DIY elk hunters
 

Can you describe the drill. Say a guy from Ohio wants to go west and chase one, can he just buy a tag, find a peice of ground and go and do it just like we hunt deer here, or are there hoops that need jumped through first?

I've talked to friends here who have family and friends (none hunt) out there and they've mentioned a possible connection, what do I need to do to make it happen. Montana and Idaho states.

If ya did it what cost was it? Any conections you'd care to give out like game officals who were helpful?

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

Well the lack of responses isn't helpful but not all bad, should be tags avalible:D.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

Don't know about Montana and Idaho. In Colorado many units are OTC. We just stopped at a Walmart in Denver and bought our tags. Just do lots of research beforehand to find out which unit(s) are OTC, game populations, hunter population, success ratio and decide which ones you want to hunt.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

Colorado is the easiest to get tags for. I think the tags are like $450.00. You might want to contact an outfitter that does drop camps. They set you up drop your food and you there and give you some direction.It will cost you some more but it would be the easiest way to get into some elk. Then the next years you can go out on your own.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

As Idaho is as well. You can buy over the counter Elk tags for under $400. I just took two out of state Michigan guys back to Idaho with me last September. Easy. Easy.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

I thought some units in Idaho are draw units, but I am not 100%. I would suggest that you apply for some limited access areas and to start I would suggest New Mexico. Do some homework, but with no preference points, you stand the same chance as someone who has applied for a few years. Keep in mind that without an outfitter, the odds are somewhat low, but the access in some of the Gila is good for the DIY.

Most everyone goes to Colorado as you don't have to wait and draw. But keep in mind, you will need to do some (alot) of homework to get away from the crowd, which will be there. The other choice there is a drop camp with an outfitter.....sometimes well worth it if you find the right outfitter.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

Gary, You can buy over the counter tags in Idaho, but you have to select the area you want to hunt. Once you pick an area, that is where you hunt. Most general archery seasons run from August 30 through September 30, and are any elk units. Check the Idaho Fish and Game home page and there is a hunting planner on there some where. Most guys I know from back east hunt COlorado, because there are a lot more elk, and a lot less wolves and grizzlies, than Idaho and Montana. We are having a serious predator problem, and elk numbers are down.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

I'll check those pages. I've read of the problems. How do you know the boundries of the area's? What's the check in process?

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

CO is pretty much over the counter. Lots of public land. Some tips I posted earlier in a thread a couple of days ago.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

If you try NM, I have a contact for a CO in the ruidoso area that was very helpful to me in trying to find Merriams turkeys. I'd be glad to give you his #.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

I've only hunted Colorado but can tell you, if you do your homework and some major "leg work" a DIY hunt is possible with chances at some great bulls! If you haven't already, check out the CDOW site, http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/

It provides very valuable information if you spend time researching.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

Thanks. How has it gone for you there? Any tags that you've wished you had along with you?

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

One member here mentioned "Hunting Fool" for information, it looks like the ticket for a DIY. Anybody else a member?

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

My dad and I did Colorado this year, and a bull tag cost $532. We did pretty well, researched the crap out of the different units beforehand, picked which one we wanted to go to and hiked in away from everyone else. The altitude slowed us down the first couple of days, but after that it was ok. I do wish I had gotten a mulie tag as I had several opportunities, but it just wasn't in the finances to do it this year.
It takes some research, and you will probably make a ton of phone calls, but really I did not think it was that difficult. When we got to the area we pretty much knew where we wanted to go, and how we wanted to hunt the area.
Good luck.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

I'm a member lots of tag information for applying. There are outfitters in the back of it. If you are looking for a cancellation hunt you can find some good deals.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

We are just learning how to hunt the big "stinkys" but are having a blast learning on our own. I should've had a bull in '06 & '07, was just too inexperienced to know whatto expect. In '08 we did not find any bulls in the same locations as before. Planning an '09 trip now and heading back to the places I have come to know like the back of my hand. Your best bet is to do your research, pick a location and stick with it until you become familier with the area so when the elk make moves you know where they may be going.
In '07 I wished I would've had a bear tag. You may run into anything while hunting, so it's hard to tell what tags to buy.For an eastern whitetail hunter, Colorado DIY is fantastic! You'll have a great time.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

Sounds good. Thanks for the information.

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

"I'll check those pages. I've read of the problems. How do you know the boundries of the area's? What's the check in process?"

The hunting regs have a map with the unit boundaries, and each elk area lists the units which it includes. For instance, the regs may say "Palouse Zone, Which includes units 1,2,3, and 4." There is also asite on the fish and game home page which gives detailed descriptions of the unit boundaries. Remember, a single unit may be the size of a dozen Ohio counties.

There is not a check in process in Idaho like you have in Ohio. At the end of the season Idaho hunters fill out a harvest report, which can be done on line. It is basically a survey that takes a few minutes to complete, using an honor system. You have to fill it out to get the next year's license.


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RE: DIY elk hunters
 

Start here:

http://fwp.mt.gov/default.html

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/

RE: DIY elk hunters
 

PM me, I would be more than happy to show you the ropes-even let you hunt my honey hole!