I been thinking about going elk hunting my whole life.. Think it's about time I start to make it happen. Going to start saving up $3000 and getting in shape for it.
Anyone else in Va. interested in doing this with me???
Ain't decided where we would be going yet. But figure it'll be one of those do it yourself hunts or a drop camp to keep the cost as low as possible. Not really concerned about takin a trophy... Would be happy just having a fat old cow in bow range.
Any suggestions from you guys that have done this type thing before would be most helpfull.
Hey string, shoot me a PM sometime, my elk camp is always open for other TGers!
Mike
PM sent
I live in Maryland, work in Virginia. If invited, I would consider this.
Wouldn't mind hooking up after you guys cross the Miss. and head a little further West.
Bill and Aaron, I would be proud to share a camp with you. I was thinking that If Terry don't mind to much we could do all our communications through this here thread.
Maybe pick some more Tradgangers along the way??? Maybe inspire some to follow one of their dreams??? And get advice from the old hands??? That part is priceless...
Either one of you ever been hunting elk in big Country before???
I have never hunted for Elk before. All my experience is with White Tails.
Same here whitetails only.
Elk Ninja was tellin me that they have OTC tags in Idaho?? You interested??? I guess we also need to decide what kind of hunt we want??? DIY or drop camp??? And how long of a hunt???
Idaho is looking really good..
Hunting lic. $141.50
Deer tag. $258.50
Elk tag. $372.50
And it looks like they have anice long season. Might have to take off 3-4 weeks for this one...
Man 2010 sounds like a long way off but it would sure give me some time to save up. I've been dreaming of bugles hardcore for about 10 years now. Skippy
man 3 to 4 straight weeks off would be amazing LOL
String-
Me Likey Idaho
Idaho would be a strong prospect.
Either way,DIY or drop,advantages and disadvantages exist either way,which gives us more flexibility.
Well I map quested and it's about a 36 hour drive from Richmond to Idaho. But if I'm going to do it...I'm going to do it...You guys are welcome to come for part or all of the 3 weeks.
Thinking we should do a DIY hunt. that way if we don't find 'em after a week in one spot we can move afew times til we do.
How do you get one out if you're 10 miles in??? how much they weigh??
I'm flyin blind here. But I got 2 yrs to learn.. :readit:
Hey, I actually had pretty much the same idea. I have been elk hunting before and it was a DIY hunt.
Anyway, I would be interested as well...
Are the tags over the counter for out of state hunters or do you have to get drawn?
-Charlie
You have my attention!
I could do the 3 weeks. I take it we are camping. Save some bucks and get more of that "trad feeling." Logistics will be tough. Where to camp. How to get the trucks to where the dead elk are at! DO you quarter them in the field? We'll learn together!
Bill, thinking Of setting the main camp 1-2 miles from the road then hunting in deeper from there.... might take a whole day and a couple trips just to get camp set up.
Brother, I can't even guess how to field dress an elk??? But I bet you don't throw a rope around it and start draggin??? :biglaugh:
Was thinkin maybe of hunting with someone that knows what they're doing for the first week.(ELK NINJA) or some other victim. They can teach us little things like how not to get ourselves killed.. Then maybe strike out on our own after words??
We also need for someone to give us a list of must haves???
Also prayin that we could find someone in the area of were we're hunting that had some pack animals for us to rent out.. if and when we get something down???
I think it'll all fall into place if we just start savin up... Time and Money. $50 a payday should almost cover it??
With the help from the guys on here I think we'll have a great time!!
Alright fellers. Bought me a bow for the trip. Now I need someone that might help me figure out what gear we might need????
Hi Name's Brian from Wisconsin I was wondering if I can get in on this hunt?
I would also be interested..I personally dont even know anyone who uses traditional gear.. so would love to meet and hunt with some of you fine folks. Let me know if I can help get anything together.
Elk are almost as big as Illinois whitetails so I just have the "Little Woman" throw them over her shoulder and carry 'em out :banghead: . For sheer numbers Co has the biggest elk population in the west with lots of public ground. That said Idaho has my interest peaked...
