The OYOA Whiteboard

[NChunter]

Wish I needed a whiteboard to plan my hunts. Mine are NC deer and Colorado Elk. Of course deer season where I hunt is mid September til January 1st., including archery, muzzleloader, and rifle. It is also cheap to hunt here, I bought a lifetime license several years ago for $500, it includes all hunting and fishing. A real bargain! Good Luck with all your planned hunts, I hope you draw the ones you want.

 

[Big Fin]

Fin - No Mt Goat except for your home state? I imagine that might be somewhat of a difficult hunt to film.

Couple things with that. First, most goats in the lower 48 live in wilderness areas. I cannot get a filming permit for USFS wilderness areas. Actually cancelled a goat hunt in Season One due to filming permit areas. Filming permit issues don't seem to bother some shows, but I prefer to go by the rules.

Second, I've already shot a MT goat, so it is lower on my priority list than some of the other things. Now Miller, that guy loves goats like most Montana guys love sheep. He has a large flock on his wall.

Curious, what do you estimate you spend for license, tags and applications each year?

Just doing the budgets for the upcoming year. Last year, tags, points, non-refundable licenses, application fees, etc., for me, and guest hunters who would accept reimbursement, came to $10,900. Total outlay was $24,000, and refunds were $13,000+.

Public land filming permits were just over $16,000. Guess I should have started a private land hunting show and saved that money.

When they fire me from the TV show, I hope my wife doesn't take my "Hunting Fund" for general budget expenditures. It has taken years to build it up from a budget that allowed me to apply in one other state, to where I can "carpet bomb" (Greenhorn's term) the entire west.

Glad some of you enjoy the "behind the scenes" part of threads like this. That is why I post some of this tangential stuff. I often get the comment that people want to see more of what goes into this process. Only place we can really do that is on the web.

We are restricted in what we can show in the 30-minute TV episodes, so we use the website to provide more information and the behind the scenes kind of information.

 

[Big Slick]

Still no Columbia Blacktail hunt?

 

[TLC]

nothing east of the mississippi.

no bear.

no hog hunt.

have a headache now from reading that board. to complicated to figure out all the regulations you have to deal with for all those states. give me the OTC tag every time. those I can figure out.

 

[Taxidermynut]

Spend a lot of time in a couple pronghorn units in utah, keep me informed if you draw the tag.

 

[Big Fin]

Still no Columbia Blacktail hunt?

Good idea. Those are on my list. I will put that in the fallback list, as I don' think I need to draw in OR or WA.

There are three deer hunts I am really wanting to get done. Sitka Blacktails, Coues Whitetails, and Columbia Blacktails. Not sure why I always focus on the first two. Guess it is because the Columbia Blacktail option seems logistically easier and something I always am thinking "I will eventually get to someday."

I won't get to it, if I don't make it a priority. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Big Fin]

nothing east of the mississippi.

Not unless NH, ME, or VT give me a moose tag, or KY gives me an elk tag. Sponsors look to us to be the show that reaches those hunters interested in western hunting, both hunters who are hunting the west or those who want to know how they can become hunters of western public lands. As such, I doubt we will do much east of the Big River.

Sorry, TLC. There are 450 other shows doing that stuff, and I am sure they are better at it than I would be.

no bear.

Did you read the "fallback hunts?" AK and MT bear.

no hog hunt.

That's what Pigman is for.

have a headache now from reading that board. to complicated to figure out all the regulations you have to deal with for all those states. give me the OTC tag every time. those I can figure out.

My head hurts everyday.

That is why we have some OTC tags there. This year, the OTC or left over tags will be. MT deer, CO elk, and most likely leftovers in KS for deer, WY for antelope, and ND archery mule deer (if winter doesn't kill them all).

If people knew where we were applying, and how easy some of these tags are to draw, they would be surprised. We look for areas that are easier to draw, even if it has a difficult public/private land mix. Also look for areas with difficult terrain, as that makes it less appealing to other hunters and easier for us to draw.

Glory units are way over-rated. I have had many of them, and had great hunts. But, I think your odds of a trophy are better hunting a lesser known unit six times in twenty years, than to hang all your hopes on a glory unit you will hunt once in your life.

For us, it is all about time in the field. Yeah, some of these hunts would be glory hunts if the draw came our way, but most would not. We are more focused on hunting and showing people how much opportunity is there if they do the homework.

A leftover or second choice antelope tag in WY or a Kansas deer tag in units that undersell, are two of the best hunts I can think of. Almost a guaranteed tag, very high success rates, low cost, and you have a great chance at shooting a quality animal. Same could probably be said of NE deer and ND deer.

