Planning for Elk

[GOSHENGRUNTER]

So 2018 will be the year to delve into elk hunting for me. Im indesicive on where to start. Here are some options and plans I have.

Wyoming-

My original plan was to elk hunt every 3rd year drawing a Wyoming General tag and learn an area. I'll have 3 points going into the 2018 draw.

Option 1 is to follow my plan and find some good general units.

Option 2 is to keep building points and draw a mediocre unit. I have ZERO interest in building 7-10 or more points to hunt Wy. But if 5 points would make a great hunt....ill wait a couple more years

Colorado- If I dont hunt wyoming in 2018...I saw a few otc/ easy draw units to hunt. But i havent studied much yet.

New Mexico- I have a connection with a large private ranch will 330"+ bulls for $6500. That connection isnt going away and my business partners who hunt it have a phenominal hunt each time they go. But paying $6500 isnt a goal of mine lol.

Eventually, I'll be hunting Wy every 3rd or 4th year on general tags. But since Ive already got more points than I need for a general....should i save points for a couple more years and hunt COL or NM?

***archery or rifle doesnt matter to me.

Thanks experts!

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[LaHunter]

Another significant factor to consider when building points is 'point creep'. It seems to be getting worse for elk, at least the unit that I have been applying for. The required points needed to draw some LE units can increase by nearly 1 point / year, so catching up is almost impossible.
Maybe since you already have 3 points in WY, keep building for the right / realistic unit, and hunt Colorado every year OTC. This way at least you are hunting and not waiting.

Good Luck

 

[Don K]

Apply for a NM tag you have the same chance as anyone else to draw.

IMO, get out there and start hunting them. Building points is good but you really want to get some experience under your belt before you burn a bunch of points.

And beware, once you take that first trip its in your blood and you will be making plans to somehow go every year.....

 

[go_deep]

Think you need to decide what you're hunting for. Just want to fill a tag, with a chance at a nice bull, or nice bull or bust? Are you looking for low hunter numbers, or you good with a fair amount of competition? Wyoming General tag is a great tag, can see elk most everyday, but there's a good amount of competition for the elk though. The LQ tags in most areas bring the the competition for the elk down significantly, and the opportunity for a descent bull up significantly, in most units.

 

[Flyforfun]

Not sure if I'd be too excited about knowing someone that can proved 330" bulls for $6500. I, along with most of us have access to that as long as you're willing to fork over the money.

I'm currently building points in most states and will plan to hunt the same OTC unit in CO every year until I can start drawing these higher quality hunts in other states. I'm not shooting for the moon on these hunts but just to hunt more frequently.

 

[nv-hunter]

Dont forget Idaho otc tags and draw system along with the Nevada point system as point creep hasn't seemed to hit here yet.

 

[Catahoula12]

Building up the points is not a bad thing. Here in Colorado might be the best option for elk hunt experience as far as getting out year after year. Perhaps then applying for draws in a couple years. Just a thought. Best of future hunts.

 

[maninthemaze]

Don't forget Wyoming wilderness areas require a guide or a Wyoming resident to be part of the group.

Don't rule out Montana. They have leftover Big Game Combo licenses every year. The tag is good for archery and rifle. You can also kill a mule/whitetail as well as fish. All on the same license.

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