Elk Hunting Question

[bohunter3]

I'm thinking about a "Do It Yourself" Elk hunt. I'd like to use a bow, but rifle is not out of the question. I have never hunted Elk. I live in Southern California, so I'll have to travel wherever I go. Any suggestion on which state/area would be good to hunt, with the best possible results. If I needed, I could access a quad, but no horses. I know this is a lot, but I really need to know what to area to focus on.

 

[tcrhunter]

bohunter, just like you I had been loking into elk hunting struggling with several problems. One is the price, non residents pay about $ 500 for bull tags in most states. the secound is success rates and so far I fond in Colorado had 50%, in the last years. But then the biger problem was deciding between record bulls or avarege, and drawing chance for geting a tag. Arizona and New Mexico have very nice record on geting above 300 points, but is not so easy to get a tag. Colorado on the other had has avarage bulls
to lower end but you can get cow tags for $ 250 any time and probably every other year
a bull tag. I went with Colorado my self, but first year I end up only with cow tag and seen 3 bulls, but no cow all seson. This year I got a bull tag and my brother got a cow, and we both baged them. As far as ATV is concerned, I know people that use them, but they are useful on the first 2 days. After that the best choice is on foot and be ready to cover as much as posible, if you realy like to bag someting.
Good lock.

 

[jamaro]

You might think about hunting New Mexico. We have 22% of our tags going to NR... Also, we might be close enough to do some scouting or at the very least make a few connections. Give Tommy at www.gilawildernesshunting.com a call... He can get you heading in the right direction. He runs a DIY business that will really make your life easier. He can help you in getting a tag and showing you were to hunt..
Tell Him Jason Sent you...

jason

 

[dirtpoor]

bohunter3, you leave a lot of unanswered question's, such as what shape are you usually in by hunting season.. do you prefer being way back in or closer to the road hunting..are you trophy hunting or just looking for a great outdoor experience, the answer to your question can be very complicated or quite simple, my advice for your first time is to buy a Colorado over the counter bull tag, it's a hunt that with a summer of research and advice from the good folk's on this and other forum's you will have an exciting hunt. Better yet hook up with someone who hunt's the way you do and it will be a whole lot easier, I've hunted public land in Colorado alone for 6 of the last 10 yr's and I've taken 4 bull's, so if I can do it anybody can. I'd be happy to share any of my info with you, I live in Fallbrook Ca so we're neighbor's, good luck, Bill....usahunter@aol.com

 

[tmoniz]

Like others have said, Colorado over the counter would be you're best bet. Maybe do a little research around the Meeker area, Black Mountain National Forest and such, especially if you've never hunted Elk before.

Area 22 and 100 in Wyoming are real good places but it's a very tough draw.
Or you can go guided.


I went with these guys years ago.


wolverine creek

 

[Mr.Redneck]

BO,
Like myself you'll be a first-time elk hunter!!! My research has led me to believe that if you just want to hunt, with the possibility of getting an elk, Colorado is the place to go!!! They have OTC tags for archers, which is what I'll be getting if I fail to draw the area I want!!! I am an easterner, and have used the Colorado DNR website and found a boatload of info on it. It has Game Management Unit maps, success statistics, by WMU, drawing statistics by WMU and season and weapon. If you are a first timer, you are looking at either an easy draw unit with a lower success rate, or an over the counter tag with a lower success rate, but Colorado is the only state that has OTC ELK tags. I narrowed my search to what areas have public land, and a relatively decent success rate. My group is planning to head out and hunt the first 10-12 days of the Archery season, before the guys with the Muzzleloaders scare them to death. The different guys I've bounced my questions off of, have told me I am on the right track. We are planning on hiking in and setting up a base camp up in the mountains so we wake up in Elk country. Just my inexperienced, but researched

!!

Doug

 

[COHunter]

I think what tmoniz meant was Black Mountain in Routt Natl Forest and thats north of Craig.

The Meeker area is the White River Natl Forest.

Just tryin' to help a Brotha out

 

[tmoniz]

Cohunter.

You're right. I kinda had it Bassackwards. Haven't been up that way in a while.
How about around Dolores? Have you ever hunted that area? Or the San Juans?

 

[Speckmisser]

Bohunter3,

If you want a relatively cheap, OTC archery hunt, you might look into Oregon. I can only speak second-hand, as I haven't had a chance to make it yet (plan it every year, but something always comes up), but there is some good hunting up there to folks who are willing to put in the effort.

CO is great also, and easy to get in... especially for archery. They have a pretty awesome success rate too, if you're looking for meat.

The other guys will have to speak to trophy hunts if that's your bent, as I don't really care too much about hunting for antlers.

 

[Backcountry]

Originally posted by dmorehouse@Nov 29 2004, 01:25 PM
but Colorado is the only state that has OTC ELK tags.

Not true... OR also as them for archers. I'll be there next year for sure.

Backcountry

 

[BOWUNTR]

Utah has OTC elk tags too. Ed F

 

[Losthwy]

Originally posted by tcrhunter@Nov 24 2004, 02:18 PM
the second is success rates and so far I find Colorado had 50%, in the last years.

The over all success rate for elk hunters in Colorado is about 20%.

 

[Mr.Redneck]

I stand corrected on the OTC tags, thanks guys. I have read that Colorado was the only state with OTC tags somewhere. But you can't believe everything you read. Like my post above!!!

Doug