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elk hunt advice needed
Posted on 8/20/19 at 11:05 am
Posted on 8/20/19 at 11:05 am
Looking for a next year hunt and need some guidance. Colorado or Wyoming/montana? I dont think i can swing 7grand for a guided hunt but public land hunts seem to be a pretty low chance or no? Found a place in CO that is called high plains drift inn that offers lodging and meals with guidance i guess you would call it. They tell you where they think the elk are and then you hike there on their ranch. Any help is appreciated
5
Posted on 8/20/19 at 6:40 pm to Lucky_Stryke
Have a buddy that’s going to Wyoming this year got drawn for unit that his buddy has had success in previous years. He said he was really surprised he got drawn, I’m hoping I can tag along next year.
I have been looking at few forums and most of the easy draw units are the lowest success rates, Colorado had over the counter tags but talking to some friends who have been its high pressure and not a lot of animals or even sign. But that being said they had a blast.
Do some google on that high plains drift inn! I saw a a good bit of negative reviews while I was browsing. It may be legit and just a bunch of disgruntled hunters...
I have been looking at few forums and most of the easy draw units are the lowest success rates, Colorado had over the counter tags but talking to some friends who have been its high pressure and not a lot of animals or even sign. But that being said they had a blast.
Do some google on that high plains drift inn! I saw a a good bit of negative reviews while I was browsing. It may be legit and just a bunch of disgruntled hunters...
Posted on 8/20/19 at 6:59 pm to Lucky_Stryke
Wyoming you have to be drawn and usually it takes 2-3 years for that. The others I have no knowledge on but I will say don't rule out Arizona or New Mexico. I have seen great bulls in either of those states and there is a lot of public land there also.
Posted on 8/20/19 at 10:02 pm to Lucky_Stryke
You can still buy a bonus point for Wyoming elk. Do that. Attempt to draw a cow tag with second choice next year. Use that to get to know the unit for the following year when you draw a bull tag. While your at it, buy a deer and antelope point, also.
Your first Western Hunt should be antelope. Tags are easy to draw, success rates are high, and the land is easy to access. This will help you learn about the West a bit, as well as sort out your camping gear, etc.
Your first Western Hunt should be antelope. Tags are easy to draw, success rates are high, and the land is easy to access. This will help you learn about the West a bit, as well as sort out your camping gear, etc.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 1:11 pm to Lucky_Stryke
I moved to Colorado a couple years ago, and this will be my first year to try out elk hunting. I'm going Solo DIY archery on public land w/ over the counter tags this year, and stacking preference points for a couple years before trying to draw a limited tag. It's not easy to find guys willing to hike in, camp, and pack out meat themselves, otherwise I'd have a buddy or two with me
Success rates are a lot lower for DIY, OTC tags than guided and drawn tags, but I think that has a lot to do with how many people come out of shape and unprepared to elk hunt without guides pointing the way. Also, Colorado having the largest elk herds in the US, we get a lot of out of staters that don't have the time or money to scout before showing up to hunt, which makes it very difficult to find elk.
Private land hunts can almost guarantee you success, but most guides are putting you on the same public land everyone else is hunting with the same 10% success rate.
Remember too, guides that do "unguided" or "drop camp" hunts usually have multiple clients hunting the same areas you'll be hunting all season long.
Success rates are a lot lower for DIY, OTC tags than guided and drawn tags, but I think that has a lot to do with how many people come out of shape and unprepared to elk hunt without guides pointing the way. Also, Colorado having the largest elk herds in the US, we get a lot of out of staters that don't have the time or money to scout before showing up to hunt, which makes it very difficult to find elk.
Private land hunts can almost guarantee you success, but most guides are putting you on the same public land everyone else is hunting with the same 10% success rate.
Remember too, guides that do "unguided" or "drop camp" hunts usually have multiple clients hunting the same areas you'll be hunting all season long.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 1:20 pm to Westward
quote:
I moved to Colorado a couple years ago, and this will be my first year to try out elk hunting. I'm going Solo DIY archery on public land w/ over the counter tags this year, and stacking preference points for a couple years before trying to draw a limited tag.
Now that you live there you can just say I'm going elk hunting....not, I'm doing a DIY elk hunt.
Save that for these boys
Posted on 8/21/19 at 1:29 pm to LSUintheNW
I think putting DIY in there just means I'm doing all the work, research, and scouting myself, sans guide.
But, I'm very new to this western hunting stuff. Only big game hunting I've done is whitetails out of box stands with corn on the ground. This has been and will be a huge learning experience for me.
