Hunting Partner

[Brandon Pattison]

Michigan

 

[lilhooter82]

We should try to meet up for a 3d shoot or something

 

[RussellM66]

Hey I too live in Illinois (near Springfield) and I looking for someone to join me on my first archery elk hunt in Idaho this fall. Are you still looking for a partner

 

[lilhooter82]

Yes. If you want, you can give me a call this weekend.

 

[Peter K]

I'm in the exact same boat, only from WI

 

[lilhooter82]

any chance you guys will be at the ATA show in Indy next week?

 

[Peter K]

Although that would be pretty cool, I will not be there.

 

[Buckvoodoo]

Michigan here....sounds like we are a bunch of newbies wanting some experience. I am game.
Where have you researched thus far? (state, unit(s)).
What type of hunt? (archery or gun)

I am going this fall 2015.

 

[lilhooter82]

Archery. The only state that I've look into/gotten info has been CO. I would be open to other states though.

 

[Johnson27]

lilhooter82

Whomever you pick as a hunting partner, make sure you are on the same page when it comes to hunting style. Everyone has a different opinion on what it means to "hunt hard".

IL resident

Johnson27

 

[bz_711]

Do it guys...you'll never regret it...my only warning is make sure you can get a week free every following Sept

One thought from me (I spent my first 3 years eating tags)...stay positive no matter what. Backpacking for your first try adds whole level of difficulty, but staying positive and enjoying it all is key. Everyone in the party needs to understand they most likely will not tag an elk their first try...after that, make sure to enjoy everything else. Even one sighting, or one close encounter with a bugle will hook you for life.

If you get enough interested, another thought would be a larger drive in base camp, and do some 1-2 overnighters out of there. Gives everyone a chance to learn at their own pace, and still offer place to come back to if not having luck, not having fun, or if just prefer to drive to your spot each day.

Finally punched my tags in year 4 and 5 (archery in CO)...and I still cannot wait to go again. PM if you have any questions I might be able to help with...Good Luck...the planning/prep is half the fun! If you need some motivation, follow Cameron Hanes on facebook

 

[Johnson27]

lilhooter82

bz_711's advise is spot on and like he said, once you do it, you will keep going back.
I had to eat my CO muzzy cow tag last year, but having a 5x5 come within 40 yards made it taste a little bit better. My buddy and I are already planning next year's hunt. My wife thinks I'm nuts pouring over the stats like I do, but that is part of the fun also.

Good luck.

Johnson27

 

[danarnold]

Agree with bz
I went to a new spot in Wyoming with a new group a few years ago we had a base camp, on the morning of the first hunt I was told to go down the road we came up and then pick one of the side roads and go for a Ways until sunrise and listen for a bugle, I thought to myself WTF but went for it, sure as heck here come the bugles from multiple directions and I just went for it on the closest one, and wound up getting busted by the bull when I was moving with the sun on my back.
Heard more bugles and went for a long while chasing it and ended up drawing on a 6 x 6 and got busted by his cows by noon that day.
I had multiple encounters and heard bugles every morning and evening and learn a lot about the area, filled my tag and then scored a 6 x 6 the following year in the same area, didn't get drawn in Wyoming in 14 so went to Montana and I had great success out there, hoping to be drawn in Wyoming in 15.
My point? Go for it! But like stated above plan on being free every September from then on

 

[EATONANTLERS]

I love to see young guys getting the elk bug. I waited until my sons were raised before heading west from Michigan in 2012. My first hunt, on the 4th day I missed a chippy at 35 yards (bow) on a big 5x5 after calling him in on a rope. I was so frazzled that I couldn't hold my rangefinder still on the elk so I ranged a tree where I thought he'd stop and guessed wrong. Biggest thrill of my hunting career and I couldn't wait to go back. Headed back in 2014 and killed a smaller 6x6 4 hrs in to the first afternoon.

I turn 54 on Sunday and my biggest regret in life is not becoming an elkaholic sooner. The upside is that it motivates me, in my opld age, to stay in shape, the western mountains are no place to mess around for cream puffs, work hard every day doing something, and DREAM!!!! it'll keep you motivated.

GO, learn to elk hunt along the way. Watch, ask, and do, and you'll live a life fulfilled! Forums like this are a great place to shorten the learning curve!

Good luck!

T