Planning an Elk Trip!

[mmgrode]

Hey Gang,
    well, I've decided I am going to give it a go this year and head west in September for some elk hunting.  Now, the question is:  Where do I start?  I'd like to backpack in solo for about 10 to 14 days during the rut in either Colorado, Wyoming or Montana(OTC tags). Any advice or tips would be very helpful.  Any books worth taking a look at for info?  I figure I'd better start planning now for this coming fall.  Thanks for any help guys!  Cheers, Matt

[bowfiend]

No OTC tags in Montana. I don't think there's OTC tags in Wyoming either, but I'm not sure. I've often thought of doing some DIY elk in CO myself, but it's hard to give up my familiar haunts to hunt unknown territory for a week or so.

[elk ninja]

Idaho.  OTC tags and among the cheapest states for out of staters.
PM me if you are interested in joining me at my elk camp this year.
Mike

[blueslfb]

The deadline for Montana was March 15th to get your name in the hat for the draw.

[Jesse Minish]

If you want book that will tell you everything you need to know about backpacking and hunting get Cameron Hanes book Backcountry Bowhunting.

[xia_emperor]

Just talk to Elk Ninja. He can tell you every thing you will need to know, and need.  

[Orion]

Neither Montana nor Wyoming have OTC elk tags.  Colorado and Idaho do, but I believe Idaho does have a quota and could potentially sell out before season.  Both of those states are getting pretty crowded in non-draw units.  On a DYI, backpacking in is about the only way to get away from the crowds.  Look for areas that restrict ATV use.  Of course some locals may know about a few out-of-the-way places.  Good luck.

[beyondmyken]

you might also go to kifaru.net and read the essays, forums.  Lots of info on backpack style hunting and other useful info, depending on your current knowledge and skill base.

[Jeff Holchin]

Matt, as others have mentioned you missed the initial drawings in WY and MT (WY will have some left-over tags for a second drawing but they will mostly be in wilderness areas where you need a guide to hunt).  You can hunt lots of OTC areas in CO but if you plan to make this an annual event, you probably should begin building points in CO (deadline is fast approaching - April but you can apply online).  Idaho would be a good option and another state not often mentioned is Utah - there is a first-come, first served drawing for archery tags in cow-spike units and a few any-bull units.  Good hunting with lots of elk and you can get a deer tag in that same drawing and hunt mule deer at the same time.  PM me if you need more info.  You will have a fun fall!

[Whip]

Good advice so far Matt.  Backpacking in is a good way to get away from the crowds.  Elk are very sensitive to hunting pressure, and it is important to find undisturbed areas.  Like Jerry said, especially to get away from the ATV's.

Make sure your plans include what you would do if you manage to get an animal on the ground.  Packing an elk out on your back is a real chore.  You need to be able to cool the meat and protect from flies.  Buy top quality game bags and carry pepper.  You might be able to find someone with horses that would be available to help if need be, but takes some good research ahead of time.  Once an animal is down is no time to start thinking about how to get him out.

Have a great time!  The planning and dreaming is half the fun, so enjoy that too!

[dino]

I've got OTC tags in Idaho in july or august in 05 and 06 and if I don't get my draw in montana will do it again this year.  I wouldn't worry about OTC tags there. Have been plenty the last several years.  Nez Perce National Forest is a huge area in Idaho which includes several hunt units, camping areas, and lots of closed logging roads that are restricted to foot or horse traffic.   dino

[John Scifres]

Have you done anything like this before?  That's a long time to be alone.  How good of shape are you in?  Elk hunting is hard.

I'd recommend a wilderness area in Idaho, Utah, or Colorado.  See if you can keep it under 8000 feet elevation.  That'll help keep you feeling good.

Get in shape.

Elk and whitetail may be in the deer family together but they are completely different.

