I'm a couple years out from doing this...would appreaciate all opinions of best route for a first DIY Elk hunt. I've always envisioned Colorado since I love the state and closest to my location...but open to suggestion. Any info on drawing, nonresident fees, access, and herds would be appreciated...not sure the first bull needs to be a huge one Thanks!
Well, probably the best is AZ but planning a trip for a given year is not a possibility there. It all depends on you. If you have to schedule the trip and can't have the flexibility to put in for multiple states and change your plans depending on how the results turned out, then you have to look at OTC tag states like CO, Idaho, Wyoming, etc. However, if you have that kind of flexibility you can add states like MT, select areas of CO, trophy areas in Wyoming, NM, AZ, etc. See my point? BEST is pretty subjective.
I'll let you know when I get back from my first one this fall. I'm going with a group that has done this for years. They go every odd year to Colorado. The even years, they apply for a preference point. This almost ensures them of getting the hunt they want.
I've done the DIY hunts in CO for almost 20 years. It's easy to plan the trip last minute,there's a good elk herd, From IL it's an easy drive. I can do the whole trip for about $1200.00 which makes it easier on the wallet so My vote is for Colorado.
huntingson: sorry, should have been more particular - guess I'm interested in Over the Counter as I would want to be flexible on my first trip and keep costs down. 130W: what size group you go with, average success rates in CO, hotel/camp/or backpack...every little bit of info gets me closer someday. I like the thought of $1200 for a chance... Thanks!
Well, it's possible, it's just not probable. Increasingly, our Game and Fish Department- http://www.azgfd.gov/ has bowed to resident pressure to reduce non-res tags affording, in theory, additional hunt opportunities for residents. As one, I'm not necessarily in opposition to this. However, the non-res tags always generate additional income for the department, and as such, more resources for residents. The archery-only elk tag app. deadline for 2009 just closed last week so yer outta luck for a tag this year... maybe. There are always OTC cow tags and there are always some undrawn bull, or 'antlered elk' tags that become available after the draw has been completed. Bowhunt draw announcement date is April 24. Remarkably, there are usually a few leftover tags in some the trophy units - 27, 1, 6A, 6B and a few others. Now for the better news. Elk numbers and attendant hunt allotments have been on the rise for a few years and there are many remarkable animals in some stunningly remote and spectacular areas. I'll PM you, bz, with some additional info.
Bz, An OTC tag in Colorado for a NR is around $500-can be purchased at any Walmart or sporting goods store. 40% of the state is public and vast majority of that is 100% elk habitat. Archery success rates run from 20-25%. It is not an easy hunt and should be taken seriously. I sleep with this guy who elk hunts Colorado every year. Do you want me to check with him to see if there is room for you? My guess is he'll say yes. Ok, yes. PM me.:d
Just me and 1 other guy normally. The smaller the group the easier things go.I'm at 100% shooting op. with bring elk home 75% of the time. I have a spot that I get into them everytime.It's a 4 mile hike back in but it's worth it(just for the view. I used to camp but now I hotel it. The day is a bit longer but in a hotel there is less work and it's more comffy.We pack lunches for the day and eat at a resturant at night if you feel like eating most of the time you're so tired that you can't eat.Here is the last bull I took small 1 but it was 45 minutes of hunting. The last time I went I was bowhunting and we were into elk everyday and I wiffed on my op on the second to last day. If you want anything else just let me know. [
This fall will be my third DIY elk trip to CO. As has been said, about $500 for an OTC tag in most locations (some are draw) or you can get a cow only tag for about $250. For me the first trip was the most expensive pushing $2500 as I had to buy so many new things that I never needed for whitetail hunting. We packed in about 5 miles and camped and this required quite a bit of new gear that I never owned before. After that first year though, it has cost my right around $1000 including the tag. I have hunted just north of the Pagosa Springs area. Although it is possible with some leg work and research, I would not have my hopes real high for a 300+ bull on OTC public land, but on the plus side, you are likely to see more elk in general in CO than other states. Although it sounds like a broken record, it really is true that you need to get away from the crowds. Study maps and look for areas away from forest roads and trails as this will get you away from the truck and ATV traffic. It really is true that majority of the hunters out there hunt within a couple miles of wherever they can get their truck or ATV to. IF you are willing to hike in 4-5 miles past this point, you will find elk and significantly reduce your run ins with people. It certainly is harder, more work, and a little more dangerous but I can promise your hard earned money will be rewarded with a better hunt. That first year may be nothign more than a learning experience with great scenery and a few game run ins, but you will learn so much to apply to the next season for an even better hunt. And YES, you will be going back the next season because it simply gets in your blood!
