Not even sure where to begin

BrettH

FNG
Joined
Aug 29, 2018
Messages
4
Location
Ocala, Florida
Hey guys I am new to the forum and completely green to elk hunting. I have toyed around with hiring an outfitter for my first elk hunt since I’ve never hunted them before. I have read a lot about elk habits but I would like to gain knowledge before I jump into it and do it myself.

First question I have is do any of y’all have an outfitter you prefer and would recommend, preferably a rifle hunt for my first time.

Also the biggest issue I have is I am completely dumbfounded when I start looking at application periods, preference points, units to draw for, and even what state I would like to hunt. Theres so much information out there it’s a little overwhelming to me. I would like to start at least applying for areas now so I can have points built up for when I branch out on my own and do a DIY. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
 
Go hunt is a great resource to begin this adventure. Lots of hours of work that they have combined into minutes of work for you.
 
If you're interested in Oregon, i can connect you with some reputable outfits that have guaranteed tags.

I'd highly reccomend going outfitted/guided the first time. Ask lots of questions, pay attention, and you'll significantly cut your learning curve.

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Agree, Gohunt is great!

Do you know what you are looking for in your first elk hunt? What is your goal? Are you trying to get a big bull, or are you trying to learn about elk, or are you just out for adventure?

If you are looking for the first two, I would highly recommend an outfitter for your first hunt. If you want to have a realistic chance at a bull on your first hunt you almost NEED to have an outfitter with you that knows the area you will be hunting. If you want to learn about elk, choosing the right outfitter is a great way to gain real knowledge in a short period of time.

If you are looking for an adventure then I would go DIY (this is what I have always done). I have spent untold hours researching elk behavior, habitat, and elk hunting. I'm going on my third elk hunt starting next weekend (9 days in Montana on General elk) and this is the first year I've actually felt somewhat confident in my ability to find elk. I would love to shoot an elk more than anything, but I'm very stubborn and I like to do things the hard way! Hopefully this year my hard work will pay off with a full freezer!
 
Thanks guys I’ll definitely go check out gohunt. I am really wanting to gain knowledge from a guide first and hopefully be successful. Then I think I would be comfortable trying a DIY which is where I’m getting lost in which state to apply for and which units in a particular state to look into.

I think I’m going to plan on an outfitter first and basically pick their brain while I’m out there. Any suggestions on an outfitter y’all would recommend?
 
I have no guide recommendation but you can do a general hunt in a couple of states without points and over the counter tags in Colorado and usually Idaho. Go hunt elk and don’t get caught up in the point game right of the bat. A guide will certainly cut your learning curve and hunting a private ranch is much less of a challenge in most cases. I personally have no interest in a guided hunt and I’ve struggled my way through to some fantastically good times. You can learn everything you need right here on Rokslide if you ask the questions and search old threads. My first time I got into my old beater Ranger and just did it. I had opportunities in my first two years but didn’t capitalize and I got a bull in my third try. I wouldn’t change the way I did it. I paid the price and learned the hard way. I have had a great journey. I’m not going west this fall and it’s killing me ! I’ll be back at it next year if I have to use a walker to walk and drag an oxygen bottle behind me ! It’s not the result but the journey that matters. Jmo.
 
Outfitter recommendation will depend on price range, desired habitat/state, backcountry or frontcountry preference, and whether you have trophy aspirations.
 
If I’m spending the money to go with an outfitter I would prefer to have an opportunity at a nice bull. That’s having an opportunity not a kill. I would rather have an enjoyable experience and gain knowledge over having a trophy, even tho a trophy bull would be nice too!! Hahaha

Basically I just don’t want to go with an outfitter that takes me to some mountain range where we see one or two elk all week and I never get to learn habits of elk. Does that make sense? And yes I completely know that’s part of hunting and nothing is a guarantee even with an outfitter. I am just looking for a very knowledgeable one.
 
Right now, it appears like a lot of podcasts are offering a free 30 month trial for Gohunt with a promo code. My best advice, since you are new to all of this, is to take it one step at a time. Colorado is an extremely popular state because of the numerous over the counter tags available. For other states, it could take years to draw most tags, however there are some easier to draw units in states like Utah and Arizona. Pick a state or two, research them, and I guarantee you'll find numerous hunts you're interested in.
 
Where are you from? Can you drive to most western states to hunt annually. Answer a few questions first. What states have the most elk. What type of country do you like( high desert, big open basins with aspen, steep big mountains). Do you want a horse hunt in the wilderness or want to hike around a ranch and stay in a cabin. No wrong answers. IMO stick with a state you don’t have to play the points game.
 
There's no need to build up points, unless you want to, vast majority of hunting takes place on tags you can get without points.
 
Where are you from? Can you drive to most western states to hunt annually. Answer a few questions first. What states have the most elk. What type of country do you like( high desert, big open basins with aspen, steep big mountains). Do you want a horse hunt in the wilderness or want to hike around a ranch and stay in a cabin. No wrong answers. IMO stick with a state you don’t have to play the points game.

Driving would be questionable I’m from central Florida so that would be a couple of days drive. However if I did a DIY I would definitely be driving out when I went to hunt but I would probably fly out to scout. I honestly don’t know what type of country appeals to me I would say mountain terrain however I’m up for any terrain! I think I would prefer to hike but I have kicked around the idea of a horseback hunt for the adventure part of it as well.
 
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