Feeling overwhelmed

[Dcaccia]

I am new to the western public land hunting, and trying to get tags as a NR. I don’t know anyone that is familiar with these types of hunts. I’m taking a shot in the dark this year and getting an OTC tag in Idaho. I’ve read a few books, watched videos, etc. But is there a “nonresident elk hunting for dummies” book out there? I’m sure that it’s going to take time in the field, and a few mistakes before I start learning. But I want to be as prepared as possible considering my situation. I’m not looking to hire a guide, funds and possibly some ego won’t allow it. I haven’t even touched on the draw tags, or how to select which unit to hunt which are both entirely different frustrations that I’m dealing with. Can anyone suggest a video or book that could get me on the right path? This post is more of a vent, or possibly a cry for help at this point. Any information is welcome, as this is one of the few resources that I have on this subject.

 

[btplass]

Elk 101 university of elk hunting course. It's worth the $100, but there are some promo codes out there. I think "RANDY" is one, others can chime in.

Listen to the Hunt Backcountry podcast, The Rich Outdoors podcast, and KifaruCast, Gritty Podcast, Hunt Talk and ElkTalk podcasts, among others. ElkNut outdoors has some really great resources too.

I hunted elk OTC in Idaho last year for the first time as well. Feel free to PM me if you'd like.

Ben

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[btplass]

I wish I'd have used the GoHunt insider service, even for otc.

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[BRTreedogs]

Food, cover and water. Elk water every day, and if you can get away from people to just keep the wind in your favor. Just get out there and have fun.
Make seeing or hearing elk a success not the harvest.
But Elk 101 university of elk is probably what your looking for. It is an online course.
There is a discount code for 20% off on about every podcast.
Backcountryrookies.
Randy
Elktalk
Elkshape.

 

[cnelk]

Public Land Elk Hunting by Matt Dworak.
You can find it on Amazon.

He’s a good guy and a friend of mine.

I even have his book

 

[150plusB&C]

It’s a learning process. I’m in my 4th year. I’m not as overwhelmed as before but you never stop researching. I can promise you I’ve studied more in the last 4 years about elk hunting than I ever did in 20 years of school. It’s hard to learn something you can only do 5-15 days a year. It haunts me 11 months each year. It’s humiliating, humbling and the hardest thing I ever done but it’s also the greatest, rewarding and probably the biggest test of self discipline and dedication of anything I ever done. It’s refreshing to get away and see all of God’s wonder. It makes you feel small and huge at the same time. It’s also an incredible feeling to know you are NOT the top of the food chain. The only thing that will eat you in TN is mosquitos. Grizzlies, lions and wolves add a very intriguing dynamic for easterners. It’s awesome. I wish I could talk my wife into moving. There are no books, podcasts, video or articles that can prepare you completely but they help. Soak all you can up and go enjoy. Every state is different. Just dive in

Good luck. I hope it impacts you life like it has mine and many others. Keep God first and he’ll lead you I. The right direction


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[Dcaccia]

Thanks everyone for all of the input! I will definitely check out the sources you guys mentioned. At this point it’s more about getting out there for me, but if I can better my opportunity for an encounter than I’ll do everything I can.

 

[Dcaccia]

Elk 101 university of elk hunting course. It's worth the $100, but there are some promo codes out there. I think "RANDY" is one, others can chime in.

Listen to the Hunt Backcountry podcast, The Rich Outdoors podcast, and KifaruCast, Gritty Podcast, Hunt Talk and ElkTalk podcasts, among others. ElkNut outdoors has some really great resources too.

I hunted elk OTC in Idaho last year for the first time as well. Feel free to PM me id you'd like.

Ben

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I don’t believe that I’m able to send PM at this point because I don’t have enough posts yet? But I’ve been wrong before, thank you for the offer nonetheless! When I am able to, I will take you up on it.

 

[Gumbo]

The best teacher is experience. If you are a successful deer hunter then you will already have a leg up on most people out there. All of these resources mentioned will give you knowledge, but until you play the game you won't really be able to put it all together because you will lack context. There really isn't a blueprint for success or any magical formula. I'm a firm believer that there are killers and bow toters. If you are a whitetail, turkey, or even a squirrel killer then you already have the most necessary and elusive skills required for western success. Sure the landscape, scale, and biology/behavior change, but hunting is hunting. You find them, figure out how to get close (be it calling, spot-and-stalk, still-hunting, ambush, or more likely a combination of them) and then make the shot. Focus on reading all you can on finding elk and talking to biologists (i.e. put yourself where elk are), get in shape, and tune your bow. Then just get out there and be positive, patient, persistent, and follow your killer instinct.

Do that and the rest will fall into place. And if you aren't already a killer, the learning curve will be steep. I'd go hunt whatever small game/non-game you can to develop/hone skills. I really learned the majority and most significant of my hunting skills as a young kid obsessively chasing sparrows, starlings, rabbits, and squirrels. Again, the specifics change, but a good hunter is a good hunter regardless of the species or location.

 

[robloft]

I would suggest not to get your hopes up. Elk hunting is difficult especially if you’re not from areas where elk live. I definitely underestimated it my first time. That being said it is fun. I watched a lot of Randy Newberg videos on YouTube before I went on my first hunt. I used the go hunt insider service and also purchased OnX maps on my phone. Like said above the elk 101 university seems like it would be helpful but I did not purchase it. I will purchase it before I go elk hunting again.


