Suggestions, Help, Advice

[razorback]

I've hunted elk once. It was in 2009 in CO just east of Crested Butte. I didn't know a lot about elk hunting just bought some calls and figured out how to make some basic sounds. I focused more on being in shape and ran and biked a couple of months prior to the hunt. We hunted out of a large tent and used ATVs. I was very disappointed, I seen more mountain bikers and hunters than I did elk and only heard 1 bugle. I want to go back and experience a real elk hunt. My intent is to put my camp on my back and walk until I get away from people and find elk. My question is what is the best state and if anyone feels like sharing a unit I would be happy to hear that too. Thanks.

[Trophyhill]

yes there are a ton of people to be seen from your atv but it's not too hard to get away from them once you pack in a bit. it will be like that in any state that has otc tags

[razorback]

I hate ATVs. I used mine in that trip but I rarely use it for anything other than yard work. Are there unit or states that prohibit them? I get so tired of seeing them on public land here in Missouri.

[WapitiTalk1]

Not so sure the atv's are your problem sir. I've used atv's for the past two years in Idaho, have never seen another hunter in the multiple area I hunt (back in the sticks where I poke into) and, hear bugles 8 out of 10 days. Either a new area or as trophyhill alluded to, get back off the trails roads may be the answer?

[Trophyhill]

I hate ATVs. I used mine in that trip but I rarely use it for anything other than yard work. Are there unit or states that prohibit them? I get so tired of seeing them on public land here in Missouri.

I don't think so but I'm not against them either. we don't need more laws limiting what we can do or how we do it. let me put it another way. I hunt with my bow but not against those who hunt with a rifle

[razorback]

Interesting responses on the ATVs. Maybe just the area I was in. I have researched Idaho a bit. It seems like so many people complain that the elk herd has really declined due to wolves and the ones that are left aren't very vocal. How far off of the trail do you need to be to avoid other hunters? I felt like I was pretty far back when I was in CO. At one point I was above the timberline.

[JJ Overkill]

Interesting responses on the ATVs. Maybe just the area I was in. I have researched Idaho a bit. It seems like so many people complain that the elk herd has really declined due to wolves and the ones that are left aren't very vocal. How far off of the trail do you need to be to avoid other hunters? I felt like I was pretty far back when I was in CO. At one point I was above the timberline.

I killed my bull last season 1/4 mile away from a well used two track road. seen a couple atvs. went back during muzzle loader season and there where jeeps, trucks and atvs all over that road. I called in a cow and a calf for my son and another two coows later that day and I was MAYBE 1/8 of a mile from where I killed my bull. it doesn't take much to get off the road and find elk.

[razorback]

Didn't mean to offend anyone about the ATVs. In southeast Missouri where I hunt they are everywhere. If people would stick to the forest roads it wouldn't be so bad. You see them off the trails and a lot of them are running dogs (illegal). So I have always had a negative view on ATVs in the woods.

[Wyo67]

As several of the other guys have noted, elk can be found close to roads and trails. It's not a requirement to be several miles off the beaten path, you just need to find where they have food, water, and cover and they can be found.

If you want to hunt where ATVs are prohibited, you can hunt the wilderness areas in Wyoming. However, as a non-resident you'd need a resident guide...

[razorback]

That was the thing that turned me against Wyoming. I really want to do it on my own.

[zpd307]

while researching Idaho, I found that their site is awesome. they list per hunting unit the hunter numbers and success rate along with what was killed. that's how I found my unit. generally lower hunter numbers mean steep nasty terrain, less roads, or lower elk population. cross reference that with the hunter success rates and you will have a good idea what the units like. my unit was a trade off. there were slightly more hunters last year than I would like but my partners aren't as gungho as I am and don't deal with the steep terrain as well. i found a unit right next to the one we picked to hunt this sept that had way less hunters, but as i guessed it was some steep terrain. I don't know if Colorado has the same stats online, I would assume so. but, I never used that feature as we went to the area a buddy of mine had been hunting for years so I already knew that elk were there.

[cohunter14]

PM sent razorback...

[Indian Summer]

That was the thing that turned me against Wyoming. I really want to do it on my own.

It's only designated wilderness where you are required to have a guide. There is a bazillion square miles of non-wilderness public land.

zpd307 you're a smart researcher man!

[razorback]

Does the non-wilderness public land get hit hard?

[Indian Summer]

Some places yes, some places no. One thing about Wyoming is I think everyone has horses. So miles isn't always what sets you apart from others. it's just going in a different direction. The first year you're there you should learn enough about that to find a place to call your own.

Keep in mind that Wyoming has the lowest population of any state. The statewide population is around 580,000. The population of Denver alone is about 635,000 & Colorado Springs another 400,000 which together total nearly 1 million... which is the total population of the state of Montana. Imagine hunting states where the total number of residents is the same or less than just 2 cities in another state. Finding a place with no people is pretty damn easy.

[zpd307]

thanks. I have spent a lot of time on the computer....... having spent 2 years in Colorado definitely helped in figuring out what to look for in Idaho. I can take what I saw on google earth and see how the elk are using it. so I now know what to look for in any new spot that I go to. I remember planning for the first trip to Colorado. I was looking at google earth and saying to myself, how in the hell am I going to find elk in all of that......