Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Thinking about giving up elk hunting

It isn't the age, it is the expense that makes it a problem. MT non-resident tags (Deer + Elk) are just going up and up and up. This *might* be my last year ...

me, I've had 2 back operation 6 fused dics and too compete knee replacements, if it wasn't for the younger brothers it would leave me just rabbit hunting

I'm 66 ...age corrected in my best shape ever. Headed out tomorrow for a big bull . Boned and packed 3 the last 3 years. I hope to make it to 70. Still love to hunt elk in the snow...but I can see the end is not too far off. Sad because I live to hunt elk.

I swear off elk hunting at the end of every season. Then the next year rolls around and i am excited to go again. It's an illness......

I envy you guys. I'm a Virginian who grew up dreaming of elk hunting. Never had the time, money, contacts, got married, got a young'n that I'll get started on deer this year, but ELK, man that was a dream that I live through others experience. You guys are really an inspiration. Keep on gettin on as long as you can, if you need some help give me a call.

I used to archery hunt elk and did real good. Started rifle hunting them in Oregon and found too many obstacles in place to even call it hunting. Success rates at 4% (and less)and those are usually private land or someone with an "in". Hunting other states is what I call hunting. Oregon elk hunting is a joke. If I lived somewhere reasonable to hunt, I'd still be hunting them.

Umm...did I post this under a different handle and just not remember???



All joking aside, I'm in the same boat! Hoping to chase them or Coues next year, trying to get some guys to commit to a western hunt.

As long as I'm upright and can walk, ride a horse , drive an ATV, shoot my rifle and drive the distance to hunt out of state, I'm in for hunting elk. My elk hunting partner was 83yo, we hunted that year and he died following year. I'm 65 still going strong and hunting elk next month and don't forget ducks too.

I believe there should be areas specific for folks like the OP. Like the refuge hunt in Jackson Hole. I believe it should be for the elderly, the physically handicapped, and the youth. Unfortunately, it's open to anyone that draws. I don't think the youngsters with legs and lungs like a wolf should be allowed.

You have my position exactly, Shrapnel.. With the great numbers of elk we have today, killing one in a hole is not cool, especially at my age..

I too am a "bolted together, surgery scarred, half bionic" 65 yr old...and I have come to the conclusion that there are some areas I can't hunt anymore! I am happy just to be outdoors and I put in for the late seasons cow elk hunts on private ranches. I have no problem shooting hayfield elk...if I can ever catch them in the hayfield! Elk are still elk for me...I just have to figure out a way I can hunt them w/o killing myself! ha. Time...."where did you go"?

Had to choose between hunting elk at 12,000 feet in the snow or nice whitetails on the plains since my tags overlapped. Hunted the plains and had a great time. Next elk hunt and last elk hunts will be Sept muzzleloader only and only if I get a bear down earlier in Sept.

Dang, and you're not even nearly as old as huntsman22......

But he's a whole lot smarter....

I hear you Jim, I can still find Elk but have to solve the problem of getting them out. I just returned from Wyoming where I enjoyed being in the mountains during the rut. I ranged 4 shooter bulls at less than 200 yards.
Lots of fun but no meat. I travelled light and slept in a motel and had a ball. There are plenty of ranches that offer hunts in great locations and solve the logistical problems, I will put a cow elk in the freezer next year and let someone else do the hard work w/out shame.


mike r

Better looking too.

My dad lost interest in hunting them in his 60’s. I was surprised because he was still in good health.

Anymore I just want to hunt them early season archery or muzzloader, or a rare early rifle tag.. cold weather is for Muleys!

I've more or less lost interest. The people I used to hunt with have scattered. If I hunt elk, it's hunting alone now, and that isn't much fun. I would still like to shoot one with a handgun and maybe shoot one with a flintlock. I hadn't put in for a few years. This year I was going to go with an OTC tag but my boss turned down the vacation request. Today would have been the last day of elk season for me.

Tom

I decline any packing assistance requests from either of you guys or that handwerk dude. At least when I go elk hunting I rarely have to pack them out. As I said before though, Sept from here on out for me.

September is where it's at. I keep trying to tell Don that.