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I promised my son that before he graduates from high school (he’s a freshman! 😯 ), I am going to take him on a back country, public land, elk hunt. Being from Michigan and only having went elk hunting once (and that was when I tagged along with my dad right after I graduated from high school) I have no real experience or personal knowledge to draw from. So, what I really hope to gain from posting this is just a good foundation to start my planning. Specifically, I really would love to get some advice on how you would suggest I begin researching where our hunting adventure should take place. I’m not asking you to tell me where you think we should hunt (although, I won’t turn down such suggestions! 😆 ). Since I don’t have the ability to scout the areas myself, it would be great if I get some information on where I should get information, if that makes sense. With that said, he knows that no matter how well we plan the trip, it will be somewhat of a scouting/hunting trip anyway, and that is entirely fine with both of us. 8)
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I can’t tell you where to go, but I am from Nevada and now live in Utah, and I would check out Montana, Wyoming, or Colorado if I was in your shoes.
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Every state is different. That said:
If it was me, I’d stay in Michigan and get to know your local herd. Talk to your DNR people.
Not having a huntable elk herd in NC to hunt (yet) I go to CO as I have a friend there that likes to go. Colorado has a really good DNR website with tons of info on elk including their migration routs and harvest statistics broken down by hunting unit, weapon, season, etc. That said, I’ve killed 1 elk in 3 years of trying.
Even though CO has the largest elk herd, I’m not sure it has the best hunting. The beetle kill is really bad there and I think it is affecting how the elk move. I’ve hunting the front range (eastern side of the mountains). So can’t say much about the backside. I don’t like hunting in a dead forest. Which is what it mostly is now. Maybe farther north the trees won’t be so badly infected.
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I’ll check it out. Thanks Steve.
I really want to experience a western back country hunt with my boy, and he really wants to as well. It’s about the whole experience, not just hunting elk. Even if we don’t see a thing, I know we’ll both enjoy it. I really don’t have much interest in hunting the elk here in Michigan. I guess it’s for those reasons I mentioned. Not that I’d pass up that opportunity though if it ever presents itself.
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Patrick – I wish I could offer some useful advice on this, but I’ve never really gone through the process of using an outfitter, researching different states for elk, etc. I’m just lucky enough to hunt where I live. But I wish you the best in figuring out the process, and please share whatever you feel might be useful general info for others. And I’m looking forward to hearing how this takes shape for you and your son – he’s a lucky guy!!
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I can completely relate, in that if someone were to ask about whitetail hunting, I’d be at a loss to provide direction as well.
I intend to keep this thread going, through the entire process. Hopefully, in addition to obtaining some useful information for our hunt, I can help others intending to do the same.
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Patrick, should you decide on the West Slope of CO, let me know and I’ll help as I can–anything to keep you here more than you’ve been in the past. :lol:: Meanwhile, I offered basic advice on researching a diy elk hunt in some book somewhere, maybe Man Made of Elk. I’m currently in CA visiting my wife’s family and getting a nostalgic dose of Pacific beach time, but it doesn’t sound like you’re in a rush.
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David Petersen wrote: Patrick, should you decide on the West Slope of CO, let me know and I’ll help as I can–anything to keep you here more than you’ve been in the past. :lol::
If that’s where we go, I will definitely be taking advantage of your offer! That respite paid off after all! 😆
David Petersen wrote: Meanwhile, I offered basic advice on researching a diy elk hunt in some book somewhere, maybe Man Made of Elk. I’m currently in CA visiting my wife’s family and getting a nostalgic dose of Pacific beach time, but it doesn’t sound like you’re in a rush.
I still have stuff packed up from my move in July. I’m going to figure out where I stashed my books, and find that info! There worth rereading anyway. 😉
Hope all is going well for you D!
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patrick (excuse not capitalizing your name, my “p” button doesn’t work so I have to copy and paste it.)
I’d start by talking with your son about different bio-regions and decide what kind of habitat you would like to hunt. I hunted elk this year in the same state but 2 totally different ecologies. One was high elevation rocky mountain terrain, with long vistas where I could watch elk from 1000 yards away then try to sneak in on them. The other was on the coast in a temperate rain forest, where I could hear elk within 50 yards of me but couldn’t see them. Both were fun, but I enjoyed the rocky mountain habitat more because I was able to hunt it better. I just didn’t know how to hunt that coastal-thick environment. But the locals sure did and were killing elk in the same drainage as me.
The habitat is really going to affect how you hunt and whether it will be cold and rainy or humid and warm, etc…
That’s about all I got. planning the hunt is as much fun as the hunt almost, so include your son in the whole process and he’ll learn some life lessons I wish I had back in high school.
