Looking for advice on First ElK trip 2021

[Aaronpaul14]

A buddy and I are headed out west to hunt some Elk.

Ive never been and he has been once years ago. Neither of us have points built up anywhere.

Few areas looking for insight:

1. We are up for any style of hunting. Wether it be camp on our backs for a few day at a time, Basecamp, or spike camp.

2. We are open to archery, rifle, cow, bull, spike... pretty much we just want to get out there gain experience and hopefully bring some meat home.

3. Figure we would put in for the New Mexico draw and then maybe start building points in Wyoming or Montana (with hope we catch pt creep someday).


If you have any pointers that would be awesome. Not looking for someone to tell me what mountain they hunt etc. Just more general info to point us to where to start researching more specifics. I was told I “might” have a subscription to GoHunt for Christmas so hoping to hit the ground running once I get my hands on that.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Thetrueredneck]

Randy Newberg has some good videos on YouTube about points and draws. https://youtube.com/c/RandyNewberg

 

[Aaronpaul14]

Randy Newberg has some good videos on YouTube about points and draws. https://youtube.com/c/RandyNewberg

Thanks! I have been watching the elk101 videos on drawing etc. Will check his out too.

 

[heretic]

I'd like to preface this by saying I'm still a rookie elk hunter, however after combining everything I learned last year with my experiences on the mountain this year I feel much more confident getting out there, finding, calling and chasing elk. goHunt has been an invaluable resource for me as far as which units to focus in on. They now have a new mapping feature that should help with e-scouting however I still like onxmaps better for that portion.

• If you're going to chase bulls with a bow I would suggest learning to call. You would be surprised how many people don't know how to call, or are really awful at it. It can give you a significant edge.
• If you land in a heavy pressured unit, be prepared to go places other hunters dont or wont. Whether that is distance from the trailhead, or through nasty blowdowns, or in dark deep drainages you'll find them there.
• North facing benches and knobs in the dark timber have seemed to produce more bedding sign for me. The herd bull we called in this year was bedded on a point of a knob in a dark pit. Once we screwed up our opportunity I noticed that the thermals were pulling scent from every single direction to that point. Its hard to put into words but once you've experienced it you'll know what to look for.
• The air/ground is so much drier on the mountain than it is back home - sign ages quicker.
• Invest in a great pair of boots, your feet will thank you later.
• Don't be ashamed to bring trekking poles on the mountain, your knees will thank you later.
• To mitigate the effects of elevation, get started on cardio NOW. My brother didn't take it serious until a few months before, being 9 years my junior I was running/hiking circles around him.

Good luck this year and welcome to your new addiction!

 

[Aaronpaul14]

I'd like to preface this by saying I'm still a rookie elk hunter, however after combining everything I learned last year with my experiences on the mountain this year I feel much more confident getting out there, finding, calling and chasing elk. goHunt has been an invaluable resource for me as far as which units to focus in on. They now have a new mapping feature that should help with e-scouting however I still like onxmaps better for that portion.

• If you're going to chase bulls with a bow I would suggest learning to call. You would be surprised how many people don't know how to call, or are really awful at it. It can give you a significant edge.
• If you land in a heavy pressured unit, be prepared to go places other hunters dont or wont. Whether that is distance from the trailhead, or through nasty blowdowns, or in dark deep drainages you'll find them there.
• North facing benches and knobs in the dark timber have seemed to produce more bedding sign for me. The herd bull we called in this year was bedded on a point of a knob in a dark pit. Once we screwed up our opportunity I noticed that the thermals were pulling scent from every single direction to that point. Its hard to put into words but once you've experienced it you'll know what to look for.
• The air/ground is so much drier on the mountain than it is back home - sign ages quicker.
• Invest in a great pair of boots, your feet will thank you later.
• Don't be ashamed to bring trekking poles on the mountain, your knees will thank you later.
• To mitigate the effects of elevation, get started on cardio NOW. My brother didn't take it serious until a few months before, being 9 years my junior I was running/hiking circles around him.

