Looking to plan a Dream Elk Hunt

[Leo Carrisalez]

#5335

I’ve longed dreamt about an Elk hunt comparable to the one’s Ive read about here and enjoyed on TV. I know there are quite a few Elk hunters here and I would like to have your advice on planning a great Elk hunt. Yes It would obviously be a bonus to place a arrow in the pocket of a bruiser but I’m looking for the total experience. Im guessing a 5 day hunt. Is that necessary? How much would you estimate Id have to save. What is the average distance I would have to train for. I live in South Texas and have no clue of how to go about this. Id like to start my questions here and get answers from real hunters and not someone selling me a trip. What will it take? All replies or PM’s welocome. Thanks in advance.

[Nate Bailey]

#40363

South Texas wrote: I’ve longed dreamt about an Elk hunt comparable to the one’s Ive read about here and enjoyed on TV. I know there are quite a few Elk hunters here and I would like to have your advice on planning a great Elk hunt. Yes It would obviously be a bonus to place a arrow in the pocket of a bruiser but I’m looking for the total experience. Im guessing a 5 day hunt. Is that necessary? How much would you estimate Id have to save. What is the average distance I would have to train for. I live in South Texas and have no clue of how to go about this. Id like to start my questions here and get answers from real hunters and not someone selling me a trip. What will it take? All replies or PM’s welocome. Thanks in advance.

ST

I would start by making sure your in good shape. Next pick a state, I would pick one that is somewhat lower in elevation; so you won’t have to spend a bunch of time adjusting. Trying to do a long distance DYI elk hunt is hard. I don’t think you need a guide per-say, but it would help if you knew someone who could point you in the right direction. Ill bet if you figured out what state you wanted to hunt, the folks here would help you. Nate

[skifrk]

#40464

I have to agree with Nate decide what the dream would look like and start building from there to make it happen. Most important if you are looking for a big bruiser as you say most states have draw areas where the big bruisers are and will take awhile to go for them. That does not mean the otc areas do not have big boys to they are just really hard to find and tough to hunt. Good luck in your quest.

[wahoo]

#40569

5 days is not a lot of time to hunt elk. I think you should choice what state you are interested in and then try and hook up with someone in the state and try to work a hunt like that. Drive time could take up most of your time and then you really don’t no what to expect. This year for me was hard one weekend I was in elk and the next nothing. I would choice my state contact fish and game and get input of game harvested and areas to hunt – study the maps get into shape and start covering ground. You should also see what else is available to hunt while your there from small game up depending on your wallet. Buy the best gear you can afford from boots up and be ready for everything from heat to snow.

[Troy Warner]

#40823

I have hunted elk with a rifle most of my adult life with the exception of the last four years when I started my quest for an elk with a long bow. With that said even when I lived in south western Colorado 5 days wasn’t very long. After leaving Colorado for the service I have tried to get back for hunting at least every other year for the last 20 years.

On my hunts I try to get things set up so I have at least 12 days for my trip more if possible, 2 travel days to camp, 1 day to get acclimated and pick up last minute groceries, minimum of 6-7 days of hunting, 2 travel days home. Since I have all of the camping equipment now my actual cost usually runs at $1500.00 total. That is one either sex elk tag(550), gas, and food, maybe a motel if my friends aren’t home when I pass through. Could be higher if you want another tag like a bear or turkey tag. Now that 1500 is one my higher side.

Good luck

Troy

[lyagooshka]

#41585

ST: No real advice to give about a hunt, but about what I am doing to plan.

Step 1 for me was finding a state with over-the-counter tags. Most states with OTC tags are priced roughly the same, so price for tags isn’t much of an issue (if I am incorrect here, please correct me, but as an example, WA and CO are both in the $500 area).

Next, I looked at places I can drive to. This will just make life much easier in the off chance that I actually get an animal. I would hate to have an elk 10 yards from me and wind up passing because I cannot fit several hundred pound of meat in my carry-on. A great place that matches this is my home state of PA; unfortunately, the chances of drawing an elk tag here are about the same as hitting the power-ball, twice, with different numbers.

Then I looked at what I would need for that area (in my case, I tentatively chose CO) and whether or not I could pack/carry it all. 5 days is not much, but remember that unless you are hunting from the car, you need 5 days worth of food (not that big an issue) and water (at about 8# per gallon, needing at least a gallon per day since you will be hiking for miles at a time). There are ways around this, and I am sure you can get camping advice from people much more knowledgeable than me, but it’s worth a thought.

Lastly (this is actually not in any order, I just wrote them as they came to mind) I look at my equipment, skill level, finances, time, family, etc. Most archery hunting for elk will be done late August to early/mid/late September. Around this time my kids are getting back to school. Next year my daughter is going into 9th grade, so it will be a big step. My wife can handle things, but due to medical restrictions, taking a week or more off (like going to my 2-week vacation with the reserves) is always challenging.

One thing that someone on this forum suggested (I posted almost the same thing about 5 months ago) was to bring a friend. Find someone in your area who shares in your interest and go together. It helps with the cost, and it helps spread the load, so to speak, and it gives you some distraction around the campfire.

