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My wife and I are thinking about doing a DIY, elk hunt in a couple of years, just can't afford to do a guided hunt, can anybody help as far as what state would be best, what I should expect, what time of year we should go or anything else I need to know?
Mad_Angler's Link
Chaseasl,
Welcome to the elk forum. Yours are the same questions that we all start with.
I just started planning for a trip next fall (2016). I suggest that you look back through the Bowsite. There are lots of beginner threads on here.
Also, buy a book "Public Land Elk Hunting". It will also get you started.
Also, check out the Elk hunting University on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife site. It will also describe the process step-by-step
Colorado is an easy tag to get as it is an Over the counter (OTC). We also have the largest population of elk here so that's another plus. If you are looking for a trophy, it'll take a bit to get the points required or a lot of scouting and walking. The Colorado division of wildlife has a huge resource for elk hunting. What is the plan for the Hunt? Archery, muzzle, rifle? Season (OTC for archery, 2nd and 3rd rifle here? Bull or cow (either sex for archery and bull for rifle? Wilderness or national forest? If you none plan on hunting for a couple years and what a specific area, you can start putting in points now and at least you'll have a couple points. How often do you plan to actually put boots on the ground for scouting? I use Google Earth and the world atlas on CDOW a lot and has helped tremendously. If you decide Colorado and need help getting started, shoot me a message. You may have a delay in response because we got 5 days til the season is opened up for archery, so a lot of people will be out. Good luck!
Since you said a couple of years I would look at areas you could draw. There are a few areas in Co that can be had with zero to 2 points. I have hunted one of them. Havent shot an elk in it but we sure had our chances every year. Otc can be overcrowded so that's a way to avoid that some what. Wyoming general will take a couple years of points to be a guarantee tag. There are a number of states that can be had otc. If your archery hunting I personally like the middle part of September. Once you lock down your area that you want to hunt. Research the heck out of it. Google, Google earth, maps, even YouTube all can help. If you can scout it even better.
I won't be able to scout in person, it's gonna take me two years just to save up the money to go on the hunt, we will probably try archery, guys I've never left the state of Tennessee to hunt so I will be totally lost.
Chaseasl, Think in terms of a two to three year plan. Since you said "in the next couple of years", I would recommend getting NR points in WY with the goal of a general tag. If you wish to bow hunt, you can buy a archery stamp, and also hunt the rifle season if you don't tag out with the bow. More time in the field this way. Also the general tag rifle seasons are much longer in Wyoming then most any other state. Once again, "more time in the field" is a good thing.
Plan "B" would be an OTC hunt in Colorado if you need to go sooner. I think a DIY hunt in Montana is possible, but I know little about that option. I would PM MulePower and get his input. He may have some incite on where to apply. Have not had the pleasure of hunting in Montana since 1998.
I would avoid Griz country (my opinion) and try and get into some elk elsewhere to hone your skills. The recent fire seasons might play a role in your future plans. I loved the country in Idaho on my only hunt there in "97". I have since run into Idaho folks in Colorado in the last few years that paint a poor picture of the elk hunting back home. Get some info on the current state of the elk heard and factor that into your choice. LaGriz
I think with 2 years to plan/save I would buy points in Woming. Plenty of choices there with 2 points, and some really decent hunts to be had with a general tag. Good luck, the planning/dreaming is 1/2 the fun.
--Jim
do it
You can camp out of your truck near an area or you can rent llamas and pack in or backpack in .... lots of options .... WHERE is also lots of options.
What to expect? You're driving what, 1300 miles one way into a place you've never been, hunting elk that you've not hunted before with a bunch of other people trying to kill them too ..... :)
Expect a physically tough hunt, expect to make mistakes, expect to not find elk more days than you do .... expect to get a thrill when you hear bugles, when you see your first bull coming to you ... expect night and stars unlike you've ever seen at 14,000 feet
expect the smell of mtn pines and altitude to be addictive, expect the ravens and pine squirrels to be cute, expect a hell of a adventure !
and if you kill a bull? hunt of a lifetime !
Great answers so far! I know this is a bow hunting website and I am a bow hunter in my home state....but in a similar situation, we chose to use muzzleloaders for several reasons .... #1 being the limited number of vacation days I can take off work without going broke or losing my job. I found myself lucky to get 1-2 good opportunities in a week hunt due to all the uncertainties listed above by stealthy.
Just wanted to add another prospective from a flatlander who goes every 3 years or so.
Expect to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the country and of the range of the critters you're hunting. Get in the best shape possible, and be mobile with your camping plans.
My current hunting area consists of about 6 different spots within a block of about 500 square miles. Yes, that's miles. 25x20. If they aren't in one drainage I move, and keep moving until I find elk.
Also expect to have the time of your life in majestic country, hunting majestic animals. Enjoy the entire experience in the high country, smell the roses, and if you manage to get a shot at a legal elk, don't hesitate. Just remember that wherever you shoot it, you have to get it out. That's a challenge in itself.
I know its not cheap, but a DIY hunt in CO is pretty attainable for most folks.
License = $616 (either sex) or $461 (cow)
Gas = $800.00
Food = $0 (ya gotta eat whether you are here or at home)
Ice, maps, game bags, propane = $200
Gear = ? You can get crazy but it's really just camping and hiking around with a purpose. Nothing fancy is needed and many elk have been killed by guys sleeping in $50 tents, hunting in jeans and work boots. Any basic camping gear will work if you aren't backpacking in and what you hunt in at home will be fine for clothes. You'll need a couple full-size packs for getting meat out but you don't need anything expensive or new.
Temps are usually cold in the morning/evening and light jacket or T-shirt weather during the day. It can snow a bit but not usually much and it will rain but normally short showers.