[Titan_Bow]

I've done solo hunts two years in a row now in CO wilderness areas. I havent got an elk yet, but I have got into them and had close calls, just havent been able to seal the deal yet :-)  You can definitely get away from people by hunting the wilderness areas. The higher and steeper you can go, the less people you'll see. I hunted the Holy Cross last year and came in over a pass at 12,500ft.  I was hunting over the Labor day weekend and only saw a few day hikers on my way in and out.  I was 5 miles or so from my truck, and didnt see a soul over Labor Day Weekend in the drainage I was at.  I got a stalk on 2 nice mulies, both probably 160" deer or bigger, and had a group of cows at 25yards.

[mmgrode]

Thanks for the advice you all have given!  I really appreciate the support from you guys.

It looks like I'll have to shoot for either Colorado, Idaho, or Utah for the OTC tags.  I had been wanting to do this hunt for a few years now but, due to school, have not been able to make it happen.  But now that I am finishing up college in May and will have the vacation time and $ to make it a reality, I just have to give it a go! A guy just gets sick of saying "someday".  

The preliminary plan is to hike in(up preferably) about 4 miles(this should get me back in there far enough to avoid crowds, yet near enough to pack out an animal if need be, no?)  I would not consider myself a thoroughly experienced mountaineer, but I have done several grueling hikes in Colorado including an ascent, summit, and descent of Long's peak(14,259 ft- 15 miles round trip) in one day.  I just plain love the mountains!  Am I in that kind of shape now...no!, but I feel I have enough time to do so.   Anywhere between 6-11000 ft. elevation should work fine for me.  I think I may need to cut the length of stay to a week for weight's sake.  

Whip- what's the pepper for?

-Anyone know where to get info on care of meat for pack outs?  

I do not have the proper gear for a hunt of this type(tent, boots, cookwear, etc).  Do you guys think I can get away with about $2000 for everything including gear, licenses, gas?

I really need some direction guys, but I am looking forward to the journey!  Cheers, Matt

Mike(elk ninja)- your PM box is full

[Missouri Sherpa]

I usually stop at a local sporting goods store in the area where I am hunting to get my archery permit, fishing license, habitat stamp, conservation permit etc. If you check in with these places you can often find people in the area posting their phone numbers, that will pack your game out for you.   I hunted with a new partner on one hunt last year that had made arrangements with a packer before he left.  He took a satelite phone with him and called the gps coordinates to the guy right away as soon as his elk was down.  They actually met the guy on his way in while they were on their way back to the trailhead on foot.  He made it to the trailhead about the same time his elk did.

If you can make a recon trip to the state you want to hunt, narrowed down to a couple of units and find a packer to make arrangements with in that area, then you can get serious about scouting those areas.  That will reduce your worries about getting your game out and you can concentrate on mapping and scouting out the place you are going to hunt.  You have a steep learning curve for your first trip.  Once you have done your first hunt, alot of your questions will be answered, (probably replaced by new ones) and you can get on with the process of becoming a better elk hunter.  Once you have experienced the place you pick out you will gain some insight on what is good about it or what could be better.  You might be pleased or you might have a better idea of what to look for in planning your next hunt.

I am continually planning my next trips for the next couple of years ahead.  You cannot plan to far ahead.  Sorry I am not much help with the backpacking gear questions, I pack with horses or llamas and take more comfort equipment than most people.  Even though I don't pack in on my back I will admit that I am usually getting pretty tired of camping out after 6-7 days on the mountain.  14 days is an awfully long time.  If you are serious about hunting that long of a stretch think about going to town to restock and getting a hotel room for a good nights sleep, hot bath and a good meal, about halfway through your hunt.

[ChuckC]

Matt.. are you back stateside or still in Ireland ?   Where in Wisconsin are you located when stateside ?  

There are a number of us in WI that have gone west and can talk / walk you thru much of what you need.  

You don't have to be in buff shape to hunt elk, but as always, the better prepared you are the more you can do and maybe the more fun you will have.      If you are not in great shape, go slower and go lower.  You can still do it.

That said....  do try to get in decent shape before you go.  I have found that stairs really helped me a bunch, more than anything else.  I am not gonna chase down and tackle an elk so I can stand to get there a bit slower, but I do get there.

There are areas that you can go to that do not require a 4 mile hike to get into animals.

You still have time to prepare, give a yell if you want.
ChuckC