Somewhat agree. I think the biggest thing to wrap your head around is the expanse of the areas out west. On the first evening of my first ever Antelope hunt, we found what we thought was a prime spot - green grassy area in the bottom of a bowl - just before sunset. We sat ourselves up on 3 ridges overlooking it and thought "Oh yeah.. They'll come in here to feed before dark tonight" (whitetail hunting mindset). I spotted a LARGE group of antelope in the distance and thought "Oh man.. We're going tag out on the first evening! Nice!"... And we sat.... And we sat... And we sat... I finally pulled up OnX to figure out how far away that herd was and they were over two miles away. Then I pulled out my rangefinder to get some site points across that bowl - the spot my mind said was likely 100 yds was actually 200. And the spot I had originally estimated would be my long-shot limit at 300yds was actually about 450yds. It took a while for my head to adjust to the openness and judging distances. Needless to say, we didn't get anything that evening. After I realized what was going on, I packed up and walked back to the truck. When my f-i-l and dad got back they said "Why did you quit so early?" and I explained what was going on. It was a learning experience for sure. We ended up taking two antelope that week - one at 180yds which had the 'feel' of a 50-75yd shot in the woods back home and a 350yd shot which felt longish but not astronomical. Last year, I shot my muley at 200yds and didn't even blink an eye at it while back home in GA, you're lucky if you can see anything at 200 yds unless you're hunting a fresh logging cutover - even then you're always worried about what or who is on the other side of the cutover. Totally different mindset when hunting the vast areas of the west compared to whitetail country in the east.
New to elk hunting.
- Thread starter steveshuntn1
- Start date
Somewhat agree. I think the biggest thing to wrap your head around is the expanse of the areas out west. On the first evening of my first ever Antelope hunt, we found what we thought was a prime spot - green grassy area in the bottom of a bowl - just before sunset. We sat ourselves up on 3 ridges overlooking it and thought "Oh yeah.. They'll come in here to feed before dark tonight" (whitetail hunting mindset). I spotted a LARGE group of antelope in the distance and thought "Oh man.. We're going tag out on the first evening! Nice!"... And we sat.... And we sat... And we sat... I finally pulled up OnX to figure out how far away that herd was and they were over two miles away. Then I pulled out my rangefinder to get some site points across that bowl - the spot my mind said was likely 100 yds was actually 200. And the spot I had originally estimated would be my long-shot limit at 300yds was actually about 450yds. It took a while for my head to adjust to the openness and judging distances. Needless to say, we didn't get anything that evening. After I realized what was going on, I packed up and walked back to the truck. When my f-i-l and dad got back they said "Why did you quit so early?" and I explained what was going on. It was a learning experience for sure. We ended up taking two antelope that week - one at 180yds which had the 'feel' of a 50-75yd shot in the woods back home and a 350yd shot which felt longish but not astronomical. Last year, I shot my muley at 200yds and didn't even blink an eye at it while back home in GA, you're lucky if you can see anything at 200 yds unless you're hunting a fresh logging cutover - even then you're always worried about what or who is on the other side of the cutover. Totally different mindset when hunting the vast areas of the west compared to whitetail country in the east.
steveshuntn1
Well-known member
Yeah I’ve been watching videos by Newburg and reading everything I can. It seems I’m way behind the ball on a premium hunt I can diy. I’m 47 by the way…I’ll try my luck at the lottery of bull tags in certain states, but it seems to be the otc is my best bet. My daughter is 19 so one day she may have a shot if she likes it. The good thing is I’m not gonna be bummed if I only hunt cows for a few years, just being in the mountains with my daughter, and at times my brother, will be an enjoyable experience. I know for sure I won’t kill one here at home!
