First time western big game..?

[MF11]

New member here. I am a recent college graduate and currently researching my first western big game excursion. I’m leaning towards Mule Deer, but also interested in black bear and Elk. I’m located in AR but I’m fascinated with the challenges of western backpack hunting.

I am extremely green and currently don’t have any points anywhere but was considering some of the 0 point draw units in Colorado, Idaho or Montana. I’d like to be in mountains as that is just what appeals to me but I have had a hard time learning anything about the hunting units. I know hunting is hard and success rates are typically low. I really just want to get my feet wet and learn as much as I can about the art of mountain backpack hunting and other general information about Muleys and the states to hunt them in.

 

[Calbuck]

Best thing you can do is read all the info you can and put yourself in the position. Buy an otc tag somewhere that sounds/looks appealing and go get started. You’ll learn the ins and outs and every time you go you’ll increase your odds of being successful the more time you spend out there. That’s the way a lot of people have learned. Others grew up with hunting families so it was natural for them. Time in the field is your friend

 

[Blackcats06]

More info out there than you have time for. Newberg, meat eater, rockslide , epic, cliff grey. Just start researching. As for units. Yea just get a second choice tag that has remoteness and go. One of the best ways to learn is by doing it.

 

[MF11]

Best thing you can do is read all the info you can and put yourself in the position. Buy an otc tag somewhere that sounds/looks appealing and go get started. You’ll learn the ins and outs and every time you go you’ll increase your odds of being successful the more time you spend out there. That’s the way a lot of people have learned. Others grew up with hunting families so it was natural for them. Time in the field is your friend

yeah I’ve been all over trying to learn as much as I can. Never called at elk so I kinda figured a mule deer or bear hunt would be a little more user friendly but maybe I am wrong. Like I said I’m mostly trying to learn and maybe get a decent animal in the process. As far as finding a unit I guess just look at harvest reports and maybe stay away from general units with the highest harvest numbers if they seem crowded.

 

[Calbuck]

yeah I’ve been all over trying to learn as much as I can. Never called at elk so I kinda figured a mule deer or bear hunt would be a little more user friendly but maybe I am wrong. Like I said I’m mostly trying to learn and maybe get a decent animal in the process. As far as finding a unit I guess just look at harvest reports and maybe stay away from general units with the highest harvest numbers if they seem crowded.

Just starting out I wouldn’t even worry about trophy quality or even crowded units..with no points you’re going to be dealing with that anyway. Just getting your feet wet will help you sort all the most important things out for yourself

 

[Maxhunter]

Buy points and in a few years you should draw some tags. In 2025 CO is going to draw for NR. No more OTC for archery. You might want to try getting antlerless tags to get your feet wet.

 

[MF11]

Buy points and in a few years you should draw some tags. In 2025 CO is going to draw for NR. No more OTC for archery. You might want to try getting antlerless tags to get your feet wet.

That’s what I’ve been hearing.. is it worth snagging a bear tag and getting the lay of the land in certain units until I accumulate enough points?

 

[Calbuck]

Absolutely worth it. Time in the field...

 

[SonnyDay]

What's your weapon of choice?

As others have said, don't get too hung up on stats and such.

Assuming you have or can get your Colorado hunter's safety card (or have a qualifying one from another state), I'd try to get out for over-the-counter (OTC) elk this fall. Just go somewhere in the western half of the state (where most OTC units are anyhow).

You could easily learn to bugle and cow call before then (see: ElkNut). But even if you don't... go anyway.

And for the love of God get in shape!!!

Good luck!

 

[CarterHunt]

Get in great shape, get comfortable with backcountry camping, and just start hunting as soon as possible - literally any tag you can get - so you can learn from experience. Mule deer tags take a little more planning, but you can hunt Colorado elk or black bear OTC this fall.

 

[Coastiecreation]

Buy OnX and research areas. check harvest rates and populations. Feet on the ground is the best way after that. You don’t even have to kill anything. I started archery hunting elk with no idea what I was doing and still had opportunities but most all of them failed opportunities but learned from my mistakes. You won’t get that researching the internet but it is good to learn from other peoples experiences on here as well in case you are ever in that situation.
I didn’t start pack in hunting till I was in my late 20’s don’t try to do too much at once just focus on how to find animals first then work on putting yourself in gods country after you get a feel for it. I’ve killed a lot of deer just day hunting. There is a lot of appeal to hunting in the backcountry but you don’t have to do it to be successful. Just have fun don’t put the pressure on yourself to kill something put in the time all the pieces will come together

 

[Calbuck]

Buy OnX and research areas. check harvest rates and populations. Feet on the ground is the best way after that. You don’t even have to kill anything. I started archery hunting elk with no idea what I was doing and still had opportunities but most all of them failed opportunities but learned from my mistakes. You won’t get that researching the internet but it is good to learn from other peoples experiences on here as well in case you are ever in that situation.
I didn’t start pack in hunting till I was in my late 20’s don’t try to do too much at once just focus on how to find animals first then work on putting yourself in gods country after you get a feel for it. I’ve killed a lot of deer just day hunting. There is a lot of appeal to hunting in the backcountry but you don’t have to do it to be successful. Just have fun don’t put the pressure on yourself to kill something put in the time all the pieces will come together

Exactly.

