ELK HUNT. What should i expect?

[Heath F]

Howdy folks, this is one of my first posts, so i apologies if this should b posted somewhere else. But I was talking with my girlfriends dad who has a friend in durango colorado, who has invited their family (and significant others) on an elk hunt in november. We havent went over any real details yet. Im a whitetail hunter here in central Illinois, so other than what hunting shows ive watched, i have no idea what to expect! Any elk hunter feel free to chim in with your experience. Also, i plan on taking my bighorn custom longbow (around 90# at my draw) and was planning on using my deer arrows if they will work (520gr total with 2 blade zwickey)

[ChuckC]

I believe the Colorado archery elk season is during Aug and September. Not sure if you can use a bow during later seasons or not, but are you certain this is not a rifle hunt ?

Heath, it can be so many things, depending upon where and how you are going.

That time of year I would count on snow I believe.  If there is a lot of snow, the animals will not be in the high country, but lower.  Still a lot rougher than much of the Peoria area unless you hunt along the river with the big drops.

I hope you get to go and I hope you have a great time.  Pix and a story on your return.

[The Whittler]

Your set up will kill an elk. My concern is your arrows a really light for that poundage. Your shooting less then 6gr per pound of bow weight. It's pretty close to dry firing especially at 90#.

No less then 8gr per pound for bow weight, but it's your bow. Good luck and have fun.

[Heath F]

Looks like your correct! Guess i should have done my research a little more first, huh?

[Heath F]

Originally posted by The Whittler:
Your set up will kill an elk. My concern is your arrows a really light for that poundage. Your shooting less then 6gr per pound of bow weight. It's pretty close to dry firing especially at 90#.

No less then 8gr per pound for bow weight, but it's your bow. Good luck and have fun.

I will definately be bumping up arrow wieght then! Last year was my first season with the bow, im used to shooting around 50-55 pound bows, so this was my first heavy weight bow, i wasnt sure where to start out on weight, thank you for the tip!

[BWallace10327]

You can use a bow during rifle season, although you must wear orange, and now florescent pink if you choose.

[Chain2]

There is only one direction in elk country.....
UPHILL. Good boots and conditioning are important.

[highlow]

You're used to shooting 50-55#s? And now you're using a 90#er? I am speechless.

[Heath F]

Originally posted by highlow:
You're used to shooting 50-55#s? And now you're using a 90#er? I am speechless.

Lol, yea ik its a big jump, took a little gettin used to at first, but im a bigger guy, and spend quite a bit of time at the gym, so the length of the bow compared to my recurves took more gettin used to then the poundage itself

[Keith Zimmerman]

90#!!  Good Grief!  I hurt reading that.  I think 70# is heavy.

[kevsuperg]

If you come to north Idaho you can shoot them along I-90.  I'm not joking.
Last year was my first year elk hunting. I found most folks here don't have to travel hrs or hike miles into the wilderness to get their elk. Seems most of the mountains here are below 6-7 thousand ft. I found most of my elk sign around 2500-3000 ft.

[Matty]

Use the search engine on here just type in "elk hunting" there's countless threads on here about the subject. What to expect, what to bring, etc. have fun and good luck!!

[bhylton]

your 50-55lb bow is more than enough to kill an elk. with a sharp broadhead and good shot placement it will be lethal at any reasonable hunting range. 90# seems excessive to me. look up randy newburg on youtube for hunting info

[Heath F]

Originally posted by bhylton:
your 50-55lb bow is more than enough to kill an elk. with a sharp broadhead and good shot placement it will be lethal at any reasonable hunting range. 90# seems excessive to me. look up randy newburg on youtube for hunting info

I guess where i was coming from with the setup i had chose was more if the arrow weight was sufficiant for what would be flinging it, which i now know isnt, not if a 90# bow itself was sufficient. As for it being excessive, it may b, but being equaly accurate with both bows, i feel  like i owe it to the animal to carry the setup that produces the most energy to help ensure a clean kill, especially on something the size of an elk. Thank you for the responce though, i really like seeing u guys input, and i'll definately look into randy newburg!

[YORNOC]

The most important thing for you to enjoy your hunt is conditioning. If you are not used to altitude, you will suffer and miss opportunities.
I hunted Durango in the mid 1990's, and even though I thought I trained enough...I did not. When my guide told me to high tail it to the edge of a park and wait for a herd coming that way, I made it 100 feet and fell to my knees gasping for air. I began to get my wind on the 4th day of the hunt, and only had one day left. If you are used to higher altitudes, that's great.
If not....do not over look this....

[monterey]

If you shoot 90# comfortably then there's no reason not to use it, IMO. The 550 arrow is adequate in a 55# bow so therefore adequate in the 90# bow.

As far as GPP "rules" go, as far as I know there is no jail time or fine for breaking them so do as you please.

However, if I could shoot 90# comfortably my arrows would weigh in around 750 grains.