New here from Iowa

by **Madison COunty** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 1]

Hi, my name is Patrick and I just wanted to introduce myself on here. I'm 30 Years old and hunt quite often but have never been elk hunting. I really want to go in Colorado next year or the year after.

I just found your site here and it is full of great information. I will be reading and researching all I can.

Are there any good books you would recommend that I read? Thanks!

by **>>>---WW---->** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 2]

Of course, just about everyone on here will recommend Elknuts Play Book. There are many others as well.

by **Waygoner** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 3]

Welcome Patrick. This is a good place to get started, don't be afraid to ask questions. A first time DIY elk hunt is doable.
I moved from Iowa to Colorado when I was about 10. Best thing my parents ever did!

by **ElkNut1** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 4]

Patrick, welcome! Glad to have you here, lots of great folks to visit with!

ElkNut!

by **Bowhunter** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 5]

Welcome Patrick. I am a resident of Iowa also. I must warn you. If you do go elk hunting you will be stricken with an addiction that you won't be able to kick.

by **Swede** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 6]

Patrick it is good to have you here around the campfire. I think Waygoner slipped in without me noticing, but welcome to you also. It is great to have hunters new to elk camp. Things are a little different than in most of the off season camps. The characters hanging out here are quite unique. Many are very experienced and are willing to help all they can. I hope you like it.

by **Willie makit** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 7]

Welcome, I'm in your same situation, sit back read on, do ask questions and I do have to recommend elk nuts mega pack. I've whitetail hunted since age 10 and never elk hunted before either so it's a huge and nervous learning curve. It is still overwhelming amounts of information, the more you hang round the more little things you will notice and learn.

I've read quite a few books and can say from my experience if your serious about it spend the 200$ and give Paul a call, it is a way better deal than learning from doing it a few times to learn. It's always going to be a learning experience but I feel much better about it since reading and watching the elknut videos not to mention what I've learned lurking on this group!

And no, I'm not a salesman for ENP

At least not yet, lol

by **WapitiTalk1** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 8]

Welcome to "the" elk forum Patrick. Glad to have you in camp. In addition to Elknut's Playbook, I'd consider picking up Tree Stand Hunting Rocky Mountain Elk (both available on this site). Lastly, if you really want a comprehensive historical, geographical, and biological book on elk (not necessarily a how to hunt book), see if you can find a copy of Elk of North America, Ecology and Management; it reads like a textbook but if you want elk information overload, this book will do it

: ElkNuts_PlayBook__25892_1342536105_1280_1280.jpg (13.49 KiB) Viewed 24035 times

: books.jpg (11.99 KiB) Viewed 24035 times

: elkbook.jpg (15.19 KiB) Viewed 24035 times

by **Swede** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 9]

RJ is absolutely right about getting the book North American Elk. I believe every elk hunter should have a copy and read it, if you really want to understand the critters. BTW, you can get a used copy, in great condition from B&N, with a huge discount.

by **JohnFitzgerald** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 10]

Welcome Patrick!

+1 on the books RJ recommends.

by **cnelk** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 11]

Howdy Patrick!
Welcome to the site.

30 years old is just the right time to learn about elk hunting

by **Madison COunty** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 12]

That north american elk book sounds interesting guys. I called Barnes and noble and they don't have it and can't get it. Amazon had 3 from $285-$400
Is it really that great of a book and worth those prices? I would love to learn as much as I can about the animals so that's why I'm asking. Has anyone read Mike Simmons bullets, blood and back straps? It looks like it might be a good read and elk nut sells it.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 13]

You can find them used from 30 to 50 bones or so. Just do a google search with the book title and "for sale" tacked on to the back. I just found one for 35. I haven't read Mike Simmons book.

by **Swede** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 14]

Madison Co. I do not know what the book is worth to anyone, but I would have no problem paying $50 for a good used one. I bought mine for Bums and Nobles, in perfect condition for about $30 some time ago.

by **Madison COunty** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 15]

I just ordered it from the wildlife management institute for only $42.50, with shipping it came to $61.30 :mrgreen:

by **WapitiTalk1** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 16]

