First timer mule deer or elk?

[Finsandtines]

I did not draw an archery mule deer tag as it was my first year applying and have been keeping an eye out for landowner tags with no luck. (at least nothing in the price range I had in mind....) I was pretty set on Muleys first but now I am wondering if I should go for an otc elk tag to just get out there and get my feet wet. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated! With less than 2 months to go, need to figure out something quick.

In my short time on here I have seen some great information and wanted to thank everyone contributing for doing so!

 

[gonhunting247]

Buy yourself a MT deer, elk, or big game combo leftover tag and go hunt. The only tough part is figuring out which area you want to try first, as there is a ton of Block Management and public land open to the general tag(archery and rifle). Good luck and have a blast!

 

[JPSeveland]

Colorado has a great thing going with the OTC tags me and my family have had great luck with archery all over the state. The left over list will be coming out soon and there may be a deer tag some where but i wouldnt count on it. Like gonhunting247 said MT has some great opurtunities for elk and deer and they still have leftover combo tags.

 

[LCH]

Are you gonna be solo or have a partner along? That may factor into which species to pursue. Packing an elk out is a chore.

 

[trkytrack2]

For the cost of a either sex archery elk license here in Colorado ($49) plus the opportunity to hunt the largest elk herd in the USA plus getting to listen to all those bulls bugling....I wouldn't pass it up. Of course if you are wealthy and want to spend thousands of dollars to hunt deer/elk you could go to Montana. I would prefer my home state myself.

 

[LCH]

For the cost of a either sex archery elk license here in Colorado ($49) plus the opportunity to hunt the largest elk herd in the USA plus getting to listen to all those bulls bugling....I wouldn't pass it up. Of course if you are wealthy and want to spend thousands of dollars to hunt deer/elk you could go to Montana. I would prefer my home state myself.

I think the OP stated he was from Florida.. that elk license is gonna cost him a little more than $49 wherever he goes

 

[Finsandtines]

10-4, Florida it is.....I will be paying a few hundred bucks for a license anywhere for anything! I plan to go with a buddy but it may end up being solo if I can't convince him!

 

[Slugz]

My 2 sense....OTC archery Colorado......don't pass up a cow. Bear tags available also in a lot of places. Get a small game tag to whack some blue grouse for dinner.....just don't shoot the nice FMJ arrows at the grouse you spent all year tuning!!!!!
Colorado + Aug/Sept = Majic.......prepare though to want to come back every year!!!! PM when you narrow down your GMU I may have hunted it and can help.

 

[CrossCreeks]

Over the counter Elk tag would be great any where , nothing wrong with taking cow elk their delicious !

 

[Finsandtines]

I've narrowed down things a bit. I'm going to do an OTC elk hunt in Colorado. I am trying to get with an outfitter to provide me at least some guidance being my first time. If not, I'm well on my way for DIY because I've already purchased a few things based on all your input on this forum. So for that, I thank you.

I hope to have a unit narrowed down by next week. I am looking at 42, 521, 63, 70 to name a few. Slugz, I will pm you. Thanks again to everyone who provided feedback.

 

[Take Em Bucks N Bulls]

Oregon is almost all over the counter for archery mule deer tags. You can pretty much hunt almost any zone you want. It's open a month long, look into it. I'll be headed up to Oregon this year hoping to tag a monster mulie.

 

[Finsandtines]

And then there were two..... Crazy how things work out. Although not on my radar, Idaho came into the picture for me yesterday morning. After narrowing down Colorado units and landing on 53, an opportunity fell right into my lap to hunt with an outfitter in Idaho. Making a decision by tomorrow and it looks like diamond creek area here I come!