Budget elk hunt?

slick

WKR
Joined
Feb 13, 2014
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1,798
They call 100% of Sheep, Moose, and Goats. 63% of Antelope hunters, 62% elk and 60% deer.

But some permits, 100% of the holders are called. It is completely random, I was called last year, but not this year.
And for instance, you may just be asked about your elk hunting but not deer, or vice versa. While it isn't a perfect system, I think it's better than a lot of other states. Cough cough ND
Thanks for the correction, that did seem off. Should have looked into it a bit more.
 

TEmbry

WKR
Joined
Oct 1, 2012
Messages
656
Location
Anchorage AK
They call 100% of Sheep, Moose, and Goats. 63% of Antelope hunters, 62% elk and 60% deer.

But some permits, 100% of the holders are called. It is completely random, I was called last year, but not this year.
And for instance, you may just be asked about your elk hunting but not deer, or vice versa. While it isn't a perfect system, I think it's better than a lot of other states. Cough cough ND
Thanks for the correction, that did seem off. Should have looked into it a bit more.

An even better system is Alaskas mandatory reporting. Mail in the post card or report online or you aren't eligible for draws the next year. Accurate! Lol

I was called this year by MT about pheasants... Didn't even ask about the Elk or Deer I killed ha.
 

poisonarrow

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 12, 2014
Messages
190
Location
Del Norte, Colorado, United States
I live right in my hunting area and I can hunt every day of the season. I hunted 20 days of the season. This is my third year hunting elk. I have buddies that hunt so some of the time was hunting their sweet spots.

I hiked miles and miles, lost ten pounds, and got one shot opportunity. I was in elk for five days of the twenty. I had a great season even though I didn't kill one.

It was great because of the improvement from years past. I saw far more animals and learned a ton.

If you do not see sign you will not see elk. If you are not seeing turds, rubs, tracks, by tracks I mean a lot of tracks, move on. If the elk are in the area there will be sign.

I do not want to discourage you but the west is big , big, country. You can hike until you pass out and there is still a million acres to cover. The Rio Grande National Forest alone has 1.86 million acres.This country will humble you.

The thing that first timers often under estimate , is the scale. The area is huge and the mountains are high. By high I mean way high.

Goldenarrow you probably already know all of this but if there are others thinking of coming west this might help.
 

Shrek

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Jul 17, 2012
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Hilliard Florida
This is real good advice on what to expect. I've gone to Montana twice now and with some great tips I've seen some elk and been very close to getting it done twice on elk. Big country and elk are where elk are. Elk can cover miles in minutes so an area that holds elk might be ten miles by ten miles or more . Of course you might be the guy who parks his vehicle at the trail head and while getting your gear on a big bull walks out and stands there while you get your weapon out of the vehicle so you can shoot it. That chit happens every year too.
 
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goldenarrow

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 6, 2014
Messages
100
Thanks guys. I am listening to everyone's advice.

As far as the mountains kicking my butt I am sure they will, but I have an advantage over most people that have to travel west to hunt elk. The mountains here aren't small. While I live at only 350' I can be at 8000' in about an hour and a half and I can hike up from there. I think all the deer I have killed have been between 7500, and 8500'.

I think physical conditioning is where I need to focus most of my efforts. I have always been fat and just this last year I have made a real attempt to change that and I have lost over 60# but I still have more to lose to really be in mountain shape.
 

Tony Trietch

Part Time Bow Hiker
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Jul 28, 2013
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Location
Northern MI, USA
An even better system is Alaskas mandatory reporting. Mail in the post card or report online or you aren't eligible for draws the next year. Accurate! Lol

I was called this year by MT about pheasants... Didn't even ask about the Elk or Deer I killed ha.

Same here. Pheasants!
All he wanted to know was how many pheasants I harvested.
 

1hoda

Banned
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Messages
288
Probably about $10K-$12k as you'll get hooked and start buying all kinds of stuff it is simply impossible to hunt without.

If that wasn't true it would be funny!! Reminds me of the Jeff Foxworthy routine on the cost of his deer lease.
 

zman

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
214
Location
New Jersey
You hit the nail on head here:

I think my biggest worry at this point is that the people that I would be going with aren't as excited about going elk hunting as I am. Sure they want to go but I'm just not sure they will put in the kind of pre season work it takes to be successful.

I just did a solo hunt in CO for that reason. I invited 6 people. 5 had BS excuses (one guy just bought a awesome hunting property and did loads of work on it so he is excused).
Part of the problem with an OTC hunt is that people don't have to commit and buy the tag till right before the hunt.

That last thing that you need is somebody not in shape dragging you down.
 
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goldenarrow

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 6, 2014
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100
Ok at this point I am leaning towards archery season in southwest Colorado. It may or may not be a solo trip but at this point I am preparing for a solo trip. The best time to get off work for me will be the last week of the season. Do you guys think that it will be too late? Will the rut still be going on? I know this varies year to year but I wonder if in general this is a good time to hunt.
 

Biggs300

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 17, 2012
Messages
223
If you have your own camping equipment you can find some pretty decent deals out there. I have my own Tipi and wood stove and everything else that it takes to make it for a week in the boonies. Last year, my hunting buddy and I found an outfitter that packed us in by horseback (mules for the equipment) and dropped us off for the week. Had one or both of us had gotten an elk (which we didn't), they would have packed those out as well. The only stipulation was that you had to dress out and hang your elk and he had to be able to get his is pack animals to the site. The altitude of area we hunted was 11,000 feet and was very pristine. This was truly a no-frills hunt and the price was $850 per hunter….of course you have to pay for the OTC tags.
 

bz_711

WKR
Joined
May 7, 2012
Messages
806
Ok at this point I am leaning towards archery season in southwest Colorado. It may or may not be a solo trip but at this point I am preparing for a solo trip. The best time to get off work for me will be the last week of the season. Do you guys think that it will be too late? Will the rut still be going on? I know this varies year to year but I wonder if in general this is a good time to hunt.

Last week of archery has always been our preference (and that of many others from what I'm told). Season runs fairly late this year till Sep 27th. Some years it ends almost a week earlier and many say the rut hadn't started yet. I've hunted the second week (before muzzy) and last week (after muzzy) and have shot a bull both weeks, but overall the bugling action was greater during the last week...good luck. Keep us updated on your plans.
 
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goldenarrow

Lil-Rokslider
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May 6, 2014
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100
Actually it sounds like my plans just changed. I don't think I will be able to hunt archery season at all. I may be able to hunt second or third rifle season but archery will have to wait until 2016.
 
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