Upcoming Adventure for a New Elk Hunter

[EastTNHunter]

I wanted to introduce myself a bit, and tell about my plans, before asking too many questions. I am an experienced whitetail deer hunter in east TN, hunting mainly small pockets of public land accessed by boat from the river. My dad and I have talked about going for a Colorado elk hunt ever since I was about 7 years old. My dad was always too busy and/or too strapped for cash while I was under his roof to make the hunt work, and then I got married, had kids, career... you know the drill. A few years back I suggested to my dad and brother that we do a DIY elk hunt, but they chose to get an outfitter and I bowed out. They have both been twice now.

Well, my dad’s not getting any younger or healthier, so we have been planning and saving for 3 years and finally drew tags and secured an outfitter just east of Meeker, CO, for first rifle this fall. I’m still fundamentally opposed to paying someone to hunt, but my dad has already had 2 knee surgeries, a stroke, and a heart scare, so for safety’s sake we felt that it was best to have someone with horses who could get us around and help with the pack out. I hate to say it, but my dad really hasn’t learned anything in his past two trips, and hasn’t tagged an elk, so we would still be going out green.

I’m really looking forward to just experiencing the land, learning as much as possible, and maybe even killing an elk, but I really want my dad to be successful. As funny as it sounds, I have taught him a lot about deer hunting, but I still tend to pick his spots more than he scouts his own. I’m more of a woodsman and student of game, although I don’t claim to be an expert. I would like to learn about elk country so that I can bring my kids back West if they want to come.

Sorry for the rambling, but I will continue to listen and learn from you more experienced elk hunters, and may even share a bit about what I learn in the future. I’m not a trophy deer hunter, and I don’t plan to be a trophy elk hunter, but I’m really into “trophy experiences,” and I love venison...

If anyone has any pointers on how to have a more enjoyable experience while I’m in the West, please let me know. I’m also planning to bring a .22 and a fishing pole for my time before the hunt, but I don’t know what small game is in that area or in season that time of year.

 

[bmt99]

I agree with you 100% on being opposed to paying someone to hunt, but understand reasons for you to do it. I would probably do the same. Just fairly ridiculous prices.

I have not personally hunted there but have heard from several people how nice it is. When you spent the money on an outfitter, did they give you an references?

I would say anything you can do to help him have a good night's sleep (not hours, comfort) and plenty of calories to try to keep energy up for your dad.

 

[vanish]

I’m really looking forward to just experiencing the land, learning as much as possible, and maybe even killing an elk, but I really want my dad to be successful. As funny as it sounds, I have taught him a lot about deer hunting, but I still tend to pick his spots more than he scouts his own. I’m more of a woodsman and student of game, although I don’t claim to be an expert. I would like to learn about elk country so that I can bring my kids back West if they want to come..

Best of luck to you! I hope your dad gets his chance.

I share the same relationship with my father when it comes to hunting. While he's been doing it much longer, he's more apt to just go sit in the woods and hope for the best, as opposed to study the terrain and animals. After 4 years of hunting the same area but separately, while I had opportunities at many bulls, he saw none. I finally physically guided him to a spot I knew held good elk traffic, and he took his first cow elk. My goal this year is put him on some bulls. Its, of course, his job to execute. I haven't even bought an elk tag this year(yet) because I want to see him be successful.

 

[Matty B]

I am definitely not an expert but I spend my first 4 years in CO as a guide working for an outfitter in GMU 33 (probably South of where you will be hunting). I would be in touch with the outfitter as much as possible. Things I would be asking the outfitter:
- References from hunters who killed and hunters who did not kill.
-Type of hunt; drop camp, hunting from a lodge/cabin?
-Will you be put on horses to get into areas daily or be riding horses just to get you to your camp? Or will more walking be necessary.
-Guide to hunter ratio; how many hunters will be put with one guide? Semi-guided or fully guided?
-How many other hunters will be in camp for 1st season?

Again, I am not an expert but any information you can get from your outfitter will be beneficial and you won't be surprised as much when something isn't what you were expecting. Best of luck!

 

[Backcountry Hunter 2]

I’m also planning to bring a .22 and a fishing pole for my time before the hunt, but I don’t know what small game is in that area or in season that time of year.

Grouse season will be open! Be careful not to let grouse hunting ruin your elk hunting. It's been known to happen. I think Corey Jacobsen knows a guy.

 

[rideold]

Grouse hunting never ruins an elk hunt.....for me that's all I bring home!

 

[Jwill]

You say you're a trophy venison hunter, so do your best to get your group on board with any legal elk (assuming yall have eithersex tags). Get in as good of shape as possible and make sure your equipment is dialed in. Read up on here and watch Randy's youtube feed. Try to get an idea of where you'll be hunting so you can gather maps and study the terrain before going.

 

[EastTNHunter]

We selected an outfitter after calling many, and then checking many references. We feel really comfortable with our decision, and he made it very clear that we were in a “quantity more than trophy quality” area, and set reasonable expectations.

Unfortunately, either sex tags were not available for our unit in first rifle.

I will be using my Savage 116 30-06 with 180 NABs loaded to about 2875 FPS. I’m very confident in it, but will mainly be practicing with a .22 in the backyard (several times per week), while also shooting the 06 as opportunity arises

 

[3855WIN]

One of the best things you can do is do some shooting with your elk rifle before the hunt. Shoot to 400 yards so that 300 yards seems easy. Then get whatever rest you’ll use in the field ( pack, bipod, sticks) and get good with them to 400 yards.
You need to be in great shape. Buy a quality pair of binoculars if you don’t already have a pair.

 

[Mtolliver]

Im an eastern Kentucky boy and i went on my first elk hunt in 2016, only elk I seen in 7 days were 2 cows on private land. But it was still the greatest hunting experience of my life, just to see the land will be worth it. I am also going 1st rifle season this year too, and thanks to guys like Randy Newberg i feel a lot more confident about trip, I watch and listen to all his stuff religiously. But like these guys have said be in shape and good optics and even tho you have an outfitter i would recommend downloading onX maps and learning every corner of the area you will be hunting. Best of luck.

 

[ccc23454]

Get he family together and train for hunt. Keep it fun and will probably even help your dad get around, talk to his doctor about plans. The hunt starts as soon as you get tags make it a memorable and fun event with lots of pics. Good luck this season!

 

[EastTNHunter]

Well, I went horseback trail riding in the mountains with a friend for a few hours last Saturday, and then went shooting up to 240 yards in field positions. I felt good about my shooting. Let me tell you, for a greenhorn horse rider, I did ok on the riding, but I am sore! I definitely found some muscle groups that I need to work out more often.

My dad has been walking/jogging/biking around his house, but I’m trying to encourage him to shoot a bit more.

 

[Elkhunter24]

Good luck and I hope your dad gets one!