Western big game trip planning advice...
- Thread starter tod osier
- Start date
That is an awesome elk. One anyone would be proud of.
I think all states with a draw system have those that are unhappy. I know when I was in Florida the duck hunting areas had draws. I didn't get a draw in the short time I was there but then I read about lifetime residents never being drawn or seldom drawn then read where others seemed to score far more often than one would think. Hence the saying luck of the draw.
I think all states with a draw system have those that are unhappy. I know when I was in Florida the duck hunting areas had draws. I didn't get a draw in the short time I was there but then I read about lifetime residents never being drawn or seldom drawn then read where others seemed to score far more often than one would think. Hence the saying luck of the draw.
Pete McMiller
Well-known member
Oh MY!! That is what I call an Ass Scratcher - his 6th is long enough. Not often you see a G4 that long either. Nice bull.
Mike Sheppard
Active member
We are leaving on our second trip to the medicine bows in wyoming in a couple weeks.
Large elk herd with easy access. There are a lot of people but seem to be plenty of elk to go around.
Not a lot of really large bulls but we got a nice 5x5.
We were pleased as this was our first elk hunt.
Mike
Large elk herd with easy access. There are a lot of people but seem to be plenty of elk to go around.
Not a lot of really large bulls but we got a nice 5x5.
We were pleased as this was our first elk hunt.
Mike
Great posts on elk hunting! Tod, I'd vote for Colorado and a guide if your son is coming. You can always (?) go back and pack in experienced then with the country. My son and I hunted the Gunnison, Colorado area with guides and would have been lost solo. Pete Mcmiller's experienced in Colorado and would probably guide you for a small fee---kidding of course. It's fun planning for a big game hunt.
wis boz
wis boz
Gordie Schmitt
Member
Colorado does have a good number of Elk and plenty of areas to do a DIY Elk hunt. Just plan to be out there a week earlier to do some serious scouting and put on the miles hiking the back country, you will find the Elk. If you are in a mile or more from any access road you shouldn't have many hunters around. Most resident hunters seem to stay close to their vehicle.
Leaving for Colorado in two week for the first Rifle season. Shot 6 Bulls in my life, 2 with bow. There is nothing like archery hunting elk when you have a BULL coming within yards of you.
Leaving for Colorado in two week for the first Rifle season. Shot 6 Bulls in my life, 2 with bow. There is nothing like archery hunting elk when you have a BULL coming within yards of you.
Gordie Schmitt
Member
Tod, depends on the area, the area we hunt is by draw and we get it every year we apply, no preference points needed. It been a while but I believe Colorado has a document that shows how many hunters apply and how many permits are issued for each hunting unit. You can also contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife and you can talk to game managers, in some cases local game wardens about areas to hunt. If you get the right person they can be very helpful. Game wardens in Colorado are a bit different from some places. I had them give out their personal cell phone number to out of state hunters so the hunter's wife could call the game warden in case of an emergency and the game warden would find the hunter to relay the message.
Mike Sheppard
Active member
We have been applying as a party of three.
The first year we didnt draw.
The second year we just bought a preference point as one in our party couldnt
Go.
The third year we applied with two points each and were successful.
This year we applied for a general license with published odds of 23%.
We were successful and surprised.
If I understand correctly you can apply for a "special" licence for more money but nearly 100% chance of drawing..
Let me know if you want more information on the area we are hunting.
Mike.
The first year we didnt draw.
The second year we just bought a preference point as one in our party couldnt
Go.
The third year we applied with two points each and were successful.
This year we applied for a general license with published odds of 23%.
We were successful and surprised.
If I understand correctly you can apply for a "special" licence for more money but nearly 100% chance of drawing..
Let me know if you want more information on the area we are hunting.
Mike.
I went to colorado once to hunt elk in the firearm season
(1992)
hunted public land, blm land
I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN.
if you have the money, lay out some bucks and go hunt some private property. the public land was overrun by hunters ,
one of the worst hunting trips I have ever been on.
better off applying to arizona or new mexico, utah,
and if you get drawn you can almost guarantee that you will at least enjoy yourself.