CO OTC elk is a great hunt. Too many guys get worked up about a 300+ bull. I saw more elk in CO last year, in a five day hunt, than I have on most any other elk hunt I have been on. No huge bulls, but to me, a huge bull is over rated in the scale of the total elk hunting experience. Any legal bull, self-guided, on public land, is a trophy worth the effort. Amazes me how many people pass up that opportunity.

Thinking of doing a piece about the $1,500 elk hunt. Walk people through the step-by-step process. I can do CO OTC elk for less than that. Anyone who complains to me about not elk hunting get very little sympathy.

If we did that series, in a step-by-step manner, I wonder how many people would actually be interested. Or, has TV and magazines skewed the elk hunting expectations to the point that learning about hunts without 350 bulls is no longer appealing?

 

[Big Slick]

Good idea. Those are on my list. I will put that in the fallback list, as I don' think I need to draw in OR or WA.

There are three deer hunts I am really wanting to get done. Sitka Blacktails, Coues Whitetails, and Columbia Blacktails. Not sure why I always focus on the first two. Guess it is because the Columbia Blacktail option seems logistically easier and something I always am thinking "I will eventually get to someday."

I won't get to it, if I don't make it a priority. Thanks for the reminder.

Well I am in the middle of planning a hunt to AZ for Coues. I still need a Whitetail and soon after a Sitka. It may take forever but I want all of the deer on the wall. I actually told my wife that this is what I want to do and she thought it was cool. I about fell out of my chair!

 

[birddog32]

Wish my schedule looked like that. At least wifey is gonna let me spend 30th wedding anniversary in Montana chasing elk,.....if I get drawn.

 

[MNHunter]

.

CO OTC elk is a great hunt. Too many guys get worked up about a 300+ bull. I saw more elk in CO last year, in a five day hunt, than I have on most any other elk hunt I have been on. No huge bulls, but to me, a huge bull is over rated in the scale of the total elk hunting experience. Any legal bull, self-guided, on public land, is a trophy worth the effort. Amazes me how many people pass up that opportunity.

Thinking of doing a piece about the $1,500 elk hunt. Walk people through the step-by-step process. I can do CO OTC elk for less than that. Anyone who complains to me about not elk hunting get very little sympathy.

I'd be interested in that. I've never hunted elk and I'd be happy with a bull on public land. Hopefully gain some knowledge and then chase the big guys when I decide to cash in all the elk points I have somewhere.

 

[TLC]

Originally Posted by TLC
no bear.

Did you read the "fallback hunts?" AK and MT bear.
read that, but it say it's a back up plan. bear junkie here. be going back to minnesota again this year if the bear tag Gods are with me. going up by international falls this time around. never did hear from your brother when I was up by deer river last time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TLC
no hog hunt.

That's what Pigman is for.
that guy is not worth watching. even the southern boys I know dislike that guy. there's a southern drawl, then there's pigman. was thinking for you, it should be a dog and knife hunt.


Quote:
Originally Posted by TLC
have a headache now from reading that board. to complicated to figure out all the regulations you have to deal with for all those states. give me the OTC tag every time. those I can figure out.

My head hurts everyday.

That is why we have some OTC tags there. This year, the OTC or left over tags will be. MT deer, CO elk, and most likely leftovers in KS for deer, WY for antelope, and ND archery mule deer (if winter doesn't kill them all).
will possibly be going to wyoming for lopes this fall if the bear tag does not come thru. area 23 seems to always have OTC tags. try the bow for a couple days, then go to the gun if no luck with the bow.

If people knew where we were applying, and how easy some of these tags are to draw, they would be surprised. We look for areas that are easier to draw, even if it has a difficult public/private land mix. Also look for areas with difficult terrain, as that makes it less appealing to other hunters and easier for us to draw.

Glory units are way over-rated. I have had many of them, and had great hunts. But, I think your odds of a trophy are better hunting a lesser known unit six times in twenty years, than to hang all your hopes on a glory unit you will hunt once in your life.

For us, it is all about time in the field. Yeah, some of these hunts would be glory hunts if the draw came our way, but most would not. We are more focused on hunting and showing people how much opportunity is there if they do the homework.

A leftover or second choice antelope tag in WY or a Kansas deer tag in units that undersell, are two of the best hunts I can think of. Almost a guaranteed tag, very high success rates, low cost, and you have a great chance at shooting a quality animal. Same could probably be said of NE deer and ND deer.