 

[wildwilderness]

Imo Western Bear hunts are NOT worth it. They are more of a variety/opportunity thing. If you want a bear hunt absolutely go to Canada on a spring baited hunt first, then you can change it up etc.

Mule Deer are a very good first experience that you can totally DIY. Elk is a bit more imo since they are less available and bigger to care for once down, definitely consider a cow elk tag to start.

As mentioned you should have plenty of western hiking and backpacking (multi night) experience.

You are missing one of the easier Western hunts- Pronghorn!

 

[7RemMag]

Imo Western Bear hunts are NOT worth it. They are more of a variety/opportunity thing. If you want a bear hunt absolutely go to Canada on a spring baited hunt first, then you can change it up etc.

Mule Deer are a very good first experience that you can totally DIY. Elk is a bit more imo since they are less available and bigger to care for once down, definitely consider a cow elk tag to start.

As mentioned you should have plenty of western hiking and backpacking (multi night) experience.

You are missing one of the easier Western hunts- Pronghorn!

I think that the OP is looking for a Western Style Mountain hunt. If that is the case, and he’s not necessarily concerned about getting a monster, a spring bear hunt in the West wouldn’t be a terrible idea. Black Bear tags are OTC in Idaho, for example and only cost a few hundred bucks.

If just wanting to see and experience the West, Antelope are absolutely a good option.

 

[wildwilderness]

I think that the OP is looking for a Western Style Mountain hunt. If that is the case, and he’s not necessarily concerned about getting a monster, a spring bear hunt in the West wouldn’t be a terrible idea. Black Bear tags are OTC in Idaho, for example and only cost a few hundred bucks.

If just wanting to see and experience the West, Antelope are absolutely a good option.

Your bear experience may differ than mine but I would never purposely go spring spot and stalk hunt a black bear if I wanted to kill one. The success rate is extremely low. More nocturnal animals and most of the day is just boring. Even spotting a bear during legal shooting light is no guarantee. I would still say it’s a niche hunt that many do to fill the down time in the spring. And limited areas are conducive to the endeavor. Maybe I’ve killed too many bears now and do nt get excited unless a really big one shows up!

Mule deer for sure would be my main priority for as a first western hunt.

 

[TaperPin]

New member here. I am a recent college graduate and currently researching my first western big game excursion. I’m leaning towards Mule Deer, but also interested in black bear and Elk. I’m located in AR but I’m fascinated with the challenges of western backpack hunting.

I am extremely green and currently don’t have any points anywhere but was considering some of the 0 point draw units in Colorado, Idaho or Montana. I’d like to be in mountains as that is just what appeals to me but I have had a hard time learning anything about the hunting units. I know hunting is hard and success rates are typically low. I really just want to get my feet wet and learn as much as I can about the art of mountain backpack hunting and other general information about Muleys and the states to hunt them in.

I think you came to the right place for information - there’s more depth and breadth here than anywhere else. Never has it been easier for a good self learner to get into backpack hunting.

Hunting the worst areas of the west has value if that’s the only way to get a tag.

Another option you should seriously consider is research the best high country mule deer hunting in the entire country and use a bear tag as an excuse to get in there and glass all week (or simply spend a week in September scouting). In one week of camping at timberline, glassing from a high vantage point (especially first and last light), and still hunting north timbered drainages from the top down, you will learn more about western hunting and why these areas are so sought after than any other way. You’ll find elk down in the timbered draws, trails that bears use regularly, and all kinds of animals moving around, mulies up on high ridges and bedded in sparse krumbholtz. High country moose aren’t uncommon, especially when moving between drainages. You could find bighorn sheep lower on slopes than elk. If you do it long enough you’ll find gigantic mulies that stick out in your memory till the day you die. Not far from the area in this photo both the largest non typical and largest typical I’ve ever been close to called it home - decades later they are as fresh in my mind as if it were last week.

We bump into a black bear every other year without trying while chasing mule deer up high. One trail in particular is a bear travel route from one timbered draw to the next and bears all cross an open meadow at timberline. One year I put the kabosh on an elk in this open meadow and the next spring it was fun to see how a bear camped out on the gut and bone pile for what must have been a few weeks. Other mule deer have been taken in a big bowl above the bear meadow and it’s fun anytime looking down to try and catch a glimpse of a black furry.