Madison COunty wrote:I just ordered it from the wildlife management institute for only $42.50, with shipping it came to $61.30

Nicely done. We expect a written report on Chapters 1-3 in two weeks 8-)

No fair skipping to the elk reproduction section before you read the previous chapters

by **Toby** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 17]

Welcome, you have definitely come to the right place.

by **Swede** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 18]

Madison Co. please hold back on the book a little and try not to read it all in one evening.

by **>>>---WW---->** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 19]

Holy Cow!!! $400 bucks???? I'll sell you mine

by **Swede** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 20]

WW: your book must be in mint condition. I would have thought you would have at least looked at the pictures.

by **ORelksniper** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 21]

Welcome to elk camp, Madison County. All of these guys are well worth listening to and, IMO, more valuable than any $400 book out there.

by **Madison COunty** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 22]

I'm looking forward to getting the book, it looks like it is big, full of good information and pictures

I hope it gets here soon!

by **JJ Overkill** » 12 20, 2013 • [Post 23]

welcome, lots to learn here, good teachers, a wealth of info in the past post. looks like you will be reading for awhile. good luck

by **wildskies.com** » 12 22, 2013 • [Post 24]

I agree with all the above comments-especially the fact that you can be successful with no prior experience hunting elk or knowing the terrain. You are also correct in that is it a lot like other hunts where sometimes it is about luck and being in the right place at the right time.

I own a hunting cabin in GMU 12 in NW Colorado a couple miles from the Flat Tops Wilderness, in the heart of the largest elk herd in the world-the E6-White River Herd that numbers around 42,000 elk. We are 100% do it yourself hunting. I have had guys with 25+ yrs experience hunting elk go home empty handed and guys with no experience go home with trophy 6x6 and 7x7 bull elk. Some hunters spend too much time "hunting" and not enough time stopping to really look. I could tell you a ton of stories about guys that either gave up and starting walking back to camp and opened up that can of mountain dew or had to go to the bathroom that practically stepped on an elk in the process and missed a great opportunity. No joke at least 5 different guys within 10 feet of an elk and didn't even realize it until it was too late.

Don't get me wrong, outfitters are worth their weight in gold in lots of situation, but they aren't for everyone and they aren't needed all the time. I recommend your first hunt should be a DIY. That way you can experience the elk and figure out what you are good at and what you need to get help with and then you are better prepared to interview outfitters if you feel you need to go that route. You may find that you couldn't get away from public hunters where you were located and maybe a private land hunt is what you need. Or you may feel a private land hunt is too expensive and what you need is a different GMU or area within that GMU that gets you away from the public and a trespass hunt or private cabin with access to federal land that is harder for the general public to access is what you need.

Feel free to reach out to me if you want some good advice on NW Colorado hunting-especially a first time attempt.
Merry Christmas,
Lisa
970.926.0216

by **Madison COunty** » 12 23, 2013 • [Post 25]

Thanks for all the great advice everyone! Lisa I will definitely reach out to you when the time gets closer. Merry Christmas

by **Tag Soup** » 01 05, 2014 • [Post 26]

Patrick, I am in the same boat as you. I am from Omaha and just went on my first DIY hunt last year and plan to go again this year. Last year was a big learning curve for me but it was a blast. Were you planning on going alone or with friends? None of my friends want to put in the time an effort into chasing elk like I do, I would like to find a hunting partner to go with and establish a yearly tradition of chasing the things. If you would be interested in talking about it and possibly trying to work something out PM me. My name is Adam, and it looks like were pretty close in age (I'm 26) Look forward to hearing from you

by **Indian Summer** » 01 05, 2014 • [Post 27]

Tag Soup & Madison: Another happy couple from Elk-Harmony.com

Sounds like a plan. Good luck guys. You two should get in touch with Lisa so you have a plan based on her experience and I think you'll do well.

