Hello all and a few questions from a newbie?

W

woodduck

Guest
First off, hello all! I am new to the forum and to elk hunting as well. I'll probably be on here picking everyone's brains quite a bit on the subject as I am in the very very early stages of planning my first elk hunt. I don't expect this hunt to happen for a couple of years b/c when I do go I would like to have enough points built up to draw a good area. Here is the basic idea of what I want to do.

I really would like to do this without the assistance of a guide. I know it would probably be a whole lot easier with one but I just don't like the idea of paying someone to take me hunting. I also suspect that a guide ups the price quite a bit and I don't want to break the bank with this.

I am planning on applying for a permit in Utah this January to get the ball rolling. I am under the impression that in Utah you must have a hunting license in order to apply for the draw. I am also under the impression that you may purchase a bonus point. So you build points two at a time if you both apply for the draw and purchase a bonus point. If this is incorrect, please correct me.

I looked into applying for the drawing in Colorado as well, but it looked like to me as an out of state resident you would have to purchase a fairly expensive license to even apply, and your chances of drawing are not very good until you build some points somewhat. If this is incorrect, please correct me. Also, if you have recommendations on other states to apply in don't hesitate.

So basically I guess this is what I am trying to do: build up preference points for a drawing of an area that will give me the best chance to have a successful hunt when I do draw. If I am going about this the wrong way, please let me know.

Finally, if you have any recommendations on a good book to read on the subject or some audio tapes that will assist me in learning to call please let me know. When I first learned to call turkeys I would listen to tapes of turkeys in the wild and I assume there are the same thing for elk.

Thank you all and I look forward to learning from you all! And if any of you would like to pick up turkey hunting I'll do what I can to help you all out in that!
woodduck
 
Hey Brian,
Thanks for the info. What is your opinion of the otc tags in Colorado? How does the quality of the hunting compare with that of the limited entry drawings? Thanks!
 
Hello, it sounds like you're off on the right foot. I haven't seen the '08 Utah regs but I've never heard of being able to buy an extra point being an option, either way if you're getting two so is your competition. one thing you need to ask yourself on some of the high qualioty hunts is how old am I now and how long am I willing to wait, because short of some fantastic luck you're going to be waiting a while if you're starting out with zero points today. there are some decent hunts in Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho , Colorado and Montana you can get with no points or maybe a few points in some cases if you're not stuck on top quality trophy units.

My best advice to a newbee wanting to play the drawing game is subscribe to a year of the Huntinfool from the Carter's. once you understand how all the states work and what your chances are you can decide if you want to stay a member, the first year would be well worth the $100 to you.
 
I was gonna suggest the "Huntinfool" but huntindude already did. I like it that you are a "Do it yourself" hunter. You have my respect, especially considering that elk hunting is new for you. I did the same thing in 2005 and I'm very proud of the 300 class bull I got on my owne without the help of a guide. Yes, I probably would have gotten a bigger bull with a guide but thats not what its about for me. You came to the right place to learn about elk hunting. Good luck, fatrooster.
 
Hey huntindude,

Thanks for the info and the suggestion on the huntinfool. I will definitely look into that. I am 26 so hopefully I have the years to wait. I think it will be a good idea to look into the 0 point or 1 or 2 point hunts first. I think maybe a better approach for me would be to build some points in one place but cut my teeth on some hunts where I will not need the points. And when I do build enough points to draw a trophy area I will have some experience.
 
That sounds like just what I'd do if I were you. at your age you have time, I have guys who know I hunt all over the west ask me about starting to apply in Utah , Arizona and such and when they're 65 it's hard to tell them they have a snowballs chance before they're too old. sure they might have a slim chance but they do in with the lottery too.

Start putting in for all the states you can afford and it'll pay off, the huntinfool and guys here will tell you the best places you can draw with a few ponts when you get them. get yourself 4 or 5 Oregon points and I can tell you where you should be able to take a bull up to a 320 class, until you get some points built up in the quality states that's what you're going to be hunting for 90% of the time.
 
LAST EDITED ON Dec-27-07 AT 09:57AM (MST)[p]I agree with huntindude, start putting in for every state possible to collect bonus points, cause you will get addicted and won't be able to get enough of elk hunting. As far as where to go, while you are waiting for your bonus/preference points to build up, pick a state that has OTC tags or where you can draw every year and learn while you are in the woods. EXPERIENCE is your best learning tool by far!!! oh and SCOUTING!!! That way when the time comes around and you draw a good tag, you are not a newbee to elk hunting and you'll give yourself the best chance possible at success with your tag that you have been waiting 3-20+ years for.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"
 
Thanks for all the responses. Here is another question, any of you guys ever go elk hunting by yourselves? I probably don't have any friends that would be willing and able to take off the time needed to go on an elk hunt. I live on the east coast so it would be quite an undertaking. I am very competent in mountain navigation and camping, but I would hesitate to go on such a trip by myself. Anyone have any experience going it alone?
 
Elk are big animals, Hunting alone
if you get one in a bad spot would
be a lot of work.

Elk hunting is fun until the work
starts, by that I mean you almost
always have to quarter or bone
out the entire animal just to move
it.
 
Since you have no experience in elk hunting I would suggest you buy an over the counter bull tag in CO while you are waiting to build points for other units. That way, by the time you do draw a primo tag you will have chased elk around a few mountains and know what to expect.