Good luck this year and welcome to your new addiction!

Thanks for the tips.

Being in Kansas it’s pretty flat for training but I think I found the perfect training ground. The dam at the lake is going to be my vertical climbing training. Right near there is the bow range that shares a 1.5 mile trail through a creek area. My goal to do all this with my pack loaded to the gills. Then end at the range and practice shooting with it on and exhausted.

I put calls on my Christmas list to start practicing now. The goal would be archery to experience all of the bugling!

Did you draw or go OTC somewhere?

 

[heretic]

Using goHunt I was able to see which units you could possibly draw with zero points. We actually put in for a unit we knew we weren't going to get for our first pick and put in for a unit we knew we could get on our secondary. We were able to hunt on our secondary while still building points in CO.

If I go this year I'll most likely hunt an OTC unit for the mobility (I felt kind of restricted being stuck to a single unit) and continue to build points for a better unit in the future.

 

[Empostarr]

I'm planning on doing an elk hunt in about three years. One of my kids will be an adult by then and hopefully moving out, which will free up some funds to put towards the gear. I was planning to do an OTC hunt for my first to build some experience and make sure I can hack it, I'm not exactly the most in shape right now and I figure that's enough time to start training for it and shed some lbs. I'd hate to actually draw for a trophy area and waste the opportunity because I was inexperienced and out of shape!

This and an Alaskan Moose hunt are bucket list hunts that I'd love to experience.

 

[Aaronpaul14]

I'm planning on doing an elk hunt in about three years. One of my kids will be an adult by then and hopefully moving out, which will free up some funds to put towards the gear. I was planning to do an OTC hunt for my first to build some experience and make sure I can hack it, I'm not exactly the most in shape right now and I figure that's enough time to start training for it and shed some lbs. I'd hate to actually draw for a trophy area and waste the opportunity because I was inexperienced and out of shape!

This and an Alaskan Moose hunt are bucket list hunts that I'd love to experience.

My kids are 9mo, 3, and 6. I don’t think I can wait until they are out of the house!

Others with more experience might know more but if I was you I’d at least start buying points somewhere if you are not already. That way in 3 years when you do your OTC you will have points accrued for another hunt down the road. I have dreamed of elk hunting for years and wish I would have looked more into. I would have at least purchased points until I knew what I was doing and could go.

If you are already buying points disregard! Lol

 

[WestGoesEast]

Grew up out in Colorado chasing bulls, I still go every year (different states now that I live in the Midwest, and am paying NR prices anyway), backcountry all the way, solo and with a buddy.

You won't know what the hell your doing the first year, and nothing on a forum will prepare you for the realities of 50 degree slopes, all the work you did hiking back into a place that you thought was secluded only to find an ATV parked there because cool guy violated the closed trail, or staring at your first bull elk. There is a steep learning curve. You never know though, people kill bulls their first time out, or it can take a decade, but you will be learning the whole time and having a blast.

My style:

• Get 3-4 miles in, set up basecamp and hunt out from there, that way I am in between the horse hunters-5-10 miles and the truck hunters1-2 miles, in that zone I find a lot of elk. Assess the situation, if the sign is fresh keep at it, if you don't see anything pick up camp and move.
• I call a little, but elk on public land get called to all the time and are educated quick, so they can be silent, but they may sneak in, so if you are going to call, be willing to sit, and maybe move slightly off wind, bulls will come in trying to get a wiff. If they are talking I don't, I just move as fast as possible to get to where they are, no need to add more sound, potentially alerting other hunters.

I have a lot of tales, but here are my big things I wish someone told me.

• Cut weight, the surest way to drop five pounds from your setup is your personal weight.
• Switch up tactics, sit wallows, spot and stalk, blind call (a little, cow calls mostly), whatever it takes, try it all.
• Be ready for bears, like I said too many tales, but I have had a lot of aggressive bear encounters once an animal is down.
• Be ready for how big an elk is, you need to be careful when hauling meat, I hear tales of people hauling 100lbs, sure maybe < 1 mile, if you are 4-5 miles deep, that is not realistic and dangerous. You will need to haul a quarter at a time with maybe some loose meat thrown in. Me and a buddy hauled two bulls off the mountain this last year, about 4 and 3 miles back respectively, that trip we hunted 2 days hauled meat 3. So managing all that cargo is as much a skill as shooting your bow.

