New Elk Hunter (hopefully!)

[cwoodyt87]

Hellow RokSliders!

I'm a novice whitetail-hunting-flantlander from Missouri (archery). I've always loved the mountains, and thought elk hunting would be the next logical venture for me. I have some experience backpacking (just returned from the Apen-CO area, in fact) but ZERO experience or knowledge with regards to elk hunting.

I'm looking to maybe do an archery hunt next fall - not expecting to bag the bull of a lifetime or anything, more just to gain experience and knowledge in hopes that I can be successful in future years. Being from Missouri, I know VERY LITTLE about elk hunting. I'm thinking Colorado will be the state I chose (unless I am convinced otherwise).

I know many of you are seasoned pros with years of experience under your belts, so I figured this would be the best place to start. Naturally, I have a lot of questions. Here are a few:

1. I know some states require guides for out-of-state hunters. Is this required in CO? Being a new hunter, would you recommend I seek the assistance of a professional guide? I know this is not really the "DIY" way to go, but wanted to see what y'all thought.

2. Are most tags for out-of-state license based on lottery, or do you have OTC that anyone can buy?

3. I know the areas are broken up into sections (here in MO we have different "Conservation Areas" so it's similar). Is there a good list/map outlining each, maybe containing harvest rates / success?

4. Any other good website / resources with more information?

I know this is a tough post, just looking for any knowledge or resources that anyone cares to share. Thanks!

 

[Ross]

Welcome aboard Woody! I will speak for Idaho and Montana. No guide is required in either state. Both states offer great opportunities to hunt elk.

In Idaho you can purchase over the counter and will have to choose between two tages. A tag, longer Archery season, 3 weeks, 5 days of rifle and options for muzzleloader also. B tag, 3 weeks of rifle, 1 week archery. Montana is a lottery, but the last 2 years due to changes they have not sold out on the lottery and there were extra tags available. This state offers 3 full months to hunt elk with a bow and rifle for the general tag, with rifle season running through Thanksgiving weekend.

You can find harvest rates on each website for the two states...........Idaho Fish and Game and MT FWP.

I would recommend hunting with someone or outfitter your first year to gain some experience, as it is like night and day from hunting whitetails. It can be done going in cold turkey, but would be best to tag along with someone who has hunted elk before... Check out ELK101 to gather further insight into hunting the elusive ELK and good luck on the your future hunt and planning.

 

[endorice]

Woody - no guide required for CO. Google up the Colorado DOW site. There are a LOT of good resources for a first time hunter to the state.

 

[cwoodyt87]

Thank you both! I found on the Colorado DOW website an intro to elk hunting - looks to be quite substantial, I'll definitely be studying it. I'll have to look into guides/outfitters some more (have not done any research on them). I know you pretty much get what you pay for, and with out of state licenses my wallet will already be hurting!

 

[weaver]

I was in your position last year . Granted i had been to s dakota for mule deer but it was nothing like elk hunting. I say pick a unit in idaho or colorado, find a good motivated buddy, buy some decent backpacking gear and get after it. Good Luck!

 

[ST52v]

If you are looking for the experience and don't care about killing do it your self. You may find friends or people on forums like this to do it with. I would rather make several trips diy than spend the same amount for 1 trip with an outfitter. That's just me though! There is so much info on the web and people willing to help that you could have a good diy plan in place for next year. You can buy a point for Wyoming from now till the end of Sept. The general tag in Wyoming takes 1 pt to draw. You could archery hunt for a week and then return for a week of rifle if time allowed. You can buy pts in Colorado at the first of the year as well and still get an otc tag or draw second choice. If money is tight you could hunt cows and learn an area and get your feet wet for about half the cost of a tag. There are other forums out there and each one has it's strengths. If you want to archery hunt and call elk in check out Elknutt's forum and play book ect.. There is lots of deals out there on gear as well. Buy good used gear or when it is on sale.

 

[cwoodyt87]

Thanks, Everyone! Y'all have been a huge help.

ST52v - I'm considering hunting cows for the first year or two - save money while I learn, and not feel (quite) as bad if I come home empty handed!

 

[ST52v]

Most people I know just don't understand what hunting is about. Some think it would just be better to buy half a beef or hunting out west is so easy any cave man can do it. You know they saw a show on tv with ----------- running every where. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Welcome!

Elk hunting is a blast for sure. Elknut's playbook is a great resource for your research. An outfitter might cut down the learning curve a bit, if you get a solid guide, but guides vary in skill set.


