Wanting to get started in elk hunting.

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

A few buddies and I want to get into elk hunting and have no idea where to start. I want to do a DIY bow hunt but am open to a private ranch as well. Money is always the problem and we either have families or are starting them so can spend an arm and a leg.

Where to start?

What states are the best for beginners?

OTC or Draw tags?

Any help is appreciated.

[HighwayHunter]

Been researching to go on my first public elk bow hunt as well. Looking like Utah is cheapest for tags and the Angelina National Forest is promising. Drawback is tags (I think) go out in a first come first serve basis. We’re planning for a September/October bow hunt so I’d start running and hiking now lol. Other than that I’m in for the replies.


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[hooligan]

Tons of info here

https://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250231&highlight=Elk

Also, sign up for gohunt.com its $150/yr and worth it for the info you get IMO

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

Thanks for the info so far. Anyone want to plan a trip together for next year?

[txoutdoorsman24]

I would love to get in on a group. I am planning to go next year as well.

[muddyfuzzy]

Thanks for the info so far. Anyone want to plan a trip together for next year?

I would like to do this as well.


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[PEC]

I recently went on my first elk hunt. It was diy over the counter. I bought a left over bull tag for $661 my half of fuel was $350 my half of food was $150(we ate really well and honestly had to much food). I spent just under $1200 with hamburgers and coffee on the drive. This cost could be cut some by putting 4 guys in the truck. We had room for passengers and extra room on the trailer. If you really watched the purse strings you could possibly get by with a 1k budget.

https://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=710591

[Lawhunter]

I would be interested in a group hunt as well

[BigDraw]

We should plan a HH GTG in January to discuss. I have been many times, always a DIY. I am happy to hare what I have learned

[Zen Archery]

Elk101 University is awesome.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Elk University is also awesome.
We've been public hunting 2 years and successful 2 years.

[Dang_ol]

One of my dads friends has been hunting Colorado for years and is at the point he really can’t hunt anymore. So he told me where he used to go. So my first yr everyone backed out so I went alone and had a blast, seen some good bulls and cows but nothing close enough to sling and arrow at. Last yr had some close in counters this year we got a good 6x6. I put in about 70-80 miles of hiking each yr I have been now (3 year).

[brnhtown]

I would be down to do for sure. Like everyone else, I have been wanting to do it for awhile

[hopedale]

Tons of info here

https://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250231&highlight=Elk

Also, sign up for gohunt.com its $150/yr and worth it for the info you get IMO

The elk thread is long and will take some time go get through, but it will get you started with good info on getting started.

A book a lot of folks recommend by Cameron Hanes -
BACKCOUNTRY BOWHUNTING. Its cheaper on his web-site.

https://www.cameronhanes.com/shop/cameron-hanes-books-videos/backcountry-bowhunting-book/

[doublearrow]

i always got irritated at the guys who said just buy a tag and go but thats all there is to it.
I cheat a bit when i goto Colorado public land, i go with a good buddy who hunts the same place year after year successfully. It cost us 861 dollars to go in colorado.
661 for either sex archery tag. 100 dollars in fuel and 100 dollars each in groceries.
We went to utah blind this year after Colorado. Archery season was done. I researched forums, facebook pages and talked to guys at the sportmans warehouse. We were not successful but did see cow elk most every day. We went archery hunting in any legal weapon season and could not buy cow tags as non residents. This hunt was roughly the same. 445 for any legal bull tag, 100 groceries and 250 in diesel.
Most states have a tbh website or similiar. I got on searched through them for areas id been looking at via onX maps and google earth. I never asked for anyones honey hole, but did ask specific questions about the area i was looking at. A few folks realized i wasnt trying to find a honey hole and actually called me and gave me some tips for the area.

I had put off elk hunting for many years because i thought it was more complicated than it was. Onx was a big help to show private from public. We hauled my camper up and had a blast. Ive been 3 times in the last two years and already have next years on the calendar.

[Zen Archery]

But we did just go buy OTC tags and we’re successful.
The online courses really helped us figure out where to hunt and what to look for and how/when to adjust.
We had to modify our plans both years and we were successful.