DIY Elk Hunt

[Deerhunter6250]

I'd go back to your spot in Colorado. Don't leave elk to find them. Last year I was hunting a new area, and it had a lot of downfall but there was elk there. One of the guys in our group wanted to try a different spot that might not have so much downfall. We left and tried a different spot, and the downfall was worse and we didn't find elk.

 

[jgilber5]

This is where I am kind of caught up, because I feel like I do have a pretty good chance of killing something if I go back to the same area I was in Colorado, but it will probably be a raghorn. We saw one smaller 6x6 on private land last year, but all bulls we saw on public were young. The reason I am leaning towards Montana is that I feel like there’s a higher chance of finding a mature bull, but also realize I would be going in blind so may take several days to start to figure out and area and have the possibility of not finding an elk at all. I do have 8 points in Wyoming currently, so I am planning on going to a good unit in a few years there. Whether I go with an outfitter or not yet then I am not sure, but I have always enjoyed being able to do it myself and have killed several nice whitetails over the past years solo. Obviously not expecting to go in and kill a 320+ inch bull on public, but is it realistic to have an opportunity to kill a mature bull in a general or low point entry unit? Or am I better off just going in a killing the first legal animal I have an opportunity and using that knowledge to be more successful in better units later down the road?

If you have 8 point in Wyo, I would just focus on getting in as many elk as you can. Young ones are hard to kill with a bow, mature ones even harder. I'd focus on at-bats this year and burn your points for a big one if thats what you're after

 

[bz_711]

If you haven't tagged an elk with your bow yet - I highly recommend doing that as part of your journey. You don't want to wait several seasons to finally get your shot at a big 6x6 and then it doesn't go as planned...you want to already be a seasoned vet when that opportunity arrives. Even for everything you learn after the shot. Elk are not like deer, they are hard to kill, harder to process in the field, harder to pack out and avoid high temps.

Good Luck!

 

[well_known_rokslider]

Just a few points to consider. In your original post you mentioned that the terrain was thick and hard to get bow shots. That's exactly the kind of terrain you're going to find elk that have seen any sort of pressure in pretty much any unit/state. As others have said, the fact that you even got in to bow range on your first hunt is a heck of an accomplishment. I killed my first bull in 1st rifle in 42 years back. My buddy went back a few years ago for archery and came back completely skunked, so well done. I'd have to agree with what others have said, learning a unit seems to be the greatest variable you can affect to increase your success. That being said, it seems like you have a decent understanding of the western point structures, but just wanted to make sure you're aware that if you don't apply for an actual license in Montana (not just preference point later in the year) at least every other year, you will forfeit your PP. So be sure to pay attention to that if you'd prefer not to lose the $200 you already have invested there.

And again, as others have said, in Montana you're going to have grizz to tend with. Depending on where you're going, they may not be as bold and aggressive as around the parks, but they will likely find your kill if you leave it, and if you're solo, you're going to be leaving it. So make safe choices about the solo thing.

Cheers

 

[fatlander]

You’ve gotten a lot of great advice here so far. I’ll echo what others have said about going back to country you hunted before.

Time in the same country is invaluable on OTC/easy to draw tags on public land. The first trip I took into an OTC unit, we saw exactly two elk in two weeks. Last year, we had elk in bow range 8 out of 9 days in the exact same unit, and we went 3 for 3 on archery bulls in that time frame. There’s no substitute for the time it takes to learn how elk move through certain country. Once you do, it’s pretty dang easy (I use easy loosely, because there’s nothing easy about OTC archery elk hunting) to be on elk every day.


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[well_known_rokslider]

You’ve gotten a lot of great advice here so far. I’ll echo what others have said about going back to country you hunted before.

Time in the same country is invaluable on OTC/easy to draw tags on public land. The first trip I took into an OTC unit, we saw exactly two elk in two weeks. Last year, we had elk in bow range 8 out of 9 days in the exact same unit, and we went 3 for 3 on archery bulls in that time frame. There’s no substitute for the time it takes to learn how elk move through certain country. Once you do, it’s pretty dang easy (I use easy loosely, because there’s nothing easy about OTC archery elk hunting) to be on elk every day.


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Teach me your ways, Elk Yoda!

 

[fatlander]

Teach me your ways, Elk Yoda!

I’m not in anyway saying I’m elk yoda. If you took it from my post, that’s not my intent. I’m just sharing my honest experience that finding elk isn’t hard once you know, very well, the country you’re hunting.

