Help first time hunter for Elk

[tysonm]

Hi everyone! I want to introduce my self and my reason for joining this forum. My name is Tyson and I thought I would try to put in for an Elk this year and I don't really know where or how to even put in for an elk yet, but I will research more on that once I get a little more knowledge and can be prepared for a hunt. I just got my Hunter Safety and bought a couple mouth reeds (All Star & Mellow Yellow) and I also got a Bugling Bull Matriarch Cow Call. I've read that I will need a lot of practice with the reeds in order to do them right, lol. I also bought a Havalon Piranta skinning knife and I will be borrowing my brothers knive that has a gutting hook on it. I have also read/watched videos about how to skin and get the meat off of an elk.

From what I've read, I understand that I will most likely want anything from .300 caliber and up for an elk since that size of caliber has dropping power and I don't want to have to track an elk down after shooting one (assuming I even get one) and chance losing it. I can't tell you what type of terrain I plan on hunting in, since I don't really know any places that are well known for Elk in Utah. I am so far really interested in the Tikka T3 Stainless Steel rifle, probably in 30-06?

I like to do heavy research when I am interested in areas that I don't have much knowledge on, elk hunting being one of them this year
I'm trying to figure out what everyone's opinions are on guns/caliber/possible great places to put in for an elk tag in Utah?
I am mainly interested in guns that are under $850, can have a scope mounted on them, I would prefer to have a gun that can have some good range if needed, and if you know of any place in Utah that would be easier to get a tag since the higher draws takes years to get from what I've heard.

 

[baco]

Utah does have some good cow elk opportunities but if your looking for a bull tag in Utah prepare to be waiting quite a long time.
When I rifle hunt I like my 3006 it does the job nicely. Good luck to you

 

[OR186]

I haven't hunted elk in Utah for 25 years but I'll tell you what little I know. The real quality units take years to draw but there are cow, general spike and any bull units that can be drawn every year. Any elk is a trophy. Study the regulations until you understand the draw system http://wildlife.utah.gov/. Maybe hunt for spikes or cows in a unit you hope to eventually draw for a big bull and learn the habits of the elk in that unit. Generally, the further you get from a road the better your chances of finding elk. Learn how to break one down on the ground and have a good pack for hauling it out. 30.06 is a good caliber but to drop an elk on the spot you'll need to break bone. High shoulder shot would be a good bet for that with a high margin for error. My wife shot her cow Friday with a 7mm/08. Split the heart and it still ran 60 yards with a blood trail only the last 10 yards. They are tough animals. Learn all you can, don't get discouraged and go as much as you can while you're young. It will all come together eventually. Good luck!

 

[tysonm]

OR186 thank you very much for the very helpful information! From more research it looks like I can't even put in for a elk until October.

 

[dirtpoor]

Why don't you take the uncertainty out and get an over the counter tag in Colorado? Lots of opportunity and you can take a bull plus many units have leftover cow tags.

 

[tysonm]

That honestly sounds like it would be way awesome to do that. However, that is around a 9 hour drive 1 way, which would be brutal.

 

[bobby7321]

9 hours? piece of cake Well worth it.

 

[rvrrat]

The deadline to put in for the Bull elk draw is March 5. They will post the 2015 antlerless regs soon and typically the deadline to put in for the cow elk draw is around June 20th, as it was last year. Go to the Utah Fish and game web site and download the 2015 big game booklet, lots of info there for ya to research. The web site also has the drawing stats and harvest data for the various units so you can get an idea of what your chances are. Since it appears you have very limited hunting experience, if you don't know anyone that hunts you might want to consider a guided cow elk hunt, some can be very reasonably priced for the experience you'll gain from it.