Yea, definetely go, the bucks will be there next year for you. Like you said, you are not getting younger.

Personally, I wouldn't. BUT, I have never had a desire to hunt elk. I do however go on trips each year to hunt whitetails. I love to spend my money and my vacation on whitetails.

No brainer here! You have likely hunted deer every year most of your hunting carreer. Most of us have. I have started expanding my horizons myself. So far I have done 3 caribou hunts and my first western hunt this past fall in Wyoming for antelope. It means in my case that I basically have to give up my week in deer camp when I do range out as I have few vacation days( 1wife and 2 young daughters). But I will never regret missing a home based deer hunt when I think back of the great hunts I have experienced. The deer will be there next year, but you can't put off for ever a great trip like elk with someone who already has the logistics worked out for you. I would wait another year for the toys and new camo and go out and hunt instead of blowing money gearing up to hunt. The point is to hunt right?

Well I am planning on spending 11 days in Illinois (7 days of vacation time) this year and it will probably cost me about $1750 for both trips combined. For me and my wife, it's not too much to sacrifice but in the end it's a personal judgement.

Lucky dog [8D]

Well alot of you just answered my question bout my Idaho elk trip this Oct. I think I'll be going now

Without a doubt it is something I would sacrafice for. Personally I like the idea of doing it yourself. You'll have the advantage of having someone who has some knowledge of tha area but still the experience of the whole hunt, some scouting, packing in, general camp maintence and hopefully packing out an animal.

Without a doubt I would sacrafice some whitetail time, a new bow if the bow you have will get the job done and new camo. How may pairs do you currently own?

I dream of chasing elk at 10,000ft. You're right, your not getting any younger and if you dream of elk as I do then don't cheat yourself. Go for it!!!

Stone, you lucky dog!

Yes, you will know if it was worth it after the fact. But as for me, it doesn't bother me one bit to sacrifice my whitetail hunting to go out West and hunt muley's or antelope, for me, that's where it's at, the Rocky Mountains. An experience like no other.

But, you'll have to go to know, have fun!

That is actually two different trips. The first one is a 7 day trip and then I have the option to go back if I don't tag out the first time. If I am truely lucky then I won't have to go back for the second trip but I will be prepared too just in case