But, I'm very new to this western hunting stuff. Only big game hunting I've done is whitetails out of box stands with corn on the ground. This has been and will be a huge learning experience for me.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 1:57 pm to Westward
quote:
I think putting DIY in there just means I'm doing all the work, research, and scouting myself, sans guide.
I know what it means brochacho.
Most people in your neck of the woods and my neck of the woods do all their own work.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 3:45 pm to 257WBY
That's what I think I'm gonna do. Seems to make sense all the way around
Posted on 8/21/19 at 3:55 pm to Lucky_Stryke
Can any experienced elk hunters shed some light on current hunting pressure? Seems everybody and their mom is trying to elk hunt these days and maybe I was just oblivious but this didn’t always seem to be the case.
That said, I would like to make a trip one day.
That said, I would like to make a trip one day.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 4:16 pm to jimbeam
JB, it depends which state and unit you go.
I can only speak for Co and there are many, many places to hunt where you won't get pressured. You have to want to put in the time to scout and get back more than a mile from the truck or nearest road.
As some have said, some of the best units are draw units, but you can draw an A tag and a B tag in some of these areas. Take a look at the units and the number of tags allotted. The more the tags, generally, the more the pressure. A lot of guys like to hunt the front range units because of their proximity to Denver.
If you want to get away, I suggest some of the more remote units in the San Juans or NW area of Co where you can spread out. Of course, Co has a plethora of seasons that you can draw in and usually have decent luck and chance of filling your tag. Have not hunted Wyoming, Montana or New Mexico.
My two cents worth....
I can only speak for Co and there are many, many places to hunt where you won't get pressured. You have to want to put in the time to scout and get back more than a mile from the truck or nearest road.
As some have said, some of the best units are draw units, but you can draw an A tag and a B tag in some of these areas. Take a look at the units and the number of tags allotted. The more the tags, generally, the more the pressure. A lot of guys like to hunt the front range units because of their proximity to Denver.
If you want to get away, I suggest some of the more remote units in the San Juans or NW area of Co where you can spread out. Of course, Co has a plethora of seasons that you can draw in and usually have decent luck and chance of filling your tag. Have not hunted Wyoming, Montana or New Mexico.
My two cents worth....
Posted on 8/21/19 at 4:35 pm to Lucky_Stryke
Watch Randy Newberg on YouTube, he has a lot of info regarding DIY elk hunting.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 5:41 pm to jimbeam
Jim, there are more elk now than there’s ever been in our lifetime. If I drive halfway across the country, I want a quality experience. It’s hard to get that if you aren’t building points and planning several years in advance. Don’t overlook an antelope hunt as an awesome way to experience the West and have a great chance at success.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 6:15 pm to 257WBY
quote:
You can still buy a bonus point for Wyoming elk. Do that. Attempt to draw a cow tag with second choice next year. Use that to get to know the unit for the following year when you draw a bull tag. While your at it, buy a deer and antelope point, also.
Your first Western Hunt should be antelope. Tags are easy to draw, success rates are high, and the land is easy to access. This will help you learn about the West a bit, as well as sort out your camping gear, etc.
I like this advice and am going to use it, will try and do antelope next year probably. I have zero western experience, but I am going to idaho next week just to camp and stuff, do some trout fishing.
Want to just go mess around and see if I can practice scouting/patterning big game
Posted on 8/21/19 at 6:22 pm to Theboot32
I just bought an antelope preference point. What are the chances of drawing a quality tag next year? I'm more concerned with success and a bit of meat I've never had before than big horns.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 6:23 pm to celltech1981
quote:
I just bought an antelope preference point.
Im about to buy some points as well. Not planning on going for a few years though.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 6:29 pm to celltech1981
Celltech, you have a good chance in Wyoming with one point. There’s plenty of animals. Some of the easier to draw units have less public land, but plenty of antelope. You just need to navigate with OnX or something like that.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 6:30 pm to kengel2
I got hooked on antelope last year. Bought a couple pp this year for them. Plan on trying to do a goat hunt every year I can from now on. Awesome animals, fun hunt, delicious meat.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 7:09 pm to jgthunt
You can buy multiple points?
Posted on 8/21/19 at 7:12 pm to 257WBY
quote:
Celltech, you have a good chance in Wyoming with one point. There’s plenty of animals. Some of the easier to draw units have less public land, but plenty of antelope. You just need to navigate with OnX or something like that.
One of my friends married a BLM guy, I'm going to have a lot of help lol. I was up there back in june and saw about a million antelope. They will probably all disappear when I have a tag in my pocket. Thanks
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