Pucky Freak
Well-known member
After batting around the idea of hunting elk for years, I have decided to go for it. Now begins the daunting task of planning my first self-guided public land elk hunt.
Some years ago during a September camping trip in Alberta I witnessed two big bulls face off IN my campsite. The bedded "smaller" 6x7 bugled in a cow from the herd bull's harem, only to have the boss come over and assert his dominance (see pics; the third is a younger bull I photographed in ND). Both terrified and exhilarated, I moved away from being between the animals, but I might as well have been invisible as none of them paid me any attention. Witnessing them bugle and glare at one another from less than 5 yards away planted a seed of desire to return to elk country to hunt these majestic animals someday.
My #1 goal is to see elk on my hunt. I have heard countless stories from other people that go something like: "On my first elk hunting trip I was so hyped. I hunted hard for a week but didn't see or hear a single animal." I do not want this to be my tale. Of course the nature of hunting is that you get skunked sometimes, but I am willing to put in the hours and effort to increase my chances of at least getting into elk.
My other hunt goals, in order:
#2 Solitude and scenery. Get off the beaten path and enjoy my time
#3 Have an opportunity to take a 2+ year-old bull
My main reference point, like many first time wannabe elk hunters, is whitetails. I've hunted them for 25 years and have it pretty much figured out. I know how to get into huge bucks, and I pass on every animal except the biggest one in my hunt area. I mainly hunt IA public land gun season and no-cost cold call private tracts during bow season. If someone were to ask my opinion of driving 16 hours to IA for self-guided hunt of public land whitetails, but had never hunted deer before, I'd tell them they better really enjoy the scenery because there's barely better than zero chance of driving home with a punched tag - the learning curve is simply too great.
I'm concerned about wading into a similar situation with a first time elk hunt, and am wondering how best to prepare myself. I've done 100+ hours of internet research, and have come up with a tentative plan, but I am open to any suggestions for what might better accomplish my goals. I don't have a desire to hunt elk every year, but if I enjoy my first experience, I could see making return trips every few years.
Hunt NW WY in about 3-4 years. This allows me to buy a couple of points so I am guaranteed a general tag in the regular draw. It also gives me time to save up money, acquire and test gear, and go on at least 1 scouting trip to my hunt area. I picked this area because of the lower hunter numbers (grizzlies and lack of roads seem to keep people away), challenging but scenic terrain, and distance from home state (IA). Many units here, even in non-wilderness areas, have a rifle opener in September. I figure this makes things a little easier with the rut likely still going on. I'm young and healthy, and am no stranger to high elevation back country hiking. I have ample vacation time, so I'm setting aside 16 days for a trip: 4 days travel, 3 scouting, and 9 hunting. I haven't completely ruled out bow hunting, but there seem to be enough added challenges here to at least start off with a rifle instead. I'm planning to map out numerous areas likely to hold elk in a unit, then scout them out in the three days before the opener to try and locate the animals. My understanding of scouting is: look for: cow groups, fresh tracks/sign, glass for animals, and listen for bugles/calls, especially at night. I'm a bit worried about overlooking elk that may be in an area since there are so few of them in such a huge area and I'm inexperienced at finding them.
Please tell me if there are any glaring holes in my tentative plan; I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks!
Some years ago during a September camping trip in Alberta I witnessed two big bulls face off IN my campsite. The bedded "smaller" 6x7 bugled in a cow from the herd bull's harem, only to have the boss come over and assert his dominance (see pics; the third is a younger bull I photographed in ND). Both terrified and exhilarated, I moved away from being between the animals, but I might as well have been invisible as none of them paid me any attention. Witnessing them bugle and glare at one another from less than 5 yards away planted a seed of desire to return to elk country to hunt these majestic animals someday.
My #1 goal is to see elk on my hunt. I have heard countless stories from other people that go something like: "On my first elk hunting trip I was so hyped. I hunted hard for a week but didn't see or hear a single animal." I do not want this to be my tale. Of course the nature of hunting is that you get skunked sometimes, but I am willing to put in the hours and effort to increase my chances of at least getting into elk.
My other hunt goals, in order:
#2 Solitude and scenery. Get off the beaten path and enjoy my time
#3 Have an opportunity to take a 2+ year-old bull
My main reference point, like many first time wannabe elk hunters, is whitetails. I've hunted them for 25 years and have it pretty much figured out. I know how to get into huge bucks, and I pass on every animal except the biggest one in my hunt area. I mainly hunt IA public land gun season and no-cost cold call private tracts during bow season. If someone were to ask my opinion of driving 16 hours to IA for self-guided hunt of public land whitetails, but had never hunted deer before, I'd tell them they better really enjoy the scenery because there's barely better than zero chance of driving home with a punched tag - the learning curve is simply too great.
I'm concerned about wading into a similar situation with a first time elk hunt, and am wondering how best to prepare myself. I've done 100+ hours of internet research, and have come up with a tentative plan, but I am open to any suggestions for what might better accomplish my goals. I don't have a desire to hunt elk every year, but if I enjoy my first experience, I could see making return trips every few years.
Hunt NW WY in about 3-4 years. This allows me to buy a couple of points so I am guaranteed a general tag in the regular draw. It also gives me time to save up money, acquire and test gear, and go on at least 1 scouting trip to my hunt area. I picked this area because of the lower hunter numbers (grizzlies and lack of roads seem to keep people away), challenging but scenic terrain, and distance from home state (IA). Many units here, even in non-wilderness areas, have a rifle opener in September. I figure this makes things a little easier with the rut likely still going on. I'm young and healthy, and am no stranger to high elevation back country hiking. I have ample vacation time, so I'm setting aside 16 days for a trip: 4 days travel, 3 scouting, and 9 hunting. I haven't completely ruled out bow hunting, but there seem to be enough added challenges here to at least start off with a rifle instead. I'm planning to map out numerous areas likely to hold elk in a unit, then scout them out in the three days before the opener to try and locate the animals. My understanding of scouting is: look for: cow groups, fresh tracks/sign, glass for animals, and listen for bugles/calls, especially at night. I'm a bit worried about overlooking elk that may be in an area since there are so few of them in such a huge area and I'm inexperienced at finding them.
Please tell me if there are any glaring holes in my tentative plan; I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks!
