Elk

[Gunner]

I'm wanting to go hunt some Elk in Colorado on the public land and have some questions.
1.Are the tags over the counter?
2.Do you have any useful tips?
3.Thank you!!!

[BOWTIE DRYVA]

No info from me........ but im moving to Co next yr and would love to hear what yall have to say

TTT

[elkbowhunter]

I'm wanting to go hunt some Elk in Colorado on the public land and have some questions.
1.Are the tags over the counter?
2.Do you have any useful tips?
3.Thank you!!!

1) Some tags are OTC.
2) Get on elknut.com and order every DVD Paul offers. Listen to ELK..Study ELK. Practice Practice Practice.
3) Last thing is just get out there and learn the country. Scouting is huge. Hunting ELK is not a cakewalk. Its grueling, strenuous,and will test your limits to the max. I would subscribe to Extreme ELK magazine today. Great magazine with tons of experience and knowledge there. Most people that I know that hunt ELK are not right in the head....and thats a good thing. You think about it too long and you probably will talk yourself out of it.Its not easy no matter what any TV show says. But once you take a bull elk you have passed into the ELK zone..and can never turn back.

[RiverRat1]

Once you get close and hear once scream you enter the ELK zone. Once you kill one the work begins. You just thought you were tired before you killed one LOL

[Dr. D]

Get as far away from other people as possible.

[elkbowhunter]

Get as far away from other people as possible.

Great Advice.
Study was done in Montana regarding how far Hunters hunt away from their trucks. Over 90 % hunted within 2 miles of their truck. Study revealed that for the most part, most people are basically lazy. If people are going 2 miles...you go 3. Elk and people dont mix. You got people....you got no ELK. So get back in there away from people and hunt. Always keep in mind that the further you go back in there the further you will have pack the animal out. Most new hunters have no idea what that really means until you pack out a few elk. Things go south real fast in getting meat out. You have to cool the meat ASAP. Alot of times If Im near a stream I get the body in the stream and get the heat out of the body. Have FUN!!

[Felix40]

Once you get close and hear once scream you enter the ELK zone. Once you kill one the work begins. You just thought you were tired before you killed one LOL

x100. Just to give you an idea. Last year I killed one at the TOP of the hill we were hunting on around 6pm. My buddy and I quartered it and worked on carrying it to the truck ALL night. We watched frost freeze on leaves while we were walking/crawling down the mountain. It was 9am when we got in the truck to go home.

One of the most painful and rewarding experiences of my life. Not to mention the bull we heard bugling the entire time we were quartering.

That said, there have been quiet a few threads on elk hunting recently so you might try a search.

[Gunner]

Thanks I read a thing that said it took 8 trips for one man to pack one Elk is that believable or was it a joke?

[deano70]

Thanks I read a thing that said it took 8 trips for one man to pack one Elk is that believable or was it a joke?

let's see...
one trip for each quarter (4)
one trip for head (if it's a bull / shoulder mount)
one trip for the other meat you want (backstrap, neck, tenderloins, etc)
one trip for the rest of your gear (if you couldn't get it all)

that makes 7 right there that I can think of.
Elk quarters are ~80-100# each and will kick your rear hauling them out. Take your time, go in with a buddy and don't do stupid things to jeopardize your safety.

[Gunner]

Great Advice.
Study was done in Montana regarding how far Hunters hunt away from their trucks. Over 90 % hunted within 2 miles of their truck. Study revealed that for the most part, most people are basically lazy. If people are going 2 miles...you go 3. Elk and people dont mix. You got people....you got no ELK. So get back in there away from people and hunt. Always keep in mind that the further you go back in there the further you will have pack the animal out. Most new hunters have no idea what that really means until you pack out a few elk. Things go south real fast in getting meat out. You have to cool the meat ASAP. Alot of times If Im near a stream I get the body in the stream and get the heat out of the body. Have FUN!!

You would'nt happen to live near Mill Creek Road on Beckermann Road would ya

[Gunner]

let's see...
one trip for each quarter (4)
one trip for head (if it's a bull / shoulder mount)
one trip for the other meat you want (backstrap, neck, tenderloins, etc)
one trip for the rest of your gear (if you couldn't get it all)

that makes 7 right there that I can think of.
Elk quarters are ~80-100# each and will kick your rear hauling them out. Take your time, go in with a buddy and don't do stupid things to jeopardize your safety.

Yes sir

[TxArcheo]

hit the gym, running trails, etc. and get in shape. once you think you're in shape....run & lift some more........

[Gunner]

hit the gym, running trails, etc. and get in shape. once you think you're in shape....run & lift some more........

Yes sir I will may I ask where have you hunted elk I'm wanting to do it on public land at the Flat Tops area

[Felix40]

Thanks I read a thing that said it took 8 trips for one man to pack one Elk is that believable or was it a joke?

Maybe more like 5. You can get the shoulders at the same time if you have solid legs. Plus hind quarters, ribs/loins, and then your gear.

Fred Eichler has a video on youtube showing how to quarter an elk without having to gut it. I would suggest watching it since its pretty hard to roll an elk around to gut by yourself. After you get the quarters off it will be more manageable.

Next step is to get some vacation time off in Sept and August if you can. I would take like 2 days in August to fly up and just hike any area you might want to hunt. Then get a license for the area you felt best about.

Once you get there I think the wind is the most important thing to use. Usually blows uphill in the morning and downhill in the evening. Elk make a lot of noise if they are moving through the trees so hiking and covering ground is pretty effective.

[elkbowhunter]

Heres that video by Fred. Once I learned this it made life a ton easier.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGCAY5Amvn4"]Fred EIchler Field Dressing an Elk - YouTube[/ame]