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JShane
Well-known member
last sentence is the right attitude..And a kick in the pants for me.
steveshuntn1
Well-known member
Are there area’s of Colorado that a new hunter should be looking at to hunt? I’m talking about the topography here. For instance the north west corner, or central Colorado etc. I’ve got family who went out several years ago, killed a bull elk the first 30 minutes of the hunt, but before he could get it taken care of and loaded up a blizzard blew in and he was scared to death driving back down the mountain.He said the road was barely big enough for one vehicle. This was an hour north of Denver. He won’t go back! I’m just wondering if this is what I should be prepared for, is this the type of roads that are the norm for hunting in Colorado? I don’t want to get into a bad situation the first time out that would possibly discourage my daughter from going back…she loves hunting, and I want her to have a good and safe enjoyable trip.
kwyeewyk
Well-known member
I think single vehicle dirt roads are the norm for hunting in the west in general, steep banks and limited pull outs in some areas, just have to deal with it, sucks when someone gets to backup. You just need to be prepared for the worst (might have to hang out a couple few days) and use good judgment. I carry chains for all tires, shovel, tow straps, I'd like to get some of the recovery tracks, hear good things about them. You can find roads that are pretty good in some areas but usually the easier the access the more people. Study your access and make a plan, keep track of the weather, know your limitations and you'll be fine.
Those recovery tracks are worth every penny!
diamond hitch
Well-known member
I won't pick a state since there already numerois opinions. My father took me out to where he had seen elk and urged me to sort it out at age 12. I got a calf that year.
By the next year I had determined that there were more elk on the north sides than the open south sides and they tended to travel at certain elevations but not all elevations. I killed a nice 350 bull that season.
The third year, we tried a third drainage and I started to understand migration paths and how they are affected by the weather. That year I stumbled into a cow after three weeks and a lot of miles later.
The bottom line is half of elk hunting is learning. I have a bucket of elk teeth and every elk is an experience totally differant from the previous ones. None of them are easy. Tenacity and suffer index seem to be major items in success. Give it your best !
By the next year I had determined that there were more elk on the north sides than the open south sides and they tended to travel at certain elevations but not all elevations. I killed a nice 350 bull that season.
The third year, we tried a third drainage and I started to understand migration paths and how they are affected by the weather. That year I stumbled into a cow after three weeks and a lot of miles later.
The bottom line is half of elk hunting is learning. I have a bucket of elk teeth and every elk is an experience totally differant from the previous ones. None of them are easy. Tenacity and suffer index seem to be major items in success. Give it your best !
steveshuntn1
Well-known member
My friends think I’m crazy because I’m a year away from going and I’m obsessed with it and preparing for it, but I would rather be way overdoing it than be stuck in a bad situation because I wasn’t prepared! I’ll be looking into the recovery tracks. I’m putting a winch on my truck…will be buying better tires and chains as well. My daughter is trying to learn to use an elk call she bought…so seeing her excited about it makes it all worth it!
It’s better to have it and not need it than to be there without it….I’ve always heard!
Ha. You sound a lot like me. The planning and research is part of the fun. It drives my wife crazy!
The "better to have it..." quote has been the mantra of planning for our first elk trip this year (coming up in 3 weeks! whew!) . We'll figure out how to pack 'light' later.
steveshuntn1
Well-known member
So after spending some time on gohunt insider it looks like my daughter and I both have good odds for drawing a couple cow tags in Colorado for the 2nd or 3rd rifle seasons in multiple units. If anyone here was going for a couple cow elk which season would you apply for? I have to put in my vacation time for next year this week. I’m leaning towards the 3rd rifle.
Colorado hunter Tim
Member
3rd season has more of a chance for some really bad weather. Which isn't a bad thing it's just something to consider. I am in the middle of hunting 2nd season right now and there is very little snow. I have seen a lot of cows so far. If I'm not archery hunting than I just buy an OTC bull tag. I grew up here, but am still fairly new to hunting elk as I left for the military after graduating high school. There are certainly better areas in the state to hunt, but the Durango area is what I know. If you are coming down the the southwest corner of the state shoot me message and I'll help as much as I can. On a side note I had a beautiful 6x6 bull at 100 yards this evening and even though I had 5 minutes of legal shooting light left I couldn't see well enough to make a for sure shot so I had to pass for tonight. I doubt I'll be sleeping much tonight. I can't wait until tomorrow morning. Hopefully I can find that bull again.
steveshuntn1
Well-known member
I hope you get him. Let us know!
