Want to first of all say that this is one of the best sites for western hunting information. I am a newbie on and I am gathering information for my son's first western hunt and it has been a long time since i have been out there on a hunt as well. Idaho has become our first choice mainly due to reasonable costs and my son can still hunt on a youth mentoring license. We are planning a DIY hunt next season. I'm not one of those guys that is going to jump on here and say "where do we go to find elk", that is ridiculous. I am using what is available online and this forum as well as others and continue to do so. We are "NOT" trophy hunters and if we come across a cow, we will not hesitate. I teach my kids to not make it about taking an animal, its all about the experience. I don't want to get off on the wrong foot on this site, but would very much appreciate any info that the vets on here would be willing to give for my son's first western hunt. We live in Iowa and have quality deer around us every year and if anyone is thinking about coming east to chase some quality Whitetails, i would be more than happy to give any info that i can. Thank you in advance for the help and good luck to the hunters already in the woods this season.
2017 Elk hunt planning
- Thread starter Iowa Whitetail
- Start date
Thank you for the reply kidoggy. I forgot to say in my original post that we are open to any weapon for our hunt. We are avid bow hunters here in Iowa and also we like to get the muzzleloaders out for late season here as well. We do have rifles as well, so we are open to anything. I assume that the archery season out there would be less crowded, but have read quite a bit about wolves being an influence on the herd. I think most people would prefer trophy animals when planning a hunt out there, but I guess we would be the exception. We just mainly would like to be in an area that offers a huntable population that believe it or not, doesn't have a high percentage of trophy animals in it. We are hunters and as such just more than anything we want the experience. If we harvest an animal,then all the better.
missjordan
Veteran member
Welcome to the forum! I think you are already on the right track with starting to plan this far ahead. I would start to narrow your district choices down soon and start some basic scouting on google earth or maps. Calling the biologists can be helpful too.
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Slugz
Veteran member
Welcome! I'll be happy to help you with anything Colorado. Plenty of options to archery/muzzleloader hunt every year here.
Probably the best way to start is identifying dates/season first (CDOW site) then look at hunt recaps/draw statistics to come up with a short and long term plan. I'd say the short term plan is easy. Go hunting in an area that has a high population count.
Probably the best way to start is identifying dates/season first (CDOW site) then look at hunt recaps/draw statistics to come up with a short and long term plan. I'd say the short term plan is easy. Go hunting in an area that has a high population count.
theleo91386
Member
- Apr 20, 2016
- 74
- 0
If your not trophy hunters look at units that offer OTC archery tags but are a tough draw for rifles. Fill the freezer with your bows learning the unit and then shop for horns when you draw the rifle tag.
did some research over the weekend and looking at units 66A and 76. i see these units have "Access Yes" areas in them. Has anyone had any experience or hunted in these areas? i'm leaning towards OTC archery tags for us in these areas.
No exp. in those areas, but have exp. with programs similar to Access Yes. I'd look for properties that limit hunter numbers, and if they take reservations, call early. Often, with the info from game and fish, you can figure out where it is and look at google earth, ahead of time. Find a spot that adjoins public, with cover and feed, and I'd guess by day 2 of the season you'll be in elk.
Matthoek21
Veteran member
If your talking CO both units take points. 76 is like 12 or more if I remember for archery cause I gave up chasing that unit. 66 probably takes 6-8 but not sure.