rookie needs elk help

[BANNOCK-.PT]

Let me just start by saying that I am fairly new to traditional and the tradgang site.  But, having said that I have met some great people on here in a short period of time. Great advice, New bow, homemade knives you name it. So I figured I would give this a shot and post on a topic I need help with. I usually go on a couple of hunts a year. Mostly deer and bear. But I decided this year or next would be the year for elk. I went to a sportsman show and was deciding on a fully guided hunt.trying to pick an outfitter. Then,  I remembered about all the great advice and people here on tradgang. I thought an elk diy yourself would be much more rewarding. I have been looking into idaho, montana , or colorado. I am looking for help from people who have done a diy hunt there. Suggestions on area, access, etc. Not looking for anybodies honey hole, just a head start or point in the right direction for a new tradganger looking to enjoy a hunt out west. Also if anybody wanted a elk newbie in their camp, I would be willing to do dishes, help pack out an animal, anything to tag along and learn from an experienced elk hunter. Also,I read the post above about tradgangers getting together as much as possible, so if anybody wants to come along on a diy elk maybe we could plan something together. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

[steadman]

Hey Dennis. I have hunted two of the states mentioned ( ID, CO) as well as my home state. Good call on hunting elk, but be for warned it is addictive.
CO, and ID are over the counter for elk for most units. Though you will want to study the regs because some units have different regs. MT is a draw state and I believe the deadline is fast approaching, Mar 15 I think. Mabey someone more familiar with MT could chime in. I've only put in for MT once and didn't draw. I will be more than happy to give you some jump off points for the other two states. Feel free to pm me.
Good luck, and have fun.

[elk ninja]

Dennis,
PM me if you need some specific advice on Idaho.  Only hunted here and once in Arizona.  I can try to help you out as much as possible.   My camp is always open to another TG'er as well.  
Mike

[kadbow]

sent you a PM

[BANNOCK-.PT]

Thanks for the info guys, as always this site is full of great people with a wealth of information.

[Adirondackman]

Will be hunting Colorado again this year. 4th year in a row. Driving out from NY. Let me know if you have any interest. It looks like 2-3 guys in camp as of now. We hunt a wilderness area and have a great hunt every year.

[BANNOCK-.PT]

Gotta be more elk guys out there with some advice

[elkbow]

hey bannock-.pt,looks like you got an invite from the elk ninja. it don't get no better than that and he's a fellow jarhead at that. it would be wise to accept his invite,the hard part will be keeping up.

[Nate Fikkert]

I would definately recommend DIY for elk.  Overall success rate may be lower but you can probably dor 3 or 4 hunts DIY for the price of one guided.  I know everyone says this but, get in shape!  Colorado and Idaho are great ideas, but don't forget Wyoming.  Lots of great general areas that you can draw a tag for every other year.  The best advice I can give you is pick a decent area and stick with it.  I seem to jump around every year because I think there are more elk in a different place, and basically never learn one area really well.  Have some calls available, and know how to use them if things are heating up and the elk seem responsive, otherwise be careful about over calling.  Of course there is more, but there are many guys on here that have way more success with elk than I do.

Nathan

[stickhorse]

Adirondackman-- what part of colo. do you hunt. im in southern part. elk are wintering fine down here. wind keeping slopes blown off.

[ChuckC]

There are several threads on this topic already in recent times.  Do a quick search and see if any of your questions get answered.  Then come on back and ask some more !
ChuckC

[LKH]

MT has changed the regs for the Missouri River breaks units and will be changing more areas next year.  Result is it will be very expensive to hunt those areas.  Probably less than 1 in 7 chance for NR to draw a permit and that's after you have $650 plus into a license.  You must have a backup area if you buy a MT tag.

[troutremble]

I have hunted areas 80 and 81 in S. Colorado with my boys the last 5 years and we switched to traditional equipment the last two. DIY definitly the way to go. Both areas are OTC. If you need info on these areas I can help. Other trad guys always welcome in camp.

[bowfiend]

Limiting the tags in the breaks will help to contain the drastically increasing numbers of hunters converging on that area every year, but the breaks aren't the only place to hunt in Montana! I am going to assume that you're not going to be holding out for a 350+ bull (which is why so many people go to the Missouri breaks area), so that only leaves you about 5 million acres of public land to hunt on a "general tag"!

If I was going to DIY hunt outside montana I'd go to colorado for the seemingly high opportunity and availability of secluded hutning areas (wilderness). But that's how I like to hunt - high and lonesome.