Trying to plan my first elk hunt

[VT Sasquatch]

Hi everyone. I'm new but I have been reading the threads and there's a lot of good info.

I'm in Pennsylvania and I have been hunting for 25 years. I have started trying other states in my region (Vermont, New York Adirondacks), mostly for deer. I always wanted to try for elk and I'm not getting any younger (41 yo).

I am married with kids and money is a concern. I'd love a drop camp but don't really have the money for it. I am thinking of trying a do-it-yourself rifle hunt in CO. I'd pick a unit where I could get a tag OTC. I have plenty of gear including a tent. I'm thinking I'd drive to public land and hike in a ways and set up a camp. I would try to go light and eat dehydrated food.

I will almost certainly be solo. My friend that I hunt with here are into stand-hunting small wood lots for deer. None are really up for this kind of hunting. If anyone else is in my position and wants to meet up, that would be great (assuming you aren't a lunatic, lol).

As far as goals, an animal would be a bonus but I am most interested in the experience. I am not a trophy hunter so anything legal would be like a Boone and Crockett to me. I am realistic in knowing the odds are against me. I just hope to see or hear elk and experience new terrain.

I have some questions if you guys are willing to share. How far in do I need to get in to have a chance to see elk? I'm concerned about getting the meat out if I'm too many miles deep. I have a pack frame but I know it would be a lot of weight and several trips. I'm in decent shape for a flatlander who works indoors but I have limits.

This is probably a dumb question but ATVs are illegal on public land, right? I imagine so but if not, I have a 4x4 ATV that could help solve the issue of retrieving a carcass/meat.

Finally, I ordered an atlas to start looking at potential hunting areas. Right now I am planning to more or less throw a dart at the Routt National Forest as a starting point. I'll try to find somewhere with some kind of water so I can bring a water filter instead of gallons of water. Are there any areas of the Routt that I should avoid?

Thanks for any pointers.

-Dan

[VT Sasquatch]

I should have mentioned, this is for next year. I'd prefer the earliest rifle season so I can still get back home to hunt whitetails.

[StartMyHunt]

Dan, you may be interested in checking out my maps as a way to help find some areas to help get you started. I have identified areas across the state where elk are likely to be located based on factors such as quality elk habitat and hunting pressure.

Mike

[VT Sasquatch]

Thanks Mike. They look good. I'll wait until I narrow down which unit to hunt before I order.

[Swede]

Vt Sasquatch, welcome to the forum. How far in is an elk? There are no rules, and each area is different. I hate to say it, but if you are more specific on where you plan to hunt, some experienced hunter may give you some ideas. Often it varies so much that there is no rule. If you have the time it is good to arrive about three days before the season opens, set up camp, then start to look around. As far as off road motorized use is concerned, you need to check the National Forest you are planning to hunt. You may get the information off of their web site, or call and ask. Some Forests are very open, others have no off road policy and use signed orders to close areas for specific needs. If you call go directly to the District office and not the National Forest headquarters. After you get their off road policy ask for someone familiar with elk hunting on the District, and query them about specific areas. Most, but not all, will give you some good information on hunting.

[ST52V]

Where in PA are you from??? I live in Beaver County. Lots of guys from around the state on here and other forums.

[VT Sasquatch]

Thanks guys. I'm on the other side of PA. Delaware County.

[Stykbow14]

I'm in a similar boat as you. My friends are whitetail hunters and not interested in chasing elk....silly folks for sure I went on a guided trip this past September and now I'm hooked! Planning a access fee hunt in CO for 2016 and a DIY in 2017. I'm planning archery only. Best of luck...elk country is amazing! I'm in Delaware and hunt some in Sullivan County, PA.

If you decide on an archery hunt, let me know. I know where I'll go DIY. We hunted in the vicinity with the guide this year and it was awesome. Not sure about everywhere, but in Colorado, ATVs are allowed on some public land. Not on some state lands and not on the Wilderness areas. But on general forest land and all the BLM land, ATV are allowed on roads and trails. It can be a problem!

[VT Sasquatch]

Thanks Syk. I may have to take you up on that. I used to bow hunt. My first few deer were with a bow. I switched to crossbow a few years ago and no longer have a bow but wouldn't mind getting back into it. The reasons I am thinking to go with a rifle are (1) cooler temps so less risk of meat spoilage and (2) I have no idea how to call and can't imagine getting within bow range without calling.

I have hunted grouse in Bradford County, not far from Sullivan. It's a nice area. We have property along Blue Mountain where I hunt. It abuts State Game Land so I do most of my hunting there.

I also mountain bike in Delaware. It sounds crazy but there are some fun trails in Newark.

Dumb question but what is an access fee hunt? Just paying for access to private land? What's BLM? Sorry, I am a complete rookie.

[Indian Summer]

if you are interested in a partner why don't you go to the "Looking for an Elk Hunting Partner" thread at the top and see if you can hook up with someone. The more details the better the match so take your time. Welcome aboard and good luck to you.

[otcWill]

Talk to Joe (Indian Summer). Buy one of his hunt plans and go have a blast. It can take 10 years to truly get to know an area well enough to have consistent success. It'll be the difference between a grueling and depressing camping trip and a grueling and awesome hunting experience Good luck! Beware, elk huntn is as addictive as anything

[CurlyTail]

If you are set on hunting Colorado. I would at least consider muzzleloader season. Colorado has a special primitive smoke pole season that is timed during the peak of the rut. The woods are less crowded, the weather and roads are less challenging, and the elk are easier to find because they are screaming their heads off! For many new elk hunters, the switch to muzzleloader is not as intimidating as the switch to Archery.

Muzzleloader hunting is very similar to archery - just a shorter 9 day season, and a little less difficult and time to get your equipment dialed in. The only drawback is that all muzzleloader permits are by draw. But there are many decent units that do not require much in the way of preference points.

