First Time Elk Hunt: Bow or Rifle?

[HMP25]

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).

Try both if possible chase them with snow then maybe try rifle later if the seasons allow it

 

[ejp5281]

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.

Yea I just saw some of the proposed changes today. Between the proposed NR price increases and proposed changes to the draw structure, I wish that I had looked more into Montana during my research. Went WY because it was cheaper (for now). I entered the WY draw this year with 3 preference points so I am hoping that it works out.
What my partner and I might do is to "stagger" our points in a way so that with some luck, we will be able to go more often even if one of us doesn't have a tag. That person also may be able to get a leftover cow tag.

 

[wildwilderness]

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.

I guess if you want it you got to pack it out. I gave up a long time ago giving meat away by doing the work for them. I let them know if they want anything they are more than welcome to pack in and get it themselves, otherwise its staying!

If you want stuff like organs it would be much easier to talk to a local butcher, mobile kill and have them keep the stuff for you. I know most throw it away for the clients (I used to get it for bear bait).

 

[roosiebull]

whatever weapon you like using more is the answer. hunting elk, both are difficult, but the difficulties are completely different with each weapon.

I certainly feel like you'll have more fun archery season, but i'm bias in that regard. tough to say without knowing your exact goals and expectations, but tough to go wrong archery hunting if you have already done enough of it for other species. you'll probably have a good deal more action with a bow, but probably a higher chance of capitalizing on encounters with a rifle.

I wouldn't say one is easier than the other in terms of filling tags if you shoot both weapons well

 

[Elkdreamer]

I love to bow hunt in my older age. Bow gets my vote.

 

[fmyth]

Yea I just saw some of the proposed changes today. Between the proposed NR price increases and proposed changes to the draw structure, I wish that I had looked more into Montana during my research. Went WY because it was cheaper (for now). I entered the WY draw this year with 3 preference points so I am hoping that it works out.
What my partner and I might do is to "stagger" our points in a way so that with some luck, we will be able to go more often even if one of us doesn't have a tag. That person also may be able to get a leftover cow tag.

I have no chance in the PP draw and only a 14% in the random so I put a couple reduced price cow/calf tags down as my 2nd and 3rd and will try to pick up a leftover if all else fails. Good luck to you.

 

[trophyhill]

Bow.......you won't be sorry. My first 12 years hunting deer were with a rifle. My last 12 hunting elk and deer have been with a bow. Wish I woulda started with a bow from the beginning

 

[Airborne1]

Go for the challenge and go archery! You wont regret it once you got a bull bugling his way in to kick you in the face!

 

[DMooch]

Planning my first elk hunt as well with my pops. We are opting for archery. Hearing one bugle should make it worth it. Best of luck.

 

[ejp5281]

whatever weapon you like using more is the answer. hunting elk, both are difficult, but the difficulties are completely different with each weapon.

I certainly feel like you'll have more fun archery season, but i'm bias in that regard. tough to say without knowing your exact goals and expectations, but tough to go wrong archery hunting if you have already done enough of it for other species. you'll probably have a good deal more action with a bow, but probably a higher chance of capitalizing on encounters with a rifle.

I wouldn't say one is easier than the other in terms of filling tags if you shoot both weapons well

I think I would rather have the more action with the bow even if it means a slightly less chance of capitalizing. In regards to the difficulties, its a good point that both seasons have them. I'm guessing that for archery (generally speaking) the difficulties are more often getting shot opportunities whether it be due to range, clear lanes, or getting winded. Whereas rifle season, the difficulties may be more due to the potential for cold and snow?

 

[roosiebull]

I think I would rather have the more action with the bow even if it means a slightly less chance of capitalizing. In regards to the difficulties, its a good point that both seasons have them. I'm guessing that for archery (generally speaking) the difficulties are more often getting shot opportunities whether it be due to range, clear lanes, or getting winded. Whereas rifle season, the difficulties may be more due to the potential for cold and snow?

roger that, and people... different strategy altogether in that regard, and bulls may be harder to find once they break off the herds and bachelor up.

completely different feel for each season. I have never rifle hunted them myself, but take people every year. rifle season is cover ground to find a bull, then once you do, get on it before someone else does.

archery hunting of course is physically demanding, but it seems like rifle hunting is more so (if you expect success) archery season it's easier to find elk, so even though there are lots of boot miles covered, once you do, you slow things down and the effort goes into turning it into an opportunity. most rifle hunting is just covering ground and glassing, always on the move (unless you know the country really well perhaps)

it's all fun, but it sounds like archery season would be your best option.... it's just more enjoyable

 

[ElkChappo]

Archery is pure adrenaline during the rut.

 

[rambo2345]

Nothing like Sept. in the mountains.