Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Lessons learned from your first diy hunt?

My friend wants to plan a Diy elk and maybe mule deer hunt for 2024, he wants diy otc tags and backpacking. It sounds like a lot of fun and a lot of work, both to get in shape, scout, and in execution. This is in the just talking phase of the trip. So I’m looking to glean as much information as I can from your experiences. Especially those that found themselves in a similar boat starting out

Only 2 states have OTC for elk Idaho and Colorado and only Idaho has OTC for both.
start researching those 2 states pick 1
Pick a unit and get to it

Great thanks for the heads up

Idaho has quotas on non-res deer and elk OTC tags. They go on sale Dec 1 for the following year and are usually sold out very quickly.

That the rag horn you called in and passed on might have been the only bull you'll see within bow range the next 5 days.

It's still OTC just a first come first serve basis

Montana and Colorado actually have elk. Something to consider.

We have hunted Idaho every year for the last 42 yrs the state has
Accounted for some of the biggest mule deer we have harvested
Montana gets the nod for our biggest whitetails and elk

I’m pretty sure that Oregon and Washington have OTC tags for Rosies as well. 😉

Totally forgot those 2 my bad.

I am pretty sure Utah is also an option for OTC. It may be resident only, but for some reason I am thinking maybe not.

I grew up hunting general season OTC elk and never have only been on DIY hunts, so my situation is a bit different than the OPs. If you think you're in good enough shape, get into better. This isn't necessarily just to kill an elk, but to get the darn thing out.

I’m pretty sure that Oregon and Washington have OTC tags for Rosies as well. 😉[/quote]

Might have to check both of them out one year
but right now we have our hands full squeezing in time for hunting the 4 western and 4 eastern states we hunt now

All I think of when people mention Utah is Mormons another state that holds some really big elk and mule deer
Guess I was focused on the ones we hunt the most

So to the op I apologize for posting inaccurate info
I totally blanked on the 3other states mentioned

And yes it is a lot of fun they real work begins once the game is on the ground

You will be money ahead hunting private in Texas.

actually right here in montana even though its not otc for non reidents has excellent hunting if you can draw a tag dont let the locals fool you
the state might not have 30 inch bucks or 350 inch bulls all over but it still has decent hunting, its not all doom and gloom here like they want you to think it is , and the wolves havn't killed all the game thats another load of horse manure this state does hold some big elk and deer

Ha I know I'm not in good enough shape, we all have dreams of trophies, I will be happy with whatever legal animal puts meat in the freezer

Line up a rental horse or two for the packing. At the least line up an outfitter or someone to come in after the elk is down to pack the elk out.

If you plan on hunting anywhere that's listed or known as a "Migration Area", then sit on your thumbs until you get definitive confirmation that big snows are imminent. Then haul-ass for your hunting spot. If you're unable to be that flexible with your time off, then research for an area that has a resident population.

Migrating elk are not much different than migrating waterfowl. When the migration is on in the area you're hunting, there will be opportunity. If the elk are either not migrating, or have already mostly moved through the hunting will be very difficult. It's all about timing and numbers.

You don't need a horse to pack put an elk, get a good pack frame . Plenty of elk get packed on folks backs instead of a horse, they are just big deer.

Have the expectation to see more people than elk on your first hunt, if going OTC.

There are no shortcuts, short of hiring a guide......but, you'll learn alot more about elk, hunting on your own. If bull hunting, be prepared to eat your tag for a season or two.....OTC tags in particular. A cow tag may be the best way to learn about elk hunting, and have a better chance of going home with elk meat.

Perhaps look into a NM land owner tag. Cow tags can be had alot cheaper than bulls.....get some OJT, then upgrade to bulls later.

Andy3

Physical fitness is crucial but mental toughness is whats going to make or break you. Especially backpacking.

My very first night in the mountains we went from 50 degrees no wind and clear to 20 degrees 40 mph winds and snow! Lots of frozen water! Buddy killed an elk that evening and we processed it the next morning and made the trek out. Within sight of the vehicle he slipped on a patch of ice and went down sideways hitting his temple on a rock. Severe concussion later all I can say is thankfully he had good friends to assist in the rest of the pack out.

My first 48 hours in the mountains were a mental workout.

I've packed a bunch over the years, but the calendar catches up with the best of us. Sooner or later you'll have to find an easier way to get it done.

Yep and the sooner you figure that out,the longer you will hunt.