The backcountry can be hard on inexperienced pack stock, especially when an inexperienced human rents animals they aren’t familiar with - learn where any dead horses are in your area and you’ll find a huge amount of bear sign. This isn’t a hunting strategy, just a fun detour to see after the fact what bears do when munching on a big animal.

Even if you don’t find any bear sign, I’d rather take a vacation to the best areas and glass all week. Bring the best optics you can afford and a spotting scope, because it’s big country and watching a little black dot two ridges over, or on the other side of a big drainage isn’t as exciting as being able to tell what it is.

You didn’t mention how experienced you are in the back country - learn how to not kill yourself. Every year people in the high country are take out of the gene pool with Darwin Awards.

 

[MF11]

What's your weapon of choice?

As others have said, don't get too hung up on stats and such.

Assuming you have or can get your Colorado hunter's safety card (or have a qualifying one from another state), I'd try to get out for over-the-counter (OTC) elk this fall. Just go somewhere in the western half of the state (where most OTC units are anyhow).

You could easily learn to bugle and cow call before then (see: ElkNut). But even if you don't... go anyway.

And for the love of God get in shape!!!

Good luck!

Not really partial to one but probably Rifle just to get my feet wet.. already working on getting in shape ha!!

 

[MF11]

Imo Western Bear hunts are NOT worth it. They are more of a variety/opportunity thing. If you want a bear hunt absolutely go to Canada on a spring baited hunt first, then you can change it up etc.

Mule Deer are a very good first experience that you can totally DIY. Elk is a bit more imo since they are less available and bigger to care for once down, definitely consider a cow elk tag to start.

As mentioned you should have plenty of western hiking and backpacking (multi night) experience.

You are missing one of the easier Western hunts- Pronghorn!

I hear a lot about pronghorn! I just get so into the idea of being in the mountains and everything that is involved with that style of hunting. Definitely would like to try pronghorn at some point.

 

[MF11]

I think you came to the right place for information - there’s more depth and breadth here than anywhere else. Never has it been easier for a good self learner to get into backpack hunting.

Hunting the worst areas of the west has value if that’s the only way to get a tag.

Another option you should seriously consider is research the best high country mule deer hunting in the entire country and use a bear tag as an excuse to get in there and glass all week (or simply spend a week in September scouting). In one week of camping at timberline, glassing from a high vantage point (especially first and last light), and still hunting north timbered drainages from the top down, you will learn more about western hunting and why these areas are so sought after than any other way. You’ll find elk down in the timbered draws, trails that bears use regularly, and all kinds of animals moving around, mulies up on high ridges and bedded in sparse krumbholtz. High country moose aren’t uncommon, especially when moving between drainages. You could find bighorn sheep lower on slopes than elk. If you do it long enough you’ll find gigantic mulies that stick out in your memory till the day you die. Not far from the area in this photo both the largest non typical and largest typical I’ve ever been close to called it home - decades later they are as fresh in my mind as if it were last week.

We bump into a black bear every other year without trying while chasing mule deer up high. One trail in particular is a bear travel route from one timbered draw to the next and bears all cross an open meadow at timberline. One year I put the kabosh on an elk in this open meadow and the next spring it was fun to see how a bear camped out on the gut and bone pile for what must have been a few weeks. Other mule deer have been taken in a big bowl above the bear meadow and it’s fun anytime looking down to try and catch a glimpse of a black furry.

The backcountry can be hard on inexperienced pack stock, especially when an inexperienced human rents animals they aren’t familiar with - learn where any dead horses are in your area and you’ll find a huge amount of bear sign. This isn’t a hunting strategy, just a fun detour to see after the fact what bears do when munching on a big animal.

Even if you don’t find any bear sign, I’d rather take a vacation to the best areas and glass all week. Bring the best optics you can afford and a spotting scope, because it’s big country and watching a little black dot two ridges over, or on the other side of a big drainage isn’t as exciting as being able to tell what it is.

You didn’t mention how experienced you are in the back country - learn how to not kill yourself. Every year people in the high country are take out of the gene pool with Darwin Awards.



View attachment 732139

This sounds incredible and is a really good recommendation. I always see pictures of gigantic mule deer but think just seeing one has to be 100x better. Being an Arkansas flatlander, I am not very experienced backpacking in the mountains. I understand that even seeing black bears during shooting light is slim, but having the joy of scouting and glassing for deer and elk sounds like a heck of a way to pass the time. Thank you a ton!

 

[Jason Snyder]

I understand that even seeing black bears during shooting light is slim,

Why would you say this? I see black bears quite often in the fall, during daylight hours.