shootbrownelk
Veteran member
Barnes TTSX bullets for that 7mm/08. They peel back into 4 razor sharp petals and retain better than 90% of their weight.
First Elk hunt advice
- Thread starter Badger84
- Start date
So what do you mean by a general tag? Are you limited to certain areas then and the better areas are harder to draw? If so how long do you have to put in for the better areas.
Thanks again.
y02MDM
Member
I would definately consider Wyoming for your hunt. You still have time to purchase a preference point and since you were planning on hiring an outfitter you would be able to hunt the wilderness areas south and east of Yellowstone park. So if you buy a pt this year and next, you should be able to draw a limited entry tag by 2015. Outfitters in those areas always have pack animals which can make for an enjoyable first hunt. The problem with this is finding an outfitter. I have never hunted with outfitters but I am sure there are good ones and bad ones. Good Luck.
Musket Man
Veteran member
General tags are typically good for a large part of the state or a region in the state. Limited entry tags are for a specific unit. It depends on the unit as to how many points it takes to draw. Some can be had with a couple points and some will take 10 or more. General tags are usually easier to get but usually have more hunting pressure and lesser quality elk. They also come down to how well you know the area and if you hired a good outfitter in a general area you could certainly have a quality hunt. Some areas in WY with easy drawing odds have lots of private land and poor access so do your research before you apply. The wolves have hit the areas around Yellowstone pretty hard. There are still some good bulls coming out of there but it is not what it once was. Another option is OTC elk in CO. There is alot of hunting pressure and success rates are low but if nothing else you would get a feel for western hunting. I assume you do not subscribe to either Eastmans magazine. The MRS section gives alot of info on each state and would answer alot of your questions and help narrow down areas. Good luck!
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
Eastmans Journal is indeed a great magazine. Another source of good information are any of Mike or Guy Eastman's books & DvD's. I have all Mikes books and gleaned a LOT of solid information from them, check out their website/store. Any of Mikes elk hunting books will answer just about 99% of your questions, he's been outsmarting elk for 50+ years!
Badger84,
From my experience, I'd suggest that you apply for bonus points in a few states. Right now Utah seems to be where huge bulls are killed. Arizona is doing well, too. But it will take you 10 years' bonus points to have a shot at a decent area. If I were going with a guide, I'd concentrate on Wyoming. I've seen huge bulls in Wyoming while chasing mule deer. Colorado has big bulls. However, its hunting pressure can be frustrating.
From my experience, I'd suggest that you apply for bonus points in a few states. Right now Utah seems to be where huge bulls are killed. Arizona is doing well, too. But it will take you 10 years' bonus points to have a shot at a decent area. If I were going with a guide, I'd concentrate on Wyoming. I've seen huge bulls in Wyoming while chasing mule deer. Colorado has big bulls. However, its hunting pressure can be frustrating.