Where to go:

Build points, while you wait CO is fine for OTC, but its everyone's plan. You can hunt MT every other year (my favorite), and draw the Wyoming general tag with three points, I would also throw in there Idaho (super rugged, so be prepared). No one talks about it much because it is just a little further, but Oregon has solid OTC units. I started building points awhile back, but you have to start somewhere so definitely pick 1 to 2 states and start building points.

Pick a unit, e-scout and just go learn. You will figure out how to find elk. I can go to any state now, and I know what I am looking for, there are slight differences, but finding elk is remarkably similar no matter where you go. Especially if water is concentrated.

Also be careful, elk hunting makes sitting in the saddle tough. The landscapes elk live in, and the challenge may ruin whitetail hunting. I saddle hunt because I live out east now, and I love hunting, but there are times when I am in the saddle and it just does not scratch that itch, could just be me, but everyone I have taken out west from Michigan and Wisconsin has said the same thing.

 

[Aaronpaul14]

Grew up out in Colorado chasing bulls, I still go every year (different states now that I leave in the Midwest, since I am always paying NR prices), backcountry all the way, solo and with a buddy.

You won't know what the hell your doing the first year, and nothing on a forum will prepare you for the realities of 50 degree slopes, all the work you did hiking back into a place that you thought was secluded only to find an ATV parked there because cool guy violated the closed trail, or staring at your first bull elk. There is a steep learning curve. You never know though, people kill bulls their first time out, or it can take a decade, but you will be learning the whole time and having a blast.

My style:

• Get 3-4 miles in, set up basecamp and hunt out from there, that way I am in between the horse hunters-5-10 miles and the truck hunters1-2 miles, in that zone I find a lot of elk. Assess the situation, if the sign is fresh keep at it, if you don't see anything pick up camp and move.
• I call a little, but elk on public land get called to all the time and are educated quick, so they can be silent, but they may sneak in, so if you are going to call, be willing to sit, and maybe move slightly off wind, bulls will come in trying to get a wiff. If they are talking I don't, I just move as fast as possible to get to where they are, no need to add more sound, potentially alerting other hunters.

I have a lot of tales, but here are my big things I wish someone told me.

• Cut weight, the surest way to drop five pounds from your setup is your personal weight.
• Switch up tactics, sit wallows, spot and stalk, blind call (a little, cow calls mostly), whatever it takes, try it all.
• Be ready for bears, like I said too many tales, but I have had a lot of aggressive bear encounters once an animal is down.
• Be ready for how big an elk is, you need to be careful when hauling meat, I hear tales of people hauling 100lbs, sure maybe < 1 mile, if you are 4-5 miles deep, that is not realistic and dangerous. You will need to haul a quarter at a time with maybe some loose meat thrown in. Me and a buddy hauled two bulls off the mountain this last year, about 4 and 3 miles back respectively, that trip we hunted 2 days hauled meat 3. So managing all that cargo is as much a skill as shooting your bow.

Where to go:

Build points, while you wait CO is fine for OTC, but its everyone's plan. You can hunt MT every other year (my favorite), and draw the Wyoming general tag with three points, I would also throw in there Idaho (super rugged, so be prepared). No one talks about it much because it is just a little further, but Oregon has solid OTC units. I started building points awhile back, but you have to start somewhere so definitely pick 1 to 2 states and start building points.

Pick a unit, e-scout and just go learn. You will figure out how to find elk. I can go to any state now, and I know what I am looking for, there are slight differences, but finding elk is remarkably similar no matter where you go. Especially if water is concentrated.

