Getting Started Elk Hunting

[FISHNFRANK]

I need some advice.

I haven't hunted Elk before. I live in CA and would like to book a hunt with a reliable outfitter out of state. I'm thinking either New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming or Colorado. I might want to combine it with a mule deer hunt. I don't mind spending some money but I want to get a good value/good experience with whomever I choose.

Suggestions? How to screen a reliable outfitter? How to get a tag - or easiest most reasonable place to get a tag? I just don't want to get ripped off.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Frank
fmc63@yahoo.com

 

[weekender21]

Google: San Juan River outfitters. They do hunts in NM, John is a solid outfitter.

 

[bpnclark]

Go to SCI show in Reno. You’ll be able to meet the Guides and Outfitters in person. Look for guided, backcountry combo hunt, with horses and wall tents. If you have the money (that day) to make a deposit, you can find some great bargains and “show prices”.

Good luck

 

[XDHUNTER]

Or the western hunting and conservation show in Salt Lake City. Lots of outfitters and guides you can talk about different hunt.You can attend seminars and shows at the same arena.Just bring MUCHO DINERO if you want to book a hunt.

the show is next month Feb. 5-8.

 

[Arrowslinger]

You got mail.

 

[bpnclark]

AS - Will Del Sol be at any of the Sportsman Expo shows?

 

[Arrowslinger]

No sir, not this year.

 

[Shay Mann]

I will be at the SAC ISE show. We are not exhibiting there, but I will be floating around hopefully meeting some of you JHO'ers

 

[bpnclark]

What's your email address?

 

[Shay Mann]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bpnclark @ Jan 2 2009, 10:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

What's your email address?[/b]

shay@delsolwildernessadventures.com

 

[sancho]

frank. if i had the money, (i dont) i would hunt the mescalero indian reservation, in ruidoso NM. i am not clear, but i think they are separate from the NMFG stuff. apache nation stuff. so you dont have to go through the regular draw. i believe they have a separate lotto system.

the hunts are out of a resort called "inn of the mountain gods". i have seen HUGE elk on the property. my brother and i called two decent bulls out of there a few years ago. talking them over the property fence was challenging.

i dont think they have great deer population.

 

[wmidbrook]

The outfitter sponsers here are good and have good success from what I've seen.

Region-wise, Utah doesn't offer much opportunity for combo elk/deer hunts under $10K for CWMU (ranch) tags. There's only 1 region (northern) where you could buy combo deer/elk and it gets pounded hard by public hunters. Lots of people with horses in this state hunt that region.

NM has lots of fantastic elk opportunity if you're willing to buy landowner tags and pay for the guide fees. CO and Wyo would offer more opportunity for deer and also decent oppotunity for elk. You can easily buy OTC CO tags for back-country areas to do a combo elk/deer hunt (rifle). The very NW corner of Wyo has some areas that are almost a guaranteed draw for a non-resident if you go guided into a wilderness unit.

I'd look to Utah, NW Wyoming, and NM for bigger elk than CO. Wyo, CO and private utah lands have great deer opportunities.

I've hunted though a service in NM several times--he has great hunts, tags, ranches and guides he works with. JFWRC

 

[Speckmisser]

Good info here so far. A lot depends on your budget. How much are you thinking you can spend?

For a beginner, I'd almost always recommend Colorado. You can generally get over-the-counter tags and guided hunts are about as reasonably priced as you'll find anywhere (under $5K). Lots of elk, although the real "trophy" zones are usually draw only. You'll find a lot of "average" elk throughout the state.

Mule deer hunting is good there too, although most of the folks I've talked to will sensibly recommend NOT booking a combo hunt, unless you're hunting an area with a couple of weeks to spend. While it's possible to find elk and deer running around at the same time, it's generally best to focus on one or the other unless you have a lot of time to hunt. There's no need to try to do it all at once.

 

[Shay Mann]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Speckmisser @ Jan 2 2009, 03:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Good info here so far. A lot depends on your budget. How much are you thinking you can spend?

For a beginner, I'd almost always recommend Colorado. You can generally get over-the-counter tags and guided hunts are about as reasonably priced as you'll find anywhere (under $5K). Lots of elk, although the real "trophy" zones are usually draw only. You'll find a lot of "average" elk throughout the state.

Mule deer hunting is good there too, although most of the folks I've talked to will sensibly recommend NOT booking a combo hunt, unless you're hunting an area with a couple of weeks to spend. While it's possible to find elk and deer running around at the same time, it's generally best to focus on one or the other unless you have a lot of time to hunt. There's no need to try to do it all at once.[/b]

Speck, I would agree in general with the notion that you don't want to book a combo hunt. But what I tell bowhunters that come from out of state, is why not have the deer tag in your pocket as well as an elk tag? They way we book hunts, is that you are paying for our services, of getting into a quality area in which we provide a great and memorable experience.

It doesn't cost us anymore if you shoot a deer, on your elk hunt or vice-versa. We don't charge by the species. I would hate to have a bowhunting client come in with just an elk tag in their pocket, and then see a buck that they would like to go after. Once you are here, an extra few hundred dollars to have the option to take a nice buck on your elk hunt, is sure worth the money.

Rifle hunters in Oregon, do not have the option to combo hunt. I guess you could mix in a bear hunt with either the deer or elk hunt. But if we are hunting deer or elk, we don't target bear, unless we just happen to glass one up, and the client is interested in shooting it.

It would help to know if the original poster was interested in archery of rifle.

 

[Shay Mann]

This was a cool hunt. 3 guys were on a first season Minam elk hunt, and stumbled upon this black bear. Might as well.

[attachment=57599A270113.JPG]

 

[Shay Mann]

This past season, Kirk was elk hunting, but had a valid buck tag with him. Both killed on the same Eagle Cap archery hunt. I guess my point is, is that unless an outfitter charges you for the extra animal. I would always carry all the available tags for that area.

[attachment=57600:kirk_elk.jpg]
[attachment=57601:buck.jpg]

 

[Speckmisser]

Shay, I can't argue with that.

Most of the outfitters I've talked to have a higher price for combo hunts, not to mention the cost of the additional tag... it can be an expensive "just in case". But, of course, it can pay off, too.

Haven't hunted Oregon yet, but all the video and pics from you guys has sure got me chomping at the bit.

 

[Shay Mann]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Speckmisser @ Jan 2 2009, 11:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Shay, I can't argue with that.

Most of the outfitters I've talked to have a higher price for combo hunts, not to mention the cost of the additional tag... it can be an expensive "just in case". But, of course, it can pay off, too.

Haven't hunted Oregon yet, but all the video and pics from you guys has sure got me chomping at the bit.[/b]

Get on out here Speck. Grab a couple of dudes, and I'll set you up for a good Oregon adventure.

Oregon is generally managed for opportunity and not trophy. Except the Wenaha of course, and a couple of other units. For archery, it is mostly over the counter, and for rifle some of our units are about as good as guaranteed. But there are some dandy animals out here.

Our preference points are cheap compared to other states. $4.50 for a point. Can't beat that.

 

[Shay Mann]

Don't know why my last post got added twice....

 

[Speckmisser]

I fixed your double-post... you must REALLY want me to come on out and hunt with you guys!

Seriously though, I've got 2009 booked in CO, but I do think I'll be talking to my hunting partners about heading up your way in 2010. I think I'm ready to try archery elk again.