New guy with a lot of questions

[Cowboy]

Hey Y'all,
My name Is Kevin and I live in central Oklahoma. Im a senior this year and high school and I want to go elk hunting for my senor trio with my dad. I'd like to do a guided hunt. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg on it. I have the artillery to take down an elk. I don't want a world class bull, but I don't want a small one either. around an above "average" bull. I mainly deer and waterfowl hunt. all this stuff with the draws and the OTC stuff makes my head spin. what I'm getting to is, Who, what, where, when, how much, etc. would yall recommend? I don't want to fly because I hate flying and im planning on take everything home. TIA

[twinkieman]

Start learning now, get all of the products Elknut sells, playbook, Bulging Bulls and beyond dvd series, Advertising and breeding Sequence. Learn how to work calls, and learn how to make a mouth reed work. If you are dead set on an outfitted hunt, research outfitters, and contact references. If you start learning now, you can pick an OTC tag, and do a DIY and have a very high quality hunt. Be in shape, elk mountains are steep, and the air is thin in most places elk live in out west. Set realistic goals on what you want to kill. Be prepared for any type of weather, and also be prepared to start elk hunting annually, you will become addicted . Others will post advice, heed all the advice you get here. Good luck

[BRazz]

Are you talking this fall or 2015? If you're talking this season, it's too late to apply for a draw-only tag, but there may be some landowner tags for sale (for a pretty penny). You could also search around for some outfitter specials. I've never done it, but have occasionally seen advertisements for spots still available. I assume this time of year you could get a discount by filling those last-minute spots. Last resort you could get an OTC tag.

[Indian Summer]

How about a semi guided hunt? The going rate on a hunt with a full time guide will be around $3500 for a 2 on 1 hunt no matter where you look. For $2500 you can have a nice camp with all your meals, a packer to get your elk off the mountain, someone in camp that knows the area and helps you with a daily game plan, and a guide for the first day to familiarize you with the area and teach you some things about finding and hunting elk.

The only thing cheaper than that is a drop camp where you have a camp but are completely on your own.

Let me know what you want and what your budget is and I'll be glad to point you in the right direction. Meanwhile have a look at my website. Maybe you'll decide you can do it on your own. http://www.headinwest.net

Good luck!

[njdoxie]

I'm assuming you don't have elk hunting experience or quality camping gear, and don't want to spend every second researching....If you really want a bull, I would not do a DIY hunt for your 1st hunt, more than likely you'll come home emptyhanded, plus you'll have to buy a lot of equipment...plus decide what unit....so go with a fully guided or drop camp.....or get a veteran elk hunter to take you...and lower your standards to any legal bull. With a drop camp you have to know how to elk hunt or you'll be one of the 80% who are unsuccessful. In your situation, if you really want a bull, you need a fulltime guide, and.even that is FAR from guaranteed. The reality is only 20% of elk hunters are successful, and that 20% is overwhelmingly comprised of veteran and guided elk hunters.