Redwine
New member
Georgia new out west hunter here too. What about getting meat back? Suggestions?
What is this 'meat' you speak of? Never heard of it. haha
We had so much shtuff in the truck this time that we had decided that if we actually killed something, we were going to rent a small Uhaul trailer from out there and pile the meat in it to haul back - either in inexpensive coolers, or if it was cold enough, just lay it out and pack ice around it and wash everything out when we got home. Turns out, we weren't even close to needing to figure out meat hauling on this trip.
I think we found something that suggested around 200 qts of space was needed to contain a boned-out elk.
Redwine
New member
Thank you. I am planning to go out a few times to learn scouting and process out there. Also to help carry out hopefully. Better luck next year!
windymtnman
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As far as buying a pack goes, that is probably just one more opinionated topic? If I were doing what you're talking about doing, I would buy a good solid packframe, with the idea that you're going to be loading the shoulders and the rest of an elk on it. I dont' think there is a backpack made that will beat a packframe for hauling meat. You can do okay with a modestly priced back pack that really doesn't need to be camo for that matter, as it's most likely an elk isn't going to be seeing much of your backside. If you've never packed out an elk on your back for a couple miles, rough terrain, steep country, you'll be darn glad you have a packframe, as it's tough enough with the best gear, much less something less than that.
bisblue
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Just a thought if you've never been out west it might be worth picking something like an antelope or deer hunt in a flatter unit. You can car camp and run around out west to get a feel for checking maps and looking at distances.
Elk hunting is awesome and in my limited opinion I find that it's more about fitness than anything else. When I started elk hunting I was a rock climbing guide and a wildland firefighter and just being able to move on the mountain with them was the biggest thing for me in terms of success.
Some folks come out west and crush it some don't. But I would say physical fitness would be the number one limiting factor in people that I've seen come out west, especially if you're going to try to go get in there home country for a week.
Even what people would call a "flatter" unit you can do plenty of up and down hiking and wear yourself out
Elk hunting is awesome and in my limited opinion I find that it's more about fitness than anything else. When I started elk hunting I was a rock climbing guide and a wildland firefighter and just being able to move on the mountain with them was the biggest thing for me in terms of success.
Some folks come out west and crush it some don't. But I would say physical fitness would be the number one limiting factor in people that I've seen come out west, especially if you're going to try to go get in there home country for a week.
Even what people would call a "flatter" unit you can do plenty of up and down hiking and wear yourself out
steveshuntn1
Well-known member
Completely agree…number one thing I’ve learned on all the elk hunting information I’ve consumed is to get in shape. My daughter asked to do an elk hunt and she’s 19 so if I can spend some time with her in the mountains then I’m going. If we kill something great…if not oh well. I’ll still remember it as a good time.
bisblue
Active member
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blacksheep
Active member
I am still new to elk hunting myself. I just finished my 2nd season. I was discouraged during my first season. I didn't even see an elk. It was a lot of work and I got to see some beautiful country. The thing that got me was that there is just soo much area to cover. The areas we hunter were huge and some of it was very steep. This past season we hunted a different spot and saw elk on our scouting day. The next morning I successfully harvested my first bull. Then the real work began. Elk quarters are heavy! Be prepared for that and heave a good pack. It makes a world of difference! The most important thing that I can relay is to be in the best shape that you can be before you go. Yes it still sucks when you have to gain 1000 feet in elevation in a mile, but being in good shape makes it almost bearable. Another tip, get the best equipment that you can afford. Good luck.
blacksheep
blacksheep
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