I will be 79 this coming season.I have hunted since I was 16. Aside from maybe carrying meat 100 yards or so to get to pack animal, I have never packed a deer or elk on my back and that is 50+elk.. I have seen there results of people carrying elk quarters. Slips with broken legs and ankles, broken ribs, heart attacks. Many times, meat spoilage from not getting meat out quick enough.

2-3 years ago in NW Colorado,a hunter went missing near where I hunt.They found him by the smell lof the dead spoiled elk.They back tracked and found him face down with a quarter on his back. Heart attack.I think he was in his 40's.

That same year,I was 76 or so, I killed a 6 X bull about 6-7 miles back in the West Elk Wilderness area north of Gunnison, CO. Solo hunt, just me and two mules.I was tired at the end,but no big problems. Guys might think they are tough outdoorsmen, but get a big dose of reality when they walk uo to 600 pounds of dead elk. Every year,those elk weigh more.

The first year I elk hunted, we rented two pecheron horses for 3 of us.Opening day,we had three bulls down by 7:30. We got back to camp at10:30 that night and packed the bulls out on the two horses the next two days and the camp the third day. So it can happen on a newbie's first trip . Be prepared for any eventuality.

When I was about 60, I told my wife that I needed to start looking at some kind of pack animals before I was too old to hunt. We looked at them all, then my wife came home with 3 llamas. None of them were worth much as packers but I learned a lot. I don't have any of the original 3 now but I have 5 good geldings. Over the last decade, they've moved a lot of meat for me.

Damn that's amazing they don't make them like you anymore

First DIY elk hunt musts…

Good, dependable flashlights/headlights!

Reliable GPS and be competent with a compass just in case the gps won’t receive where you’re at.

If you’re hunting in high altitude, hydrate like there’s no tomorrow…altitude sickness sucks!

Be prepared to more work than you even figured on.

Be prepared for worst case scenarios.

Shoot the first legal bull that presents you a shot you’re comfortable with. Unless you MUST have a monster.

Last lesson…it’s all totally worth it, even if you don’t fill your tag!

Doc_Holidude

DYI elk hunt

Most elk country is bigger and higher than you think.
It’s not uncommon to hike 10+ miles in a day.
If you’ve never hiked at high elevation the lack of oxygen will surprise you.
Get in “cardio” shape and show up a few days early to hang out and get used to it.
Remember, 10% of the country holds 90% of the elk.
If you are not seeing elk, or very fresh sign of elk, move.
Be ready for extreme weather, it can go from warm and sunny to freezing blizzard in a moment.
Carry plenty of water and basic survival gear EVERYWHERE, all the time.

Everything changes after Labor Day. They're scattered far and wide all summer. When the rut starts around Labor Day, they start to bunch up and when the rut ends, the cows will bunch into even bigger herds. The bulls will often disappear. They'll be there, not too far away, probably in small bunches, but they stay hidden. It can be really frustrating to see 100 elk and not an antler in the crowd.
Scouting in the summer doesn't help much to figure out where they are unless you're hunting a pre-rut season. It sure helps for learning the country, though.
However, there are no rules to what an elk will do. This is all generalization because an elk will do what it damn well wants to.

Thanks Rock, the older I get the more I care more about spending time with my friends then the end result

I have a spreadsheet I use to capture "all" my relevant elk info in.

one of those tabs is -"Lessons Learned". it has 582 rows on it after ~13 trips.

if I ever write a book, it'll be titled "elk stuff I messed up".

the list is way too long to share, and I've spent $35k (according to the "costs" tab, same spreadsheet) gathering that compilation of stupidity!

Elk are big, but one can pack true quarters. Moose are huge, and one must generate more pieces.

Ya if ya shoot an elk and don't see it go down, stop wait 45min to start tracking or it could easily turn into a really tough rodeo.......

I tell people elk hunting is a series of failures punctuated occasionally by a lucky success. But the fact that you have a document (hopefully password protected) that would tell your spouse how expensive hunting really is certainly is scary & never something I’ll undertake. If you count truck ownership I’m sure it is more than that.

If they are still standing I’m still shooting. I hunt canyons that make a few running elk yards hours of extra packing out.

Hunt where the elk are. Sounds stupid, but a lot of people spend a lot of time hunting where the elk were....

Geez....It's been 55 or so years since I started hunting on my own. No way I could remember any lessons learned.

This question could take a few cocktails…

*Elk related as that’s most of my experience - easily apply to Deer. I remind myself of these thoughts every single day hunting in VT & Maine after a career of Western hunting. I’m no different than you but perhaps have done what you’re asking about for 35+ years.

