Elk hunting question

lungbuster15 · Dec 20, 2005

A buddy of mine and I, both Minnesota residents, are looking to possibly do a self guided elk hunt next year, but neither of us have hunted elk before and don't really know where to start. We have been looking at Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and Idaho as possible hunting locations. We are going to archery hunt and want either a bull only tag or an either sex tag. We are looking for any information on possible buying over the counter tag oportunities, and also information and if this is not available anywhere, what states have the highest draw percentage. We are both college kids, so price is somewhat of an issue, but want to hunt elk no matter where we have to go and what we have to pay for a tag, but we don't want to go on a guided hunt. Any information would be helpful. If anyone knows any specific zones that are good that would also be helpful. We are planning on spending the off season learning as much about hunting elk as possible. Also, what options are there for Elk hunting in Canada? Any non residents out there that have had any experiences, both positive and negative, hunting elk in one of these states?

martinc · Dec 20, 2005

Go to the Idaho Fish and Game website, find the harvests stats from past year or use their Hunt Planner.
They have OTC tags, or tags available first come, first serve.
Forget Canada if you don't want to pay for a guided. There are no tag for non-residents without going fully guided.

mc

bigbuckman · Dec 21, 2005

I agree with martinc. You can buy an over-the-counter archery tag in Idaho. Do a little research and you will have a decent chance at an elk. This is probably your best bet.

sjhgraysage · Dec 21, 2005

Idaho does have what is described above. Colorado has more elk than Idaho or Montana, because they have over the counter tags for some/many areas there can also be lots of hunters. That being said if you do the research you can probably find a draw / limited entry area, that you can draw with no points especially for archery in Colorado thus limiting the number of hunters and perhaps offering older age class bulls. Any of the states that you mentioned with research can provide a great elk hunting experience, alot of it is in the homework and preperation. IMHO

glacial21 · Dec 22, 2005

A friend and I did a do-it-yourself archery trip to Idaho last fall. It cost us each between $800-1100 for the whole trip.

I researched that trip from the bottom up - mostly using the internet and a few phone calls.

We had a good time and saw at least 6 adult bulls. I thought that was pretty fair for an over-the-counter area that I had never set foot it before.

Whatever you do, put in heavy research time. Study maps and harvest stats to start. Then ask questions about potential areas here and at Bowsite. Someone will probably help you narrow it down. Once you pick a potential unit, call the Forest Service and local F&G biologists. Have a list of specific questions. Pretty soon you will narrow a large area down to a smaller one.