First Time Elk Bowhunt-Give me your pros, cons, tips, etc

[ledhead1944]

Myself and my husband are looking at doing an elk bowhunt in CO in a few years. I am asking for anyone to offer suggestions, tips, pros/cons for DIY and outfitters, and just about any feedback that you can offer.

I had a phone conversation with an old neighbor who lives in Estes Park, CO. Mark is a big hunter and a huge bowhunter. We spent over an hour on the phone going over things and getting my questions answered. The biggest nuggets that I got from him is to really look at OTC licenses in addition to getting points for specific GMU.

I realise that I can gain points for certain GMUs which would make the total cost go up in the long run. The OTC option is a cheaper option and makes sense to us. When he spoke about the OTC licenses, the thought occurred to me that this hunt could definitely happen sooner than I thought. If we went the point route, it would take a little longer.

So I'm thinking of going to OTC licenses and even gaining points in certain GMUs for future hunts. I am not looking for a trophy bull but a really nice bull for a first hunt elk harvest. I never saw elk hunting as a once in a lifetime thing. I go nuts in bow season for whitetail and I think that this will be no different.

Where I am right now in the process, I need to make some calls to a few other people who have done the hunts. Mark also suggested that I get in contact with the DOW and the biologists so I can start to scratch the surface at what GMUs are OTC.

After this is done, then I'm thinking of looking for someone who can do a drop camp with a wrangler or even a guide. I think using an outfitter might be too expensive but I will certainly look at that area as well. If I could find someone who offers an "in between a drop camp/DIY and outfitter", that would be more of what we are looking for. My husband and I want to be part of the process but not to be thrown out into the mountains and to fend for ourselves.

Any offerings, suggestion, resources, etc. would be appreciated.

 

[gypsumreaper]

Many options available for the OTC archery hunts. My suggestion as a first time elk hunter is to go with some sort of outfitter, whether it be a guided, semi guided or drop camp. This will save you money alone on gear as well. Some units it is possible to hunt from a vehicle accessible camp each day but your odds of harvesting will drop. Colorado archery odds of success are lower than any other season around 13% success. Those odds drop even more for first time hunters.
You can do all kinds of research, mapping and phone calls but boots on the ground will be your best bet if done without an outfitter.
If you use an outfitter you will have a camp set, most Outfitters will give you ideas of where to go and how to hunt. Others offer semi guided where a guide will stay in camp with you for either the whole time you are there or a set amount of time. I have done this and some guys opt for a guide in camp for 2-3 days then he leaves and it's DIY but the amount of country covered in that amount of time was very valuable.
A client of mine this year spent 9 days as a DIY first time hunter in Colorado, he then called us on day 10 for a 1 day guided hunt and harvested. He couldn't stress enough about how hard it was, how big of a shock it was, and how different it was than any other hunting he had done. He now is booking a drop camp with us this upcoming year, for Elk and deer.
Homework is a big part of success, phone calls to the biologists help but remember areas they tell you to go are areas they are telling everyone else who calls to go as well. Topo maps are huge as well as searching forums for elk hunting tips, times to go, places elk like to be, and how to hunt and call them. The more homework you do the better success you will have. GMU's all over the state are hard to narrow down to just a few. This is why some out of state hunters elect to go with an outfitter or in an area they have a resident near that has hunted it as well.
Eastmans forum is a great resource, as well as elknut forum and google.
Elk hunting has been a big shock for many of my first time clients, whether guided or drop camp.

 

[RICMIC]

What a lot of first time elk hunters don't give enough consideration to is getting the meat out after a successful hunt. Bow season is early, and the temps may be in the 30's or up in the 80's. The mountains are tough country, especially for an eastern flatlander. I have done multiple DIY elk hunts and similar deer hunts, and with some success on deer am now thankful that I wasn't successful on elk because the aftermath would have been awful. I have been successful on guided elk hunts and those guys work for every penny they get, and Gypsumreapers advice is spot on. If $ is an issue, then a pack-in/out or drop camp is worth considering, or try to go with someone who has at least "been there, done that."

 

[gypsumreaper]