Good luck!

 

[realunlucky]

It's tough trying to learn a new area and the habits of the animals that live their. I would plan on a multi year plan each year increases the chance of success. Also start with a positive attitude and plan what will I do if I get an elk down. It's no joke for one man( or even two)to break it down and pack it out of the back country. Find a partner or packer before you start. Give yourself as many days as you can and don't be afraid to take a rest half of day it will wear you out. Utah has elk if you want to hunt spikes or cows and glass up big bulls

 

[cwoodyt87]

All great advice guys, thanks!

ST52v - I know the feeling. My girlfriend thinks I'm crazy. "Why would you want to wake up at 4 and sit in the woods all day?" Some people just don't get it!

Bitterroot bulls - I'll definitely be checking out Elknut's playbook - thanks!

realunlucky - Learning the area is the main concern for me right now - being an out of stater, it's not like I can simply scout on weekends or anything. Studying topo maps and checking migrations/weather will be key before heading out. Definitely will be a multi-year plan, and not banking on success in the early years but still having a plan in the event I am successfull. Already recruited a good friend and fellow archer of mine.

 

[bz_711]

WARNING!!!
Be prepared to take a minimum of one week each September and devote it to Elk hunting...Elkoholism is real...and I know of no cure!

Being you are in MO, I'd say CO is your most likely choice just with drive time, and availability of OTC tags and plenty of public land. Do some research, pick a spot, go set up camp and start walking all over. You can go overboard with gear and details, but really you can buy a tag, split gas with buddies, sleep in a cheap tent, eat out of a cooler and have the time of your life. It doesn't have to break the bank.
Find the thickest timber with water source...and you'll find some sign. A week in the elk woods is the best "recharge" I have found in life...Good Luck. Keep us posted!

 

[Olydog09]

It's tough trying to learn a new area and the habits of the animals that live their. I would plan on a multi year plan each year increases the chance of success. Also start with a positive attitude and plan what will I do if I get an elk down. It's no joke for one man( or even two)to break it down and pack it out of the back country. Find a partner or packer before you start. Give yourself as many days as you can and don't be afraid to take a rest half of day it will wear you out. Utah has elk if you want to hunt spikes or cows and glass up big bulls

Excellent advice right here. I hunt out of state in Idaho and have a partner to hunt with. This will be our third year in the same season. We go the last wqeek in September and have been into bulls every year and could very easily have harvested but it did not work out. BUT the best part is that we now know the area and are confident with plans set up ahead of time and have multiple spots that we can pack into for 3 days at a time. The last couple years we were hunting blind but learned the area. We put in our time and it paid off. Our ratio for success this year and future years is probably 70% higher than the first two years and we are very confident in what we are doing.

Plan ahead for getting one down. You can contact a local packer close to your hunt area and pay them $300 or so to pack out your game the first year. Or watch videos on the gutless skinning techniques. Download it to your phone so you can reference it in the field if you are successful or print out a page on it. Invest in a good knife or my favorite is the Havalon with replaceble stainless surgical blades. Dull a blade and replace it. Take 1 of those and a good boning knife and you are set. Make sure that you get a good pack and practice witrh it weighted down 40lbs and more. Don't skimp on the pack. In fact I may have a Badlands Ox I am thinking about selling if you are interested.

Get a GPS and be familar with its use. MAKE SURE IT GETS A SIGNAL UNDER TREE CANOPY. You can mark your camp or car and hunt till dark then backtrack out with the GPS . Go online and buy USGS Quadrangle maps of your area. You can get them laminated and fold them up and keep with you. Study for water holding areas close to benches and far away from roads. Study them for ridges you can use to hike into areas away from roads. My maps have been instrumental in us learning our area as well as we have in a short period of time. Use the maps at home in conjunction with Google Earth and you can learn alot about an area from your desk or couch.

Idaho fish and game has an interactive map system on their website that you can view by game management units and toggle betewwn topo and satellite images. The satellite is not that great so I like to use Google Earth. Link to their mapping here http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/mapcenter/

They also have a nice link to Harvest statistics year by year and by method (rifle, archery, muzzleloader or the aggregate of all). Get away from people and make a 5 year plan. By the 5th year you will be amazed at how much more confident and knowledgeable you will be. Good luck and enjoy. To me there is nothing in this world that compares to elk hunting in the rut during September rut.