Your first Western Big Game hunt.

[Mammoth Steppe]

Hi there, first post on the forum, thanks for having me.

I live in Eastern Canada and have been racking my brain for months now on just how to get started into Western hunting. This forum came highly recommended for this topic.

This post is mostly directed at those living in the "east" or at least those that don't live right near the mountains. What was your first experience hunting western game, how did it go? For those of you in my shoes today, what are you considering as your first hunt out west?

I've been looking into the costs of some of these outfitters and the prices have come with a bit of a sticker shock. I had no idea sheep hunts were six figures haha.

We've got plenty of white tail, black bear and moose here so I'd be interested in pursuing something we don't have. What would you recommend for that first western experience, elk? caribou? mountain goat? brown bear?

I'd be looking into Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon for reference.

 

[MoeFaux]

I'm a Michigan boy, and I love getting out west to see places and pursue animals that are different from home.

My first was a guided elk hunt in CO. It was a trip that my dad and his buddy planned then invited me to join - I couldn't even tell you the name of the outfit. It was a decent time and a successful hunt but was lacking a lot of the things I now look for.

I chased black bears in Oregon with Freak Horn Guide Service. The owner, Brock, and his guys do a great job at the things I look for, and his prices are reasonable because they're not bloated with luxury items. I got a warm place to sleep, hearty home-cooked meals, and time afield with guys who are passionate, ethical, and easy to get along with. I'll be going back.

I also chased bears in BC with Chilanko Forks Outfitters. I'm pretty sure the owner, Allen Tew, has been on the scene for at least 164 years and is a workhorse in the field. His daughter was also a great guide and fun partner in the field. I would love to give them my business again, but takes a bit more time and money for me to get to their spot, so I'm not sure if it'll happen.

Those areas you're looking at will have great opportunities. I would love to be hunting brown bears or caribou up there if I could afford it.

 

[Germangarcia]

I’m new on here as well. I live on the west coast. I am very lucky! I recommend looking into Oregon blacktail hunting. OTC tag and tons of land on the coastal side of the State.

 

[Jack321]

First western hunt for me was antelope in WY.

Had a blast. Tagged out (shot 6) in a day and a half with my dad, brother and a buddy.

Lots of antelope back then. Still a fair amount, but no where near as many as before the winter kill a few years back.

This past Oct. went back and we went 3 for 5 in three full days of hunting. My dad and two older brothers (who had never gone) all tagged out. Me and my younger brother both of us have gone a hand full of times were totally fine "guiding" oue older brother and dad for their goats. So my dad and older brothers were the priority.

Also did a half-assed Muley hunt in the same area while my Father In Law and Uncle did an antelope hunt. They both tagged out in the first hour and a half (again well before the winter kill a few yrs ago.) And my dad and I slogged thru the remaining 3 days looking for a muley. We both settled on two white tail does the last afternoon. Only saw 1 possible shooter and it was on inaccessible ground. Really wasnt a "mule deer hunt." It was more of an antelope with a mule deer kicker hunt.

For first western hunt. Antelope is what I recommend.

Lots of public land, lots of opportunity. If you blow a stalk go over the next hill and there will be another. Lots of fun too because theyre out all day. And dont let anyone tell you the meat is bad. We thought it was excellent!

 

[AntelopeEater]

I second the above advise to look into antelope(pronghorn).

IF your budget allows, you can go on guided hunt on private land this year; otherwise, spend the next few years building up points in WY until you can draw a good unit with decent public land access.

 

[fatlander]

I always wanted to bow hunt elk in September. My western hunts have all been elk hunts. I learned a ton the first few years while eating tag soup.

Now, me and my hunting partners eat elk.

I have to think if we’d stopped on the plains, before ever getting to elk country, to hunt speed goats on the first trip or two, we’d have eaten just as many elk tags before starting to figure it out.

My advice would be to figure out what you want to hunt, and do that. You need to know going in that it’s not like YouTube or hunting TV.

Coming from a guy that’s never hunted antelope, so take the following for what it’s worth. I definitely think success would be more probable on the first trip hunting antelope. I’ve yet to see hundreds of elk on easy to draw public while driving down the highway, antelope are a different story.


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[Joshk358]

My first western hunt was antelope as well. Cheap and back then it was easy to get a tag. Shot two in two days. Great experience and completely different to hunting in the Midwest like I had been used to. I remember it like it was yesterday...although it was 36 years ago. Which is insane to say.

 

[TheViking]

I grew up in Michigan and moved to Colorado in my 20s. First hunt was for cow elk.
Antelope is a great hunt, so is cow elk rifle. Pretty easy to get tags for.
All I will say about getting into western hunting is you better get your butt in shape if it’s not already. Western hunting is different and even ‘easy’ hunts can kick your ass real fast. For antelope that’s not necessary, but deer or elk, prepare more than you think.

 

[buffybr]

I grew up in Colorado as a 5th generation Denverite, but not in a hunting family. It wasn't until my second year in college at Colorado State back in 1965 that one of my roommates took me deer hunting with him in northwestern Colorado. He loaned me a Winchester 94 in .32 Special and I shot my first mule deer, a spike buck. Back at colllege, I proudly hung those spike antlers on my bedroom wall.

The next year I went hunting with him again and shot my first elk, a 5x5 bull with a borrowed .30-40 Krag. Since then hunting has been a big part of my life, choossing to live and work in hunting country and keeping my family fed with venison.

My passion for hunting has taken me on a dozen international hunts, and 1/3 of my house has turned into a wildlife museum with 80 taxidermied mounts.

 

[Laramie]

I second the above advise to look into antelope(pronghorn).

IF your budget allows, you can go on guided hunt on private land this year; otherwise, spend the next few years building up points in WY until you can draw a good unit with decent public land access.

Really? Those Wyoming PP will help him a bunch in the areas he wants to hunt... Alberta, British Columbia, or the Yukon.

Antelope isn't a bad suggestion, and Alberta has a decent population, but I have no clue how difficult it is to get a tag. I'm guessing he can spend a little time researching to figure it out.