Noob Help

[Deleted member 33033]

If you were to recommend a place where a newbie hunter (teen) carrying a black powder rifle could hunt elk with a reasonable chance of success, where would it be? Wolves seem to be a prob in the north these days, am leaning towards CO, perhaps AZ. Any advice?

 

[weekender21]

CO has the largest herd in the country and AZ has some quality animals if you can draw a tag. I would also recommend NM. They don't have a point system so you have just as good a chance of drawing a tag in a great unit this year as you do 10 years from now.

 

[CA Karen]

Have you thought about Utah? If you have a general season muzzleloader deer tag you can take a cow elk during that hunt if you have a any weapon cow tag.... I don't know if you can take a spike if you have a spike tag or not. They also have any bull areas and combination bull/buck tags too. LE bull areas are a wait...been waiting 9 years so far for mine but I also put in for anyweapon on that hunt, muzzleloader might be easier to get. Utah has a very low incidence of CWD compared to CO. I think AZ is low too but I have not hunted in the state.

 

[Orygun]

He might have a chance as a teen here. Youth hunts are preference points here. We used to/still(?) have a first time deal for youth hunters. Not sure if it applied to non-residents or not. But, with it a youth could get one big game hunt tag for any unit hunt with more than 50 tags without having to have the points.

There is a hunt in the Keno unit that is real popular. Oregon is a "traditional" blackpowder state. Pretty old school, if I remember right, no sabots even.

 

[Bubblehide]

Bruce, I'd look into Utah, their numbers have been good, along with having some real quality animals. They've also hade some late season opportunities that can greatly increase the odds in your favor. If your cool with a cow, then they have late season opportunities and land owners have tags they sell for reasonable prices giving you full access to private land. Late season elk, + through December, so you and the kid may not have to take any time off work/school.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

I'll look into Utah. Really want a nice bull if possible but a combo hunt might be okay too.