Hey Boys (and Wondeful ladies like Ann etc all)
Looking for some advice for this Fall. My buddy wants to go West and chase a DIY Elk with our Bows (like we did when we were young)

1) assume zero points (I do..he doesn't) so where? OTC CO? general WY? Other?
2) at nearly 50 (and he will be 51) we are in decent shape BUT I'd also probably enjoy better some areas that aren't "super rugged" if possible
3) not expecting a 300" bull lol...we just want a great experience and would love to put some meat in the freezer and would love a branch antlered bull
4) when? So CO first week, for example, may have some advantages but likely too hot and Elk won't be bugling...I think I would prefer they be in Rut

All help is appreciated...trying to narrow down the options and hone in

Cross Wyoming off your list, as the General tag will take over 2 and possibly 3 PPs just to draw it this year and the application closed on 1/31 anyway. I'd look at ID for your best shot at at tag.

Actually, in the first season, the elk are usually still bugling some here in CO. I also believe that you can buy an elk license over the counter for archery season. We are limited to 4 points on one side or at least a 5" brow tine and there are plenty of public lands available to hunt! PM me with more questions.

quote:

Originally posted by Topgun 30-06:
Cross Wyoming off your list, as the General tag will take over 2 and possibly 3 PPs just to draw it this year and the application closed on 1/31 anyway. I'd look at ID for your best shot at at tag.

Thanks Topgun...
That's what I thought too... I have 7 points saved for a rainy day and want to use them for a really good guided hunt down the road

quote:

Originally posted by Hogbreath:
Actually, in the first season, the elk are usually still bugling some here in CO. I also believe that you can buy an elk license over the counter for archery season. We are limited to 4 points on one side or at least a 5" brow tine and there are plenty of public lands available to hunt! PM me with more questions.

Thanks Hogbreath...will send PM

go to Colorado.

Depending on your budget, you could try to snag a couple landowner tags here in NM. You don't have to go through the draw for them. Some of the outfitters here might have good information, or I can try to answer questions. I have gone this route in years past for cow elk freezer-filler hunts.

No matter what, you better do some serious scouting this Summer
I’d say ID over the counter or Montana application on March 15th where you have pretty good chance to draw.
So do MT draw and if unsuccessful than buy ID
If you wanna discuss it over the phone, shoot me PM and I’ll give you my number
Milan

quote:

Originally posted by Poyntman:

quote:

Originally posted by Topgun 30-06:
Cross Wyoming off your list, as the General tag will take over 2 and possibly 3 PPs just to draw it this year and the application closed on 1/31 anyway. I'd look at ID for your best shot at at tag.

Thanks Topgun...
That's what I thought too... I have 7 points saved for a rainy day and want to use them for a really good guided hunt down the road

For those points, I would put in for Unit 76 and take a guided hunt. They provide the camps, groceries and horses and have knowledge of their areas. Some really great outfitters over there.

I would look at Colorado. Check out some of the less crowded areas around the NM border.
I have done a similar hunt with two partners @the 50 year age mark in the past. My best advice is if you want a DIY hunt is to spend a little money and have have a outfitter pack you in up a mountain at least 10,000ft that time of year ,have him provide a wall tent, and hunt on foot each day. When you get your elk , hang your meat and have the outfitter pack your elk out for you the same day you pack out of camp if the weather is cool enough for your meat. If it's too warm for your meat a cell phone call gets the outfitter/packer up the mountain to get your meat out. The one and only time I did this type of hunt we were 3 for 3 on 4X4, 5X5 and 6X6 meat bulls. Pretty satisfying way to hunt on your own but having the luxury of the outfitter to get you up and down the mountain with all your gear and food , and packing your elk off a 10,500 ft mountain saves a lot of wear and tear on your 50 year old body and leaving you more time to concentrate entirely on your hunt. Also we did not see any other hunters in the area we hunted.

quote:

Originally posted by Hogbreath:

quote:

Originally posted by Poyntman:

quote:

Originally posted by Topgun 30-06:
Cross Wyoming off your list, as the General tag will take over 2 and possibly 3 PPs just to draw it this year and the application closed on 1/31 anyway. I'd look at ID for your best shot at at tag.

Thanks Topgun...
That's what I thought too... I have 7 points saved for a rainy day and want to use them for a really good guided hunt down the road

For those points, I would put in for Unit 76 and take a guided hunt. They provide the camps, groceries and horses and have knowledge of their areas. Some really great outfitters over there.

There is No elk unit 76 in WY! Where are you talking about?

Colorado unit 76
Weminuche wilderness

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
Colorado unit 76
Weminuche wilderness

Thanks Boarkiller... I'll look into this area..
I appreciate the recommendation..looks like 76 isn't an OTC unit but most very unit near it is?