I have some stories like yours Lisa "Halfway through my peanut butter and jelly sandwich I realized a bull was walking right at me. Spiked my sandwich into the dirt and tagged my first bull" A police officer client of mine from Arizona. You never when it's time do you?

by **Tag Soup** » 01 05, 2014 • [Post 28]

Patrick, I received your PM but it won't let me respond for some reason. PM me your email address and ill get back with you.regarding your previous. Thanks

by **WapitiTalk1** » 01 05, 2014 • [Post 29]

Tag Soup wrote:Patrick, I received your PM but it won't let me respond for some reason. PM me your email address and ill get back with you.regarding your previous. Thanks

Hey buddy, you need at least 3 posts before you can send or receive PMs. Oh, welcome to 'the' elk forum.

by **Tag Soup** » 01 06, 2014 • [Post 30]

Thanks! Well, this is number 3 so lets give it a go!

by **Madison COunty** » 01 06, 2014 • [Post 31]

Indian Summer- Sorry it didn't work out, he wasn't my type :mrgreen:

by **Willie makit** » 01 12, 2014 • [Post 32]

Anyone up on Ibooks know if this book Elk of North America, Ecology and Management is availible to download to kindle or IPAD?

by **WapitiTalk1** » 01 12, 2014 • [Post 33]

Willie makit wrote:Anyone up on Ibooks know if this book Elk of North America, Ecology and Management is availible to download to kindle or IPAD?

Not 100 percent positive but I don't think so.

by **cnelk** » 01 13, 2014 • [Post 34]

Here is another book that has some very useful info.
If fact, Matt Dworak is DirtyD on this site

And can be ordered via Amazon

by **Madison COunty** » 01 14, 2014 • [Post 35]

Just looked at gmu 74 in Colorado and I don't think you can get a OTC either sex tag. Don't get me wrong I would love to shoot a bull but I have no shame shooting a cow if the opportunity presents itself. Not looking for your spots or honey holes but are there any units in SW Colorado or around there you could recommend that a person could buy a any sex OTC tag? Thanks!

Pat

by **cnelk** » 01 14, 2014 • [Post 36]

Pat
GMU 74 is OTC E/S Archery
See page 31 of the brochure

by **Madison COunty** » 01 14, 2014 • [Post 37]

I do not own a bow and was wanting to hunt with a rifle.

by **cnelk** » 01 14, 2014 • [Post 38]

Well then...

All 1st Rifle Elk season is a draw.
That is a great season to hunt with a rifle with it being close to the rut.
And you can get an E/S tag too

The 2013 statistics show for GMU 74 - 1st Rifle Either Sex there were ~400 general tags available.
165 went to Non Res. with 0 Pref Points. 205 went to Res with 0 Pref Points
You would have an excellent chance of drawing an E/S for 1st Rifle Season

If you choose to hunt the 2nd/3rd seasons, they are OTC but you would need to choose between bull or cow.

the 4th season is the same as 1st Season - Draw

by **Madison COunty** » 01 14, 2014 • [Post 39]

Cnelk I like your idea of going first season closer to the rut. I don't mean to beat a dead horse but how does a draw work? Is it as simple as filling out a application, sending a check with it and then waiting to see? I think April is when you apply in Colorado is that correct?

by **cnelk** » 01 14, 2014 • [Post 40]

Yep. Its easy.
I would recommend everyone applying to do it ONLINE.
You cant make a mistake, they take your payment right then, and you wait for the end of May to see if you drew.
Kinda like Christmas in May.
If you dont draw, all but the $3 application fee is refunded by check

The new 2014 Big Game Regulations come out in February. Call or email the CPW and have a couple copies sent to you.
That way its all right there in black and white - with some color

I would definitely recommend the 1st Rifle E/S tag. Its the same price as a 2nd / 3rd season bull tag.
But the season is only 5 days long, compared to the longer 2nd/3rd seasons [9 days/ 7 days respectively]

Lots to think about - its coming up fast

by **Madison COunty** » 01 14, 2014 • [Post 41]

In the big game reg book Colorado NR draw any sex tag with habitat stamp is $589.00 in 2013. Does that price include your hunting license or do you have to buy one in addition to the $589.00? I'm confused :?:

by **cnelk** » 01 14, 2014 • [Post 42]

Tag price + Habitat Stamp + Application Fee = $599
$586 + $10 - $3 = $599

[The tag price may be a bit more this year due to inflation]