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Patrick;
I can give you a couple of hints to start. I think the first to decide is do you want to do a DIY which would mean public land hike ins to find good herds. The other option is an outfitter where you ride in by horse and go from there. Once you pick which one you want to do then you will want to pick a state that is either OTC or limited draw where the points would be low enough for you get drawn the first time you try. Yes pine beetle is really bad in a lot of Northern CO but unlike Steve, I have not had problem finding the elk up there the problem I run into is usually to many people causing pressure.
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We are definitely going to taking the “high elevation rocky mountain terrain, with long vistas where I could watch elk from 1000 yards away then try to sneak in on them” option, and we are definitely going the DIY route as well. I’m hoping my son really bulks up in the next couple years so he can carry most of our gear. 😆
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I’m also putting my son to work, making him help with the research. He thinks it’s just busy work, because he doesn’t think I need his help, but he’s wrong. As time goes by, I’m sure it’ll give him a sense of accomplishment, as well as help him, so he can confidently plan his own adventures as he branches out on his own (snifle, snifle).
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Well hopefully you both have fun on the research. I occasionally use google earth to help with scouting when picking an area to hunt. Also remember that the state has there own biologist and other that can help you with narrowing down where elk in good numbers are.
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Patrick wrote: …I’m hoping my son really bulks up in the next couple years so he can carry most of our gear. 😆
Spot On!
My boy and I are taking a back country trout fishing trip this summer. So I had him trying on some of my hiking boots and going through my back packs. I picked the two out we are taking and had him try one on. He said “But dad, my pack is twice as big as your pack”. To which I replied “good eye boy, good eye.”
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Steve Graf wrote: My boy and I are taking a back country trout fishing trip this summer. So I had him trying on some of my hiking boots and going through my back packs. I picked the two out we are taking and had him try one on. He said “But dad, my pack is twice as big as your pack”. To which I replied “good eye boy, good eye.”
With age, comes wisdom. 😉
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After just a little bit of research, I have come to the conclusion that we are definitely going on our elk hunting adventure next year. It’s the last year Tyler qualifies for a junior license (he’ll be 17 next year, at that time), and that’ll save me some big bucks!
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Assuming your bag is still truly a 20 deg. bag after years of use, I think it would be fine for a Sept. hunt.
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If you are really going to do a backcountry hike you may want to start with weighing the bag and go from there. After all every ounce you pack in has to come back out except for food. For September in elk country most 20degree bags work well if you naturally sleep warm. The odd snow storm may cool it enough to be a bit uncomfortable.
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Patrick,
I’m from Idaho and hunt in unit 32A (Weiser River Zone) Over the counter hunt. I’ve got a cabin close to where I hunt and can either stay out and pack in to hunt or come back to the cabin after dark for dinner and a shower or do both on an extended trip. If so, let me know and we could work out details if you’d like. Our Fish and game site has much information for you to research in making your decision. Let me know if this is of interest to you. Good Luck!
Bill Stone
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I would really be interested in hearing folks with a lot of elk hunting experience chime in on the above comment. Is it better to stay right there among them, so you know where they are the next day? Or better to back out and give them some space for the night, so you don’t spook them out of the area?
Last season I had put a stalk on some elk, and swirling winds had given me away at about 50 yards. So I backed out for the night even though I still had a couple hours of light left. On my way out some locals were going in to hunt that same ridge, and they thought it would be better to just go after them since I knew where they were?
Thoughts?
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Ptaylor wrote: I would really be interested in hearing folks with a lot of elk hunting experience chime in on the above comment. Is it better to stay right there among them, so you know where they are the next day? Or better to back out and give them some space for the night, so you don’t spook them out of the area?
Last season I had put a stalk on some elk, and swirling winds had given me away at about 50 yards. So I backed out for the night even though I still had a couple hours of light left. On my way out some locals were going in to hunt that same ridge, and they thought it would be better to just go after them since I knew where they were?
Thoughts?
where did you go last year ptaylor? I would only back off a very short distance downwind and out of sight. I’ll never travel to main camp on a hunt again and back every day. It ruins the best part of the hunting morning and evening. Unless you like getting up at 3 am. I’ll try it closer to the elk next time.i only use one horse that’s why the 2-4 day outing. Got to travel kind of light, I can walk out with my mustang packing for me.
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Ptaylor wrote: I would really be interested in hearing folks with a lot of elk hunting experience chime in on the above comment. Is it better to stay right there among them, so you know where they are the next day? Or better to back out and give them some space for the night, so you don’t spook them out of the area?
Last season I had put a stalk on some elk, and swirling winds had given me away at about 50 yards. So I backed out for the night even though I still had a couple hours of light left. On my way out some locals were going in to hunt that same ridge, and they thought it would be better to just go after them since I knew where they were?