As for you question about doing it yourself. Yeah you can but I would highly reccomend having a partner. Everything about elk hunting can be tough. Setting up a camp for a long stay, getting a truck unstuck, gutting and packing out an elk all take a huge amount of work and it really helps to have a buddy. It also helps to have a second person when hunting down the tent mice. lol

Calif_mike
 
You didn't say cow or bull or rifle or your weapon choice. Makes a big difference on the advice I would give you.

COlorado is the only State where you can buy an over-the-counter tag guarenteed. The OTC archery and rifle tags allow you to hunt in many units in the State...not ALL of them.

You'll have alot of competition but with the other hunters in the field, it keeps the elk moving around some.

To draw trophy units, you need many preference points. You can apply for a preference point only but it now will cost you $25 each year if you don;t buy another license of some kind.

A one shot learning experience DIY hunt? Best choice would be an OTC tag. Gonna need to scout the area if you are alone or study maps, Google Earth, etc. Look at the harvest surveys online at Colorado DOW site. Some outfitters have reasonable trespass fees for DIY hunts.
 
I'm new to the site as well, and thanks for all the info. Keep this string goin!!
I have the same concerns as you, woodduck, when it comes to the trips, hunting alone, and how to learn as much as possible.

Again, thanks for all who have replied and this site in general.
 
Toughshed,
For my first elk I really don't care whether it is a bull or cow. I guess it would be nice to kill a bull but I'm more in it probably for the whole experience rather than a trophy animal. I both bow and gun hunt but I would probably prefer a rifle hunt for my first trip. I have a 270 wsm that I am tentatively planning on taking.
 
There are quite a few units in CO where you can draw a cow tag the first year trying. Bonus is, the price is half of a bull tag.

Calif_mike
 
woodduck, welcome i agree with what others have said, i have a book by mike eastman that is supposed to be good, but i haven't read it! i have done the solo elk hunt a few times, you will be worn out and ragged, even if you get one close to a road! but if solo is your only option, go for it! it's not impossible, just be honest with yourself about your ability (what kind of shape your in) when and were you pull the trigger!
 
I would be careful elk hunting alone...It is a good way to hunt, but a crappy way to get one out.
 
It is a lot of work but you can do it yourself, I shot one 2 miles in this fall and got him out on the second day. every thing done was by myself. Not a monster, just a co raghorn but still an elk.

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Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"
 
As said above, I'd apply for all states you can afford to apply in each year and build as many points as possible. A state to look into is New Mexico. NM is a pure lottery draw every year and is the best state to draw a top unit year after year. With that said, it's not a guarantee to draw and is more unpredictable as the other states with points.

A tip for a first time elk hunt - GET A GUIDE - I'M SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE HERE. You are wasting time and money, and possibly years worth of waiting, if it will be your first time. Especially first time in the state. I tried it myself, and unless you have time to scout and learn the area, I wouldn't even consider going without a guide. And when I mean time to scout, I don't mean 2 days before the hunt. I'm talking, extensive time in the unit. If your going to wait years to draw, go ahead and put away a little money each year, so when you do draw, you'll have the funds to hire a guide.
 
Read my post titled: "Utah elk. Have you done the math?"

The odds are pretty long in Utah for any particular person starting with 0 points to draw an elk tag in the next 20 years. And you have to send them $75 each year to apply. That amount will probably go up every couple of years. They keep all of that money whether you draw or not.

NO, in Utah, you can not get 2 points in one year. You only get ONE bonus point each year for applying.

I think your best bet would be Colorado, 1st rifle season (either sex tag). Many good units can be drawn with 0 to 1 point. You can also put down a cow tag as a secondary option. If you don't draw your first choice, but get a cow tag as a second choice, you will still get a preference point for the year.

And, no Colorado is not expensive to apply for a tag. If you just want to apply for a preference point, it will cost you $25 plus a $3 application fee. However, if you draw a tag they will NOT charge you the $25. Even if you don't DRAW a tag, but buy an OTC tag for 2008, you will not have to pay the $25 in '09 to apply. If you draw a current year tag OR if you bought a tag last year, you don't have to pay the $25.

I suspect what is confusing you is that you have to send them the price of a tag (for instance $500 for a bull tag) or $250 for a preference point. HOWEVER, you get that money back if you don't draw the tag, so the only way you spend more than $25 plus the $3 application fee is if you actually draw the tag.

Colorado examples of out of pocket cost:

1) Preference point only: $25 plus $3
You would actually have to send them and extra $250 until the drawing is complete, then they refund the $250

2) Application for a hunt tag, but you don't draw any tag:
$25 plus $3. Again, you have to send them the price of the tag you are applying for, but they refund the tag price after the drawing.

3) Application for a hunt tag, and you draw either your 1st choice or your 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice: Tag price, plus $3 application fee (don't pay the $25). However, you have to buy a $5 habitat tag before they will send you your license.

4) application for a tag or preference point IF you bought a license last year: you don't pay the $25

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
LAST EDITED ON Dec-30-07 AT 11:48AM (MST)[p]Muleymadness-Thanks for the NM plug and the plug for using a guide initially to get going. It is possible to draw the tag and contract a guide on a daily $ basis in an area to get a clue about the unit and useful tips on hunting elk. Can be well worth the bucks, especially if you get one and need help getting it out. Best of Luck in all your draws.....
 

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