John
All right guys, thanks for making it more difficult to not think about. I'm here in Baltimore MD and could jump on as you go by. It would be great, Elk are those "BIG" deers right? 2010 is my year to go on a big hunt, Elk vs Caribou. HMMMM :confused:
Have wished about it,Time frame bout right for the dollars. Could be cool. D.
Looks like another Laurel and Hardy movie in the works...
Reading Shaun's thread has me dreaming, though. I'm not in, mind you, just looking, lurking, and giggling here and there. :D
So, Blingclutter, you are training for upper altitudes? :saywhat:
Killdeer
I am game to go elk hunting up in Idaho. Some of my best friends live in Eagle (just outside Boise), so I would love to see them and do some hunting too with some of the TradGang members.
Allan
When boning out an elk I like to separate the muscles so that I take out a muscle at a time. Then when I go to cut it up part of the work is done.I had one die in the middle of a beaver pond and I had to push it back to shore. Then I had to take care of it in the mud on the bank. I do the gutless method but you will have to go into the guts for the fillet mignon. Also the hide weighs about 50-70 pounds so consider whether to save that. It makes very heavy leather(it's like double thick buckskin). Gary
A buddy and me have been to wyoming the last 3 years (this will be the 4th) last two after elk. all DIY and on public ground.....haven't killed an elk yet but have had a whale of a time. have killed some antelope though.
I would like to go with some tradgangers if you wouldn't care for another person going.
I am interested as well.
With that said, I want to repeat something Migra Bill said earlier in this thread - "Logistics will be tough". I suggest that is a huge understatement. Along those lines - a couple of thoughts:
1) Someone needs to take responsibility for "herding the cats". Yes, I am suggesting that traditional hunters are just as independant as cats.
2) Does it make sense to pick the state and general hunting area before getting into much more detail?
3) Is there a limit on how many people will be involved?
4) How about the type of hunt? Base camp with outlying spike camps? Horse packing? Base camp/day hunts? All of the above?
Obviously, there are about 100 more logisitical issues to be identified and resolved and those issues get bigger as more people get involved. For now, I want to say - I AM GOING ON A TRADITIONAL ELK HUNT IN 2010 - after much discussion on previous threads I would like a backcountry DIY hunt with like minded Traditional hunters - but - push come to shove - I will pay for a guided hunt.
I was fortunate enough to be invited on a hunt that took place on public land near Steam boat Springs Colorado and although I did not harvest an animal it was a blast my partners were compound shooters but i actually blew 2 shots on cows, in fact I was telling my wife that if I don't find someone to go with I am goiing at it alone. I am hooked on longbow or recurve in the wilderness it is hard to beat, oh I even caught some large German brown trout.
I have been thinking about the timeline for an Elk hunt for quite some time. I was thinking Colorado and 21 days. This is what I came up with:
2-3 days - drive (GA to CO).
1 day - buy perishables, etc & get to trailhead.
4 days - acclimate, scout, and setup camp (maybe more than once - depending on scouting)
7 days - hunt & process elk
1 day - buy large coolers, ice elk, & sleep
2-3 days - drive (CO to GA)
2 - home fires & get pysched to go back to work
Fellas after thinking about it??? I think our best bet would be CO..... From Richmond Va. to ID. is a 36 hour drive... From Richmond to CO is only 16 hours..( Gas!!!Gas!!! Gas!!!). I think CO would also be more centeral to where most of us live... I can make the drive in one day if I have to???? And It has one of the largest elk herds in the U.S.A.
O.K...??? So, I guess first off we need to find out who is going??? Where in CO we are going ? What we need to bring? Dates??
I'm going to take off about Aug. 28- Sept. 28 . My Birthday is on Sept. 4th and I want to spend it on top of a mountain looking for elk.
So, If'n you're going please sound off on here. And we'll gett the ball arollin.
String Cutter are you sure about the driving distance? I'm 20 miles east of St. Louis and its 13 hours from here to Denver. I might be interested as well I've always wanted to hunt elk.
I live in west tn and it takes us 18 hours to get to denver. i am wanting to go also, i will help you celebrate your birthday on top of the mountain :)
It looks like there is some potential for car pooling on the drive out/back.
