East Coast going West

[WNYWhitetail]

I live in New York State, looking to Idaho or Colorado for an OTC Archery DIY Elk hunt later this year. Have a fair understanding of physical requirements necessary to hunt the West, but from the posts I read, I am in for a reality check. That is okay, this is a a bucket list hunt for me, just looking for the best option to just see Elk between driving 25 hours to Colorado or 32 hours to Idaho. Looking at Colorado OTC 131, 14, 13 or possibly Idaho unit 66/69 areas. Seeing elk, appreciating the opportunity to possibly draw on would be extremely special. A kill shot and the pack out would be the ultimate lottery win. But I believe in making your own fortune, so would love to hear your opinions.

 

[Indian Summer]

Have you considered Montana? I’d pick that over those two states.

 

[WNYWhitetail]

I have not, but I am now. looking at HD520, but that looks close to Billings (more people, hunters, hikers?) Just getting into Montana's rules to get an OTC, looks like a draw for OTC Elk B if non resident? Have to read more. Thanks for the advice.

 

[KHNC]

Better check out as many podcasts as you can. Eastmeetswest podcast is one to check on.

 

[WNYWhitetail]

I will do that. Thank you.

 

[Fullfan]

I live in western Pa, hunt both western Colorado and eastern Idaho. Colorado is more forgiving where Idaho is steep and nasty. Elevation in Colorado most of the time is over 9k, where Idaho is less than 8600. I can not give you direct info on the zones that you mentioned in either state. The drive to Colorado is way better than Idaho.

 

[WNYWhitetail]

I so appreciate the feedback I am getting here. Glad I joined this forum.

 

[Radosilver]

I don't have any useful info for you. Just wanted to give you props for being willing to drive from NY to ID. My brother and I live in central PA and hunt Montana each year. With food/fuel/bathroom stops it typically takes us 36 hours to get to our hunting area.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Biggest take aways from last year for me.

Practice shooting a lot at distance with a elevated HR from any position other than a bench. Being a stand hunter I totally overlooked everything need to make an accurate shot during a spot and stock hunt. I do jumping jacks before shooting at the range now to get my HR up.

Plan for success. I did a lot of hiking with a weighted pack before my trip..200+ miles. Which was great and helped get me to the elk. I was lucky enough to have time to let my HR settle and get off a kill shot. I completely overlooked the upperbody strength needed to butcher an elk. I got it done but I should have work on upper body strength some before I left. Since I got back I have been going to the gym 4x a week.

Altitude...I live around 600' asl there is no training I have found where I live that will prepare me for this. It will take time to acclimate, drink plenty of water. No matter how hard I train I still have to stop and get my breath above 9k..which I have actually come to enjoy..forces me to stop and take it all in.

Have fun and Be safe.

 

[WNYWhitetail]

I don't have any useful info for you. Just wanted to give you props for being willing to drive from NY to ID. My brother and I live in central PA and hunt Montana each year. With food/fuel/bathroom stops it typically takes us 36 hours to get to our hunting area.

Wow, 36 hours...that is about what we are figuring on realistically. Thanks for the props, will come in handy on about that 25th hour of driving. Just started looking at Montana as an alternative as someone on this thread recommended. Non residents are a drawing yes? How do you plan the trip if you do not know you and your hunt partner will even draw a tag?

 

[WNYWhitetail]

Biggest take aways from last year for me.

Practice shooting a lot at distance with a elevated HR from any position other than a bench. Being a stand hunter I totally overlooked everything need to make an accurate shot during a spot and stock hunt. I do jumping jacks before shooting at the range now to get my HR up.

Plan for success. I did a lot of hiking with a weighted pack before my trip..200+ miles. Which was great and helped get me to the elk. I was lucky enough to have time to let my HR settle and get off a kill shot. I completely overlooked the upperbody strength needed to butcher an elk. I got it done but I should have work on upper body strength some before I left. Since I got back I have been going to the gym 4x a week.

Altitude...I live around 600' asl there is no training I have found where I live that will prepare me for this. It will take time to acclimate, drink plenty of water. No matter how hard I train I still have to stop and get my breath above 9k..which I have actually come to enjoy..forces me to stop and take it all in.

Have fun and Be safe.

Good advice on the shooting and physical training. I suppose it's possible to get so caught up in the planning to overlook the importance of ensuring a clean kill shot when presented. While it is dead of winter here, I still practice regularly and I will incorporate more of these tips.

I just recovered from an 8 month back injury (that I complicated by continuing through archery and gun season), but I feel about 90% now. Have turned up the cardio, core strengthening and resistance training to be in the best shape I can be for this trip. I have hiked Grand Canyon, so I relate to the altitude issues, but I did not do it with a pack or a bow in my hand, or the adrenal rush of tracking an Elk, but I am very excited for the challenge, and I wont forget to have fun and smell the junipers... Thanks for all your comments, I am a human sponge on the subject.

