Self guided "Elk Hunt" ???

[paleFace]

Each year I take one of my sons on an extended hunt some where outside of Virginia and this year it's my oldest son's turn.  He wanted to go back out West, so  we decided on an elk hunt. Right now I'm looking at either Colorado or Idaho.  We will back pack in as far as we need to go to get into some elk and away from crowds of bowhunters. I'd at least like to capture some elk on film this trip.

I'm not looking for any ones honey hole, although all tips are certainly welcome. I'm planning an Elk hunt for this coming Aug/Sept. the dates will be from 8/26 - 9/12.  I will be joined by my oldest son who will be running the video camera.

I would greatly appreciate any advice on locations to start looking at for this hunt. Again not asking for specific grid coordinates just a general area to begin my research.  The terrain is not as much a factor since both my son and I are in decent shape and we both kicked up the workout routine just for this trip.

I've been out west 5 times thus far and have yet to loose an arrow. The last time out in 2000 I didn't even see an elk, just 20 +  other bowhunters. So far I have hunted Colorado 4 times and Utah once.

Any and all help would be much appreciated!!! I want to make this a trip to remember for my son. He has been tied up with Coast Guard duty for the past few years and not able to join me, so I want to really make this a special hunt for us.

[dino]

Unit 15 Idaho.  Low hunter pressure.  Not huge herds of elk but there are plenty of animals up there.  Lots of public access and good chance to see some wolves too. dino

[Kingwouldbe]

Both Utah & Colorado have over the counter Elk tags, I think if you do your home work you can find some great places to hunt.

Get a hold of fish & game look at harvest numbers and herd count, find out where there at that time of year, then get away from everyone, that's worked for me.

[steadman]

If you want cow/spike hunt, but see some good bulls, come out to UT. I can hook you up. If you decide ID, pm me I can help there as well. Good luck.

[greenhed]

ID has OTC tags, but have some caps on certain areas.  If you make it out here, Ill be glad to steer you into some good country.  I generally hunt the sawtooth zone.

[Brian Krebs]

Greenhed: Generally you hunt the Sawtooth zone.. sometimes your kindness -    

 big tip: HUNT WHERE THE ELK ARE ( not where you want them to be- or where they were last week).

AND elk get up and move around at about 2 pm everyday- right about when most hunters are back in camp getting over the mornings hunt; and getting ready for the evenings hunt.
  The elk may not be bugling that time of day; but ... they will be up and moving. 10x50 binoculars help !!

[greenhed]

Brian- Generally meaning I may switch my area to try to avoid wolves.  If thats even a possibility.  Maybe Ill come up there and annoy you again, this time with more than just a deer tag.  

The Sawtooth zone is a huge area, and Brian is right.  I have a spot where you walk 20 min on a logging road, turn right down a spine for 50 yards and fall down a hill for 20 feet and you are in a great set of meadows, wallows and creeks.  you have to do a little tai chi to get in there, but the Elk are there 80-90% of the time. Most hunters walk right on by.

Brian, are you gonna have a new litter of pups this spring/summer?  ( I mean your dog)

[paleFace]

didn't know that the wolf problem was that bad, so are they fair game or no?

[runamuk]

didn't know that the wolf problem was that bad, so are they fair game or no?

No not yet but fingers are crossed for a tag this year..  And yea they are a huge problem that is spreading at an alarming rate..

As far as the sawtooth zone go's that is one of the hardest hit areas in Idaho for wolves..
But there is still some good number of elk still there, But it has been alot harder to get in on them since they introduced the wolves..
I would offer you guys a spot in camp but i already have some folks coming from back East  for their first ever elk hunt that i met on a differnt bow site..
Good luck where ever you end up going..

[paleFace]

James thanks for the info and good luck getting a wolf tag, that would be sweet...