Texas residents, what's a good prerequisite to hunting elk in the mountains?

[Reece123]

Im a texas resident and have some aspirations of one day (3-4 years from now, hopefully) hunting elk in New Mexico or Colorado. I've only ever done private land hunting, and never in the mountains. Im hoping to kind of work my way up to a DIY elk hunt, and trying to gain some hands on knowledge. Any Texas residents know of anywhere in the state to get some kind of exposure? Maybe white tail, Muleys or even Sheep? Or am I better off to just go into NM or CO for a long weekend during season, with just some glass and no intention of actually hunting, and see how it is just looking for them? If I go this route, anyone have any insight to the regs of taking in a sidearm for personal defense with no hunting license? Definitely not looking to run into any trouble with the fish and game folks.

 

[Roger17]

I'm not sure there is much here that prepares you for mountain elk. Go to the mountains and camp to get used to that experience. However, no way I'd go just camping during season without a tag in hand. The best learning will be through trying and doing. There is plenty of opportunity in CO to have a tag. NM is random draw, so always a crap shoot on a tag.
And, you can carry a sidearm as long as your legal to have one. e.g. not a felon, etc.

 

[coyoteman]

It it were me, I'd plan a elk hunt for next season, and then the following season, and then the season after that. Just get after it.

If you really want to wait..go hiking in the mountains somewhere. On about the 5th day of your hiking trip, take a good long walk at least 3+ miles from the truck. Look for a nice spot with lots of sizeable rocks, then proceed to fill up your pack with at least 80lbs of them. Hike back to the truck, empty rocks, then hike back and forth to the rock spot at least three or four more times.

If you do that and enjoy it, Im sure elk hunting will be an absolute breeze.

 

[CMF]

I'm not sure there is much here that prepares you for mountain elk. Go to the mountains and camp to get used to that experience. However, no way I'd go just camping during season without a tag in hand. The best learning will be through trying and doing. There is plenty of opportunity in CO to have a tag. NM is random draw, so always a crap shoot on a tag.
And, you can carry a sidearm as long as your legal to have one. e.g. not a felon, etc.

Agree with this

Just get an easy-to-get tag in CO and go hunting. You're already going to be spending money on fuel and other expenses, what's an $800 tag....

I was dreaming of elk hunting and even looking at harvest data 6 years before I actually went. Biggest mistake of my life was thinking I needed more money, gear and fitness before I left. I should have gone a long time ago.

And you don't want to waste your luck drawing a great NM tag and not have any elk hunting experience. It's exactly what I did.

You could get an OTC barbary in NM and go hunt them, but that terrain and animal is way different than most elk hunts. We've done TX oryx and NM barbary, Nothing like hunting high country CO elk, other than hiking your az off.

 

[Smfigari]

My recommendation would be to get in shape and hunt a western state. Doesn’t have to be elk, but get out and actually hunt. Nothing else can fully prepare you.

 

[sndmn11]

Or am I better off to just go into NM or CO for a long weekend during season, with just some glass and no intention of actually hunting, and see how it is just looking for them?

I'm season scouting is invaluable. 4 days over 3 hunt codes in Colorado will tell you all you need to know for "where do I apply" next year.

 

[TCUHunter34]

Find somewhere to fish the high country also. You’ll get exposure being at higher elevations, experience camping and learn some hunting areas as well. Head out in June for scouting and fishing.