Remember most states are draw/lottery now, which makes it sometime difficult to plan a hunt for sure. Colorado still has over the counter tags, and possibly Idaho, but I believe every other state is draw (someone can correct me there if they know for sure...I know Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, are all draw).

I would say Rifle is definately the way to start. Get a feel for the country and the way elk behave before trying the bow (unless you are going fully guided). The national average to kill an elk is roughly 18-20% every year with a rifle, something like 3-5% I believe with a bow (that's why I always get a kick out of the people that get an elk every year and everyone on the internet shot a 300 point 6x6...but anyway).

Elk hunting is better than it has ever been, but it is still elk hunting. It is tough to explain exactly what that means though until you experience it for yourself.

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

Utah has both tags available on a draw system and over-the-counter tags for elk. If you want to hunt trophy bull units or a cow you must draw. But if you want to hunt the general units you can with an over-the-counter tag but I wouldn't recommend an over-the-counter to someone who isn't very fimiliar with those areas.

I'd say start putting in for draws all over AFTER you have done some research on each states website. Look for things like hunt success rates, odds at drawing a tag in a particualar area, and what each area is managed for. A drop camp is a great idea for a first timer not wanting a full-blown guided hunt. If you really want to do it all on your own and you just want the experience I wouldn't plan on going after a trophy bull. You had an offer to tag along, that would be a great way to start. If you don't do that then get either a cow tag or an either sex tag and shoot the first legal animal you see. Good luck!

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

szap


I too was in your shoes 10 years ago we just did our homework and headed west Co. over the counter is your best bet the first time if you plan to doit yourself bowhunt.

Its not that bad of a drive and if you can find some good guys it will be pretty cheap and I push you to do it yourself cause what you will learn on your own is priceless.

This wont be a one year thing if you are any kind of outdoors men youll get hooked and have to go every year thats the best thing cause you will get to understand the place you hunt and where the elk live ,feed ,sleep and water.

Start right now geting into shape it makes the bigest diffrence of all we being flat landers have a rough go of it you cant kill elk if you cant get to where there at.

Plan for two weeks at least you cant get any hunting done in one .

If you are realy seriuos about going PM me and I will point you to some good spots and point you to where to camp and hunt over the counter tags.

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

dog1

It sounds like you have the drive to go and become a good elk hunter same goes for you PM me I can fill in alot of the blanks

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

IDAHO is basically a draw state for non-residents, BUT, since the wolf intro. the tags haven't sold out for years now. Which means it's basically an OTC state these days. Yes you can walk right in to any vendor and purchase tags or get them through the mail from ID Fish&Game. This of course applies to non-draw areas, which is most the state. ElkNut1

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

get in shape!! You'll never forgive yourself if you spot a big bruiser and cant make the stalk to get at him. Then get a proper elk rifle, 7mag or 30-06 are the two smallest that nearly everyone agrees are true elk rifles. Good luck.

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

i would seriously recomend and outfitter if your new to the sport, or at least somebody who has the experience, i would take up justhuntitalls invite.

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

Hello evenyone, I just joined this site and am in the same situation as szap. Difference is I recently moved to Montana. Now that I live in an elk hunting area I have no choice but to go.

Awhile ago I got the elk hunting regulations...125 pages long! Now I'm really confused. I'll be rifle hunting and have to go somewhat close to Butte (won't be able to devote as much time as I would like due to school)

If anyone has any experience in this area any advise to locations and the amount of hunting pressure would be greatly appreciated.

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

I am in the same position as cornhunter and szap. I want to hunt for elk and have heard stories about hunting elk during the rut. But as far as i can tell all the rifle seasons are after the rut. My dad went to colorado a couple of years ago during the rifle season and got a nice 5 by 5. I have hunted whitetails with a bow and have shot a couple of does and passed on some smaller bucks. I was thinking about going to Colorado on a do it yourself hunt because of the elk population but am open to suggestions. I would greatly appreciate any information. Thanks

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

One more vote for get in shape! The best part about elk hunting to me is knowing I'm on a hunt I need to be in shape for. It's real hunting.

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

Im not worried about being in shape. Im a starting running back for my high school football team. Is there much of a elk population in idaho. I was reading something that said you can rifle hunt there during the rut. Would it be worth going there over Colorado. I was also reading that more shots with the bow are over 45 yards than under. Is this true. Thanks for the information.

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

Lotta restin' in football, maybe you oughta take up cross country. :eek:

RE: 1st time elk hunt, where do I start?
 

dribowhuntingfool, I don't know what info you were reading but it is way wrong. I would say that most of the shots (at elk) are under 25 yards and I would say 90% or more are under 40 yards. I understand that you are new at this, so no problem ask away with any question. I will say that if a bowhunter can't get under 30 yards to shot at an elk then they are a lousy hunter and shoud choose another sport. My last three bow kill elk were all under 20 yards, 15, 3, and 18 yards. The longest shot I have taken is 35 yards at a spike bull. He had his head down feeding, the arrow ziped right through him and he jerked his head up for a bit, looked around for danger and then went back to feeding. He only went about 20 yards at most, feeding the entire time until he passed out and died. As a archery education instructor we teach students to limit themself to 40 yards max for any game. Its good advice and I followed it before being a instructor. With time you'll understand that the closer you get the more exciting it gets. There nothing, and I mean nothing that compares to the thrill and pure rush that comes into your body when you are 10, 5 or 3 yars away from a elk. To be able to see all the small detail, the eyes and eye lashes, to see the chest expand and contract with each breath, and if its a bull when they bugle. WOW,,, I promise you that with your first up close experience with a bugleing bull, you will loose all control over your own body, you will not be able to walk or for some even stand. Its awesome and I hope you get to experience it someday. Your young, and with playing football I wouldn't worry about being in shape right now. Now in the furture afte H.S. and sports then yes youll need to keep in shape for elk hunting. I work construction and yet I am not in very good shape. It seem every elk season that the mountains and the elk kick my butt more and more. This past year after a hard day of hunting in which I did kill a bull, and hiked about 12 or so miles. Well lets just say that my body wast at its end and needed a rest. As far as elk in Idaho yes there are a lot, but not if the wolves keep killing them. Like elknut said its easy for out of staters get a tag, but you still have to do your homework to be successful, you'll have to do this in any state though. If you are planing a do it yourself hunt you have a lot of work to do before the actual hunt and the odds are that you'll come home empty handed. You can hire a good outfitter/guide like others have said, but even then they only promise a 50 or 60 percent chance at most on public ground. And expect to pay at least $3,000 on up to $10,000 depending on where you hunt, how long you want to hunt. What quality of hunt, meaning one on one with the guide or one guide and 4 or 6 hunters. Also depends if you only want a cow or if you want a trophy bull. Lots of options to choose from with and wihtout a guide. Hopefully this helps, idahoelkinstructor.