Count me in.....The timing is perfect. I'll keep track of this thread.
i BELIEVE THOSE WERE THE NUMBERS THAT i SAW THE OTHER DAY ON MAPQUEST??? But I have been wrong before? I'll recheck at home...??
I have enough camping stuff to put about 2-3 of us up for base camp.... So if'n acouple of you guy want to think of alternate transport such as me picking you up at a train station in Denver or some place close to where we're hunting/// That might cut your costs . But the problem then becomes WHAT IF you luck out and get one???
Well I like elk meat and would be more then willing take it off your hands after it's placed neatly in the back of my truck.. :bigsmyl: That"s just the kinda hunting buddy I am... Willin to go that extra mile.
But , We still need to find a place ??? Anyone ever hunted CO before??? Give us kind of a starting point???
I agree that dealing with a downed elk is a great problem for which we need a solution before getting to CO. For planning purposes, I am thinking that each kill means having to get 3-4 75+ pack loads (meat and maybe hide/head/rack) off the mountain and processed - the same day the elk is taken. As I mentioned in my PM - it appears that it is very hard for a DIY group to hire a good packer during the season - given that is true - it looks to me that every elk taken means at least 2 people spend a day getting the elk off the mountain and to a processor (lined up prior to a kill) for final butchering/freezing for transport home. The problem gets even more interesting if more than one person scores - especially if the kills happen at (roughly) the same time. As an FYI, I am planning on staying the entire trip - even if I score an elk on day 1. If that happens, it is my intent to hunt with a camera the rest of the trip - either by myself or helping someone else get an elk.
Another problem area is food. Figuring 4 people (working hard) in the hunting party - for every 7 days in the field - we will need 84 filling meals (plus snacks?) that have to be acquired, humped into camp, stored (in bear country?), cooled (for perishables), prepared,and cleaned up. Without getting overly specific - are we talking about eggs or pancakes, meat and coffee for breakfast, sandwiches/snacks from day packs for lunch, and meat/potatoes/etc for dinner?
Obviously, everything that goes in, comes out - 4 people over 7+ days makes a proper field latrine an issue as well.
As thirst at altitude (while working hard) is a serious issue - we will also need potable water for the 7 days - for drinking, cooking, and cleaning up.
A closing thought - my experience (deer on the East coast) says that detailed planning before the hunt means a much greater probability of a good hunt. Put another way, I want to sweat the details now - so I can be free to live the hunt in CO 2010.
On where to hunt - is everyone thinking OTC tags?
strongly suggest you have an experienced elk hunter with you.idaho hunting is some rough country and you can run into trouble real quick.you may want to consider eaglecap widerness area in n eastern oregon,tons of elk and not to rough on ya if you're in shape.you can't find any better hunting area with no pressure on elk.its where i'll be hunting every year after this season.
you can get over counter tags and a drop camp is pretty reasonable.want more info send me a pm ok. :wavey:
if you pay a guide service to pack you in and out most of them will check in with you and will pack your game out and deliver it to be cut and wrapped and frozen waiting for you to pick it up
Elkherder ID is going to be just to far from most of us in the east. I'm headed to CO.
HI THERE FELLAS, I'm in if there is room and if Colorado is the choice i would suggest the Flat Tops near Meeker as I have heard good things but I am game for any place ya'll choose and I am willing to help anyway I can.
I would say keep it as simple as possible, 2 and 3 man teams base camp unless someone knows the area we would just have to find ample room, how far in to spike camp we would just have to look around, Base camp groceries anything spike camp light as possible, look into nearest provision supply store and what is available. Sorry I am just excited about this already
Sounds like a plan! That would be plenty of time to save up and get it arranged.
String Cutter, if you choose Colorado be sure to look into leftover Mule Deer tags if anyone would like to get one, elkherders advice is a good one unfortunately not always possible but here is one I learned in the mountains Do not rely strictly on GPS bring a compass if you plan on hiking into the wilderness,timberline etc.
i rely on gps but i also take an extra one and run both of them plus i carry a compass and topo of area i'm in.also you really should rent a satellite phone in case someone gets hurt.they have these real neat lifesaver locater beacons you can rent also.trust me ...better safe than sorry. :campfire:
I found this, it was taken from an article in Field and Stream on Public DIY elk hunting.
