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Post by js2397 on Nov 30, 2017 20:02:27 GMT -5
I am planning to start researching an elk hunt for the near future. I work in a school so time off is limited. I do have off the entire second week of October. I did a Wyoming antelope hunt with my son this year and now I'm really wanting an elk. Early in my research Utah looks like the right choice with easy to get general tags, inexpensive license, and the season is the second week of October. Does anyone have any pointers they would be willing to share. I know getting in shape, know land boundaries, and common things. I'm looking for more specific info if you have any.
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Nov 30, 2017 21:48:54 GMT -5
Are you looking to archery hunt or rifle? I assume DIY?
You can bowhunt MT, WY, or ID in early October. MT and WY have the flexibility that if you don't tag out during archery, you can come back during rifle.
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Post by js2397 on Dec 1, 2017 8:58:41 GMT -5
Any place is as good as another. Just keep in mind that I only have off the 2nd week of October and I'd like to go to some place where there are elk. I don't mind getting out after them, but you can't hunt them if they aren't there.
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Post by bigbear on Dec 1, 2017 13:44:55 GMT -5
Lawrencecountryhunter is right and also CO. He does a lot of research on his hunts. Utah is a state that is NOT a easy state to hunt. most areas are draw only, the general tags are : have you ever hunted Brown country state park well that's a walk in the park to Utah general season areas if you are rifle hunting. Archery is a LITTLE better. You should start putting in for points for the states you would like to hunt now!
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Post by SFC (R) B on Dec 1, 2017 13:59:02 GMT -5
A great source for DIY western hunting information that both myself and Lawrencecountryhunter frequent is onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk Great people there. I would suggest joining and searching through threads related to the questions you have. Post, share and become involved a bit. Lots to learn and as people become acquainted with you they will be more and more helpful. If you need any help deciphering the CO regs or process feel free to PM me and I will help all I can.
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Post by js2397 on Dec 2, 2017 11:50:29 GMT -5
Thanks, I knew there are a few on this site that hunt out west. I will check that other site also. Looking at Utah showed some units with good success rates. It may be better to build points and hunt spike only season in a trophy unit until I draw a tag.
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Post by SFC (R) B on Dec 2, 2017 12:00:05 GMT -5
You can hunt over the counter in CO in most units every year....
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Post by js2397 on Dec 2, 2017 12:11:39 GMT -5
You can hunt over the counter in CO in most units every year.... It doesn't look like there are any open seasons during the 2nd week of October.
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Post by SFC (R) B on Dec 2, 2017 17:59:01 GMT -5
I forgot about the gap between the seasons....That is rough to be constricted to that week. Sorry I couldn't of more help
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Post by js2397 on Dec 2, 2017 18:03:10 GMT -5
I forgot about the gap between the seasons....That is rough to be constricted to that week. Sorry I couldn't of more help No worries, I appreciate any insight. I also have most of thanksgiving week and 2 weeks around Christmas. Being a school principal is a good rewarding job, but stinks in terms of vacation flexibility.
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Post by SFC (R) B on Dec 4, 2017 12:42:59 GMT -5
Here is a question...are you looking at DIY or a guided hunt? If you are looking at private land guided hunts, a lot of the ranches in CO have seasons outside of the general seasons.
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Post by js2397 on Dec 4, 2017 14:25:21 GMT -5
DIY would be my preference, but if there was a reasonably priced hunt I would consider it. From what I have seen those do not exist so DIY is probably what I'll do.
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Post by SFC (R) B on Dec 4, 2017 14:46:05 GMT -5
I would say from what I have seen and what friends have done that a starting point for a decent bull elk hunt would be around $5500.
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Post by js2397 on Dec 4, 2017 14:51:34 GMT -5
Cow elk may be my plan while building points. I would also like to do a mule deer hunt so that may be my first goal.
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Post by SFC (R) B on Dec 4, 2017 15:21:46 GMT -5
You could probably do a cow for half (or even less ) of that. Muley's a little too, unless you are looking for trophy class...then they can get really expensive as well. Here is an example of a place. Ranches that are enrolled in the Ranching For Wildlife program get the tags with extended seasons (the program also gives CO residents the ability to draw tags and hunt on those ranches-my daughter gets to hunt for a cow on this ranch next week). I haven't been to this ranch yet so this isn't an endorsement yet...but I have been in the Craig area previously and there are a lot of deer there. www.bgwildlife.com/deer.html
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Post by js2397 on Dec 4, 2017 16:16:01 GMT -5
Cool, let me know how it goes and good luck to your daughter. Hunting with your own kids is awesome.
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Post by js2397 on Dec 7, 2017 16:09:48 GMT -5
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Dec 10, 2017 8:33:34 GMT -5
Wyoming area 11 is open during that time. I hunted it a few years ago and had a fun hunt. You can apply for a Type 1 tag (bull), but draw odds are low. You can also apply for a Type 6 (reduced price cow), and draw odds are pretty good. If all else fails, you can definitely get a Type 4 (full price cow) in the leftover drawing.
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Post by js2397 on Dec 10, 2017 9:00:25 GMT -5
Wyoming area 11 is open during that time. I hunted it a few years ago and had a fun hunt. You can apply for a Type 1 tag (bull), but draw odds are low. You can also apply for a Type 6 (reduced price cow), and draw odds are pretty good. If all else fails, you can definitely get a Type 4 (full price cow) in the leftover drawing. I'm in Harrison County, not too far for me to drive and meet up if you are interested. I wouldn't mind buying you breakfast and picking your brain about things if you wouldn't mind.
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Post by esshup on Dec 27, 2017 10:40:20 GMT -5
In Wyoming, you can either buy a preference point, or put in for a license, and if you don't get drawn for your first choice for a hunting area you can still get a preference point and hunt that year in your 2nd choice area without burning preference points.
For a DIY Elk hunt, be prepared to work hard both before and after the animal is on the ground. No dragging them out like a deer....
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