Accessible/Moderate terrain for Elk Rifle hunt...

[ageewhy]

Hi folks,

I'm hoping to glean a bit of advice from those more familiar with Western Elk hunting states than I am... My father really wants to do an elk hunt. He will be 65 this year. We just can't tackle the super rough-rugged mountains I know that Elk often inhabit. Im looking for a general area/region where it may be possible to do an Elk rifle hunt, without putting the old man through the ringer. We are willing to go on private property/outfitter... where would you start looking?

For what its worth, our roots are in hunting the eastern woodlands for deer. We did our first western hunt two years ago, a DIY Antelope hunt in eastern Wyoming (I posted a report here:http://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/15327-Successful-1st-Antelope-hunt-DIY ). Last year, we did an OTC Mule Deer hunt in SE Idaho (I posted a report here:http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID37/3238.html cliff notes: we got our butts kicked!).

Im not afraid of research, hard work, and tough odds. But I'm trying to make it a bit easier on the pops..he just cannot backpack in/out or hike miles and miles of tough terrain and he isn't getting any younger!

A Rifle elk hunt in moderate terrain- everybody wants that right?! I realize its asking a lot, just looking for a general area or region. Lastly, we only have 2 preference points, and that is for Wyoming which I know doesn't get us much. Dont go too hard on me!

Cheers,
Adam

 

[Hilltop]

2 points should give you a good shot at a general tag in Wyoming this year. There are a gob of outfitted hunts in general areas that wouldn't be too hard on him. Many "ranch" hunts are done by using pickups to get reasonably close before making a short stalk. I would research some and call and talk to them to make sure they have what your looking for. The big negative is that most of those hunts will be 5K+.

 

[Elkhunter96]

Unit 76 in Idaho would be a good one since you just got a taste of it. Straight draw and maybe find an outfitter that offers back out services. If you have the cash, landowner tags in New Mexico or Colorado can be really good hunts. My dad bought a landowner tag and guided hunt a few years ago in southern Colorado after he retired as a retirement present and had a great time. He killed a really nice bull and enjoyed it. But, it also was a good chunk of change.

I killed a decent buck in 76 this last year and my father in law got a nice 3 point. Not a ton of deer, but some nice mature bucks running around. Not much young deer running around and it will be a few years before the deer come back on that unit after the 16-17 winter kill.

 

[wy-tex]

The general areas in the Snowies have very varied terrain. You can find the steep nasty stuff or hunt some parks, meadows and find elk.
Deadfall will be the tough part of the dark timbered areas.
We have some high altitude spots that are really gentle terrain except for the elevation.
Some area have great hunting down at the base of tall mountains and then meadows scattered around the peaks and adjacent to roads where walking in is not a problem.
You should be able to find elk in areas that are not deep, dark and steep.

 

[prhunter]

Are you looking to hunt only WY or are you considering other states?

 

[ageewhy]

Are you looking to hunt only WY or are you considering other states?

We are open to any state...heck I even looked at Alberta Canada...Terrain seems exactly what were looking for but man it is not cheap! Wyoming is just the only state we have points in.

 

[Slugz]

If $ can solve this I'd go the private land ranch hunt in Colorado or any state. Gonna see animals, gonna have an easy packout. And yes I acknowledge its not cheap.

2nd solution would be an OTC tag in Colorado in a unit you could quad or truck to a point then walkin. #s of hunter and animals though may make it a bad experience if you cant get away from the crowds. Need to hike a mile or two.

3rd solution could be a leftover bull tag/cow tag 4th season Colorado in a GMU where you can catch them moving from private to NF.

Pm if you like and I can give you suggestions in Colorado. Of note these suggestion I give you are my back up and back up to the back up hunts ( but have had success in them)