Also be careful, elk hunting makes sitting in the saddle tough. The landscapes elk live in, and the challenge may ruin whitetail hunting. I saddle hunt because I live out east now, and I love hunting, but there are times when I am in the saddle and it just does not scratch that itch, could just be me, but everyone I have taken out west from Michigan and Wisconsin has said the same thing.

Awesome information!!

I have been on gohunt for the last 3-4 hours. What you just mentioned about Wyoming and Montana is what I was seeing points wise.

Idaho was a big one I was considering until the tags went way up. Didn’t want to pay that price first go round.

Would you recommend OTC Colorado or try and draw an easy one there?

We do not have high expectations, just high hopes of finding some elk. I figure it might take a few years to even come close to comprehending where and how to hunt elk but we are eager to learn.

Thanks for the information!

 

[WestGoesEast]

Awesome information!!

I have been on gohunt for the last 3-4 hours. What you just mentioned about Wyoming and Montana is what I was seeing points wise.

Idaho was a big one I was considering until the tags went way up. Didn’t want to pay that price first go round.

Would you recommend OTC Colorado or try and draw an easy one there?

We do not have high expectations, just high hopes of finding some elk. I figure it might take a few years to even come close to comprehending where and how to hunt elk but we are eager to learn.

Thanks for the information!

Since you have GoHunt, see what you could draw in CO with 0 points or as a second choice (if you want to build points there). A lot of units went draw, mainly because there were just a lot of folks going there, for example there is a cluster of units near the Flat Tops, elk population has stayed relatively the same, its just everyone was hunting there, so now its a draw, an easy draw, but still a draw. Any draw unit will probably see at least regulated pressure, while those straight up OTC units can get down right crowded. But, do what you can with what you can get.

Colorado is a great elk hunting state, lots of people, but lots of elk. Every time I have hunted there I at least have encounters with elk and people do kill some big elk, even in OTC units, its just less forgiving compared to some other places. I think for first timers, CO is a great place to cut your teeth, learn some tactics, you might get lucky as well. CO is great also because you can hunt and learn without the wolves and grizzlies (for now, that will change), not that they are everywhere in MT, ID, or WY either, but more places than they used to be.

 

[Usi05]

Have done it last two years. Had a few opportunities two September’s ago but never came together. Shot a 5x5 this past September.

I learned a lot from Rokslide.

*learn to call. Highly recommend elk nut app
*get good boots. Don’t skimp here. Would say same thing about sleep system
*see step 2 again because it can ruin your hunt
*hit the newberg videos. Can learn a lot about finding elk. Actually similar to whitetail in a lot of ways.
*get an inreach for safety
* do a scouting trip if you can. Made all the difference this year. My group went 3/3 on bulls in a low % unit DIY.
*understand elk needs... bedding, eating and breading
*Test your gear way in advance with camping trips.
* be honest with yourself about your fitness. I lost 15 lbs leading into my first year and did fine. Last year I lost 30 to push harder and kill that bull.
* get a pack and practice loading and unloading your gear you plan to take. Sounds simple but don’t wait till last week.

I’d be more then happy to talk about other items as well. What worked for us and what didn’t.

Hardest part in my opinion is finding elk. They aren’t super smart or hard to kill. I find whitetail to be much tougher to kill.

Feel free to reach out.

Now I gotta go hang my 5x5 mount up


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Usi05]

Grew up out in Colorado chasing bulls, I still go every year (different states now that I live in the Midwest, and am paying NR prices anyway), backcountry all the way, solo and with a buddy.

You won't know what the hell your doing the first year, and nothing on a forum will prepare you for the realities of 50 degree slopes, all the work you did hiking back into a place that you thought was secluded only to find an ATV parked there because cool guy violated the closed trail, or staring at your first bull elk. There is a steep learning curve. You never know though, people kill bulls their first time out, or it can take a decade, but you will be learning the whole time and having a blast.