(1992)
hunted public land, blm land
I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN.
if you have the money, lay out some bucks and go hunt some private property. the public land was overrun by hunters ,
one of the worst hunting trips I have ever been on.
better off applying to arizona or new mexico, utah,
and if you get drawn you can almost guarantee that you will at least enjoy yourself.
D.J. Hagen
Active member
Tod,
A lot of good options here in Montana and it would be the simplest if you're really set on a Canadian prairie combo.
The hunting and fishing were a couple of main reasons I moved back to Montana after a nearly five-year stint in Colorado. More elk and bigger muleys in Colorado but I much prefer the backcountry experience here since there are longer, less-complicated seasons and far fewer hunters. The archery season here generally runs from the first Saturday in September through the middle of October. The five-week firearms season (no separate season for muzzleloaders) opens the last Saturday of October. I've hunted both bow and rifle seasons but more often the latter since game meat handling on solo hunts is more leisurely when the temps are cooler. A lot of the local bowhunters will tell you the reason they chose that method is because it's a greater challenge. No doubt it's a great challenge to close the deal with a bow but the BIG reasons (the ones they won't confess) a lot of folks around here choose archery season is because the camping conditions are much milder in September and the bulls are vocal and way easier to find and approach...although not necessarily to kill.
A common mistake nonresidents make is to try to do to much. There are some areas in the state where elk, deer and antelope can be taken on the same tract of land...but it's seldom public land. As you go higher in elevation you lose the antelope and the elk and muleys tend to act less similar. Consequently, I recommend picking one and hunting hard for that species.
The applications for the nonresident combo elk or elk/deer license ("combo" because it includes small game and fishing licenses) are due in mid March. They've been undersold the past couple of years meaning drawing success is 100%. That gets you a general elk and/or deer tag. You now have to apply for limited draw bull and buck tags by the same deadline. Even if you don't apply for a limited tag you still have a lot of places available to chase branch-antlered bulls or bucks but the Missouri Breaks and a few trophy management areas require successfully drawing a special tag. A lot of elk and deer hunting districts allow the harvest of either sex during archery season. http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/nonresidentCombo.html
Good luck!
A lot of good options here in Montana and it would be the simplest if you're really set on a Canadian prairie combo.
The hunting and fishing were a couple of main reasons I moved back to Montana after a nearly five-year stint in Colorado. More elk and bigger muleys in Colorado but I much prefer the backcountry experience here since there are longer, less-complicated seasons and far fewer hunters. The archery season here generally runs from the first Saturday in September through the middle of October. The five-week firearms season (no separate season for muzzleloaders) opens the last Saturday of October. I've hunted both bow and rifle seasons but more often the latter since game meat handling on solo hunts is more leisurely when the temps are cooler. A lot of the local bowhunters will tell you the reason they chose that method is because it's a greater challenge. No doubt it's a great challenge to close the deal with a bow but the BIG reasons (the ones they won't confess) a lot of folks around here choose archery season is because the camping conditions are much milder in September and the bulls are vocal and way easier to find and approach...although not necessarily to kill.
A common mistake nonresidents make is to try to do to much. There are some areas in the state where elk, deer and antelope can be taken on the same tract of land...but it's seldom public land. As you go higher in elevation you lose the antelope and the elk and muleys tend to act less similar. Consequently, I recommend picking one and hunting hard for that species.
The applications for the nonresident combo elk or elk/deer license ("combo" because it includes small game and fishing licenses) are due in mid March. They've been undersold the past couple of years meaning drawing success is 100%. That gets you a general elk and/or deer tag. You now have to apply for limited draw bull and buck tags by the same deadline. Even if you don't apply for a limited tag you still have a lot of places available to chase branch-antlered bulls or bucks but the Missouri Breaks and a few trophy management areas require successfully drawing a special tag. A lot of elk and deer hunting districts allow the harvest of either sex during archery season. http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/nonresidentCombo.html
Good luck!