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[trophyhill]

Anything you can get your hands on by Elknut1

 

[Dcaccia]

Well I went ahead and subscribed to the elk101 deal, I haven’t been able to put it down over the past couple hours. It has a ton of great information (at least for me) Its already proven to be a valuable resource for me. At this point I’m a sponge, I can see how the planning of a hunt might be as addicting as the hunt itself.

 

[HondoArcher]

If you want to go deep on elk get a copy of: north american elk ecology and management
Here is a link:
https://wildlife-management-institu...cts/north-american-elk-ecology-and-management

It is a big book and will take some time to absorb but it is probably the best book written on the subject. It is suggested reading by Randy Newberg.

All of Randy's stuff is on YouTube and it is free (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOcUD2aFxEjc-_4JJBLYyg/videos ). The ELK101 is also a great source but I doubt you can absorb it all in one year. I would start with Randy's stuff first then take the ELK101 College course.

Maps. Most everyone uses onX maps. It is a great product but the price eats up too much of my hunting budget. I use BaseMap. It is like $36.00 a year. Do your research on Google Earth (most use it and onX side by side on two screens). Then record your plans in Google Earth then transfer them to BaseMap or onX. If you keep all of your notes/plans in Google Earth you can always switch to another vendors product.
Here is the link to BaseMap.
https://www.basemap.com/

Take a friend. You can speed up your learning if there is more than one person making the mistakes and discoveries.

Find a mentor. Getting out on the hunt will put you in contact with other hunters. Look for an older gentlemen that is a resident and that is still in good shape and gets after it. They usually know the country.

Offer you help when someone gets an elk down. They will appreciate the help and you can learn from their experience.

Enjoy, HondoArcher
My YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ZrKPATW29rrjmSwDVZwQ

 

[HookUp]

Don't over call. Hike the hills learn animal locations and put a hunt together. IMO calling is the most over done part of elk hunting. Sneaking in on a herd of elk is in my opinion more effective.

 

[Gumbo]

Don't over call. Hike the hills learn animal locations and put a hunt together. IMO calling is the most over done part of elk hunting. Sneaking in on a herd of elk is in my opinion more effective.

I totally agree, although I'm simply not much of a caller or very good at it. But I know Corey Jacobsen would probably totally disagree, and he's killed way more elk than I have.

 

[Bearded Bowhunter]

Pick an OTC unit and learn it like the back of your hand. You can figure out how the draw systems work in the off-season and start applying, but if you stick to one unit and learn the best areas, you will start to find success.

 

[Gumbo]

I would suggest not to get your hopes up.

Man I gotta disagree. GET YOUR HOPES UP!!! Be prepared and be positive and have fun. Nothing will kill your chances as quickly as setting yourself up for defeat. I always go into a hunt assuming I will kill a really nice animal. These things become self-fulfilling prophecies, you have to believe in order to give it your all, and that will bring you more success. So much of hunting success is simply not giving up and giving it your all right down to the wire. The second that you start doubting you will have success is the second you stop committing to the hunt. I think a lot of the bow-toters I referred to in my post are those that DON'T get their hopes up.

(In no way am I implying robloft is a bow-toter, he is probably a killing machine, I just think you gotta be overwhelmingly optimistic for consistent success.)

 

[Researcher]

Ive hunted ID as a non resident for the last two years with my brother in law who is a resident which has been a big help. Even though the place is packed with people in the OTC areas we have been able to do well.

There is really nothing you can read, watch, or listen too that takes the place of doing it yourself. Dont let feeling overwhelmed force you not to go. Set goals for yourself. My first year going I wanted to see how my gear functioned, see elk, see if I was in shape and I also told myself if it was a spike I was shooting. First year big success. Gear was good but I had some holes mainly a good pack. The bull pack out we did sucked. I was also not in good enough shape for the amount of work my brother in law puts in but he got us in elk and got a bull. If the bull had made a left instead of a right I wouldve had the shot. So awesome trip for me. Second year I wanted to be in better shape and I was and I wanted to test my new pack and its awesome. We saw more bulls but other hunters spooked them and that was the end of that.

This year I want to be a glassing machine, I cant glass for hours on end but I will this year with practice I hope. I also want to stay the whole season. Last two years we have only hunted 4-6 days. I need all the time I can get.

 

[Btaylor]

I agree with Gumbo but would add an unfilled tag is not necessarily a defeat. As long as you dont fall in the trap of just bow hiking, you can find success everyday without filling a tag, those small wins of seeing or finding pieces of the puzzle will add up to filling tags on a consistent basis. You dont have to have it all figured out to fill a tag so have high hopes and be prepared for encounters. If they dont happen, be objective in evaluating what you saw and learned each time in the field and keep after 'em.

 

[Still Hunter]

Elk Tag A is one Season period (8-30/9-30) and Elk Tag B is a second Season, (10-15/11-08).
https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/mapcenter/
https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/stats/?season=general&game=elk&yr=2018,
https://www.backcountrychronicles.com/top-idaho-otc-elk-hunt-units/
https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/download/pdf/hunt_ID1019.pdf
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/state/id

Lots of good advice above. Lots of resources if you take the time to look. Good luck! Elk hunting can be addictive once you get in the mountains.