Diy elk hunt

[dangerous dan]

It is on my bucket list to do a DIY Elk hunt. Me and a Friend have decided to try and make this happen in 2013. That will give us 2 years to buy equipment, research, physical training, and save up so we can do it right.

I am picturing a public land hike in and not come out until we get a bull or untill 7 days later. I have absolutly no clue and have a lot of questions.

Where is the best place to apply for tags on public land that would give us a good chance at a P&Y Bull?

Do we need to start applying now to build up some preference points?

What gear do we need to purchase, backpacks, tents, cooking gear, sleeping bags, electronics, mapps etc.?

How the heck do you get the elk out once you shoot it?

What is the estimated cost of a hunt like this, going to start saving now so we can do it right?

Should we do a total DIY or go semi guided what does this cost?

Is there any books we can get in the meantime that would give us a clue?


Please Help

Clueless Dangerous Dan

[Whitetail Freak]

You should subscribe to Eastmans bowhunting Journal. That will give you good info on good DYI hunt locations as well as gear info and endless success stories on public land.

[dangerous dan]

Ill order the mag.

Anybody else have guidance? please help I am clueless

[Palehorse]

This website might have some resources for you. http://onyourownadventures.com/

[Bear82]

You can just buy preference points and not have to apply for tag in Wy not sure about other states.

Just put the elk on your back and carry it out. Might be beneficial to go with a guide as they would be able to pack it out. I would like to go elk hunting too but packing it out is my problem.

[ELKAHOLIC]

Yes get Eastmans Bowhunting Journal.
1. It may take a while to draw a tag to a place that has a good chance at a P and Y bull. Took me 20 years to get a P and Y, lots of smaller bulls.( You need to go on some lessor hunts first anyway to get your feet wet.)

2. Yes apply for everything build up points.( meanwhile hunt over the counter in Co. this year.) You can get a point for WY. in July for $50

3. thats a long list The last issue of Bugle has a good list from Garth Carter.
4. Quarter it up debone and get to packing. Start asking yourself why you did this, Collapse and fall into deep regret swear you'll never do it again, get up and do it again several times till you reach the truck, drink everything in sight, look back at your prize, smile and realize YEP it is all worth it.

5. aprox $1200

6. DIY Co. ^^^

7. Eastmans is the all around best source. Bugle next.

[Sbanger]

Check out colorado game and fish website, and attend elk hunting university. also you can buy over the counter tags, yes it is crowded any where near a road, but if you can get back in there chances are you will not see another hunter.

[dangerous dan]

Yes get Eastmans Bowhunting Journal.
1. It may take a while to draw a tag to a place that has a good chance at a P and Y bull. Took me 20 years to get a P and Y, lots of smaller bulls.( You need to go on some lessor hunts first anyway to get your feet wet.)

2. Yes apply for everything build up points.( meanwhile hunt over the counter in Co. this year.) You can get a point for WY. in July for $50

3. thats a long list The last issue of Bugle has a good list from Garth Carter.
4. Quarter it up debone and get to packing. Start asking yourself why you did this, Collapse and fall into deep regret swear you'll never do it again, get up and do it again several times till you reach the truck, drink everything in sight, look back at your prize, smile and realize YEP it is all worth it.

5. aprox $1200

6. DIY Co. ^^^

7. Eastmans is the all around best source. Bugle next.

Where do I need to start applying to get a decent chance for P&Y prefer new mexico or colorado so I can drive

[ELKAHOLIC]

New Mexico, The Gila. very hard to draw these tags.
The really good units in Co. take years and years.
Just start researching. Nothing about elk hunting is easy. Except getting hooked to it.

[Bill]

Search elk hunt here on TBH there have been some great threads in the past. P&Y on 1st public land hunt? Your expectations are very high. I know many Bowhunters who consider getting a shot a success.

I'd find a guided hunt if that's what you really want. You need somebody who knows where elk are, can set you up and get behind and call him in for your shot.

[dangerous dan]

Search elk hunt here on TBH there have been some great threads in the past. P&Y on 1st public land hunt? Your expectations are very high. I know many Bowhunters who consider getting a shot a success.

I'd find a guided hunt if that's what you really want. You need somebody who knows where elk are, can set you up and get behind and call him in for your shot.

Don't expect to take a P&Y first hunt just want to be in a place where this is a possibility. A man can dream. I shot a P&Y Whitetail my very first year hunting with a bow on public land with no bait fair chase....LOL I am not planning on doing this till 2013 got a lot of personal stuff to take care of in the meantime. Just know how much I should save and where I should start applying in colorado or new mexico to start getting preference points...etc..

[Bowhuntamistad]

Buy Cameron Hanes' Backcountry Bowhunting.

It is what I am using as a guide for my hunting out here in Nv/Ut. Lots of good information from a down to earth blue color guy like us.

[ELKAHOLIC]

Buy Cameron Hanes' Backcountry Bowhunting.

It is what I am using as a guide for my hunting out here in Nv/Ut. Lots of good information from a down to earth blue color guy like us.

Cameron Hanes' is the MAN!

[Poco]

Just finished reading his book and it was loaded with info. I highly recommend looking into his website also. Lots of good info there too.

[old killer]

Unit 23 in New Mexico has a small wilderness area in it. You can drive to the boundry and hike in. This is a draw unit but not a high demand unit. You want to find places where you can pack in without being run over by atv's or trucks.
The Flat Tops wilderness in Colorado will be another packin trip. Unit 25 there is over the counter.
You can find others by researching at mytopo.com. I will combine that with Google Earth to find what I am looking for.
For equipment your best bet is to team with an experienced elk hunter for your first trip.
Surviving in the wilderness areas isn't that hard, but surviving, safety, personal care, and packing meat out can can be difficult. The last thing you want is for your hunt of a lifetime to be a horror story.