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Post by harmonist34 on Sept 21, 2020 21:27:44 GMT -5
I'd like to plan for an elk hunt in the next few years. I've watched some Youtube videos, had an initial conversation or two with a friend that's done some elk hunting, spent some time on a couple state's websites reviewing regulations and it's pretty overwhelming.
I know it's just going to take a bunch of hours invested to make sense of it all, but I'm curious - anybody found a Youtuber/blogger/website that does a good job of simplifying the options?
Bottom line is that it's going to take a LOT of money - that much is clear. But which state to target, deciding whether to buy points for years vs. choosing a less desirable unit or OTC...so overwhelming.
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Sept 22, 2020 6:24:06 GMT -5
Randy Newberg has some good videos about each state and their draw process.
I'd recommend the first trip or two being either cow hunts, or even deer or pronghorn hunts. That way you get to line out your gear, learn to navigate private/public boundaries, deal with weather, etc. while on an "easier" hunt.
It doesn't have to be terribly expensive. A cow tag cost around $300-500 in most states, with bull tags more like $700-$1000 most places. After that, you just have to get yourself there and back. I view equipment purchases as more of an investment, not a one time cost.
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Post by bigbuckd on Sept 22, 2020 14:27:51 GMT -5
Start here: www.elk101.com/Also:ElkNut.com Believe it or not you can make it happen on a budget. |
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Post by harmonist34 on Sept 22, 2020 21:16:46 GMT -5
Thanks, guys!
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Post by scrub-buster on Sept 23, 2020 6:23:52 GMT -5
Last year was my first time hunting elk. I went with a friend who had been once before. He did the online scouting and picked an area for us to hunt. For me, the first year was the most expensive since I had to buy all the gear. I only hunt deer on the property that I live on so my hunting/camping equipment was limited. And an top of that, I lost 90 lbs training for the hunt so I had to buy all new clothes and camo. Make sure you are in shape for the hunt. You don't want your conditioning to hold you back.
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Post by treetop on Sept 23, 2020 14:55:24 GMT -5
Randy Newberg has some good videos about each state and their draw process. I'd recommend the first trip or two being either cow hunts, or even deer or pronghorn hunts. That way you get to line out your gear, learn to navigate private/public boundaries, deal with weather, etc. while on an "easier" hunt. It doesn't have to be terribly expensive. A cow tag cost around $300-500 in most states, with bull tags more like $700-$1000 most places. After that, you just have to get yourself there and back. I view equipment purchases as more of an investment, not a one time cost. What he said unless you think it’s a one shot only deal cow tags are cheap compared to bull tags and you can spend tons of time just trying to figure things out on your first try and second and third and than you have weather on top of all that BTW cow elk taste real good once your home WY website has a list of places that charge trespass fees not a bad deal if your financing allows most are not horrible priced. If you are a one shot deal I’d go outfitted if your starting from scratch it maybe cheeper than buyIng gear And a lot of that depends on the level of comfort you want camping cooking eating. I’ve done quite a few hunts when dad was still alive and most times the tag and gas was our total cost I’d say 1500 to 2000 per person but we rough it to a degree If you can swing it two weeks is the way to go |
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Post by steiny on Sept 23, 2020 15:46:29 GMT -5
Public ground, do it yourself western elk hunting for an midwesterner without an experienced buddy to help you out is going to be a real long shot, I've done it. Wouldn't be unusual for you to be unsuccessful for a few years as you learn the country and learn where and how to find elk and get within range. Not saying this to discourage you, it's just a fact. Even if unsuccessful, worse case you have a cool camping trip in some neat country. Easiest states to get tags are probably going to be Colorado, Idaho and Montana.
If you can swing the cost, hooking up with a good outfitter and going guided on a good private ranch will up your odds of success tenfold. Many outfitters do pretty close to 100% success. They are also a huge help when you get an elk on the ground as it is no small chore to break one down and get it back to camp.
If you do go guided, don't go cheap. There are hundreds of horror stories every year about poor experiences by hunters who shopped for a bargain and wound up on an expensive camping trip and came home without an elk. A quality guided elk hunt is going to run $7,000+, there are some much cheaper cow only hunts too. A good starting point would be to peruse the websites of a booking agents such as Worldwide Trophy Adventures or Jack Atcheson & Sons. This will give you an idea on costs. In most cases these folks will handle getting your tags also, so no worry about learning the tag lottery system, etc.