Be physically strong, stay physically strong, endlessly encourage your hunt mates, enthusiastically hunt the tough spots that look intimidating, pack lighter, spend more on core rain & sleep gear, know that at your mental toughest, you’ll need to be even mentally tougher to be really successful. Define what will make you happy ahead of time & set that as a goal. Under no circumstances should you complain or accept complaints - stay silent during others complaints & eat as good as you can. Imagine you don’t see elk, any game, for 7 days of a 10 day hunt. Plan for that. Prepare for that. The suck-meter might crack the glass but you keep hunting. Never stop hunting. Jump up every morning thinking today IS the day - regardless of weather & yesterdays results.

Always remember that Elk & great Deer don’t disappear they just hide.

Invest in boots & sleep system.

Rifle & cartridge is dead last imo - elk are pretty easy to knock over with a decent shot.

You asked 😜

Did I mention boots & sleep?

If you're hunting an early Sept season, you might see something that I've observed a number of times. About Labor Day, when the rut starts, a bull will collect 2 or 3 cows. The cows will decide who is the lead cow and it appears that her 1st duty is to find more cows for her bull. She'll take off on a cross country run that will go for many miles. The herds that I've seen are usually trotting with the bull dragging behind with his tongue hanging out and trying to keep up. They appear to be trying to cover as many miles as possible to find more stray cows to increase the herd size. One time I spotted a herd of about 6 or 8 cows coming straight down a very steep hill. The bull was at least 100 yds behind them. They got to the bottom and went into a patch of quakies. The bull hadn't any more than caught up with them when the lead cow took off again, straight back up the way they'd just come down. The poor bull was really sucking air. A bull only gets some action a few times a year, all in Sept, and he'll do what it takes to make the most of it.

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That seems to be the case here. We get a number of Either Sex RO LO authorizations, and have a resident population with good calling opportunities during early rut. But later if a big snow storm is about to hit, we've gotten 200 to 500 elk blasting through our place from higher elevations, in front and in back of the house. And when the weather improves, they meander through our place on the way back "home".

I'd bet the hunters success rate is much higher there than in Oregon as well. I can see why you left that state out. One thing about elk hunting, you are always learning. You learn from every mistake each year. At least that is the way its been for me. I also hunt in an area that only has a 4% hunters success rate, but get a bull about every other year. I don't pass on an opportunity to shoot a spike either. If you want elk where I hunt, you can't be too choosy.. Like someone else said, if you pass up a raghorn, maybe another elk may not come your way for the rest of the hunt. An over the counter first season tag is only good for about 4 days (first season). The second season Rocky mountain elk general bull tag in Oregon is a little longer, like 8 days. Last year right before I tagged my bull, I was thinking to myself, "I just need to see a damn bull, the rest is the easy part". Meaning making the shot and getting him on the ground. After that, its all work.. but damn rewarding. My best advice to the OP, is always stay positive. "Elk hunting separates the men from the boys", is what my elk hunting partner always says...

There's definitely more to hunting in Washington than OTC tags. An out-of-state DIY hunter could probably get a deer and an elk on the same trip here if he could stay for a month. On a shorter trip, he'd have a better chance of getting a deer or an elk, plus a bear.

Both Washington and Oregon are divided into east and west by the Cascade mountains. Both have Roosevelt elk and blacktail deer west of the Cascades. East of the Cascades, both have Rocky Mountain elk, whitetails, and mule deer. Both states also have black bear on both sides of the mountains.

Washington is OTC for all three deer species, black bear, and both elk species. For deer and elk, you have to pick a method (archery, ML, modern firearm) for each species, then stick with it all year. You also have to pick one side of the crest for each species, then you only hunt that side that year. It's OK to hunt deer on one side and elk on the other if you want, and to use different methods for each species. With all of that in mind, deer and elk seasons don't overlap much when you stick to one method and one side of the mountains. You might be able to get more overlap by combining more than one method and by switching sides but I've never looked into that. Here's a summary of Washington seasons: https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/summary-of-seasons

I haven't hunted the east side much, but getting access to the best places to hunt on the west side can be problematic, especially for elk. Nearly all of the huntable land west of the Cascades is tree farms. The elevation is low compared to the mountain states but it's steep and the brush is dense. You can see some of that here:
https://www.google.com/search?q=wes...mp;biw=1288&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS931US932