"Any over the counter unit in the White River Nat. Forest between Glenwood Springs and Meeker lies in an area biologists call the 'crown jewel' of elk hunting. Shifting south, o.t.c. units are always solid in the Gunnison Nat. Forest between Gunnison and Crested Butte, and in the San Juan Nat. Forest between Pagosa Springs and South fork."
I don't know anyone who has hunted the areas but they might be worth looking into.
Hey guys, ive been following this thread from th git-go -figured it was time to jump in...Ive hunted SanJuan three times...all three were awsome adventures, two were sucessful hunts.. The public land is tuff u have to cover lots of ground sometimes to find elk...but the grouse hunting and the occasional bear sitings make for a very fun hunt!! There are good bulls on there but surely with all these members someone has connections on some private land.. :help:
We have hunted off and on for the last ten years in unit 33, south and east of Meeker in the WR NTL Forest. 33 is a draw only area but can be a good choice. This year it was hot, and the elk were in the highest darkest timber hiding from the heat and the four wheel yahoos. Seems every year the area gets more crowded. If you decide on that area consider getting a mule deer tag. While the elk where scarce we saw several mulies, one 3X3 at 15 FEET!
JOhn
An FYI - Colorado Division of Wildlife states:
Hunters born after 1948 must present their hunter education cards when purchasing a license. License agents also will accept cards
issued by other states. Agents will not accept a previous year's license or photocopies of hunter education cards.
On where to hunt:
Using info from other forums (focussed on elk hunting), elk hunting websites, Colorado Division of Wildlife site, calls to the CDW, books, etc - I have been Internet/Map "scouting" two general areas - one in the NW and one in the SW.
In the SW - I have been looking at GMUs 71, 74, and 75. They have success ratio's of 12 - 15%. I have attached a map showing GMU71, 74, and 75 - with overlays showing Elk summer ranges.
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm149/JDicello/GMU717475.jpg)
Sabas, From Richmond Va, to Meeks CO is 1897 miles and 27 1/2 hrs... Really do-able. Now I just need to pick somebody up to share gas from Va.,W.Va., or Ky....
The area around Meeks is really sounding good..
In the north - consider GMUs 13 and 131 - between Hayden and Steamboat Springs - south of US40. Over the last 5 years - GMU 13 has had an average archery success rate of 28% with an average of 178 hunters and GMU 131 has had an average archery success rate of 25% with an average of 243 hunters.
When scouting quads in that area for "elk country" (north facing slopes, water, heavy timber, open areas, benches, saddles, chokepoints, etc) the elevations start at around 8,200 and go up to 11,000+.
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm149/JDicello/GMU13131.jpg)
The GMUs I mentioned above (13 and 131) are just north of the Flattops/While River area.
The area to the east of Meeker (Flattops/White River) does look good. As a lot of the GMUs in that area are draw units - is there a specific GMU in mind?
Just back from a first time DIY hunt in SW Colorado, Weminuche Wilderness, 9 days. Unsuccessful but saw some critters. We rented 2 llamas to carry in camp gear and food and pack out meat. they can carry 60 -70 lbs. 3 of us drove non stop, changing drivers every fill-up, about 4-5 hrs. With llamas and back packs you could get a bull out in 1 trip to the butcher and have it frozen, they should have dry ice for your drive home.
I would be interested. Elk are my dream hunt.
Matt,
I would be interested in hearing any specifics of your llama experience that you wish to share. For instance, did you meet the llama owner at the trailhead (in and out), how much feed had to be brought in for them versus free-grazing, how much care (in hours) did they take a day, any concerns about predators and the llamas, any issues with controlling them, and so on.
PM sent.
