First Time Elk Hunt: Bow or Rifle?

[ejp5281]

Hello all. New to posting on the forum and looking for some thoughts. Myself and a partner are going on an elk hunt for the Wyoming general elk tag (pending the draw results). It's been left to me to decide whether we want to go for an archery hunt or a rifle hunt. We are competent in both disciplines (for whitetail anyway). Still having a hard time deciding and just looking for some thoughts. Some things that we have considered were weather, hunting during the rut, and chance of success (although we are happy to go and enjoy the experience regardless).

 

[sneaky]

Depends on where you are planning in Wyoming. Could overlap both in some areas. Pressure really ramps up after rifle starts.

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[5MilesBack]

If you're already a bowhunter I'd go archery every time.

 

[bsnedeker]

You're going for the general tag...do both! Take a week off in September for the fun of hunting rutting elk with a very low success rate, then go back in October or November and kill an elk!

 

[fmyth]

I hunted in WY on a gen tag in 2019. I hunted archery for 3 weeks and had a blast. Many encounters and 3 good opportunities but didn't tag out. It was a great time with good weather and enough action to make me want to do it again. I returned for rifle season and tagged out on the 10th day. Rifle season was not as fun. 3 snow storms, lots of locals road hunting, hunters coordinating drives via radio, 2 hunters who set up 50 yards away from me, one elk in front of me shot by a hunter above me etc. After the third storm dropped over a foot of additional snow the masses left, the elk returned and my partner and I both tagged out. In summary, I would recommend archery season for fun and the experience, and then rifle season if you haven't filled your tag.

 

[HighUintas]

I would say archery. Yes the pressure will be lower during archery. Also, if you're a proficient whitetail bow hunter, then hunting elk with a bow should be a peace of cake if you're able to find them and are also proficient in playing the wind.

I grew up whitetail hunting and just started with elk last year. They don't seem to be anywhere near as jumpy as whitetail... but they are incredibly smart, hard to find, and it's hard to stalk to within 30 yards of any animal if there's not lots of good cover.

 

[ejp5281]

I hunted in WY on a gen tag in 2019. I hunted archery for 3 weeks and had a blast. Many encounters and 3 good opportunities but didn't tag out. It was a great time with good weather and enough action to make me want to do it again. I returned for rifle season and tagged out on the 10th day. Rifle season was not as fun. 3 snow storms, lots of locals road hunting, hunters coordinating drives via radio, 2 hunters who set up 50 yards away from me, one elk in front of me shot by a hunter above me etc. After the third storm dropped over a foot of additional snow the masses left, the elk returned and my partner and I both tagged out. In summary, I would recommend archery season for fun and the experience, and then rifle season if you haven't filled your tag.

Awesome that you were able to tag out during rifle! However, it is definitely noted the differences in experiences you had between the two

 

[fmyth]

I would say archery. Yes the pressure will be lower during archery. Also, if you're a proficient whitetail bow hunter, then hunting elk with a bow should be a peace of cake if you're able to find them and are also proficient in playing the wind.

I grew up whitetail hunting and just started with elk last year. They don't seem to be anywhere near as jumpy as whitetail... but they are incredibly smart, hard to find, and it's hard to stalk to within 30 yards of any animal if there's not lots of good cover.

Archery hunting for elk is no "peace of cake" for anyone regardless of your whitetail deer hunting experience.

 

[HighUintas]

Archery hunting for elk is no "peace of cake" for anyone regardless of your whitetail deer hunting experience.

relatively speaking. I think stalking up to elk is easier than stalking up to jumpy whitetail in the midwest woods that are constantly on the lookout for humans

 

[fmyth]

Awesome that you were able to tag out during rifle! However, it is definitely noted the differences in experiences you had between the two

Yeah I thought hiking in the mountains in the fall with with a pack and bow was hard work. Then I returned to negative temps, crotch deep snow and ice covered streams. Took a fall into the water on a river crossing and another packing out a rear quarter in the snow. Getting ready for knee surgery now. Good luck to you. Either way you choose it will be an experience to remember.

 

[fmyth]

relatively speaking. I think stalking up to elk is easier than stalking up to jumpy whitetail in the midwest woods that are constantly on the lookout for humans

I grew up in MO and killed many whitetail and never hiked more than a mile from the road. I'd gut them, drag them to the truck and be home in an hour. This year I hiked 152 miles in the mountains before killing my elk. And that's when the fun started. Gutting, quartering and packing an elk out of the mountains is on an entirely different level. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

 

[HighUintas]

I grew up in MO and killed many whitetail and never hiked more than a mile from the road. I'd gut them, drag them to the truck and be home in an hour. This year I hiked 152 miles in the mountains before killing my elk. And that's when the fun started. Gutting, quartering and packing an elk out of the mountains is on an entirely different level. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

I think you're doing it right, or at least the fun way! I put in tons of 10 mile days in the mountains going after elk. I'm just referring to the end stalk. 100 yards and in. But, that's just my opinion.