Much higher quality experience than the rifle hunt in my opinion - unless you like lots of company in the woods and quiet, hard to find elk, in the cold.

Just a thought

The other cant miss option is to get a hunt plan with Indian Summer, but I don't think he does Colorado.

What every you do - Do it Yourself is always the most satisfying, if not the easiest path

[Stykbow14]

VT, Yup...I mountain bike up that way as well White Clay Creek is very nice!

BLM = Bureau of Land Management. It's Federally owned land managed for different uses. Sometimes hunting. Sometimes range land. Sometimes just about anything even gas/oil drilling. Lot's of BLM public land out west. No access fee!

We were in Colorado for the 2nd Rifle season. My son and I tagged out on the 2nd day so we scouted some of the National Forest Land and State land nearby. I have to say I have never scene so many hunters! It was like PA opening day! Orange every where! We saw critters as well but wow....the orange army was thick!

[VT Sasquatch]

Thanks for the info guys.

Styk, I love White Clay and Middle Run. I think it's funny because my favorite trails have no mountains anywhere. I also like Nockamixon and Trexler. I'll hit Wissahickon here and there but it is a tough ride in my opinion.

I am not dead set on CO. I just thought it would be the only place to get a tag. I'll look into muzzleloader and other states. Thanks. I have a Thompson Center but it's probably not legal. I used to have a flintlock but was less accurate with that than with a bow.

[cohunter14]

VT, as far as the ATV's go, they are legal but you need to keep them on numbered trails. Can't just take them anywhere you want.

One thing I would throw your way is to be prepared for anything weather-wise. Backpacking sounds like a great idea to get away from the crowds, but the weather can ruin that idea real quick. This year it was in the 60's every day during 1st rifle, so backpacking in would have been easy. But there are other years where we will get over a foot of snow. You don't want to be miles in with a small backpacking tent when something like that happens.

The nice thing about hunting first rifle season is that it is draw only, so there aren't OTC tags. That can help contain the number of people hunting a given area. But you will find that no matter what season you hunt, if you get a half mile off a road or trail, you will escape 90+ percent of the hunters. Elk can be anywhere and are shot from roads every year, but they also like to avoid the orange army.

[VT Sasquatch]

Thanks guys. I am going to take Curlytail's advice an change my plan to hunt in September. I didn't know 1st rifle was draw only so that makes the decision easy. I have a muzzleloader so I will put in for the muzzleloader draw and if I not picked I will get an OTC archery tag. I have bowhunting experience on whitetails so I am confident I can get up to par with a bow accuracy. I'll buy a bow either way and start practicing.

I am looking at 3 areas right now - 14, 25 and Grand Mesa. I like the idea of using an atv to get out to the woods because I may be able to talk a buddy into joining me. He has some mobility issues that make it hard for him to backpack or walk long distances.

[Stykbow14]

VT, I'm locked in on a private land hunt in GMU 15 for 2016 in Colorado but I'm already planning for 2017. Not sure if it will be CO of ID but either will work! If you do want go archery, let's get together and see if we can work something out! Maybe over a bike ride at Middle Run I need to start getting in shape for September 2016!!!

[VT Sasquatch]

Sounds great Styk. Let me know.

[cohunter14]

I didn't know 1st rifle was draw only so that makes the decision easy.

VT, it's draw only but there are many areas you can draw with zero preference points. There are also a bunch of leftover tags for first season as well. Just an FYI...

[VT Sasquatch]

I have a general area picked now and tentative plans in place. I spoke to one of my good friends who is interested too. One issue to address is that we want to use ATVs to get back into the woods. He doesn't own one. I have a Kawasaki Brute Force 750 with a winch so we could get by double riding on it if legal but I'm kind of assuming that would be illegal. Does anyone know whether that is illegal?

If so, we'll probably pick up an inexpensive used ATV. Maybe even a small dirt bike so we could fit it in the bed of my truck and not have to bring a trailer.

[saddlesore]

I'm not real familar with UNIT 14 , but unit 25 I don't know of any ATV trails that would get you high enough in Sept. In Colorado, there are very few trails open, mostly areas are Forest Service or BLM two track roads that are open.

You are going to have to order Forest Service maps as they have travel management areas designated.

Also when bringing ATV's you must stop and get them registered in Colorado

[baddaddy]

VT,

The grand Mesa is comprised of 6 hunting units and plenty of ATV trails. The top of the Mesa is about 10,000 feet so plan on a couple of days just getting acclimated to the elevation. PM me and I'll give you some ideas on where to start looking if you decide on the Mesa.

[VT Sasquatch]

Alright, I just ordered a wall tent from the sponsor. I was going to bring my Snowtrekker but it would be a tight squeeze with 2 or more on cots (I'm hoping my buddy comes and/or I can meet up with one of the other members). I also have less concerns about weight with atv access to camp sites. I went small with a 10' x 12' but I figured that would fit 3 cots for sleeping. I'm not much for playing cards anyway. If I'm going solo, I'll probably use the Snowtrekker. No turning back now. Thanks for all the tips.

[cohunter14]

I have a general area picked now and tentative plans in place. I spoke to one of my good friends who is interested too. One issue to address is that we want to use ATVs to get back into the woods. He doesn't own one. I have a Kawasaki Brute Force 750 with a winch so we could get by double riding on it if legal but I'm kind of assuming that would be illegal. Does anyone know whether that is illegal?

If so, we'll probably pick up an inexpensive used ATV. Maybe even a small dirt bike so we could fit it in the bed of my truck and not have to bring a trailer.

VT, you can ride with two guys on an ATV, just make sure both of your weapons are cased.

[VT Sasquatch]

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.