Thanks
Jim,
You can be met at the trailhead but will pay for mileage. We rented a trailer. Also, you may have to take a short orientation on llama 101:) They are no trouble and I think well worth it. They eat just about anything, We did pack in 2 lbs of grain as a treat or to lure them back to you if they did mange to get away. They need to be moved and watered daily as they pick thru the grasses and eat what they like. we had coyotes in camp on 2 nights and they never made a sound but did not like the free range cattle in the area. They smell and I was concerned about it spooking elk. With llamas you can get a bull out in 1 trip. We were in 3 miles and 2100 ft in elevation. Did not want to do that hike more than necessary! we rented from a fella in Colorado Springs and drove 5 hrs to the trailhead. Let me know if you have more questions. Good Luck!!
Matt,
When I checked out llamas (about 6 months ago) it was suggested that for hunting elk one llama per person was appropriate. The logic was that doing so would allow the ability to pack in everything but the contents of each hunter's daypack & weapon while leaving capacity for meat on the way out. While that seems a little optimistic to me - what are your thoughts on 1 llama per hunter?
Also, I read that loaded llamas go about a mile an hour uphill and about 1.5 miles an hour downhill. Is that what you experienced?
I appreciate the info.
Jim,
My main concern was getting a bull or cow out in 1 trip (2 llamas plus 3 guys with backpacks), also tried to keep the overall cost of the trip low as we didn't know what gas prices would be, and it was our first time so we went with 2 and backpacked our personal/hunting gear (about 50 lbs with water). Couldn't tell you how fast they walk, they had no problem keeping up with us on the packin:) Coming down they seemed a little anxious and would sometimes get ahead of you but it really wasn't a problem.
If there is a closer area to hunt for yoy guys I am flexible as I know it is a long haul
To me the long haul part is Georgia to Denver.
I realize that we are talking about 2 years from now and that any number of factors can change between now and then.
With that said, from the 2008 info currently available combined with historical data (2002 through 2007) - any OTC GMU between Meeker and Steamboat Springs looks like a good choice to me.
JD Same here.
From Richmond to Meeker, CO. is going to cost me around $1200 in gas round trip if gas stays near the same as now. Tags $500???
After that everything is pretty cheap staying in camp/hunting...
Llamas sound like a fun added idea...But What is the cost per week for one??
On llamas - the numbers I have seen are around $30 a day/$190 a week for each animal. There are additional charges associated with transporting the animals from their home and the trailhead - either you rent a trailer from the rancher or you pay to have him do the transport.
What do you all think of getting together, next spring/early summer, preferably at a traditional shoot somewhere reasonable for most of us?
I am going to Canada with my son for a bear hunt, we worked out a deal with the outfitter for me to hang around and fish (June) i will look up the exact dates tomorrow, but a get together is a good idea
ATAR????
Well, my hunting didn't go well this season due to a separated shoulder. As a consolation prize - I did get good pictures (from my primary stand) of the deer I was hunting this year. Maybe he will make it through to next year.
ATAR works for me. Has it been scheduled for 2009?
I have attached a (small) Colorado GMU map that has been color coded as follows:
All OTC GMUs that have a 5 year average success ratio over 15% are marked in yellow.
All the 15% or better GMUs that have a 5 year average of more than 350 hunters hunting them have red dots on them.
All the 15% or better GMSs that have a 20% or better 5 year average success ratio are marked in green.
If anyone wants the full sized map (around 3.5Mbytes) - send me a PM.
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm149/JDicello/general_gmumap_small2.jpg)
If you guys are still interested in this hunt please sound out......I'm still going...
String Cutter
I've elk hunted for years. I've backpack hunted solo, with partners, road horses in, hunted from a road camp and my favorite I guess - using rented llamas.
I've hunted Idaho once and Colorado all the other times.
This summer, I had a bit of a medical problem and its given me a boost of desire to go in 2010 but for me, its a solo backpack elk hunt I desire. Me, myself and I in God's country.
I'll set aside $1000 to go total. I'll spend months running and hiking preparing. I'll have a moderately heavy pack. I'll be taking a SPOT system most likely.
Its incredible if you've never been in the Rockies in the fall.
I'd love to get in on it but not positive I can swing it yet. Will have to see but keeping my eyes on this thread. Skippy