What state will you be hunting Elk

[Hook]

Well, it's time to prepare to put in for next seasons elk hunt.

In what state will you be hunting in?

I am planning on using USO outfitters to put in for muzzleloader NM and AZ, if it is not too late. Has anyone used USO before? And I will put in for the Ca hunts also.

(Edited by Hook at 8:18 pm on Feb. 3, 2002)

 

[songdog]

I'll put in for the CA tags like every year but I like to think of that as more of a donation to the CA DF&G rather than a drawing.

Other than that, I'll be going to ID from now on.  I've been to MT before but, not wanting to sound like a sissy, the grizzly bears really keep you from having a good relaxing time.  Especially since my friend got mauled this last year.  

A friend in ID and I are going to start putting together an annual trip.  Buy a wall tent, cooking gear, sleeping cots, etc.  He has several friends that run pack strings back up in there.  We'll put together all the gear over the next few months, he'll get a friend to drop it off like a drop camp, we'll meet up out there, hunt and his friend will pick up all the gear after about 20 days.

The anticipation of doing this every year is killing me.   Can't wait until both of our kids are old enough to make the trip.

 

[DanD]

I put in for Utah.  Thinking about trying out New Mexico.  I have never applied their, does anybody have any suggestions or places to stay away from?  

Thanks,

 

[Speckmisser]

Don't think I'll be able to do one this year, although it was my original plan.  But I'm looking into Oregon now, after talking to a couple of folks at the Sportsman's Expo this weekend.  The draw odds aren't bad, and the outfitters seem reasonably priced...especially for a "drop camp" type hunt.  

Anyone got any recommendations regarding Oregon?  The area I'm thinking most about is in the northeast.  

 

[FTTPOW]

I PUT MY MONEY IN THE MAIL FOR MONTANA.  GOT A FRIEND THAT'S BEEN OUT THERE ABOUT 20 YRS. THAT I STAY AND HUNT WITH.  BEEN THERE TWICE BEFORE AND GET CLOSER TO ELK EACH TIME.  NO LUCK YET, BUT THERE'S MORE TO THE HUNT THAN MEAT.  I USUALLY GO FOR THE LAST 2 WEEKS OF THE SEASON.  IT'S UP IN THE NW PART OF THE STATE WHERE IT'S TOUGH GOING.  WE HUNT W/PACK FRAMES AND NOT PACK HORSES.  IT'S HARD FOR A FLAT LANDER TO GET INTO THE KIND OF CONDITION FOR A HUNT LIKE THAT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T KILLED ME YET.  IF THE WEATHER CO-OPERATES WE'LL TRY TO CATCH UP TO THE ELK AS THEY HEAD TO WINTER RANGE.  OTHER WISE WE MAY HAVE TO TRY A BIVOUAC UP HIGH FOR AWHILE.  THERE'S GRIZ UP THERE TOO, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN A PROBLEM FOR US YET.
   I WON'T KNOW IF I'VE DRAWN A TAG TIL LATE APRIL .  WITH THE INCREASE IN LICENSE FEES AND THE BONUS POINTS THEIR USING, I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WILL EFFECT MY CHANCES FOR THIS YEAR.  I'M EXPECTING TO BE TURNED DOWN THIS YEAR, AND GETTING DRAWN NEXT YEAR.  THE CLOCK'S TICKING.  GETTING OLD'S NOT FOR SISSYS.      

 

[yotegetter]

FTTPOW,
Welcome to Jesse's!

CA most likely for me unless I get lucky with a good outfitter at the right price out of state.


(Edited by yotegetter at 8:44 pm on Feb. 4, 2002)

 

[LETUMGROW]

Hi Hook, 4 of us did a self guided muzzleloader hunt in the Gila in New Mexico this past year. I shot my bull the 1st morning and was able to run around alot and talk to alot of the locals and they had some pretty good horror stories about USO. So you may really want to check things out before you decide to a hunt with them. I think they do have some really good hunts but you have to be really careful about where your applications are going and the guide that is assigned to you on your hunt.

 

[Hook]

Thanks Letumgrow, and welcome to Jesses forum.

I will find out more info on the area of the application and who the guide will be. Do you think applying myself would be a better idea? I have until April 21 for NM and June for AZ to get my app in.