My style:

• Get 3-4 miles in, set up basecamp and hunt out from there, that way I am in between the horse hunters-5-10 miles and the truck hunters1-2 miles, in that zone I find a lot of elk. Assess the situation, if the sign is fresh keep at it, if you don't see anything pick up camp and move.
• I call a little, but elk on public land get called to all the time and are educated quick, so they can be silent, but they may sneak in, so if you are going to call, be willing to sit, and maybe move slightly off wind, bulls will come in trying to get a wiff. If they are talking I don't, I just move as fast as possible to get to where they are, no need to add more sound, potentially alerting other hunters.

I have a lot of tales, but here are my big things I wish someone told me.

• Cut weight, the surest way to drop five pounds from your setup is your personal weight.
• Switch up tactics, sit wallows, spot and stalk, blind call (a little, cow calls mostly), whatever it takes, try it all.
• Be ready for bears, like I said too many tales, but I have had a lot of aggressive bear encounters once an animal is down.
• Be ready for how big an elk is, you need to be careful when hauling meat, I hear tales of people hauling 100lbs, sure maybe < 1 mile, if you are 4-5 miles deep, that is not realistic and dangerous. You will need to haul a quarter at a time with maybe some loose meat thrown in. Me and a buddy hauled two bulls off the mountain this last year, about 4 and 3 miles back respectively, that trip we hunted 2 days hauled meat 3. So managing all that cargo is as much a skill as shooting your bow.

Where to go:

Build points, while you wait CO is fine for OTC, but its everyone's plan. You can hunt MT every other year (my favorite), and draw the Wyoming general tag with three points, I would also throw in there Idaho (super rugged, so be prepared). No one talks about it much because it is just a little further, but Oregon has solid OTC units. I started building points awhile back, but you have to start somewhere so definitely pick 1 to 2 states and start building points.

Pick a unit, e-scout and just go learn. You will figure out how to find elk. I can go to any state now, and I know what I am looking for, there are slight differences, but finding elk is remarkably similar no matter where you go. Especially if water is concentrated.

Also be careful, elk hunting makes sitting in the saddle tough. The landscapes elk live in, and the challenge may ruin whitetail hunting. I saddle hunt because I live out east now, and I love hunting, but there are times when I am in the saddle and it just does not scratch that itch, could just be me, but everyone I have taken out west from Michigan and Wisconsin has said the same thing.

Great post


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Aaronpaul14]

Have done it last two years. Had a few opportunities two September’s ago but never came together. Shot a 5x5 this past September.

I learned a lot from Rokslide.

*learn to call. Highly recommend elk nut app
*get good boots. Don’t skimp here. Would say same thing about sleep system
*see step 2 again because it can ruin your hunt
*hit the newberg videos. Can learn a lot about finding elk. Actually similar to whitetail in a lot of ways.
*get an inreach for safety
* do a scouting trip if you can. Made all the difference this year. My group went 3/3 on bulls in a low % unit DIY.
*understand elk needs... bedding, eating and breading
*Test your gear way in advance with camping trips.
* be honest with yourself about your fitness. I lost 15 lbs leading into my first year and did fine. Last year I lost 30 to push harder and kill that bull.
* get a pack and practice loading and unloading your gear you plan to take. Sounds simple but don’t wait till last week.

I’d be more then happy to talk about other items as well. What worked for us and what didn’t.

Hardest part in my opinion is finding elk. They aren’t super smart or hard to kill. I find whitetail to be much tougher to kill.

Feel free to reach out.

Now I gotta go hang my 5x5 mount up


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the info!

Been on rockslide for a week or so now that we locked down going on the hunt fall 2021.

Got an elk101 substitute for Christmas and coreys 101 beginner call kit.

Funny you mentioned elk nut I downloaded it this morning. It’s going to take a lot of work for me to get proficient lol.

Been researching boots lately. Trying to find a place to try in person. Don’t want to drop $300 on a pair that aren’t perfect.

Really like the tip on going to scout! I’m in Kansas so just a days drive to check out Colorado.

Again.. I appreciate the tips. I will probably hit you up at some point to pick your brain some more! Trying to soak up as much info as possible!