CO OTC elk is a great hunt. Too many guys get worked up about a 300+ bull. I saw more elk in CO last year, in a five day hunt, than I have on most any other elk hunt I have been on. No huge bulls, but to me, a huge bull is over rated in the scale of the total elk hunting experience. Any legal bull, self-guided, on public land, is a trophy worth the effort. Amazes me how many people pass up that opportunity.
have talked to our resident colorado expert a couple times. figure one of these days, will go out there and see what I can do with these elk. sounds like there are quite a few areas that have OTC tags that have reasonable success. not into the 300 number. anything I shoot with my bow is a trophy to me. you can tell that by the heads I had hanging on the wall. same woth the lopes. not sure I would know the difference between an 80 and a 60. and it wouldn't make a difference to me.

Thinking of doing a piece about the $1,500 elk hunt. Walk people through the step-by-step process. I can do CO OTC elk for less than that. Anyone who complains to me about not elk hunting get very little sympathy.
that's what us easterners need. simple instructions. kind of like the video I sent you that I never heard back about.

If we did that series, in a step-by-step manner, I wonder how many people would actually be interested. Or, has TV and magazines skewed the elk hunting expectations to the point that learning about hunts without 350 bulls is no longer appealing?
be very appealing to most hunters I would think. then again, who knows. but the fact you would explain things would make the show a very good one. have to remember, back here, you buy a hunting license, then buy the tags you want. hardest thing is waiting to hear if you get your first county choice, or your second choice.
__________________

 

[bmack]

Any legal bull, self-guided, on public land, is a trophy worth the effort. Amazes me how many people pass up that opportunity.

Fin - couldn't agree more with you on this point. Cow, spike, raghorn, etc are all great accomplishments on public land.

For me elk hunting is more about the memorable close encounters with my bow than anything else. Plus those big old boys are tough on the jaw.

 

[drthornton]

Man I would love to see a piece on everything that goes into an Elk hunt. Everything from App season and choosing a unit through the hunt. Would also like to see it for a high country Mule Deer hunt.

 

[mdunc8]

Or, has TV and magazines skewed the elk hunting expectations to the point that learning about hunts without 350 bulls is no longer appealing?

I told myself I wasn't going to shoot anything less than a six point last year. I don't know if I could get anymore excited after dropping my raghorn five point (thanks Lawnboy). Maybe after spending 20 years hunting out here my feelings would change. At this point in my hunting career (which I just found out has come to an abrupt halt) it's more about the experience and finding what many guys would consider a mediocre animal than chasing after a toad all season.

 

[Moosie]

Idaho deer as a fall back ?!?!!?

No deer or elk in Idaho, sorry !!

 

[Lawnboy]

I told myself I wasn't going to shoot anything less than a six point last year. I don't know if I could get anymore excited after dropping my raghorn five point (thanks Lawnboy). Maybe after spending 20 years hunting out here my feelings would change. At this point in my hunting career (which I just found out has come to an abrupt halt) it's more about the experience and finding what many guys would consider a mediocre animal than chasing after a toad all season.

Mdunc I've shot my share of bulls and don't get me wrong I'm still excited about 5 pointers, just bummed thought that I don't have the restraint to hold off for the big guys

 

[mdunc8]

It's also hard to regret not holding out for a big boy when I haven't had to buy a single bit of beef in two years.

 

[Big O]

Fin - couldn't agree more with you on this point. Cow, spike, raghorn, etc are all great accomplishments on public land.

For me elk hunting is more about the memorable close encounters with my bow than anything else. Plus those big old boys are tough on the jaw.

Yep- I was determined to shoot that "big" bull this last year, not another rag horn, cow, spike...well I shot a spike with my muzzle loader on the 5th day of the season, and happy as hell. Especially on Wa. public land.

Big Fin, I'd love to see a show on the makings of an elk hunt. I can appreciate what goes into it, especially here in E. Washington.

 

[6speed]

After posting in the BAYED thread I had a great idea. Give away the CO OYO elk hunt. The winner would just have to be documented on how they did it for the show. Let's say for example the winner was an average hunter from Idaho who had never hunted out of state but always wanted to. The show could chronicle how he picked the hunt, when and how he got the tags, pre hunt planning and conditioning, travel (drive or fly and rent) equipment selection and of course the hunt its self. Then even a little info on taxidermists and meat processors. The winner would have to stay in the provided 1500 dollar budget and because the winner would be an average guy it may be more believable and help get others to consider it as an option and not just a dream that they would like to do someday but probably never will.

 

[xrayts]

unless...KY gives me an elk tag

As far as I know, they don't post draw statistics. Have you found any?
I've already sent my applications in, but they only give up to 10% of the 800 tags to non-residents. Up to 20 bull elk tags will be given to non-residents. I read in a news article that over 40,000 applied in 2010. That's some pretty tough odds to beat. If you get drawn, swing by and pick me up.