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Newbie Elk Trip Planning?

coosa1

Active Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2019
Messages
109
Location
AL
A buddy and I have decided that we’ve talked and dreamed about it long enough. We’re going somewhere next year and chasing elk. I figured it best to go ahead and start planning (and getting my fat butt in shape) now. So here’s what I’m hoping someone can help me with. I don’t know where or how to start getting this thing planned. All I know is that we would really like to do a rut hunt and possibly get to experience bugling BUT if we would have better chances to get them later in the season with a rifle I wouldn’t be opposed to that either.

What states should we be looking hard at if we want a good chance at a hunt next year?

How in the world do you decide on a unit?

Should we do a higher odds draw and hope for the best or go somewhere and get over the counter tags?

And if we get a tag how in the heck do you even figure out where to hunt on those huge expanses of land?
 
Not much help to you but my buddy and I are beginning to look at this too. Likely going to put in for points but plan for an OTC hunt. Starting the process of researching areas


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If you have zero points your best bet is going to be Colorado or Idaho ..but I think Idaho is already sold for 2021 (they went on sale December 1st)

I’d for sure apply for New Mexico it’s a random draw but low odds. Montana would be a good option to look at aswell they have a ton of units you can hunt on a general tag and up until the last year or two that general elk combo was 100% draw.

as for picking a unit just read up on the DNRs website look at harvest stats, hunter satisfaction migration routes etc....or you can subscribe to a service like gohunt.
 
Same boat here! Buddy and I are doing it next year. Planning to purchase gohunt.com subscription to help with the planning.
 
Go hunt is worth it. If you can swing it, landowner new mexico tags are worth it. If not, Idaho or CO. Some draw units in CO can be drawn with zero points or you can wait for the leftover tags to go on sale. CO can get congested but you can also use that to your advantage.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction that elk hunting is.

Oh, I know the good packs are tough to financially swallow at first but after over 10 miles hiking at 10,000 feet you'll wish your pack was made of helium.
 
There are a lot of decisions you need to make to find out what unit and how you exactly want it to go. As mentioned colorado, idaho, montana are best options for tags. Buy GoHunt. Do as much research as possible with more than 1 site. Check go hunt, break down a couple of units, then google. Then google some more about each unit. Youtube each unit as there is a lot of information hidden in certain social media applications. Are you wanting to do DIY? Guided? Semi guided? Packing in or truck camping? What time of year? What type of elevation will you be at? Have you ever spent time at said elevation? Do you want to potentially be with grizzlies? If you are going to do a trip in 2021 then start training now. Get all of your gear and become familiar with it. Get a backup plan for your backup plan. Train with your gear. And as for gear I say buy once cry once. Get good boots, good shelter, and a good frame pack........just for an example, I believe colorado dropped 40 or 50 degrees in 12 hours and then snowed in september this year. These are things you need to prepare for.
 
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Also....when you decide on a unit, find out information inside that unit with the mountain ranges, wilderness areas, burn units, clear cuts, etc.
 
First thing I'll say is be real about what you are trying to do. Having fun is much easier truck hunting than say backcountry. My last back country hunt was fun, but more like work than a vacation. Very hard on you mentally as well as physically. I pretty much took off ten days to abuse my body worse than I had all year put together. I couldn't wait to go home and go back to work so I could rest....lol.
 
Start pack training yesterday. If you have hills where you live, start walking up and down them and side hill in the boots you’ll wear on the trip. With at least 30lbs in your pack. Sometimes up to 80 to get a feel for it. I’d log a minimum of 12 hours a week with heart rate above 85%, and at least 15 miles a week in my boots with at least 30lbs in my pack. These can be combined. This is the minimum I’d do. If you’re hard, do more.

I recommend having the capability to spike camp in backcountry 1-2 nights at a time, while planning to truck Camp close to where you’ll begin your hunt each day. Personally, I won’t sleep more than an hour from elk again. My time is too valuable, and the first time I went o burnt too much time not hunting.

get a pack that fits you properly. Don’t get cheap boots. Buy gaiters, especially if you’re camping. Figure out high calorie foods, and if you’re picky or a wuss, find stuff you’ll actually eat.

figure out water where you’ll hunt. If you can filter, do that. Carrying 12 pounds of water all day sucks.

Like deer hunting you can get lucky elk hunting. But it happens way less often. It is a direct result of work. Elk can climb the side of a cliff, and they like to live. With no points you’ll be hunting in crowded units. They will go where people don’t. Be ready for work. It will suck really bad. If you don’t like type 2 fun, find a different hobby.

theres A million resources on how to pick a state and unit. I have no idea what kind of shape you’re in, and how good of a hunter you are generally. But if you’re a casual hunter, be prepared to manage your expectations. Getting within a couple hundred yards of an elk that doesn’t know you’re there would be an accomplishment for a casual Hunter.

it’s not deer hunting - where you can just walk a quarter or half mile and find sign or deer. And elevation will bend your will.

Good luck. If you like type 2 fun, you’ll be down with the sickness in a hurry.
 
Start pack training yesterday. If you have hills where you live, start walking up and down them and side hill in the boots you’ll wear on the trip. With at least 30lbs in your pack. Sometimes up to 80 to get a feel for it. I’d log a minimum of 12 hours a week with heart rate above 85%, and at least 15 miles a week in my boots with at least 30lbs in my pack. These can be combined. This is the minimum I’d do. If you’re hard, do more.

I recommend having the capability to spike camp in backcountry 1-2 nights at a time, while planning to truck Camp close to where you’ll begin your hunt each day. Personally, I won’t sleep more than an hour from elk again. My time is too valuable, and the first time I went o burnt too much time not hunting.

get a pack that fits you properly. Don’t get cheap boots. Buy gaiters, especially if you’re camping. Figure out high calorie foods, and if you’re picky or a wuss, find stuff you’ll actually eat.

figure out water where you’ll hunt. If you can filter, do that. Carrying 12 pounds of water all day sucks.

Like deer hunting you can get lucky elk hunting. But it happens way less often. It is a direct result of work. Elk can climb the side of a cliff, and they like to live. With no points you’ll be hunting in crowded units. They will go where people don’t. Be ready for work. It will suck really bad. If you don’t like type 2 fun, find a different hobby.

theres A million resources on how to pick a state and unit. I have no idea what kind of shape you’re in, and how good of a hunter you are generally. But if you’re a casual hunter, be prepared to manage your expectations. Getting within a couple hundred yards of an elk that doesn’t know you’re there would be an accomplishment for a casual Hunter.

it’s not deer hunting - where you can just walk a quarter or half mile and find sign or deer. And elevation will bend your will.

Good luck. If you like type 2 fun, you’ll be down with the sickness in a hurry.
This. All of this
 
This. All of this

X2. My point, put in a much more concise post. Seems like everywhere you go is up. You will want to cut corners and that will not equate to opportunities. I lost 9# the first time, 12# the second when I backpacked.
 
X2. My point, put in a much more concise post. Seems like everywhere you go is up. You will want to cut corners and that will not equate to opportunities. I lost 9# the first time, 12# the second when I backpacked.

yup - I burned an average of 6600 calories per day, and was only able to eat 3000 or so. I looked quite abused. The good news is the Christmas toe faded early this year!
 
I average 10 pounds a year weight loss. So far this year I haven't put it back on either! Hit under 200 for the first time in 6 years.
 
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