 

[7Bartman]

To the OP, some thoughts on flying.

 

[WNYWhitetail]

To the OP, some thoughts on flying.

Interesting options....Still would need to rent a vehicle to get around, but would give me more time in woods.

 

[mallard833]

I did a CO 1st rifle hunt in 2016 and drove from central/eastern NY. Are you going solo or with a partner? Backpacking or truck camping? I can't comment on Colorado vs Idaho as I've only been to Colorado. You are definitely in for a reality check. How big that reality check is will be determined by what kind of physical preparation you do. If you get an elk down, that's where it will get brutal, especially if you are solo. My partner and I both shot elk the same morning that died about 100yds apart(awesome and very luck story on its own). Neither of us had dealt with an elk before, but were both very experienced with deer sized animals. It took us 4-5 hours to get them both quartered and in game bags. We were 8 miles from our trucks and made one trip a day for four days. It was by far the most physically demanding thing that I have done. I'm not saying you will be in the same situation, but make sure you think about how you are going to get an animal out, especially if it is warm. It a whole different animal than dragging a deer out in NY.

 

[WNYWhitetail]

I did a CO 1st rifle hunt in 2016 and drove from central/eastern NY. Are you going solo or with a partner? Backpacking or truck camping? I can't comment on Colorado vs Idaho as I've only been to Colorado. You are definitely in for a reality check. How big that reality check is will be determined by what kind of physical preparation you do. If you get an elk down, that's where it will get brutal, especially if you are solo. My partner and I both shot elk the same morning that died about 100yds apart(awesome and very luck story on its own). Neither of us had dealt with an elk before, but were both very experienced with deer sized animals. It took us 4-5 hours to get them both quartered and in game bags. We were 8 miles from our trucks and made one trip a day for four days. It was by far the most physically demanding thing that I have done. I'm not saying you will be in the same situation, but make sure you think about how you are going to get an animal out, especially if it is warm. It a whole different animal than dragging a deer out in NY.

That is a really interesting story, thank you for sharing. I do have a partner and we plan to split driving duties. I have hunted with him on/off for the last 15 years, the one person I trust in any hunting situation, but neither of us have experienced the west. We plan to base camp and scope out plan A through plan F locations from that central camp location. I am planning for the just in case of both of us getting an elk, just in case (that would be our luck...seriously) and your advice really helps make it a reality. I know we cannot be prepared for it all, I am listening to eastmeetswest podcasts at the recommendation from a previous post response and that is really helping it all sink in.

FYI, I am 54 years old, but besides the recent back injury, I am in extremely good shape and continue to work on conditioning and archery practice. I NEED to do this, I think many of you can relate to that internal instinct and drive. I am not a sit on the couch guy and this is kind of a bucket list thing, but if it turns out well, I plan to continue coming back, until my body tells me I cannot. That I believe, all of us hunters have in common...gotta be out there, enjoying the wilderness and all it has to offer.

 

[mallard833]

Glad to be of some help. It's incredible out there, enjoy it and get back out there as soon as you can. Let me know if you have any specific questions. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Bring a pair of well broken in Boots.
2. Get a good quality pack that fits you well. Your back will appreciate this.
3. Bring a pack-able fishing rod and some lures. I live next to some legendary trout streams in the Catskills, and the fishing in Colorado was unreal.
4. Take lots of pictures
5. Don't try to hunt elk like whitetail

 

[WNYWhitetail]

So on the boots issue, I am due for new boots and I want the best for the terrain I will be walking. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

 

[LookinforDirt]

So on the boots issue, I am due for new boots and I want the best for the terrain I will be walking. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

You’ll get lots of opinions on this one. What boots you like best will depend so much on you and what you learn about your feet hiking in this type of terrain. So that said, I had great luck with my Schnee’s Beartooth II boots In AZ this year. Great support and comfort in the steep, rocky terrain there. No problems whatsoever with sore feet or hot/raw spots. As much though, get good socks. I wore Darn Tough everyday but one. That one day I wore a basic box store hunting sock, I got a raw spot on top of one of my toes. This one is what I wore 4/5 days hunting.

 

[downthepipe]

Have you thought about hiring an outfitter? There are a lot great outfitters in central Idaho. You’ll get the added experience of using horses. I imagine for about $5-8k each you could book a trip.

 

[WNYWhitetail]

Unfortunately, that is about $5-$8k we do not have. I am "allergic" to horses as every time I ride one aggravates my lower back issues. Besides, I am really a DIYer anyway, for better or worse. Thank you though for the suggestion (I did look into it).