Thank you Rick,
I completely agree with Rick on getting the animal out. 100% of my clients who are first time elk hunters comment how large elk are just seeing them. Then once we harvest one this goes from they're big to they're HUGE.
My client this past year had hunted whitetail his whole life, when we harvested his bull and he got to go in there and pick up those antlers he could not believe how big they were. The area the elk died was one of the worst id ever been in, we could not move him. I usually break down an elk in 45-60 minutes and it's ready to be loaded on horses. It took me 2 hours to get back straps, and 2 quarters off the elk. This did include skinning up to the skull for a mount. When my Co-owner and his wife arrived it took the 3 of us another 90 minutes to get the bull turned, everything else taken off and then the head cut off. Elk rarely die in the open meadow where it's easy to access, unless you are hunting with a rifle and can drop them in their tracks.
My hunter spent 9 days DIY in another unit, and almost kicked himself for it, he said he had no idea what he would have done if he would have harvested. Between him and the kid that was helping him it would have definitely been 3 trips between them.
We shot his bull at 630, waited a couple hours cause I was personally not confident with the arrow penetration, although I knew the bull split from his cow 15 seconds after and heard him crash. We began breaking him down at 8pm and arrived back at the trailer at 1:45am. This was only a 45 minute ride from where he was harvested to the trailer.
So that is a consideration many overlook. If you do not go with an outfitter find out who is permitted to pack in the area, talk to them and then before you enter the woods give them a call, let them know where you plan to hunt and how long you will be in there. This gives them a heads up and they may have staff on call for these situations. Sometimes calling an outfitter at 430pm and needing an elk packed out will get you turned down because they don't have the staff or are to busy. Also them knowing this and you knowing their number can serve more than just game packing, if you fall and break your ankle, an outfitter can atleast get in there to bring safety supplies first aid and assist or get you to an area for a chopper ride, if you have an emergency at home and gotta get out quick and outfitter can prolly pack in load gear and get out in about the same amount of time it will take you to hike out. If you build a relationship with these guys they are more likely to go the extra mile for you.

 

[Work2hunt]

Ledhead,
Ric and GypsumReaper's info is good, but I would like to present from a slightly different opinion. These hunts are fun, but can be an extremely large amount of work once the animal is on the ground. But, I take great pride in going strictly DIY and prepare and plan for this 24/7 - 365.

2011 was my first hunting trip out West on a cow muzzleloader hunt. I was going with 5 other very capable hunters and outdoorsman with ages from 31 to 55, but we were all from the Midwest, flat land area. Opening morning found us with 4 cows/calfs on the ground anywhere from 1-4 miles from our trucks and campsite. Long story short we packed out all that meat in one day between the 6 of us on our backs with no injuries or loss of meat. Was there a large bull down? No, but still 4 elk is a lot of meat. Can a hunt be done without a guide? Absolutely. This was all of ours first hunt out west and we managed. But, appropriate planning and preparation was needed.

Some things that need to be looked at so you can determine are you going strictly DIY, drop camp, fully guided, or something in-between:
-your personal experience and abilities in the outdoors:
-your physical fitness
-your equipment
-have back up plans (where we hunt we can call for horses and have them brought to us within a couple hours, if needed)
-what is the terrain you will be hunting (we stumbled into our elk spot and it is a relatively easy area compared to other areas that I have been in)
-how far from the road/camp/vehicle will you be
-do you have just yourself or others that can be radioed/called to come help

I don't know you but a DIY hunt can be done as a 1st timer with success. Again, preparation and planning are key. I can not reiterate or emphasis this enough.

As for OTC tags. Those are a decent option, but there are lots of units with tags that require you to draw that can also be had as a 2nd, 3rd, 4th or left-over tag option. If you go this route you can still earn a point and draw a tag that is not OTC. There are pros and cons for both options. Sometimes the LE tag that you can get outside of a 1st choice has issues (too many people, hard to access, limited public land, etc). But research, planning and preparation are key.

It sounds like you are on the right track. This forum is good and lots of info can be had. Don't be bashful to PM or ask questions.

 

[jester69]

That's a tall order but here is what I've found. First hunt you would be best served going with someone who knows the ropes. Elk are extremely mobile and you can search alot of country and not find them. The amount of gear required depends on how you want to pursue them. Pack in on your back, and your in a whole other class, camp out of your vehicle and walk to your hunting area would be my suggestion. Believe me, everyone thinks they can handle a fully loaded backpack until they are at 8000ft or more in elevation. If you are lucky enough to get one, now the work really begins. Find a packer before hand and keep him on speed dial. I've hunted out of Steamboat Springs the latest 8 years or so. I can give you some info on this area, and tell you what to expect. That area is OTC archery and 2nd, 3rd rifle. Definitely put in for points. You can apply just for a point and still get your OTC tag. The draw areas are usually worth the time it takes you. If you want more information probably would be easier to contact me by phone. One thing is for sure, elk hunting will get in your blood so be prepared to be cosumed by it. No matter how hard of a time the mountains give me, I always want to come back for more!

 

[HuskyMusky]

I'd consider other states for an elk bowhunt as well. NM has no points, so apply, whether for a great unit or a good unit with higher draw odds, you may get lucky and have a better hunt!

WY would be on my list as well, possibly ID.


It's funny one of our elk hunts, DIY, MT, the first night was probably our best chance at killing a bull, we both hunted different spots and both saw bulls, we thought oh baby we're in for it! turns out the rest of the hunt was pretty tough,
so advice... be ready to kill that first day/night as best as possible! you may screw up etc.. but that's hunting.

 

[ScottR]

Start saving, you won't do it just once...

 

[Slugz]

Regardless of where u go. Go where there is good numbers of elk. Go where you see herds of 25-30 at a time. Dont worry about horns and prioritize action first. Only way to learn is to have multiple encounters.