 

[wseidel]

As an earlier reply suggested, strongly consider going out the last week of September for archery and stay for the first week of rifle. A friend and I have done this twice and had a number of archery opportunities, learned the country, got acclimated and experienced fewer people. I believe it cost us an additional $30 to purchase the archery "tag". This option provides a better opportunity for undisturbed elk (while still in the later stages of the rut) during archery and the chance to enjoy both disciplines. Plan on a minimum of two weeks of actual hunting if your schedule allows as you will never regret spending more time hunting. Hope this helps...

 

[sneaky]

The archery stamp is $72 now. Thanks WY.

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[Maverick1]

I'd say archery. Going from whitetails to elk has a learning curve associated with it - gear, animal, terrain, clothing, etc. Rifle may also present additional challenges associated with more gear due to snow, much more clothes, staying warm, etc.

Since you are going to WY, a couple of options to consider:
1. Go for a week in September to learn about elk and the terrain to shorten your learning curve. If you don't fill your tag in September, come back in October for the rifle season.
2. As others have mentioned, go for the last week of the archery season in September and (if possible in the unit you are hunting) stay for the first week of the rifle season.

 

[wildwilderness]

I grew up in MO and killed many whitetail and never hiked more than a mile from the road. I'd gut them, drag them to the truck and be home in an hour. This year I hiked 152 miles in the mountains before killing my elk. And that's when the fun started. Gutting, quartering and packing an elk out of the mountains is on an entirely different level. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

You are doing two things wrong- don’t gut an elk, waste of time and messy. Go the gutless method.

Second- you never said you deboned the meat! If I have to pack more than 1/2 a mile the bones are staying!!

 

[ejp5281]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I might be able to look into going for both, but that is probably doubtful. It's a far ride from NJ to WY and my partner and I each only are able to take so much time off from work. So far it seems like the consensus is to give archery a shot. With any luck we will be able to do this trip for years to come. We could always give archery a go and if we get frustrated not punching a tag, head out for rifle one year. That would also give us some time to get higher quality gear for the weather (since we're trying to stay on a budget here). Definitely have to take a look to see if the spots we had in mind have the archery and rifle seasons back to back so we could split the trip.

 

[fmyth]

You are doing two things wrong- don’t gut an elk, waste of time and messy. Go the gutless method.

Second- you never said you deboned the meat! If I have to pack more than 1/2 a mile the bones are staying!!

I agree that gutless is easier/faster and deboning makes for a lighter pack out. I wanted the leg bones, heart, liver, ribs, caul fat and we saved the lungs spleen etc for a friend from Africa so I gut skinned and quartered it. But, after my upcoming knee surgery (3rd knee surgery) I will likely go gutless/debone the next one and leave the organs for the bears.

 

[fmyth]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I might be able to look into going for both, but that is probably doubtful. It's a far ride from NJ to WY and my partner and I each only are able to take so much time off from work. So far it seems like the consensus is to give archery a shot. With any luck we will be able to do this trip for years to come. We could always give archery a go and if we get frustrated not punching a tag, head out for rifle one year. That would also give us some time to get higher quality gear for the weather (since we're trying to stay on a budget here). Definitely have to take a look to see if the spots we had in mind have the archery and rifle seasons back to back so we could split the trip.

It took me 3 years to draw my 2019 Gen Elk NR tag. With point creep it looks like it could take 4-5 years to draw again. If the newly proposed changes to the draw pass it may take 10 years to draw again. If you are luccky enough to draw a WY tag you might want to do whatever you can to make the most of the opportunity and hunt as long as you can possible get away with. You won't get to do this every year or even every other year.

 

[WyoWrangler]

This was my first year as well hunting elk with a buddy who also had not hunted elk. We were also in Wyoming and hunted during both times in general areas. Pretty much polar opposites for the areas we hunted, during archery it was very hot this year until about the 3rd week, spent a lot of time walking, spent a lot of time dealing with other hunters. Had some great encounters as well. As for rifle it was a lot more sitting and glassing waiting for the snow to push them down from the mountain locations that weren’t accessible due to the snow closing the roads. My best advice for a virgin elk hunter is put in the research and have back up plans.