advise for my first cow elk hunt

[BillyBoB]

I'm new to this whole hunting forum thing and my father never taught me to hunt while growing up and now I'm 32 years old. I became obsessed with hunting when I went with my brother a few years ago. He learned to hunt from his in-laws along time ago but was going to go by himself so I tagged along. I've been addicted and have hunted mule deer ever since. My oldest son will be able to hunt next year and he will have the wonderful opportunity to experience hunting and have a love for the outdoors. I wanted to try elk hunting out after tasting the difference between deer and elk meat. So I drew a cow elk tag for the East Canyon Summit area. After applying I realized the boundary is made up of all or mostly private property. I've never hunted elk and was hoping to get any advice or direction as to where to look into getting access. I'm not looking for honey-holes or anything like that. For my age and the experience I have, I feel like I'm way behind on the knowledge I should have when it comes to hunting. It's a late hunt that runs from mid November until end of January. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[alsatian]

I don't know what state that is in. Typically owners of private land that supports elk expect to get pretty stiff fees for hunting their land -- say $5000 to $10000. Others please correct me if my numbers are off. If you limit yourself to taking a cow elk, maybe the numbers are different, I don't know.

I hunt in Colorado, and in Colorado it is important to know where the elk will be located at what time of year. Up until mid-October to late-October elk are pretty high, just below treeline. As snows come, the elk get pushed down ultimately to low areas that are most commonly private land. Thus, if you don't have a generous friend who will let you hunt on their private ranch or a big wad of money to spend, you are wise to put in for early season elk hunts. In Colorado that would mean the archery season, the muzzle loader season, the first rifle season, and maybe the second rifle season. You also want to know where the public land is located -- national forest lands, other public lands -- and take that into consideration also.

If it is possible, it is best to attach yourself to another experienced elk hunter who can walk you through these issues and maybe point you to a specific area or invite you to be their hunting partner and share their camp.

 

[Zeke]

+1

You have to know where they'll be during your hunt. By that I mean, will they all be on private land, lower on the mountain?

Call the UDWR and ask a biologist or a warden. They might even be able to point you to a landowner who will let you hunt on his land for little or no fee. I don't know the unit so perhaps others could help you out.

The elk won't be tough to find IF you can hunt where they'll be. Look for tracks or trails in the snow. Glass with binos.....a bunch and be prepared to hike to where the elk are located. They'll hang on the south facing slopes in the morning and evenings. It's still hunting so stay out and keep your eyes open, weather permitting.

You'll want to learn how to legally quarter the animal since you can't drag an elk, even in the snow. Take a good backpack to get the delicious meat out of the country.

Zeke

PS: It's always good to hear of new hunters getting started.

 

[TINEBROTHER]

I have the same tag.. we should hook up closer to the hunt. I haven't hunted the area but I know people who have and they have done well.

 

[justr_86]

+10,000 on learning how to quarter and get the other meat off the carcass... Elk are huge animals and this info is priceless when you get one down! Research it, if you can get someone to go and show you it will be better. Good luch on your hunt!

 

[outdoorsdude]

First bit of advice; you better have an exit strategy!!!
I love it when a some one walks up to an elk on the ground for the first time. When was the last time you had to manhandle 400lbs on the ground? Exit strategy!

Secondly, practice with your weapon! Know you can make the shot, before you 'pull the trigger'. Get out there and go through 3 boxes at 200-300-400 yards, prone, seated, kneeling or off hand just like you would shoot in the field!

Past that, experience will teach you the knowledge you seek. I have years in the woods and yet seem to learn something new, year after year.

best of luck and keep asking questions

 

[BillyBoB]

Thanks for the information that you all gave. I am greatful for all the advise I can get.

I have left a message for the Biologist for my hunting area and have not recieved a call back from him. I guess I will have to be persistent. I figured after talking to the BIologist, I would take a trip up to Morgan, UT to the county assessor office and look at their plat map which gives landowner boundaries and contact information. I guess that's where I start. I am taking advantage of resources to educate myself with all the learning that I must know before i go into the field. I am ALWAYS target shooting so I am familiar with my weapon.

 

[BillyBoB]

Thanks for the reply. Ya, we should hook up closer to the hunt. I'm always willing to share my hunting experiences with new friends. Sometimes it's hard to hunt with my brother when he wants to road hunt all the time. I like to hike back and get away from people.

 

[BillyBoB]

I can only imagine what it will feel like to harvest such an amazing animal. I can't wait to have the experience to take such a huge species. I'm always practicing with my rifle. But I do need to practice more out to 500+ yards. Anything 350 yards and closer is gunna drop. Yet I agree, there is always something new to learn no matter how long you've been hunting.

Keep the replys coming.

 

[BillyBoB]

Thanks for the reply. Your advise is wonderful and I hope it keeps coming. I know first I need to talk to the biologist to find out where the elk's winter range is for my hunting area. Then I can focus on landowners for those areas. I didn't realize theres so many hoops to jump through. It's def worth the efforts after I get an elk on the ground.