It’s still hard. Luck still has to bounce your way. But for a new guy starting out, bouncing from unit to unit or even worse, state to state, it’s going to make the learning curve steeper and taller.


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[well_known_rokslider]

I’m not in anyway saying I’m elk yoda. If you took it from my post, that’s not my intent. I’m just sharing my honest experience that finding elk isn’t hard once you know, very well, the country you’re hunting.

It’s still hard. Luck still has to bounce your way. But for a new guy starting out, bouncing from unit to unit or even worse, state to state, it’s going to make the learning curve steeper and taller.


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Oh i didn't think you were being braggadocious at all! While my tone was joking, i was in no way trying to be sarcastic about how much I still have yet to learn and how impressive 8 for 9 is!

 

[well_known_rokslider]

Plus your profile pic would say otherwise!

 

[Cohunter22]

“Don’t leave elk to find elk” if you ran into them in Co, I’d plan on going back there. Those areas as well as many other high pressure units in Colorado have less bugling sometimes but you can still find them.

Grizzly country solo is a totally different beast in my opinion from before the shot and especially after. I’d get a MT point and try to get a partner to hunt with you the following year especially during the archery season. As far as where to start, seems like you’re on a good track, elk all over. Pick your unit, escout it, hunt archery and then go back in rifle if you can.


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[farmandhunt]

Just a few points to consider. In your original post you mentioned that the terrain was thick and hard to get bow shots. That's exactly the kind of terrain you're going to find elk that have seen any sort of pressure in pretty much any unit/state. As others have said, the fact that you even got in to bow range on your first hunt is a heck of an accomplishment. I killed my first bull in 1st rifle in 42 years back. My buddy went back a few years ago for archery and came back completely skunked, so well done. I'd have to agree with what others have said, learning a unit seems to be the greatest variable you can affect to increase your success. That being said, it seems like you have a decent understanding of the western point structures, but just wanted to make sure you're aware that if you don't apply for an actual license in Montana (not just preference point later in the year) at least every other year, you will forfeit your PP. So be sure to pay attention to that if you'd prefer not to lose the $200 you already have invested there.

And again, as others have said, in Montana you're going to have grizz to tend with. Depending on where you're going, they may not be as bold and aggressive as around the parks, but they will likely find your kill if you leave it, and if you're solo, you're going to be leaving it. So make safe choices about the solo thing.

Cheers

Terrain was very thick where we were seeing them, actually spent a good part of a day clearing shooting lanes where we anticipating them moving and had a group of 4 30 yards away, just to have a mule deer come up behind me and wind me and blow them out right before they walked into a shooting lane. So it goes haha, was starting to wish I had a rifle tag at that point. We did a summer scouting trip of the area also to get a feel for the area, which was very helpful as well. We located elk on that trip and came back mid september, to find them a ways from where we had seen them in the summer. By the end of the week, we were locating elk everyday, so felt a lot better in that aspect and was wishing I had a few more days there. Obviously seeing and killing are two different things, but just being able to see where they were hanging out and how they were acting was really helpful with knowing what to look for.
Back to point system, I am aware of the Montana system, which was also why I was leaning towards Montana as well so I wouldn't forfeit my points or 20% tag value if I returned it. I could apply with a friend without any current points to bring our average down and hopefully not draw then.
Ideally I would like to get comfortable and learn an area where I could come back with my dad and/or brother in the future where they could have a chance with a rifle as well, so I like the fact that my tag can be used for either weapon if that were the case. Was told told not to come back for rifle by some locals in Colorado because of how pressured it got, but I am assuming there is plenty of pressure in Montana during rifle elk season as well, as seems to be the case for most species in lower entry units.
Aware of the Grizz, actually talked to a guy who shot one 2 years ago, packed out 3 miles to the truck at night, and came back first light to find a bear had gotten the rest of his meat. Definitely would have to do a little more prep in terms of packing anything out and leaving any food out vs Colorado in that aspect.

 

[farmandhunt]

I’m in a fairly similar situation as you. Also from the Midwest, Except I’ve hunted Montana a few times now. 2/3 as far as success. But I’m going into this season with 0 points and I’m looking at Colorado as a secondary option. Dm me, and maybe we could exchange information over the phone

I can't send you a DM yet, as I am too new of a member, but I can respond to them. Shoot me a message if it works.
thanks

 

[nphunter]

Go back and spend time in the area you know has elk. Almost any area has mature bulls and once you figure elk out hunting the becomes pretty easy. It takes time in the field to figure out the habitats they like, how they use it and how they interact. You already know a spot that holds elk so go learn about them.