Adult-onset hunter from MN

[spry.car2153]

I went on my first hunt last Fall (Waterfowl), and was hooked. Since then I've been out for pheasant, grouse, squirrel, rabbit, and hare. I went from no guns to a 22LR, 12 gauge, a bow, and now a 300 Win Mag. My dream is big game out West. I know very few hunters, and the ones I do know tend to stay local and focus mostly on small game with the occasional white tail. As such, I'm trying to balance my complete lack of experience and connections with the urge to get out there. My strategy this year is as follows:

MN
- Go out for white tail (archery +/- rifle)
- Continue to small game and waterfowl hunt
- Roll the dice on one of the 10 available Elk tags in the state

AZ
- Antelope, Elk, Deer bonus points

CO
- Antelope, Deer, Elk, Moose bonus points

WY
- Antelope, Elk bonus points
- Application for reduced price cow/calf tag

KY
- Elk (it was just too cheap to pass up, even though odds are terrible)

Based on the draw odds I see it should be possible to get some opportunity for cow/calf in WY. My thought process is this is a potentially good low risk/high reward (meat in the freezer) way to get experience with hunting in the West without worrying about points, even though I understand cow/calf is not a cakewalk.

If my primary goal is to gain experience public land hunting in the West as fast as possible as a non-resident, am I missing anything?

 

[Ringbill27]

4000ish apply for that MN elk hunt every year. So not the best odds.

I’ve been hunting for years but recently started looking into hunting out west. It’s confusing and expensive.

As far as I can tell is there is always Colorado.
Wyoming has chances at cows.
And Montana you have a better chance of drawing with zero points then with one and you will draw by 3 point.

Duck hunting is easier. Although my last two years here in MN have been bad. Weather was to warm all the way through deer season.

 

[cmahoney]

I went on my first hunt last Fall (Waterfowl), and was hooked. Since then I've been out for pheasant, grouse, squirrel, rabbit, and hare. I went from no guns to a 22LR, 12 gauge, a bow, and now a 300 Win Mag. My dream is big game out West. I know very few hunters, and the ones I do know tend to stay local and focus mostly on small game with the occasional white tail. As such, I'm trying to balance my complete lack of experience and connections with the urge to get out there. My strategy this year is as follows:

MN
- Go out for white tail (archery +/- rifle)
- Continue to small game and waterfowl hunt
- Roll the dice on one of the 10 available Elk tags in the state

AZ
- Antelope, Elk, Deer bonus points

CO
- Antelope, Deer, Elk, Moose bonus points

WY
- Antelope, Elk bonus points
- Application for reduced price cow/calf tag

KY
- Elk (it was just too cheap to pass up, even though odds are terrible)

Based on the draw odds I see it should be possible to get some opportunity for cow/calf in WY. My thought process is this is a potentially good low risk/high reward (meat in the freezer) way to get experience with hunting in the West without worrying about points, even though I understand cow/calf is not a cakewalk.

If my primary goal is to gain experience public land hunting in the West as fast as possible as a non-resident, am I missing anything?

Sounds like a solid plan


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[spry.car2153]

4000ish apply for that MN elk hunt every year. So not the best odds.

I’ve been hunting for years but recently started looking into hunting out west. It’s confusing and expensive.

As far as I can tell is there is always Colorado.
Wyoming has chances at cows.
And Montana you have a better chance of drawing with zero points then with one and you will draw by 3 point.

Duck hunting is easier. Although my last two years here in MN have been bad. Weather was to warm all the way through deer season.

In the same vein as KY, $5 for a chance is worth it to me even with the low odds.

Yes, completely forgot about MT. I'll probably include that in my strategy. My hope is by 2026 season I'll have some option to hunt elk every year. I'll probably add NM into the mix.

 

[wind gypsy]

In the same vein as KY, $5 for a chance is worth it to me even with the low odds.

Yes, completely forgot about MT. I'll probably include that in my strategy. My hope is by 2026 season I'll have some option to hunt elk every year. I'll probably add NM into the mix.

Welcome, fellow blue plater. What part of the state are you in?

If you're happy to hunt cows, you should be able to find available elk hunting opportunity annually starting this year.

 

[rayporter]

may i make a suggestion?

even if you don't draw a tag out west go scout and get the "lay of the land". with some knowledge, you first hunting trip will be less likely to be a camping trip with a weapon, where you walk miles every day and dont see any game.

like it or not there are dues to be paid.

 

[wind gypsy]

may i make a suggestion?

even if you don't draw a tag out west go scout and get the "lay of the land". with some knowledge, you first hunting trip will be less likely to be a camping trip with a weapon, where you walk miles every day and dont see any game.

like it or not there are dues to be paid.

Good suggestion. Or volunteer to be an additional glasser/pack mule for someone who has a little experience.

 

[spry.car2153]

I’ve thought about that, and would love to, but don’t currently know anybody that hunts out West to make the offer.

 

[Tmac]

Solid plan. There are a variety of magazines and services that explain how each western draw works and offer some analysis at the unit level. Not a bad idea to have one. Some combine mapping functions with the hunt odds.

Safety first, including first aid and vehicle self recovery gear. Some places are very remote. Satellite comms are a good idea. Remember this is supposed to be fun.

No easy way to prepare for altitude, best most can do is be in as good of shape as you can. Hydration is very important.

Find a place to shoot at distance locally. Varmint/coyote hunts are good practice.

Elk are large, have a plan for meat care, including getting it out of the woods.

Great community of folks here. Ask all you want, the more specific the better.