Future Elk Hunt Help

Mooretitan · Jun 9, 2017

My dad is getting a little older and I am thinking we have about 10 solid years left of roughing it up the mountains. After that easier hunts will have to be planned. I wanted to do an Africa Hunt for him for his 60th bday but he is more interested in hunting a solid 330-350 type bull. I know these are not around every corner and it takes time and money to pull it off. I would like set up a hunt with in the next 3 years.

We have a point or two in pretty much every state so I know drawing a tag for that type of animal over the next 3 years will be hard. I willing to try if its a possibility and would take trips now to the area just to a feel for what is out there even if its a couple years away.

Also would look in a landowner or guided hunt even though its not really my thing.

So if someone want to kill a 330-350 bull what general areas/outfitters/landowner tags should someone look at. This will more than likely be the only time we would be willing to spend this type of money.

We have hunted and killed elk before just not the caliber he is looking for and I don't know how many hunts we have left together.

Thanks

sjhgraysage · Jun 9, 2017

I would look at New Mexico

I would also suggest you post a copy of your request in the New Mexico section of the forums. Depending on your budget you could possibly get a landowner tag in New Mexico in the next few years and accomplish your goal.

Idaho would be my next choice, because of fairly easily obtained over the counter tags. Bulls over 330 are there but not easy to find for most hunters.
Best of Luck!

Millsworks · Jun 9, 2017

New Mexico or Arizona would be the hands down states to look for a 350+ bull elk.
They shoot big elk in every state but, on average these two states would be a best bet.
If a tag could be drawn in Kentucky, you would have a great chance there. Odds are too tough there in my opinion.
Most other states can give good hunts for big elk. But, 350 bulls aren't a realistic goal in any state other than the first picks I mentioned above.
Draw odds will make it a long wait though, but doable.

Mbogo · Jun 9, 2017

What's the budget? That's going to help folks give you more accurate information.
Also, would it be a rifle only hunt or is he proficient with short range weapons as well?

Mooretitan · Jun 13, 2017

Been a little busy with the home repairs

1. Looking to get the hunt done in the next 3-4 years
2. Any state will work but I like a true mountain type hunt
3. Rifle would be better but can and have taken animals with a bow. And would do more than enough shooting with the bow to feel comfortable out to 50 if we went that route
4. Price range under $10,000 total. Cant believe I typed that number but this is a one time thing for my dad.
5. Goal 330-350

Thanks

woody622 · Jun 13, 2017

There are plenty of landowner tags that are guided that you can purchase in New mexico for less than $10k. I've seen some quality units going for $7,500-$9k for tag and guide fees I'm sure there are some going for less as well. Check places like huntin fool and gohunt or a simple google search for those types of tags. 330 is very attainable.

Signage · Jun 13, 2017

You can get a landowner tag in Nevada and do it DIY, with these tags you can choose which season(weapon)to go on. I've seen prices for these tags over 12K though. Utah has similar landowner tags. Good luck in your search.

joesikora · Jun 14, 2017

New Mexico for sure! You have a great chance to draw a tag and you can still buy a LO voucher if you don't draw.

Good luck

Joe

"Sometimes you do things wrong for so long you
think their right" - 2001
"I can't argue with honesty" - 2005
-Joe E Sikora

Mudslinger · Jun 15, 2017

Check out bmohunts.com, black mountain outfitters. They might have something you are looking for. I've never hunted with them but have talked to them. They lease a bunch of land in unit 12 in NM. You could maybe do a late season elk hunt for your price range otherwise their prices are pretty high butt it looks like they kill some huge elk.

Aceman · Jun 15, 2017

If you have in the area of $10,000 to spend on a landowner voucher, I would not pass up looking at Unit 2 in Colorado. It takes about 20+ years to draw a license and I have been told the chances of getting a 350+ bull is very good. I good friend of mine tagged a 355 bull a few years ago and he said he should have held off for a bigger bull. It took him 0ver 18 years to draw the tag. Nothing is for sure but that would be my first choice if I had the do ra me to spend.

Utjuice · Jun 16, 2017

You can do a few high fence hunts in Utah and come in under budget.

Millsworks · Jun 16, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jun-16-17 AT 04:50PM (MST)[p]I'm pretty sure they want to go elk hunting before one of them dies if at all possible.
Not that I think they are out to pasture, but a hunt that takes 4-5 years of drawing odds might be more to thier liking.
If a good 320-340 bull will make ya happy, may want to look at Wyoming.
A very good guided hunt can be had there for what most would call a trophy.
The decision is up to you guys, but waiting for 10-20 years is something a person should think about before they turn 45 at most in my mind.
Elk hunting is work plan and simple.
Rouph stuff for a 70+ fella.
It can be done I'm sure. But if you can't get to the elk you can't see them or shoot them, obviously.

I suggest you be honest with yourself and know the limits you might have in six years from now.
That will shorten your list of destinations for elk.
Arizona or New Mexico is where the big ones are that aren't to touph to trek after. I would look for a tag there first, and if time drags on ,then shoot for a good Wyoming unit in the Northwest region.

kalielkslayer · Jun 16, 2017

You weren't clear at the beginning if you were looking for 1tag, or 2?

If your Dad is around 60, you got to be in your late 30s/early 40s.

I recommend you look at a tag for him only. That way you can help him and share the moment when he does pull the trigger.