Thoughts?
. When I go with my mustang this fall, at the end of the day I’m going to position myself down wind and out of sight of the main elk herd. But close enough to be in the thick of things in 20-30 min come morning. Want to be back 5-6 miles or where I find the elk! I can walk and horse can pack for me if I score.
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I hunted in Oregon last year. And you’re right, I got up a few hours before daylight, then hiked in a couple-few miles and would spend most of the day out there. But by the late afternoon I was whooped! So I only really hunted the evenings close to camp, where I knew this spike bull was hanging out. I tried getting him a bunch of times and he eventually became very sneaky- to point where he would circle downwind of his wallow to see if I was waiting. Needless to say he lived and was probably pretty educated by the time I was done!
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Ptaylor wrote: I would really be interested in hearing folks with a lot of elk hunting experience chime in on the above comment. Is it better to stay right there among them, so you know where they are the next day? Or better to back out and give them some space for the night, so you don’t spook them out of the area?
Last season I had put a stalk on some elk, and swirling winds had given me away at about 50 yards. So I backed out for the night even though I still had a couple hours of light left. On my way out some locals were going in to hunt that same ridge, and they thought it would be better to just go after them since I knew where they were?
Thoughts?
anyone else got any comments on wolfing these elk on a horse for 2-3 days at a time? Being close but not right on top of the elk, instead of traveling back and forth everyday from a main camp?
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I’ll take a stab at answering your question, with the qualifier that there are obviously no ‘hard and fast’ rules to any of this – as sure as one person says they don’t recommend doing a certain thing, someone else will say that they had success doing exactly that.
I’m not familiar with the term “wolfing” elk (it might have a different meaning in Idaho..:wink: ), but personally I would not choose to camp right among elk that I am hunting during the day, nor even particularly close them. I think it’s better to back off and give them some space at night. I’d be worried that the smells/noise of camp would drive them off. I find that most times, if you can “put them to bed,” so to speak, they will likely not move too far during the night, unless they have a really good reason to. When elk do have a reason to move (such as excessive human presence nearby) they can, and likely will, move a long way before settling down again.
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Smithhammer wrote: I’ll take a stab at answering your question, with the qualifier that there are obviously no ‘hard and fast’ rules to any of this – as sure as one person says they don’t recommend doing a certain thing, someone else will say that they had success doing exactly that.
I’m not familiar with the term “wolfing” elk (it might have a different meaning in Idaho..:wink: ), but personally I would not choose to camp right among elk that I am hunting during the day, nor even particularly close them. I think it’s better to back off and give them some space at night. I’d be worried that the smells/noise of camp would drive them off. I find that most times, if you can “put them to bed,” so to speak, they will likely not move too far during the night, unless they have a really good reason to. When elk do have a reason to move (such as excessive human presence nearby) they can, and likely will, move a long way before settling down again.
Thanks for the comeback Primal Styx. Kind of what I was thinking, maybe move off 1-1/2 to 2 miles down wind and out of sight. I would like to leave main camp and supplies close to the vehicle parking dead-end. Then go in with my horse 5+ miles, maybe up to 10 miles on 2-4 day hunts, then be within fairly easy striking distance at first light instead of traveling 7-10 miles on horse before daylight. Just got the one horse for riding and packing. Thinking Colo.
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Cleland wrote: [quote=Smithhammer]I’ll take a stab at answering your question, with the qualifier that there are obviously no ‘hard and fast’ rules to any of this – as sure as one person says they don’t recommend doing a certain thing, someone else will say that they had success doing exactly that.
I’m not familiar with the term “wolfing” elk (it might have a different meaning in Idaho..:wink: ), but personally I would not choose to camp right among elk that I am hunting during the day, nor even particularly close them. I think it’s better to back off and give them some space at night. I’d be worried that the smells/noise of camp would drive them off. I find that most times, if you can “put them to bed,” so to speak, they will likely not move too far during the night, unless they have a really good reason to. When elk do have a reason to move (such as excessive human presence nearby) they can, and likely will, move a long way before settling down again.
Thanks for the comeback Primal Styx. Kind of what I was thinking, maybe move off 1-1/2 to 2 miles down wind and out of sight. I would like to leave main camp and supplies close to the vehicle parking dead-end. Then go in with my horse 5+ miles, maybe up to 10 miles on 2-4 day hunts, then be within fairly easy striking distance at first light instead of traveling 7-10 miles on horse before daylight. Just got the one horse for riding and packing. Thinking Colo. Does anyone know witch unit in Ida has the largest population of elk in Idaho? A remote area assesable by horse only. Will be hunting the general archery Sept. season.
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