Best Place To Go On A Budget

[HiiidyHoHunters]

I was planning on traveling out of state to elk hunt this fall and would like to know my best bets for $2,000 or less. Preferably within AZ, NM, CO or UT. Guide suggestions would also be appreciated. Thanks

 

[COHunter]

You can probably get a pretty decent Landowner permit in New Mexico. They list all the landowners on their website. I wouldnt recommend Colorado because it is way too crowded (over the counter Tags), unless your willing to fork over some serious cash for private land access.

 

[_droptine_]

What weapon do you want to use?

 

[HiiidyHoHunters]

Weapon of choice would probably help. Bowhunting. I've never bowhunted before but I've been shooting for about a year now several times a week and I'm pretty damn good. I have a Remington 710 in case a bowhunting trip is too expensive.

 

[wmidbrook]

As another option, there are lots of drop camps under your price limit--they seem to average about $1,500 or so. I don't think I've seen a guided hunt for bulls under $2500. Haven't personally gone that route yet, but am considering it in the future.

I've also heard about good deals on NM tags that COHunter mentioned--I hope to find more out at the RMEF conference and maybe their website.

Least expensive non-resident elk tags I've seen are in Wyo. Wyoming offers cow/calf tags for $160/tag. If you don't get one in the draw, you can usually get one OTC thru one of the venders with your credit card over the phone the day they go on sale in mid-August. There are many ranches which charge over $3,000/bull but let the cow tag holders hunt for free to keep the herds in balance. Success rates are extremely high.

There are some of the ranches listed on WFG's website. Also, if you call, you can get a more comprehensive list of where the ranches/checkstations are located. That may be a good way to find a herd you'd like to take a bull from at some point in the future.

 

[Shane]

Probably the last "best" hunt for a guy's dollar (looking for a rifle, branch antler, bull) is still the late Gardner hunt in MT. I can't recommend an outfitter, but I'm sure you can find one in that area that can put on a quality hunt (without having to draw permit) within your budget. A bit less expensive if you choose to apply for the draw. Preference point system.

Growing up in MT, we drew a few tags in that area. And today, it's still a great hunt.

 

[Bill in SD]

Shane, don't you have to buy a hunting license or an elk tag to get in that late season hunt?

I was checking into it a few years ago and that is why I did not apply. The odds are real slim as well. And it would be weather dependent.

However, if a guy drew a tag and the weather cooperated it would be great.
Bill

 

[tmoniz]

Wyoming area 22. You've got till the 31st of january to put in. The Ferris mountains. Big bulls. You can walk or see them from the road.

 

[DonV]

Apply to WY, AZ, Utah and NM. If you do not draw there are plenty of good tags to be had in NM. The tag will total $1,000, maybe a couple hundred more for a good area but it is a sure tag. You can pick a nit where you can camp by a road or spend $500 to have someone pack you in/out. With gas and a little spending $$ the hunt would be under $2,000 - even if you get an elk. Also, if you draw, the hunt can be under $1,000 if you hunt a unit where you can camp by a road and hike in each day.

First try and draw a tag to save the landowner charge, 2nd pick a nonwilderness unit where access is simple.

An elk hunt, for under $2,000 with a sure tag and good chance at success is great.

 

[Tominator]

I can't wait for my son to get old enough to go out west and hunt elk! That's all he talks about and I promised him I'd wait till he could go before i went. I have friends in ID that invited out to hunt with them anytime and another in CO that can help out...come on 2009!!!

 

[hunthog]

You might consider Oregon. I've always found Bulls, the license and tags won't break you in comparison to other western states and you don't have to draw for tags. You can buy them over the counter or by mail right up to the day before the opening. Another good thing....the archery tag, for almost all areas, is for "any Elk". That means you can take a Cow or Mature Calf if a Bull becomes hard to find. Most areas around and in the Blue Mountains are good and hold good numbers of Elk and some nice Bulls. I'd tell you where I hunt but then I'd have to kill you (or my partners would kill me).

I could give you a general area where I have always had Bulls bugle and my friends and I have taken several Elk. Drawback.....It's steep, the cover is tough, the general terrain sucks, many areas are a forest of lodge pole deadfall and tracking a hit animal is harder than you've ever experienced. That, and to get to the real hunting you need to hike a minimum 2 miles in every morning and that means you have to haul your animal out the same 2+ miles.

Hey, no one said the game was easy. It's the kind of hunting you spend 6 months preparing for. I've already started preping because the rewards are worth the work.

hunthog

 

[Dave in LB]

I am hoping to do a CO elk hunt this year and hoping to do it for less than $2000 total. I figure for the tag it will be either $470 for Bull or $255 for Cow( I will choose cow as I don't need antlers) I have most of my equipment and will be camping near the hunting area. the drive is about 975 miles which isn't too bad on gas depending on the vehicle. Food should not be more than about $300 for the week. If I can convinve a buddy or two to go along the costs get smaller plus I need to put in on their good graces for a 4x4 as I haven't one yet. With your budget i would guess that you should do well what ever you choose.

 

[Speckmisser]

Just a thought for you guys thinking about do-it-yourself trips. Outdoor life a year or so ago, had a couple of articles about planning and doing a self-guided, budget minded elk hunt. It offered some pretty good ideas, and lots of tips. It's good reading, and useful info.

Go to their website and search the hunting archives. Outdoor Life Magazine Online

 

[Oregon Archer]

to add some more info to Specks reply Cameron Hanes has some great info on his website about DIY hunting in the backcountry. He covers equipment, food, outfitters/packers and a bunch of other topics.


www.crhpublishing.com

 

[DrDoolittle]

I don't consider my self an expert on where to go. I do know that I'm going to Idaho in October unit 10A Dworshak. There is a large group of us going there. Buy tags on the internet or via "snail mail". Still have 46 Non-Res tags left as of this post. Will cost about $487 on internet/$467 snail mail. If your thinking of a self guided type hunt, go for it. Just a thought. I know that the total trip minus meat prep and possible taxidermy fees if necessary is going to be less than a $1000. Good luck in what ever you decide to do!