ELK HUNTING HELP

[TOM965]

#6142

LOOKING FOR SOME DIRECTION, FIRST LET ME JUST SAY IM 41 WORK TWO JOBS- IM A POLICEMAN AND JUST STARTED A TAXIDERMY BUISNESS. I HAVE THREE KIDS AND A WIFE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO DO IT YOURSELF BACKPACK BOWHUNTS FOR ELK WITH NO SUCCESS, I LIVE IN ILLINOIS AND JUST HEAD OUT WEST WITH BIOLOGISTS INFO AND STRIKE OUT FOR THE MOUNTIANS WITH HOPE OF FINDING ELK. MY TRIPS TURN INTO LONG CAMPING TRIPS WITH NO ELK EVEN SITED. IM LOOKING FOR SOME HELP LOCATEING A GOOD SPOKE TO TAKE A TRADITIONAL ELK WITH THE BOW. NOW I KNOW NOONE OUT THERE IS GOING TO PUT AN “X” ON THE MAP AND SAY HUNT HERE BUT HOPEFULLY SOMEONE OUT THERE CAN HELP OUT, OR NEEDS A HUNTING PARTNER NEXT YEAR. IVE THOUGHT ABOUT SAVING UP FOR SEVERAL YEARS FOR A GUIDED HUNT BUT THATS REALLY NOT MY STYLE, PLUS IT WOULD BE FOREVER BEFORE I COULD ACTUALLY DO IT WITH ELK HUNTS GOING FOR 6 GRAND OR MORE. IM LOOKING FOR A PLACE WHERE I CAN SHOOT OR AT LEAST HAVE A CHANCE TO SHOOT A LEGAL BULL- ANY BULL WOULD BE A TROPHY WITH MY RECURVE. IVE HUNTED PUBLIC LANDS IN COLORADO WITH NO SUCCESS AT ALL, SEE MULE DEER AND HUNTERS BUT NO ELK. HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED–THANKS

[Robin Conrads]

#48778

Hi Tom. Welcome to the campfire.

I wish I had an easy answer for your dilemma but I don’t. 😥 Hopefully, some of the other elk hunters can help, but elk are to find here in Idaho too. Can you give us an idea of where you have already been in Colorado?

[TOM965]

#48782

thanks for the reply-mostly national forest/blm land ive been in the south on the new mexico border- ive tried central and also tried near the vail area-its just really hard to nail down a spot to hunt when you live so far away no time to scout and such

[Amoose]

#49092

Have you read my post, “is it possible?” This is excactly the situation I am talking about in that post, not a guide/outfitter, just a hunting invitation.

I do beleive in my mentioned “educational materials” as they are an integral part in how I hunt, and understanding how/why/what is a central focus on how I went from a few opportunities to draw my bow a season, to an opportunity almost every time I encounter Elk…

I know it is just Washington State, and not a more well known Elk paradise, but legal Elk are legal Elk,,, 3pt minimum or antlerless.

And I get to see Elk almost every day…

[JEMBO]

#49972

Sent you a PM.

[jfelkins]

#50127

I hate to be the “next year guy” but i’m finishing grad school this year and Lord willing will go next year. I’m near Nashville and will be headed to North NM or South CO. I’ll be looking for rideshare buddies etc. I have a 4×4 suburban and will drive it. I’m open to discuss partnering with any quality/ethical trad guys. Is that too vague to start a dialogue?

[Steertalker]

#50997

Tom,

DYI elk hunts are possible but being from Illinois I doubht you have anytime to do any pre-hunt scouting. It’s seems to me that it’s a long way to come without having any idea where to go or what to do.

If you are dead set against a guided hunt I suggest doing a drop camp or deluxe drop camp. A reputable outfitter should be able to put you into an area where there are elk and should be willing to give you a few tips and pointers. I drop camp cost in the neighborhood of $1300-$1500.

Brett

[kjlarson]

#51022

Another solution may be found contacting Traditional Bowhunters of Washington. I often see invites to comrades as the seasons near.

[Amoose]

#51409

If he wants to hunt Washington, cannot imagine a better offer than mine.

I am a member TBW also…

[skifrk]

#52412

If you want to stay in Colorado there are options. While you are remote you can use the info from biologist and then scout using Google earth to pinpoint places in the unit that you want to hunt to start with. After all each hunting unit in Colorado is good size but the places the elk are in that area might be small. So You can try Amoose and his idea of Washington or look at Oregon or if you want to come back to Colorado you might have to do a fair bit of computer scouting before you head out.

[doug krueger]

#16418

Tom I used to hunt a place in the flattops that was really good and I will be more than happy to show you. I killed a little bull in there and I am pretty sure I can give you an lat long of the exacts.. I am new to tradbow and dont know the best way to give you the info. Can you email me or PM or something.

Dk

[David Petersen]

#17033

Hi Doug and welcome. Yes, PMs are the way to start, and from there you can always exchange personal emails and/or phones. Thanks for offering to help another hunter. I’ve never hunted the Flattops myself but have explored a bit around the “base” area and it’s gorgeous and loaded with wildlife. I hear good things about it so often, but almost always related to pack-in hunts in wilderness, where the motorized mobs can’t swarm you. Dave

[doug krueger]

#17129

Hello Dave, and thank you for the help with my bow the other night. I am now shooting 200 BHs up front and they are flying good. I am going to get some brass inserts and see what happens. Anyway I see the PM link now and will use it. Thanks for the hospitality Dave.

Doug K

[Author]

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