Anyone need a fourth?
Elk
Contributors to this thread:
Guys, I’ve been trying to get guys from home to make trip west to archery/rifle hunt for years now. Seems like there are always 2/3 that want to go, but yet again it looks like it is going o fall through for 2020. We will be sitting around d inking beer pontificating again as to why we didn’t schedule something.
I’m done waiting!
Anyone have a guided hunt set up or do it dyi and need a fourth?
i’ve already hit the weights and treadmill losing 20lbs. Just need a place to go! I can afford anything reasonably priced, $4000-$5500. Willing to work! Going to start shooting my bow daily, but have taken 20+ deer with my bow.
My mom died in her 50’s and I’m not going to risk checking out of this place without chasing these out west.
Build yourself some points in a few states and guys will be begging to take you along...
First, research which states are Over The Counter (OTC). Then pick a spot with public property and have at it. I know that sounds pretty simplified, but that's just how most of us got our start. Expect other hunters - that's just the way it is on public property.
I've been fortunate in having a couple Bowsiters that have helped me out - so now is my chance to pay it forward. I have an area that I researched, but never went to. Maybe if your buds see that you might have a spot, they'll change their mind and go. I'll send you a PM
What part of Missouri are you from?
The SE I’d assume from his handle. ;)
I usually hunt solo but I'm switching things up this year. I'm going to a new spot I scouted last summer. I'm planning on hunting the last 10 days of Sept in a DYI drop camp set up. I'm looking at adding couple laid back hard hunting compatible people to this hunt. If this is you and you're interested. PM me. I'm in Olathe Ks
I'm not sure why you need 4 guys. Go with 2 or 3 guys. I'd rather go by myself than go with somebody who's not committed. I used to look for partners and tried talking people into going but I gave up on that years ago.
Mike, from Missouri, you could do an OTC elk hunt by yourself for less then $1000 round trip. Easily.
I understand about the OTC hunt, problem is outside of what I’ve seen on TV I don’t have a damn clue about this. That’s why we were going to go the guided route this year. So maybe in subsequent years we could DIY it.
Problem is I don’t have a tent, horses, etc...... I’ll be honest, I a, hoping to learn as much about this as I possibly can on my first trip. My intention is to start buying points for my 2 kids and take them on a hunt when they graduate from high school.
Mike, I used to be you. Always some excuse for why I couldn't go west to hunt elk. I always wanted to do it but always ended up putting it off and regretting it. Then I finally got tired of waiting, tired of everyone else's BS excuses or whatever and I just went. I frankly didn't know sh!t from shainola the first time I went. I just researched the heck out of a few spots and used resources from on the web and went hunting. I managed to get into some elk but never killed one. I learned a lot and gained a lot of confidence. I went back the next year and the next and will keep going every year I'm able. Now I feel comfortable going to any state that has elk to hunt. The most important thing is to JUST GO. Sounds like you are there, that's step 1! Good luck to you!
Good advice from Brotsky.
Go.
Don't worry about going with someone, just do it. You will learn more and faster. Who knows, you might even pick up a partner when you get there!
What Brotsky and Treeline said. Not sure but I think they know what they're talking about! I've just been talking to a couple different people in the last two weeks telling them the same thing. Get some basic info, maps etc, and equipment you need. There's a thread on here some where with lots of tips for first timers. You don't need horses. Simpler without them. A tent is easy to get. Solo in September all you need is a simple two man tent. You don't need the big wall tent camp set up unless you really want that. By just going out yourself or with a buddy you'll learn a lot and have a blast.
https://forums.bowsite.com/tf/bgforums/thread.cfm?threadid=488147&messages=82&forum=5
Whocares, I still don't know $h!t from shainola but I do know enough to listen to Treeline! :-)
Check out the link that Ambush just posted. Now you have a spot to go, Thanks to Robb.
Don't have any equipment: Go to Wall Mart and purchase a cheap tent -$200.00, get a GOOD sleeping bag $200.00, air bed $40.00, small camp stove $50.00, utensils - take from home (just don't tell the wife), compass $15.00, --- assuming you already have boots, if not: boots $250.00 (don't scrimp on boots), clothes - absolutely no cotton "cotton kills in the mountains" - assuming you already have coolers: if not coolers $100.00. Few few extras and you are all set for less than about $800.00. And now you have it going forward.
In the future (or now) start looking for a good tent - good used ones are out there with a little digging.
As was said - JUST GO.
And there’s way worse ways to spent twenty bucks than buying Elknut’s phone app. Even if you never learn to bugle ( like me) you may at least know what the elk are saying.
X2 on the ElkNut calling app
Just do it. I take my sons and I from SW MO. If you’re driving alone you better budget closer to $1,500. Colorado or Idaho tag is going to put you around $650 then add in $500-$800 for gas depending on how far you go. If you stay in a motel, etc... add more. We choose to drive straight through. With all the info online, don’t be intimidated. ELK101, Bowsite, lots of great online resources. As someone else has said - you don’t need 4 guys. Just find 1 to go with you if you want. You can do this.
-Mitch
I was in your shoes 25 years ago. Only knew WT's and looked for someone to go elk hunting with. Finally in 1998 I told myself I am going elk hunting that fall. I did (solo) and I have never looked back. Yes I did buy some equipment, but still much cheaper than guided. I even got a shot at a bull.
+2 to Brotsky and Treeline
GO!
I’ll do this one more time. Since I’ve been asked to do just that by so many people.