I've done four hunts; Idaho, Colorado & Utah and have killed three bulls to date. Thinking about giving it another shot next year. One of the best things about the whole deal is elk are fantastic eating. An average bull will yield 200-250 lbs of processed meat.
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Post by treetop on Sept 23, 2020 16:04:54 GMT -5
Montana has tons of ground but they know how to charge for tags
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Post by SFC (R) B on Sept 25, 2020 21:44:32 GMT -5
Randy Newberg has some good videos about each state and their draw process. I'd recommend the first trip or two being either cow hunts, or even deer or pronghorn hunts. That way you get to line out your gear, learn to navigate private/public boundaries, deal with weather, etc. while on an "easier" hunt. It doesn't have to be terribly expensive. A cow tag cost around $300-500 in most states, with bull tags more like $700-$1000 most places. After that, you just have to get yourself there and back. I view equipment purchases as more of an investment, not a one time cost. Randy has a Youtube channel with tons of info and runs the Hunt Talk website/forum. Tons of good info on that forum (you will see me on there quite a bit  ) Someone mentioned a question that I think is foremost......Are you planning on this being a one off or are you looking to making it a regular pilgrimage? If you are thinking one time I would also suggest going guided. For reference the average success rate for rifle hunters here in CO floats around 20% depending on area. Good outfitters WILL for the most part be able to get you on elk (for a price). Other questions......what equipment do you have already? What kind of budget can you swing? What is your capacity for physical exertion? What (if any) experience do you have with big mountains and wilderness? How much time can you spend on a trip? |
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Post by medic22 on Sept 26, 2020 9:24:52 GMT -5
I'm playing the long game. Film a few whitetail hunts, get popular on youtube, get invited to do a collaboration with Born and raised outdoors, elk101, or some other successful groul that knows what theyre doing.
Adults can have dreams too.
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Post by xizang on Sept 27, 2020 17:43:52 GMT -5
Read through the post and do not recall seeing weapon of choice you are wanting to hunt with. Archery has a historical success rate of about 11%, while rifle is about 25-30% depending on where and when you are hunting. I have been elk hunting for quite a few years. Started out with an outfitter, as I had no idea how to hunt elk or get around the mountains as a midwest resident. Been DIY ever since and love it. Getting around the mountains is no easy trick and can get very dangerous very quick. Weather, terrain, distance from help, etc all come into play when you maybe 5+ miles from your camp or vehicle.
Elk hunting is very different from whitetail. You really have to get off the beaten path as the elk become more and more pressured. You may spot elk half mile or mile away, but it takes you 2 hours to work around and get things right to make a move on them. WIND is everything in elk hunting as well. Elk do not wait around to try and figure out what something is after they smell you. They just leave fast, and may never come back to that area. This is an animal that can roam 10+ miles in an evening.
I am on the extreme end of elk hunting, as I hike everywhere and will go to whatever length to hunt them. If the elk are 5 miles from camp, then I go 5 miles one way to hunt the elk. I have done the ATV thing, but number of orange army during rifle season on atv is unreal. The elk absolutely scatter with all the pressure. I typically hunt areas restricted to hiking/horseback only and prefer archery. If this is the route you would like to pursue, then be prepared for 10-12+ miles of hiking a day. That is also with a 30+ pound pack on and carrying a bow.
Hunts can be made easier than I do them for sure, but it is just how I like to do things. I fell in love with the mountains and elk hunting after my first trip, and go out just about every year. It is hard no matter how you hunt them, and the real work starts after you shoot one. Do everything you can to research and figure out how you want to make your hunting experience, but by all means though do it. It will be great learning experience and a thrill you will never forget.
A few questions to consider when determining how to set up your hunt.
Who is going with you?
Anybody have experience?
Archery or rifle hunting?
Hiking/horseback or using ATV?
What kind of physical condition are you or hunting party in?
Have you ever been in the mountains, navigated the mountains, etc?
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