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
Colorado unit 76
Weminuche wilderness

The OP said he had 7 PPs for Wyoming and then our member said to use them in unit 76 which doesn't exist in WY. If the other member is saying CO unit 76 he doesn't have any PPs there.

quote:

Originally posted by Topgun 30-06:

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
Colorado unit 76
Weminuche wilderness

The OP said he had 7 PPs for Wyoming and then our member said to use them in unit 76 which doesn't exist in WY. If the other member is saying CO unit 76 he doesn't have any PPs there.

It's all good guys.. I appreciate all the help very much...it's tough when you haven't spent a bunch of time in these areas.. especially for those of us 1,000+ miles away when it's just not feasible to scout
I've done a bunch of general research but the OTC areas are so broad yet also limited that it's a bit intimidating...you just want some good places/general areas to hone in on.

It’s been awhile but outside 76 around Bayfield/Durango should be OTC

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
Colorado unit 76
Weminuche wilderness

I guided horseback hunts in the Weminuche from 1975 thr 1979. We owned a resort at Vallecito Lake during those years. Those were a few of the most enjoyable years of my life.

I guided there in 80’ for Meadowlark Ranch at Vallecito
Boy I was young then

Unit 45 in Colorado generally has elk, but you have to work very hard to locate a herd. Once you get your elk down, the real work is trying to pack it out.

I have lived in Colorado and hunted elk here since 1980, and have gotten my fair share, but stopped hunting elk about 12 years ago. I found I was passing up sure shots (including small 6 pointers) because I didn't want to have to lug them out.

Also the altitude is hard on some people (especially older gents) who live near sea level.

Just saying.

BH63

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
I guided there in 80’ for Meadowlark Ranch at Vallecito
Boy I was young then

Was Bob Birch still the owner then, or had he already sold it and moved south of the dam?

We owned Silver Spruce, which became Eagle's Nest after we sold it to Doug Allen.

It was some guy from Vegas, met him once
Dale Sundbloom was the outfitter
Knew Dobin Shoup well

Poyntman

I sent you a PM with an article on Colorado elk hunting that I wrote in 2017 for Rocky Mt. Game & Fish magazine.

This is the bull Dave's hunter killed on the Pagosa side of the Weminuche. He does both fully guided hunts and drop camps.

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
It was some guy from Vegas, met him once
Dale Sundbloom was the outfitter
Knew Dobin Shoup well

I knew Dale but not well. I think he was working for someone when I lived there. Maybe Birch or Dobin?

Dobin passed away recently here in Wickenburg. Same for Gene Bassett, who you likely knew. And same for Virginia (Virginia's Steakhouse).

quote:

Originally posted by Outdoor Writer:
Poyntman

I sent you a PM with an article on Colorado elk hunting that I wrote in 2017 for Rocky Mt. Game & Fish magazine.

This is the bull Dave's hunter killed on the Pagosa side of the Weminuche. He does both fully guided hunts and drop camps.

That's a beauty...and I read the article today so thank you again

quote:

Originally posted by Outdoor Writer:

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
It was some guy from Vegas, met him once
Dale Sundbloom was the outfitter
Knew Dobin Shoup well

I knew Dale but not well. I think he was working for someone when I lived there. Maybe Birch or Dobin?

Dobin passed away recently here in Wickenburg. Same for Gene Bassett, who you likely knew. And same for Virginia (Virginia's Steakhouse).

Must have been Bob Birch who we all worked for ( I was there 87-89)
Remember Virginia well and her kids
Good times back then

Aaah, okay. I think I misunderstood your other message when you said you guided in "80'" as that year rather than in the 1980s.


I'm guessing Basset might have already retired by the time you started guiding in 1987. Do you recall who the game warden for that area was when you were there?

No, met him on few occasions though
One of very few I met who was down to earth nice guy and helpful
Did you know Bob Campbell?
Old Colonel living at the lake
Hunted in Iran under Shah for bears and tigers
He had boar tusks 31 cm in his house, great stories and quite the drinker

Poyntman,
Agreed on trying Colorado.

BUT if you strike out there consider this - in Texas elk are considered exotics (non native ) game and can be hunted year around. There are some on public land and lots on private land.
On the ranch where I shot this cow for meat, there were two huge truly impressive bulls that always stayed just out of range or partly hidden by cover. I would have been tempted but for having to hang my last elk horns outside over the courtyard.


PS the land is not so steep and there is help available for retrieval from the ield.

The Idaho archery boys do well as its a rut hunt, central Idaho is probably your best bet Sun Valley to Salmon, and north is all gov. land and lots of elk.

Some camp down close to the road but I pay a bit and have a packer pack me and gear, and food itc to a established camp and pick me up a week or so later. They will do it anyway you like even furnish food and gear for little more, usually under a $1000..Its a DIY deal.