MoJoy99
Member
OK Hunters. I have been inspired and decided to plan a DIY elk hunt for 2019. Now is the time to start planning (if I am not already behind). This will be my first elk hunt. My experience is about 4 years of hunting mainly whitetail deer in MD and wild hogs in other states. The whitetail deer has been public land with my only successes during archery season (crossbow, but I am building confidence in my compound bow and feel I am ready for that challenge). Hog hunts have been pretty much guided, take you to the stand, point, shoot, enjoy the meat.
I have started my research which has been about a week's worth of fantasizing and this is what I have so far
-There are five western states with over the counter elk tags: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Colorado. A good source of information on http://www.backcountrychronicles.com/western-states-over-the-counter-elk-tags-non-residents/.
-Going through the different states I am leaning towards Idaho. My reasoning as follows: 1)Has OTC elk tags 2)beautiful backcountry 3) tons of public land 4)decent success rates for OTC hunts depending on the unit you choose. I currently have a free trial to https://www.gohunt.com/ which has a wealth of knowledge and statistics on western hunting states.
-Everything I have read mentions being in shape at least once, so that is on the list to do.
-I am going through the debate of flying or driving from MD. Both options have there ups and downs and I am open to recommendations as to which you would do and why.
-I have asked a few of my friends that hunt as well and they all seem interested. That being said, once it comes down to buying a $$$ tag as a non resident, plane ticket, or what have you interest starts to wane. I will have to figure out who is serious and who is not. No way I want to get all this planning done to find out I will be out there alone.
So, there is still plenty to figure out, plan and prepare for. I have read through a bit of the thread on the 2018 elk hunt for info as well as other resources.
Where to hunt? If I narrow down the option to a specific unit, say Idaho GMU 22, which is mostly comprised of National Forest and public land. How do I narrow down a more specific starting point? Who should I talk to?
Hunting with buddies? Most of the hunting I have done has been solo or with others but spread out. If you are hunting with others, would you expect everyone to have a tag, or decide if you will have one shooter and the other as a supporter? With success rates of elk hunters in the single digits to low twenties, it is hard to imagine that more than one person would be successful. If that is the case, how do you decide with who gets to take the shot? I am more than happy to share the meat and not in it as much for the trophy, though I would be lying is I said I didn't want one.
Gear? This will be just as expensive as the trip itself I imagine if not more. Good news is, it can be used a bunch although I can't see myself elk hunting more than once a year or every other year (so I can stay happily married).
How many days? I will have make a decision on this but I am thinking getting there for or just before the season open, scout/glass a day or two and 3 to 4 days to hunt. It would have to be backpacking and camping for the whole time most likely given the access to the area I am considering. Recommendations.
There is a bunch more on my mind, but I will leave it at that for now. Most likely many have not made it this far following my ramblings.
I have started my research which has been about a week's worth of fantasizing and this is what I have so far
-There are five western states with over the counter elk tags: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Colorado. A good source of information on http://www.backcountrychronicles.com/western-states-over-the-counter-elk-tags-non-residents/.
-Going through the different states I am leaning towards Idaho. My reasoning as follows: 1)Has OTC elk tags 2)beautiful backcountry 3) tons of public land 4)decent success rates for OTC hunts depending on the unit you choose. I currently have a free trial to https://www.gohunt.com/ which has a wealth of knowledge and statistics on western hunting states.
-Everything I have read mentions being in shape at least once, so that is on the list to do.
-I am going through the debate of flying or driving from MD. Both options have there ups and downs and I am open to recommendations as to which you would do and why.
-I have asked a few of my friends that hunt as well and they all seem interested. That being said, once it comes down to buying a $$$ tag as a non resident, plane ticket, or what have you interest starts to wane. I will have to figure out who is serious and who is not. No way I want to get all this planning done to find out I will be out there alone.
So, there is still plenty to figure out, plan and prepare for. I have read through a bit of the thread on the 2018 elk hunt for info as well as other resources.
Where to hunt? If I narrow down the option to a specific unit, say Idaho GMU 22, which is mostly comprised of National Forest and public land. How do I narrow down a more specific starting point? Who should I talk to?
Hunting with buddies? Most of the hunting I have done has been solo or with others but spread out. If you are hunting with others, would you expect everyone to have a tag, or decide if you will have one shooter and the other as a supporter? With success rates of elk hunters in the single digits to low twenties, it is hard to imagine that more than one person would be successful. If that is the case, how do you decide with who gets to take the shot? I am more than happy to share the meat and not in it as much for the trophy, though I would be lying is I said I didn't want one.
Gear? This will be just as expensive as the trip itself I imagine if not more. Good news is, it can be used a bunch although I can't see myself elk hunting more than once a year or every other year (so I can stay happily married).
How many days? I will have make a decision on this but I am thinking getting there for or just before the season open, scout/glass a day or two and 3 to 4 days to hunt. It would have to be backpacking and camping for the whole time most likely given the access to the area I am considering. Recommendations.
There is a bunch more on my mind, but I will leave it at that for now. Most likely many have not made it this far following my ramblings.