 

[Maverick1]

There is some good advice above. A little short on time at the moment. A couple of quick comments:
1. Just do it. Make it happen. GO. You will learn a ton on your first trip. The most important thing is to GO.
2. You mentioned that you are going to put in for NM and then build points in WY or MT. With the drawing odds in NM, you are most likely NOT going to get drawn there. And, without any points, it is more than likely that you will not be able to hunt WY this year, either. There are a couple of other states where you can go hunting this fall, but it's likely not going to be either one of those states.

Good luck!

 

[kbetts]

Just go. Don’t wait. The longer you wait, the less you’ll get to go. I’ve missed the last two years because of divorce and life.....not again.

You have to be in the best physical condition of your life or one of two things will happen. You will either be miserable trying to keep up day after day or you will only hunt 1/4 of the time because the rest of the time you will hurt of find an excuse to sit around camp.

Boots need to be worn during training. Don’t get out west and realize your feet hurt. I used low priced UA Bozeman and they work well and fit me like a glove. There is no comparison to the Zamberlin Wasatch I just received. I’ll train in them through the summer. It’s a lifetime type of investment.

I packed a travel fly rod the first time and cursed myself for not taking it the second. If the hunting is slow, the fishing can be a blast.

Train, train, train. As said before, tree stand hunting won’t cut it after you’ve tried to run down bulls in the mountains. Add back packing and it’s a full on experience. Also, don’t expect a vacation. It will be the hardest days you’ve worked all year.

 

[kbetts]

I visited Rokslide.com yesterday to look at classifieds and catch up on some threads. Invaluable information there. I think there were 30+ pages of cheap gear that works. Lots of deals to be had to help get in the game as well.

The workout threads and goals for 2021 were sobering. Like thousands of miles clocked on foot before the season under load. Some were approaching 2k miles on foot before the season. Personally, I want to quit the beer drinking. I do a dry January anyway, but I think I’ll see how far I can push it. Workouts start immediately.....I’m already behind.

Another great thread was physical vs mental. Most all veterans agree that an individual breaks down mentally well before physically. Guys that guide said two days of not seeing elk separates who really wants it and who talks about wanting it. If you’re up on day three or four, you are ahead of the curve.

 

[JoyRyd]

My advice: if you can afford it, do a drop camp hunt! Getting "dropped off" 5 miles in will save you a lot of "extra effort". You will wake up in the middle of the action! And, if you shoot an elk, you won't have to pack it out.....outfitter will pick it up for you and drop it off at your truck. By using a drop camp, you will miss out on the full DIY experience (hiking, setting up camp, sore feet, lack of oxygen, etc....). But, after you do it once, you can DIY more efficiently the second time. Last benefit: You will be in an area were there are elk. Remember, you can't kill them if they are not there! I had the same experience when I wanted to whitetail hunt for the fist time......watching Bill Winke was fun, but no where near reality for a rookie. Bottom line.....you can't kill them if they are not there!!! I can't emphasize this enough!!!!

My advice will differ from all the above here: Leave the bugle call at home! Cow calling can be your friend when used VERY limited. Elk are herd animals by nature. They travel in groups and are VERY vocal. You don't need to announce your presence....they will let you know where they are. Biggest difference between elk/mule deer and whitetails: whitetails live there whole life in a 5-8 mile radius......elk/muledeer will travel that far for a drink of water each day, and not come back. If you run around tooting your bugle, you will attract......attention, not a good thing for a bow hunter, or the elk. In my experience, the first 2-5 days of archery season and 5000 Pimos Hoochie Mama's will educate the elk to a PhD level on public land. Then, it's off to the private ground. Good luck after that.

DON'T Forget your flyrod! Fishing is top-notch in the backwoods! Brook trout are everywhere in the beaver ponds and small streams.

Just free advice and worth the price you paid.....believe me!

have Fun and Be Safe

 

[JoyRyd]

Two years ago out of a saddle over a wallow........NO CALL!
Oh, Public Land....both of them.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Aaronpaul14]

Two years ago out of a saddle over a wallow........NO CALL!
Oh, Public Land....both of them.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That’s awesome! We talked about throwing in minimal saddles to try that!