Anyway, I hope this helps. I am sure there are many more issues to consider, but this is a start for me. I hope to take my “camping” trip early September of 2013 (unless the Mayans were right 😆 ). If you hear any good advice yourself, please pass it on. Be well.

Alex

😀

[Stephen Smiley]

#41665

My neighbor and I did exactly what you are talking about doing, this year. He has hunted Elk before and this was my first time. The short story is we did a lot of research on line especialy with areal maps of BLM land and how to access it. We chose an area near Steamboat Springs CO and planned on camping. We were able to secure (with a modest trespass fee)access to the back side of a BLM area hoping for more privacy. We contacted several land owners via telephone until one gave us permission. We were apprehensive about this sight unseen araingment but it workded out well and we were able to meet the landowner in town and get specific instructions from him on what was ok with him. This alowed us to set up camp within a few hundred yards of the truck at the end of a barly passible trail and access the BLM area far from any public trail. We camped and hunted for 8 days. We got into Elk on the 4th day and my neighbor got a nice bull while I duffed a shot on a cow. We did not get near to them again. All in all a successfull do it yourself hunt. On the logistics side it cost me a little over $1500 for 12 days total away from home. Most of the money was spent on gas as I drove from upstate NY to CO, and of course the tag is $550. Due to other comitments my neighbor flew and I picked him up in CO. We allready owned more than enough camping equipment and food was a modest expense and not included above as you have to eat no matter where you are. I saved more money by sleeping in the truck both ways. My only sugestions are to start planning early and get a partner if possible. almost forgot, get in shape as much as possible! Carrying that Elk up a 600 foot ridge at 9000 feet was a real lung burner, but I can’t wait to do it agian!

[Leo Carrisalez]

#42015

First off I apologize for not responding sooner. Ive been working Mids and havent really figured out what day it is yet. WOW!! There is alot of preparation to be done. I was and am still considering New Mexico. The only reason I want to shy away from that is due to the diffiulty in attaining a tag. Utah, Colorado? My Lord that would be awesome. I can get the training done and still know it would not be sufficient. Im no stranger to altitude and rough terrain but i know it will kick my butt. Im so looking forward to it. Im sure the experience is like no other. By the looks of it, (10 days minimum) and food, should I just take MRE’s? Gear? I will take all advice and learn from the experience here. I might even contact one of you guys for help aswell. I cannot thankyou enough for the help. I plan on hunting with a friend and it looks like I should start preparing as of now. It looks like its gonna be pricey. I’ll save my money for awhile and live a little. Gods Speed to all.

By the way, I’m leaving this evening headed to Weatherford, Tx. with the family for a little Whitetail and Hog hunt. I am blessed to have good friends that will take me and my family in for 4 days of good hunting. We are all taking our bows and the weather will be perfect. It just looks like there gonna be a full moon out…..

[Leo Carrisalez]

#42020

lyagooshka wrote: ST: No real advice to give about a hunt, but about what I am doing to plan.

Next, I looked at places I can drive to. This will just make life much easier in the off chance that I actually get an animal. I would hate to have an elk 10 yards from me and wind up passing because I cannot fit several hundred pound of meat in my carry-on. 😀

Good point. WTH will I do after a kill if I am so lucky.

[Stephen Smiley]

#42848

I’m no expert but I will tell you what I did. Since we were camped close to the truck and we still had 4 hunting days left we haulded the meat to the nearest reputible processor (70 miles each way in our case) and paid to have the meat cut, packeged and frozen for the trip home. Allthough it was a lot of extra driving it worked out well since we picked it up late Friday afternoon and packed it in our coolers (four 40 quart coolers and it barely fit) in dry ice we got from the processor. When I got home sunday night it was still frozen solid.

For food since we were camped only a couple hundred yards from the truck we brought the Coleman stove and food from the pantry at home. We brought canned soup, pasta, penut butter and jelly. Basicly we ate like single guys on a budget. Amazing how good it tasts after hunting all day.

[RayB]

#43890

I would investigate New Mexico first, since it’s the closest to us in TX. We hunted the Uncompadre N.F. in CO. but it took 24 hrs driving from Houston when I lived there. Five days is about how much time it takes to figure out what to do.

[Raymond Coffman]

#45009

Southtexas –

If you are considering New Mexico for DIY elk hunt. I would recommend the Gila – especially if you do not have experience. The Gila [ leopold’s old stomping grounds – and I am sure he is rolling over in his grave at how it is changed]is big with a lot of public mountains[rough but not too high 10,000ft] and road systems [not good for the forest but good for new guys -easier to move around. The trick is finding where the herd is! then hunting.

Look for the Q/HD hunts {Quality/ High Demand]height of the rut most yrs. 15 area is Archery/ MZ only [taken some nice bulls there in the past 330 -365. 16b&22 Mostly wilderness but great!, 21A also. any of the 16 areas good.

NM is great for you [give out more Nonres tags than any other western state]not for me – havn’t drawn in some time now. Hunt the water sources far from the roads.

Scout.

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