From everything I have read..your best bets for a DIY OTC elk hunt are ID and CO. If you want to play the points for years, then draw a great tag for Public land DIY elk hunt, AZ seems to have the best trophy potential. NM is great as well, but has no point system, it is completely a random draw.
Thanks for all the info... How about the top 3 pieces of gear you recommend (that I wouldn't currently have just being a whitetail hunter)?
Amen. And sound advice. BZ- I'm not sure if your plans include day hunting or extended, multi-day, backcountry trips away from your vehicle. If so, then a decent backpack, that will double as a meat caddy (hopefully!) and overnight gear. Bivy sack or tent/bag combo. Water is critical and scarce in the west and maybe no more so than here in Arizona. Certainly for spotting elk at a hole or tank but more importantly, for you too. Water filters, or purification tabs are on your must-have list if you expect to be away from base camp for more than a day. The August elk archery hunts in AZ usually run into our 'monsoon' season so expect rain on an almost clockwork schedule. The November hunts are typically less peopled and substantially colder. Keep in mind that a cow elk weighs between 600-800+ lbs. while a bull can go from 800 to 1000-1200+ lbs. It's a heckuva lotta meat, even boned out, and if hunting alone, you'll be making multiple trips out. I'm an avid backcountry backpacker but I've never bowhunted elk solo for this reason over any other. It's a lot of work, danged serious stuff, big hucks with a loaded pack through some spectacular landscapes, listening to beautiful elk music, seeing big animals and if everything works your way... one of the most rewarding hunting experiences - no, life experiences - you'll ever have. Good luck.
1. GPS (and the ability to use it with a topo map, compass for back up) 2. Water purifier 3. Very, Very comfortable footwear as you will walk more than you could imagine 4. Alot of coolers!
I'm hoping to get out to Idaho this yr for a DIY hunt. A buddy of mine lives out there so well be out there on our own. He's been out there for a couple of yrs now has been scouting/hunting area for myself and another guy. If we can get the draw, then it just takes money. As for shoes, are you talking a lightweight hikers or hunting boots?
My dad lived in Southern Co for about 5 years. He was surprised when he (at 52 years old) was told that he needed to take a hunter's saftey class. In MN its not required if you were born before 1970something. Anyway, it was him and a class full of 11-year-olds. So, BZ, make sure to have your Hunters Saftey Cert with you.
Good point. Colorado is mandatory for hunter ed. both res and non-res. Here's a quote from their DOW site- "Note: If you have a valid hunter education card/certificate from another state, and it can be verified, it will be honored in Colorado. Certifications from other countries may also be accepted. For more about this, see the "Proving HE Course Completion" section of the HE Card Replacement Page." As a Hunter Ed instructor for AZ I should have known/said this. Doh! Currently AZ is mandatory for hunter ed for 9-14 years old to hunt big game.
I for one and not a huge fan of Colorado for a DIY BOWhunt. My main reasoning is that they have a muzzleloader season right smack in the middle of the rut/archery season. A lot of Elk get silent and are pushed down onto private ranches. Because it is an OTC state, there is a lot more hunting pressure. My research found that for archery the success rate in Colorado was 14% in 2007 and even lower last year Statistics - go to page 35. To me, as a bowhunter... the muzzle loader season is a huge deterrant. There are obviously big elk in the state, but if I'm spending my money on a DIY bowhunt, I don't want to deal with a whole bunch or Orange, people calling while driving down the roads and smoke poles going off all around me. If I went back to Colorado again, it would either be before the muzzleloader season, or it would be on private land. This is all JMO... I'll stick to a state where you have to draw a tag rather than deal with the orange army during bow season. Also, in the years that I don't draw and elk tag... I'll hunt something else.
Dubbs, plenty of draw units in CO. I personally can't wait to finally hunt AZ elk....here in about 8-9 years. lol Utah will take equally as long probably.
