Planning my first DIY Elk hunt..where to begin?

[Mudshack]

I have always wanted to do it, but have never pulled the trigger. I am just at the tip of the planning stages for the 2011 Elk season, so I wanted to hear from all of you who have experience doing this.

I am looking for a DIY hunt with me and a buddy.

I have to do it as cheap as possible, because I have very little cash

I dream of hunting the Gila in NM, but realize that may be for a later date when I have more money to go after those giants. This time is going to be more about getting away with a buddy in the mountains and getting our feet wet. (figure out calling and having our lungs explode from the altitude)

I don't care where the hunting is, just looking for suggestions on which states/units to start researching. Will most likely be a 4-5 day camping trip. But again, I am looking to you guys who have done this before to suggest where/when/how.

Thanks

[JLively]

Exercise!!!

[fox1]

P.M sent.

[Mudshack]

Thanks for the info Fox1.

JLively - why do you think I am thinking 1.5 years out. lol. Heading to CO with the family this summer for our first exposure to the mountains, and I know it will kick me in the pants on the hikes.

[MountainMan]

Lots of good public land here with alot of elk and tags are OTC for most units.
Best advice I can give you is to practice running stairs with your pack full. That will give you a good idea of how hikin in the mountains feels.

Also, if you plan to go during archery season, make sure you're willing to go up high since the snow hasn't pushed the animals down yet. We routinely hunt archery elk between 9000 and 11200.

If you guys pass through CO Springs when you come up, make sure you stop in and say hi. We can grab a brew or two.

[TexasBlake]

can you PM me the info too fox1. Good luck with your planning.

[Mudshack]

If you guys pass through CO Springs when you come up, make sure you stop in and say hi. We can grab a brew or two.

We will be going through Denver. Our cabin is south of Breckenridge. Staying at the Pres of Tiremax's house.

Plan is to lose 40lbs between now and summer of 2011. (already down 10lbs in past month). And will kick my butt to train. I dream of hunting archery. But am open to rifle if you experts suggest that for a Elk 1st timer.

[fox1]

Texas blake P.M sent.

[Mudshack]

Don't know how I missed this. But I just found it on the search:

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139365&highlight=ELK

And the TBH DIY hunt last fall. How did ya'll make out?

[MountainMan]

We will be going through Denver. Our cabin is south of Breckenridge. Staying at the Pres of Tiremax's house.

Plan is to lose 40lbs between now and summer of 2011. (already down 10lbs in past month). And will kick my butt to train. I dream of hunting archery. But am open to rifle if you experts suggest that for a Elk 1st timer.

Denver isn't too far. We may have to catch ya on the way home.

Nothin wrong with startin with archery. Weather is alot better, but you are up alot higher. Rifle can be better, but you never know what the snow is going to do.

[MooseontheLoose]

Can't be much of a help, but Cameron Hanes wrote a book called Backcountry Bowhunting that is really informative about everything from equipment and gear to conditioning to how to hunt elk and mulies DIY. His website also has some info. on training. He's successful, hardcore, and runs marathons to condition for his DIY hunts. Have fun with that. Good luck

[Mudshack]

Denver isn't too far. We may have to catch ya on the way home.

Nothin wrong with startin with archery. Weather is alot better, but you are up alot higher. Rifle can be better, but you never know what the snow is going to do.

How did the Hunters of TBH hunt go last year? You plan on being a part of that again this year, or next?

[MountainMan]

I think only 1 of 'em shot a cow, but I wasn't able to make it due to a work conflict. I actually drew my unit this year, so I'm hopin to put a good bull down myself.

[RiverRat1]

Don't know how I missed this. But I just found it on the search:

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139365&highlight=ELK

And the TBH DIY hunt last fall. How did ya'll make out?

We did great. First we found 3 hotties in Colorado. I can not give the location, if Mike wants to share he can tell you.

We saw elk almost every day and hunted hard. The group only shot one cow but most of us had no clue what we were doing. Got within 100 yards of at least 2 bulls, a bear, and a mountain lion.

DIY is very hard unless you know someone who lives up there and has at least a little info on where the elk are during different parts of the year. They can move fast and far very quick.

Hardest part IMO is finding a place that has little pressure. A spot that has little pressure one year may have too much the next etc.

Good luck. It can be done. I plan on getting closer this year than last.

[Mudshack]

There is some very VERY good information here with the TBH brotherhood. (not that I am shocked).