help for Elk

[Quaker boy]

#6402

I’m in a huntin club, simply put, 30 guys putin 150$,draw #s winner has to use the money for a huntin trip. I won! I want to go elk hunting. Problem is I’m having trouble finding a giude. I’ve contacted some outfitters and they keep pushing toward ranch style hunts(seems kinda canned). So I’m asking my wheeless brethern for some help. I love to hunt so success rates don’t matter. My goal is DIY, but having no expierence I’d prefer someone to learn from. Thanks for any help.

[CarolinaBob]

#50890

First thing to do is start today on getting in the best shape of your life. If you plan on DIY and are not in prime shape forget it.

[MontanaFord]

#51025

If you decide you want to look for a guided hunt, you might look here in Montana for one. There are a fair number of outfitters that go into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, and most of them use horses, which is a great way to get your game out, especially early in the season when temps are a bit warmer. Good luck. You can do DIY hunts here in Montana, as well. I don’t know what non-resident tags cost, but you can get a combination license that allows you to hunt deer and elk at the same time. Good luck, take your time researching and finding areas with high success rates, not only on drawing a tag, if it’s done by lottery, but also by calling the local Fish and Wildlife offices and talking with biologists in the area about the local elk herd and what you can expect to find. You’ll find what you’re looking for. Congrats on winning your club’s drawing.

Michael.

[Quaker boy]

#52215

Thanks for the feed back. I was in Billings this sept. for my brothers wedding, beautiful country. I had the family so I didn’t take the extra time to hunt, but did see the bitteroot pass,for a flatlander from PA it was awesome.I’d like to go back to Redlodge to ski. I quess the altitude is what bothers me the most, not knowing how my body would take it. I’m in pretty good shape(always could be better!!) but I here the altitude is rough.I was always thinking Col. for a hunt because of the over the counter licence. I’ll keep Montana in mind thanks. Kevin

[epenfold]

#52309

living in colorado I can say the the altitude is the biggest drawback of people that are not in great shape. Colorado offers a ranching for wildlife license that is on private land but is not usually guided(preference points and types of take vary so be careful). While researching where to hunt on over the couner tags I would look at the number of people in the unit, the charts are on line on the colorado dow website(does take some looking.) good luck and congrats. Erik

[Cottonwood]

#52660

Check around, since I-161 went thru, the non resident deer ~ elk combination license went up to $897

Like Michael said, if you do find a Outfitter Guide Service, which you can by checking http://montanaoutfitters.org/ for a good one that provides horses. Also check Colorado http://coloradooutfitters.org and New Mexico http://www.outfittersandguides.com/newmexico.htm

Good luck, and yes get in shape for a DIY hunt.

Jon

[MontanaFord]

#52929

I didn’t know that I-161 passed. Anyway, the biggest reason I suggested Montana was because the average elevation is around 3300 feet above sea level, whereas Colorado’s average elevation is well over the 6000 foot mark. But, as Jon pointed out, the deer/elk combo license here in Montana is going up starting this next year. Almost 900 bucks…WOW…that may hurt the outfitting industry here a bit. Both states have excellent elk hunting, so it just depends what elevation you want to hunt and how much you want to spend. The travel distance will be about the same, since you’re coming from PA. Good luck in your decision and your hunt, as well. Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

Michael.

[jodmama]

#41007

MontanaFord wrote: I didn’t know that I-161 passed. Anyway, the biggest reason I suggested Montana was because the average elevation is around 3300 feet above sea level, whereas Colorado’s average elevation is well over the 6000 foot mark. But, as Jon pointed out, the deer/elk combo license here in Montana is going up starting this next year. Almost 900 bucks…WOW…that may hurt the outfitting industry here a bit. Both states have excellent elk hunting, so it just depends what elevation you want to hunt and how much you want to spend. The travel distance will be about the same, since you’re coming from PA. Good luck in your decision and your hunt, as well. Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

Michael.

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