Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Diy

Me and 3 friends are going to do a diy elk hunt this fall. We our having a tough time deciding on where to go. None of us are experienced elk hunters. We are all avid outdoorsmen. Do any of you experienced hunters have any suggestions? You dont have to be be specific just a state and general area would help. A management unit would be great. We are planning a rifle hunt. I also ordered eastmans elk journal so hopefully that will help. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Do you require OTC tags?

Yes or a draw that each of us are guaranteed.

Then I would start looking at CO & MT

Sounds like you just narrowed things to CO, ID, or MT. Find the OTC or zero point draw units in each, study the success rates, and choose. Better do it quick, too.

Oh, and if you aren't already hiking in your boots and under your packs for MILES, then you are way behind the curve. The mountains and altitude WILL kick your ass.

Yep, but I'd express the last part a bit gentler...

You can buy your tag for ID today and start planning.

The mountains ain't gentle. There was no insult intended; if he and his buddies aren't getting themselves in shape and ready now, they are behind the curve.

I've been in the mountains a few times and have a waistline that requires a belt that many folks could use as a jumprope...

There are more elk in Colorado than all of the other states and Canadian provinces combined. But don't go to Colorado. There are already too many hunters.

KC

KC
Campfire Tracker

Registered: 03/22/01
Posts: 5042
Loc: Colorado Springs, Colorado USA

I will echo KC remarks. It is very hard to hunt any units that offer OTC tags without competing with LOT of other hunters especially if you are on foot.

If you do a draw unit.You can apply as a group. Then if one gets a tag,all get a tag.

Dunno about the OP, but I am old, and I live in a flat state at sea level. And yes, the mountains can kick your ass. People who live out there and are acclimated to the altitude and used to climbing up and down mountains have a big advantage, not to mention proximity and being able to scout before the season opens. The hardest part of the hunt, apart from finding an elk, is being in shape so you can go where you need to go to find an elk. Pretend you're training for the Olympics...and then train harder.

Just my most very humble opinion.

THIS!!!!!



Casey

Idaho's draw application period doesn't start until May 1. Results are usually out by July 1. Up to 4 hunters can apply together so if 1 draws, they all draw. If that doesn't work, there are lots of units with OTC tags, mostly in central and north ID. There's a non-resident quota and many units sell out early so you need to start planning now.

And getting there a few days early can help one acclimate. I live at 4,500 ft in Oregon, but when going to Wyoming where the floor is 7,000+ it seems to take about 3 days before I feel like I can get my lungs completely full of air.

Good luck,

Does CO offer otc mule deer permits?

NO

draw only

Elevation and steep terrain are tough, and will take a toll. Having said that, there are overweight and out of shape hunters who kill elk every year. But I don't recommend that route. And for all I know, the OP may be a hiking, climbing machine.

Anyway, for more information on the states, and drawing, check out Randy Newberg's (Big Fin here) podcasts and youtube (Randy Newburg hunter). There is a lot of good info there.

Whatever you do, go hunt vice getting into the point game. Do your research, pick an area and really learn it over a couple of years.

Oregon has OTC tags with what they call "Hunter Opportunity". Here's how it works.

You buy an out of state license and elk rifle tag for an OTC area for a few hundred bucks. You spend a couple thousand more on logistics and time off, drive to wet western Oregon and try to find a campsite in mountains too steep for goats. You're limited to elk only, so don't ask about a deer tag at the same time.

You walk around getting rained on and wading thru rain soaked hemlocks and firs for 7 days, never spotting an elk and rarely seeing any evidence elk even exist. You load up all your rain soaked gear and drive 1200 miles back home, relishing your amazing hunt, and all that "Hunter Opportunity" Oregon has to offer OTC elk hunters.

I'm sure other states versions vary from Oregon's in that we have a lock on the misery only a rainforest in winter can afford a hunter, but you get the idea. If you're going to hunt elk, plan ahead and put in for good tags. FTR, there aren't many good tags in Oregon.