 

[younghunter]

Just Wyoming for me.  I'm putting in once again for the trophy area by my house and if I dont get drawn then I will hunt the general season up north.  If only I could draw that blasted tag I could get a 350 class bull....only if I could draw......only if..........lol

 

[yotegetter]

Welcome to Jesse's LETUMGROW!

Goodluck with your draw younghunter! You're in a pretty good area for elk.

 

[Rimrock]

Speckmisser,
It sound like you will be rifle hunting. Are yoy putting in for a bull tag or cow? I have hunted N.E. Oregon several times with a bow. It's definantly not crowed then, but I understand it is during rifle season. A drop camp would get you away from other hunters though.
What units are you considering? If you go, be sure to get a Forest Service "Firefighters Map." It has a world of info on it.

Play fair.

 

[LETUMGROW]

Hook, the only benefit I see from using a company like USO is that you don't have to shell out so much money for all the applications because they only require a deposit vs sending in all the money with all the different applications, I usually have to take out a loan at the bank just to cover all my apps, the odds of drawing 2 or even 3 tags in one year in these special draws is almost impossible. If you want one of the coveted special draw tags you have to apply to as many states as you possibly can afford. To bad all the states aren't like Colorado's system of draw where I currently have 7 pts. Arizona is OK but it costs you $115 a year to get a pt. New Mexico is really the luck of the draw, but you can really help the odds by studying there draw odds, its not as bad as it looks because they alot so many tags for non-res guided and non-guided each. The one thing I would really recommend though is to get a GOOD guide to either guide you or set you up in an area that is good depending on how much experience you have elk hunting. By muzzle loader season these elk have been hunted hard no matter how limited the draw is and you are not going to just sit on a water hole and kill a huge bull after achery season. So my best recommendation is RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH AND MORE RESEARCH to find the best area for you and guide that will really work for you and not just take your money, I've already been taught that lesson in Wyoming by a guide. You also may want to find a hunting consultant that lives by you and get to know him really well, these guys go on hunts all the time and it really doesn't cost you much to use there service. They don't want to steer you in the wrong direction if they want you to use them again.

 

[Speckmisser]

Rimrock,

Since this'll be my first elk (unless I get drawn for tule elk beforehand), I'll be rifle hunting.  I don't shoot a bow  yet, and would like to stack the deck for collecting some meat on my first trip.  I think bowhunting or muzzleloading would be very cool trips, but on my first hunt I want to use something I have highest confidence in.

I'm thinking of putting in for bull elk, and was recommended to the following areas:

Mynam
Keating
Pine Creek
Catherine Creek

I appreciate the info on the Firefighters' Map.  I'll be sure and get one of those before I go.

 

[bubba]

I'm hoping to get re-issued my Elk tag from last year here in CA.  Should find out after Feb. 9th.  Otherwise, I will re-apply fro CA.

 

[Fubar]

bubba I got my fingers crossed for you.  Good Luck     Fubar

 

[paulc]

i will be applying in 11 states just like last year.. didnt pull one good tag.. decided a few years ago life is to short to go on crummy hunts and since then i have been building bonus points, preference points and just getting into draws.. i have been using garth carters services and i like them more than hunter application services that i was using.. they are more flexible about you doing your own applications.. every year i have learned more and more.. last year my back up plan was not so good. this year i hope for better. it ties up alot of money but you get most of it back..

 

[Hook]

Paulc, that is a lot of application fees. I will be putting for 2 out of state and Ca.

What are your odds with that many apps?



(Edited by Hook at 8:19 pm on Feb. 5, 2002)

 

[Rimrock]

Speckmisser,

Those are all top elk units. I don't know any outfitters there as I always went freelance. Check references. Ask lots of questions. You want to get one that you will be comfortable with. Good Luck

Play fair.

 

[spectr17]

I'll be making my annual donation to the California Elk fund. Bubba, last year I applied for FHL, I could have been in the same boat with you if I had been drawn.

Also applying for Arizona, 6A or 6B. Still need some bonus points there.

 

[Huntinut]

Utah, Montana and Arizona all the way. Hey Jess there are no elk in 6a. Ha Ha!!

Andy