Last year my Dad was 82. He wanted to get us tags. I told him to put all the money into one tag, double the quality.

We really enjoyed our hunt although he didn't kill the biggest bull on the mountain.

Late 30s/early 40s, you got 20 years to hunt some awesome tags if you keep applying.

Just my opinion

Outhntn · Jun 18, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jun-18-17 AT 08:56PM (MST)[p]It seems like you would prefer a DiY hunt, but check out www.bestofthebulls.com.
If you have a couple Montana elk bonus points you stand a solid chance of drawing a rifle or archery bull tag in the next few years. I am a guide and the hunt coordinator for the operation. Our avg rifle kill is around 350", archery in the 320" range. Fantastic hunting because this hunting district is 93% private property. Keep in mind our all-inclusive, guided 5 day rifle/6 day archery hunts are priced much less than trophy class bull hunts in many other states. Check out our website!

Mooretitan · Jun 19, 2017

Thanks for all the information. I will take a look at it all.

We have one point now Nevada, Utah, Colorado
I have 5 points in Wyoming and my Dad 2.

Looking to get this done in 3-4 years so if drawing a tag of this quality is possible with the points we have then willing to go that route. If not buying a landowner tag is also a possibility. I am not made of money and $10,000 for us is once in a very long time type thing. We have never hunted private property or with guides but with elk hunting and my dads age (plus not having many points), I think we are playing with limited time as far as a true elk hunt. My dad is in great shape and we are not looking for a easy hunt. We want to experience a real hunt but at the same time want the odds and opportunity of this type of bull heavily in our favor.

If pulling this off on public land without a guide or landowner tag is possible I am all for that and I am willing to spend sometime in the next couple of years in the area without a tag just to get a lay of the land.

Thanks

WapitiBob · Jun 19, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jun-19-17 AT 10:30AM (MST)[p]

Late season WY or a LO voucher in NM or maybe UT will be where you end up in my opinion. Utah CWMU's are probably more than your budget unfortunately. The NM vouchers have been pushed up in price beyond the unit quality in the last cpl years but you can find a bunch of them and multiple units for under 10K. A decent WY late season wilderness hunt around the park would be a good hunt and you may have the points for the special price draw but you'll have to look that up. The central units in WY get overlooked and can produce a bull you're looking for, within your budget, but you'll have to do the legwork to find the Outfitter and unit.
Forget AZ, you don't nor will you, have the points in your time frame.

kalielkslayer · Jun 19, 2017

Arizona

Unless you go late. Not as good of quality but the same bulls live there in Nov/Dec as Sept.

Personally, I'm applying for primo elk tags in several states for the wife and I.

But I got into the Arizona elk game late so I apply for the late season tags in above average units. In 6 years I've drawn 1 tag and am sitting on 3 PPs for my next (gotta get that damn hunter safety course point soon).

sagebrush · Jun 20, 2017

NM is the best bet for meeting your goal. You can try to draw a Gila bull tag (Units 15, 16A, 16C or 16D) and go DIY. Or you can book with JFW Ranch Consulting and do a minimal guided 2 day hunt for $1,500 in 15 or a 5 day fully guided hunt in any of those units for $3,500. That puts you in the guided draw which has much better odds than the DIY draw. The tags are $780 each, so you would be well within your $10K budget including travel. 15 is archery or muzzleloader only.

I can vouch for Jim Wells. Top notch outfitter and he is a sponsor here on MM. Here's the link:

https://www.newmexicobiggamehunting.com/hunt/nm-new-mexico-bull-elk-hunts-hunting-2/.

"You can fly a helicopter to the top of Everest and say you've been there. The problem with that is you were an a$$hole when you started and you're still an a$$hole when you get back.
Its the climb that makes you a different person". - Yvon Chouinard

BuglesNGrunts · Jun 20, 2017

>NM is the best bet for
>meeting your goal. You can
>try to draw a Gila
>bull tag (Units 15, 16A,
>16C or 16D) and go
>DIY. Or you can book
>with JFW Ranch Consulting and
>do a minimal guided 2
>day hunt for $1,500 in
>15 or a 5 day
>fully guided hunt in any
>of those units for $3,500.
>That puts you in the
>guided draw which has much
>better odds than the DIY
>draw. The tags are $780
>each, so you would be
>well within your $10K budget
>including travel. 15 is archery
>or muzzleloader only.

Assuming you are good to go on a muzzy hunt, this sounds like one of the best chances you could get in your situation. The Gila produces some world class animals, especially on guided hunts!

Mbogo · Jun 20, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jun-20-17 AT 03:51PM (MST)[p]"That puts you in the guided draw which has much better odds than the DIY draw."
That statement is true, but unit 15 muzzleloader draw odds are still terrible. For 2016 the DIY draw odds were 2% and 4% for the two seasons. The guided draw was better, at 3% and 6%.
I don't think it would be wise to plan on getting to hunt with your dad betting on these kind of odds. (You could choose to buy a landowner tag for unit 15, for around $6500. Coupling that with the $1500 semi guided option mentioned above might be great. Sagebrush's outfitter recommendation has had many positive things said about him and his operation.)

You might consider having him use his 2 Wyoming points on a general season tag and hiring a great outfitter. Not sure what that would cost but I would think it would be around $5-6k. They are killing some great bulls off of general season tags in Wyoming. A wilderness /horseback hunt would be a great trip and full of memories for both of you.