When I go out west elk hunting, I take food from my pantry. I freeze lots of meals before hand and pressure can the rest. This is the same food I eat when I’m home. So, my food comes from my pantry. Not mountain house or fast food stops. My drinks come from WV where a case of water cost $3. Not $8. My gas is the same as anyone else.
I’ve done trips that cost me quite a bit. I’ve flew meat home. I’ve spent money on beer, strip clubs, fast food, etc... all under the name of elk hunting. What I do now is plan ahead, drive straight through, pack from my pantry, and dedicate myself to going elk hunting instead of partying.
My last trip with gas, tags, everything was less then $1400 from WV. From Missouri, I could knock an easy $400 off of it. Hotels and food ccosr add up quick.
I did an OTC Utah Elk hunt on my own last year and i'm 59. First time elk hunting. They are right, just GO.. It's amazing, kind of scary and amazing again. I have all the necessary equipment to hunt from my truck camp. Kodiak tent, cot, little buddy heater and you are good to go. Everything you need you can learn on Bowsite. They taught how to cook and freeze home cooked meals, scout, hunt and make my own arrows. Just GO. I had a 10 hour drive so fuel and license were my biggest expense. I also got within 100 yards of a bull, 3 cows and a calf. I cant wait to do it again. GO GO GO!!!
first elk, DIY hunt, 1988
first elk, DIY hunt, 1988
and now a resident since 1992, still doing DIY at 79 years
Yes, just do it. Paul
and now a resident since 1992, still doing DIY at 79 years
Yes, just do it. Paul
Hey Mike, came to Colorado from Ohio at a nonresident, a DIY elk hunt in 1988, at the age of 48 and never looked back.
I gotta echo others. Just go. I too am from Missouri, and it's not an expensive trip. Gas and tag. I don't count food costs, because I eat at home too.
I started in 2009, and it opened my eyes. Find a spot and go. There's too many resources available not to. Google earth. OnX. Internet, etc.
If I were you, I wouldn't even worry about a tent and sleeping bag, etc. Sleep in the truck/car. I slept in the back seat of my truck for 14 days in Nevada one year. Didn't even need a sleeping bag or pad. Took hamburgers and hotdogs and grilled one for lunch and dinner every day. Little grill cost me a little bit of money, but I think well less than $100. Didn't kill, but learned a ton and did get a shot, just didn't execute well.
I don't say this to brag. Because I don't think we're anything special. But since 2009, a buddy and I have had 15 elk tags between us. We've killed 10 elk out of those 15 tags. And other years we've had opportunities. I think we should be 13 for 15, but have had a couple misses
Just go
Join PBS. They have member sponsored hunts all over the US and it doesn't cost anything. You get advice on how to hunt if you are new at it, camping with others who are experts, and most of all, help packing an elk if you get one. Not to mention they are some of the most straight up ethical guys I have ever met. I too am fed up with people telling me they want to go, them possum out because the dog has developed mange.
If you can't find a partner, go anyway, camp reasonably near some others (if you're hunting OTC, finding other hunters won't be a problem) and introduce yourself. Before long they'll invite you to the campfire, and if you aren't a dick and have some good beer to share, you may very well end up hunting with one of them, or at least getting clued-in on some spots if you don't seem too needy.
I hunt solo and have stuff like this happen every year, often multiple times, and I AM a dick... I've even met a few random Bowsiters at nearby camps, and have struck up relationships with them. So go, learn, and have fun in the mountains.
So, now that I have run off at the mouth, New Mexico elk applications are now being accepted. Drawing is a long shot in the Gila, but somebody has to draw. The app is around $800 but you get it back if not drawn. I also have points in quite few western states and have hunted most of them.
$900 -1000 from Se Kansas. Idaho 6 times ,3 times in NM and 2 in Co. The first time is the hardest time to go. You will doubt your gear, budget, fitness or companions until you go once. After that you will learn a lot as most of us did on our first. You will realize you brought way to much stuff and only ate 1/2 your food the 2nd time is always much cheaper. You will have people wanting to go back with you after they hear your stories just pick your buddies carefully you go with. Not all whitetail buddies are good elk buddies especially after a 3 mile pack out and some may go back to your spot without you.
Good advice from Brotsky and Treeline plus others. Every situation is different but you might consider grabbing your oldest kid, take advice from above, do your research, get your kid's homework together and make sure he/she does it during down time, and do what I did which is as follows. I took my sons out of highschool, one at a time, and then took them biggame bowhunting each year for the next 40 years ( one of the best decisions I have ever made). They learned more then being in school because they did their homework and learned so much about life. Bonds were formed that will never be broken. Even taking my oldest son away from college worked well as he did hid his work and graduated with a degree in civil engineering without missing a beat. What I am saying is that if you are as committed as I think you are as you have taken quite a lot of deer, there are ways of working things out. One thing that I really like is being in complete control which is the case when hunting with your kids. I do not understand the four guys thing and your buddies do not seem that committed. You might also consider a different species hunt for the kids the first time as there are some greatly reduced hunts out there. Although I took my kids on elk hunts without regrets, elk hunts can be a lot to ask for a first timer. I like your idea of buying points for your kids. If you are deadset on elk only, maybe you could find one like-minded guy with some elk experience or a carefully selected outfitter. It may be already too late this year for the best choice in outfitters. Good hunting to you and l would like to know what you end up doing this year as I appreciate your commitment..............Bob
A lot of great advice and I appreciate it. Especially you guys that reached out via pm.