New Guy In The Room

[Shawn2820]

Hey everyone, im fairly new here to this forum, been registered for a while but have just been sitting back and reading. Elk hunting has all ways been a dream of mine, and might all ways be. I hope to get to go on a DIY hunt sometime in the near future, but im wondering if I should do a guided hunt first time out since I really have no idea what im doing when it comes to elk. Mule deer and elk are a totally different deal. Wondering what everyone thinks? Thanks

[BRazz]

Welcome Shawn. Lots of opinions on here and mine is just one of them, but I really think you can get by without a guide. I recommend lots of reading (this forum is a great place to start) to get a general idea, and if you have any other hunting and camping experience you'll be just fine. Number one is safety, so be prepared to be in the mountains with varying weather and altitude and tough hiking. Then just get out there and look for some elk!

[Elkduds]

Glad you spoke up, Shawn, good to hear from you. From your post, sounds like you have some muley hunting experience?

[Mike_Parson]

welcome to the group from a newbie too...

[Indian Summer]

I firmly believe that a big part of the learning curve is becoming at home in the mountains and covering ground up there. If you've been hunting mulies in some high country there is no reason at all you need to consider an outfitted hunt.

Just do some (or lots) of reading here. Ask as many questions as you want... and pick your spot with great care. Every day of elk hunting is a learning experience. An investment in the future. Knowing the lay of the land in detail is priceless. So do your best to pick a good spot so you can stick with it instead of moving around which means starting over.

Case in point is the fact that guys can kill elk consistently in mediocre spots because they know the area and how the elk use it while others can't find or kill elk in great spots because they just don't know enough about it.

Glad to have you in the family Shawn.

[WapitiTalk1]

Welcome to "the" elk forum bud. Take note of what Indian Summer mentions, that guy is part elk; you'll know this after a handful of years in the elk woods and reflecting back on things he's said. Please, pull up a chair by our fire and chime in early and often.

[Trophyhill]

Welcome to the forum! A lot of elknuts here to guide you with a wealth of knowledge.

[Ironman]

Welcome, I to spend more time reading then typing. This is a great site lots of experience here to learn from. These guys have helped me a lot. Some times it's a day late but that learning right, and that's my fault. If I had read that tread the day before....
I made that mistake............ Any way welcome and good luck this season.

[Shawn2820]

I have lots of muley hunting experience, unfortunately its not high country. Not that I am complaining, I have some great hunting here where im at in Nebraska and have been very fortunate to take several trophy quality deer. But deer are deer, just the terrain is different. But deer are not elk. That is what has me kind of worried I guess you would say. It can be done though and I guess that's what I need to focus on. I just don't have much high country experience.

[StartMyHunt]

I firmly believe that a big part of the learning curve is becoming at home in the mountains and covering ground up there. If you've been hunting mulies in some high country there is no reason at all you need to consider an outfitted hunt.

Just do some (or lots) of reading here. Ask as many questions as you want... and pick your spot with great care. Every day of elk hunting is a learning experience. An investment in the future. Knowing the lay of the land in detail is priceless. So do your best to pick a good spot so you can stick with it instead of moving around which means starting over.

Case in point is the fact that guys can kill elk consistently in mediocre spots because they know the area and how the elk use it while others can't find or kill elk in great spots because they just don't know enough about it.

Glad to have you in the family Shawn.

Shawn,

My maps might be a great way to help you out if you are coming to CO. As Indian Summer said, "Knowing the lay of the land is priceless." Welcome, and go hunt.

Mike

[Shawn2820]

Thanks guys, I'm starting to realize what I should really do if I want high country experience, the only way to get experience is to go get out there. Might have to make some trips to an area next summer.

[Kessler10]

Hey Shawn. Send me a PM if you would like. I live in Nebraska as well and hunt whitetail around my land near Superior on the Republican River. Not many Mulies down there though, assume you live out Western NE.

Reach out to Indian Summer, he helped me get my first bow elk hunt setup. Actually leaving for it next week. He can help you align with a good outfitter if thats the route you want to go. Or can help you nail down an area and give you maps and tips for a small fee as a DIY hunt. Think he has a link at the top of the page for "headin West Consulting."Highly recommend checking it out.

[Shawn2820]

I will definitely do that! Thank you for the info, yes I'm in western Nebraska, in Arthur actually, just a little ways north of Lake McConehey. I ranch here and have some really good mule deer, along with quite a few whitetails also.

[Shawn2820]

I firmly believe that a big part of the learning curve is becoming at home in the mountains and covering ground up there. If you've been hunting mulies in some high country there is no reason at all you need to consider an outfitted hunt.

Just do some (or lots) of reading here. Ask as many questions as you want... and pick your spot with great care. Every day of elk hunting is a learning experience. An investment in the future. Knowing the lay of the land in detail is priceless. So do your best to pick a good spot so you can stick with it instead of moving around which means starting over.

Case in point is the fact that guys can kill elk consistently in mediocre spots because they know the area and how the elk use it while others can't find or kill elk in great spots because they just don't know enough about it.

Glad to have you in the family Shawn.

Shawn,

My maps might be a great way to help you out if you are coming to CO. As Indian Summer said, "Knowing the lay of the land is priceless." Welcome, and go hunt.

Mike

Mike, as soon as I get something figured out as where to go I will definitely be needing some maps, thank you. I will be looking to go somewhere where I can get over the counter tags. Since I haven't been putting in for tags anywhere before. It's kinda late now, by the time I have enough points built up to draw a tag, I'm going to an old man!