These farms are a mix of jungle and wide open space, and hunting them is an art unto itself. It will probably rain during deer season and it will definitely rain during elk season, so expect to combine spot-and-stalk hunting with old-school brush hunting in weather that's like getting sprayed with a hose. If you were in the military, then you might want to brush up on your lower mountaineering skills for meat recovery. Several campfire posters are experts at it; you should find and read their threads before you hunt here. I'm less of an expert, but I've written about it here: https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11623852/First_Elk

Tree farms are privately owned. The vast majority of them are open to the public, so there's a lot of pressure from locals because they can scout so easily. There's also pressure from folks driving in from the major cities along the coast. Few if any of them scout, so they just get in the way. This pressure pushes game onto the parts of some farms that timber companies lease to third parties, so the hunting is better there. They also keep some farms gated and prohibit motorized access. Those areas have pressure in the mile closest to the edges but the hunting is pretty good if you can go deep. The best hunting is on private land with no public access, but good luck finding that.

The locals have a huge advantage on both sides of the Cascade crest because they can scout more easily and because they know how to work the edges of the restricted areas. Indian tribal members basically have no rules, so they hunt all the time. Poaching picks up when the economy tanks, so we've probably got some of that coming our way as well.

I'm pretty sure that Oregon is a draw state.


Okie John

I grew up hunting elk and mule deer DIY on public land in CO. Things I think are important.

1) Learn how to track and read sign.
2) Get into the woods well before it gets light and don't come out of them until it is dark. Hunt the whole day and let others push game to you.
3) Hunt uphill that way you're packing meat downhill.
4) Learn your rifle/bow so you can make the shot.
5) Hunt cow elk because there are a lot more cows than bulls.
6) Never pass on any animal the first day that you will happily tag on the last day.
7) Always carry a pack frame so the first load of meat comes out when you do. This make 1 less trip.

1982 and I was a young tough pup. Killed first bull above timberline in thigh deep snow in CO.

Lesson learned: Dem Sumbitches is heavy.

One option maybe worth a look into is on your first hunt, get a reputable outfitter and do a drop camp. Your gear and chow are packed into an area and the outfitter will pack out an animal per hunter for a decided fee. It takes some of the stress and logistics out of your first hunt and puts you into good elk country, saves wear and tear on the body and you can backpack out of an established camp every day! Just another option to think of!

I learned that years ago, now I shoot elk where I can pack it out. No hell holes for me, hunt smarter not harder. If I can carry out at quarter at my age and condition then some younger guys sure should be able to is all I'm saying.

Hire a guide! My first DIY hunt was in Colorado in 1992 over Halloween in a National Forest outside of Carbondale. I'm from the east coast and relied on a friend from work who has a friend who lived in Littleton to scout, pick the spot and supply the camping gear.

Long story short, the Littleton resident got lost in the NF the day before opening day and couldn't locate the campsite/hunting area he had scouted and picked so we dumped into an unknown area because we had to set up camp.

His camping gear was in worse shape than Wal-Marts, the Coleman stoves didn't work even though "he used them last weekend". Then it started raining, everything got wet, I tried to sleep in the Suburban but everybody else was in there.

Woke up to 15" of snow and a white out. We hunted for an hour and a half, took a vote to leave and go into town to wait the storm out. As we were leaving, the Littleton resident claimed the U-Haul trailer was pushing him down hill and he might lose control so three of us walked out behind the Suburban 6 miles and the driver drove out with the door open in case he had to bail. We ended up getting 4 feet of snow.

We got down to a parking area and he dumped the Suburban and trailer into a ditch, no trucks could get us out. Two young kids came buy with 4 wheelers and pulled us out.

We stayed in the hotel forr 5 days, it never stopped snowing or the wind just blew it around. $450 for a non-resident elk and deer license to hunt an hour and a half. I did drink a large amount of beer and spent a lot of hours in the hot tub.

I believe 5 hunters got killed statewide. Thirty years later I'm still hunting elk (killed 16). One thing I can say, don't rely on someone else to do your scouting and come prepared. We almost got stuck in a very bad situation.

Sako76,
I’ve had a couple of rodeos while on elk hunts, but nothing to compare to that one! Jackknifed a trailer coming down the ranch road in the mud in 2008. You know the ranch I’m talking about. S.

Well
I suggest you spend more than a week in the Bush if your season allows it.
Elk move further and faster than me, at least, as in they may not be in your vicinity today or tommorrow, but 3 or 4 days later they may.
Good luck