Idahoarcheryhunter
Well-known member
All the elk in Idaho were eaten by wolves or went to nevada and Utah as well....
Apparently every unit everywhere sucks
- Thread starter SwampLander
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JohnCushman
Well-known member
I would suggest finding a unit that seems pretty good and hunting it on a cow tag to learn the unit. If you're successful you get a freezer full of elk, if you're not successful then you're out a lesser amount of money but you gained knowledge of an area.
Dougfirtree
Well-known member
I hunted a unit in Wyoming that I've never been to, this year. There were a lot of roads and not many places in the unit that weren't accessible to atv's and trucks. It's funny, I saw soooo many hunters on the roads and in their campsites, but not one in the woods. I did see a bunch of elk though, every day of the hunt. If you want to go, just make your best guess (based on some research), and go. If you're meant to be an elk hunter, you'll probably have a fantastic time. Internet reviews of hunt units are tricky because some people suck at hunting. Others are really good at it. Some are very lucky, some get screwed. Some have awesome weather and others don't. You probably can't tell the difference online.
Steelhead
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I had a serious hunting-life change this year. A few years ago I would be in the woods on opening day going through some overgrown blow down whatnot and I would be saying to myself "This sucks!! Why do I hunt??" This year I showed up for a archery hunt in the pouring rain...which turned to dumping snow and from the second I stepped into the woods my heart was happy.
You only live once and if something that you consider your passion, or even your serious hobby, brings you more heartache than it does joy...it's time to find a new hobby.
You only live once and if something that you consider your passion, or even your serious hobby, brings you more heartache than it does joy...it's time to find a new hobby.
Dougfirtree
Well-known member
Congrats to you and your daughter! What a bummer though. I might feel a little resentful of that fly in your sweet, sweet ointment.
You mentioned giving up on elk hunting and going for deer or pronghorn. I wouldn't give up on elk but I would recommend going for deer or antelope first. I went elk hunting my first couple trips and have since hunted deer and pronghorn. Plan on going back elk hunting this year if I get a tag. But feel I could have been more successful on my elk hunts if I had gone deer or lope hunting first. They are a little easier hunt with a higher chance of being successful. Plus you learn so much just coming out your first few years. Go deer hunt the area you think you might want to elk hunt. You will have a decent chance of killing something and will know if it is worth coming back to hunt elk. Or if being successful is very important to you, go hunt lopes first. You will have a blast and figure out the logistics of it all.
BuzzH
Well-known member
Right, go hunt unit 202 in MT with a general tag...report back with pictures of that big bull you kill.
Maybe you'll get lucky and turn up one of the 8 elk the FWP observed on their last population flight.
As for the OP, don't listen to people that are giving advice and haven't hunted the areas you're talking about.
If you hang your hat on hunting elk in most of Western Montana as a NR, with no experience in the area, you're setting yourself up for some major disappointment. I personally have hunted a lot of Western Montana, and without exception, its the poorest elk hunting I've had since I started hunting in 1980. I told the lead biologist this at the latest Missoula meeting, and he agreed with my statement, "The hunting in Western Montana, for everything except wolves, turkeys, bears, and lions is worse now than when I started in 1980". He said, "I agree with that".
Can a person get elk there? Sure, if you have a lifetime of hunting experience, and know the country better than anyone else...yes. The question is, does a person that comes from another state, half-way across the US, with limited elk hunting experience have a reasonable chance? I say no.
If you're happy to just be taking your rifle for a hike, with a 10% or less chance of taking a bull, hunt Western Montana...that's what statistics tell you. With low bull to cow ratio's, elk harboring, and 120K+ of your best friends to compete with for 11 weeks...that's your reality of elk hunting in MT.
But, who knows, maybe you'll find a dead bull that was squished by a tree...solid proof of how great the hunting is in Western Montana.
BuzzH
Well-known member
Maybe one last thought, the only way you're ever really going to find out about a unit, or learn to hunt elk, is by just getting out there.
Many have given you solid advice.
Many have given you solid advice.
Lawnboy
Well-known member
I thought he's been researching Colorado and Wyoming not Montana. I'd agree with Buzz that there are better states for opportunity for a new elk hunter. The reality is though it take years and multiple times out to get things figured 0ut and then get lucky enough to get one. You aren't going to hit a homerun everytime. Give it your best shot, have fun and take notes for the next one. You guys that watch Randy's show obviously missed the seasons where he got skunked on multiple hunts. These are areas he's never hunted and gave it a whirl for 5 days. Many of the areas he's returned to and has learned something from the previous trip to better his odds. Maybe it's a different drainage, different unit or even time of year. Hunting isn't one and done on figuring it out.
Just Do It!
Hunting, much like life, is what you make it. Get out there and try it. There are no guarantees you will come home with any meat but guaranteed, with the right attitude, you will come back with great memories.
I have made the trip out west twice thus far and haven’t gotten an elk yet. These were still two of my most memorable hunting experiences. Each time my hunting partner killed an elk and I got to experience the pack out and enjoy in the meat. Last trip I connected on a mule deer.
We were planning our next trip on the drive home!
Once you try it you will be hooked.
Hunting, much like life, is what you make it. Get out there and try it. There are no guarantees you will come home with any meat but guaranteed, with the right attitude, you will come back with great memories.
I have made the trip out west twice thus far and haven’t gotten an elk yet. These were still two of my most memorable hunting experiences. Each time my hunting partner killed an elk and I got to experience the pack out and enjoy in the meat. Last trip I connected on a mule deer.
We were planning our next trip on the drive home!
Once you try it you will be hooked.
Steelhead
Active member
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- Dec 28, 2009
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- 701
One time a guy told me that a certain unit was "the worst unit in that mountain range"...now we just call it "worst unit" and try and draw it every year!!
Wy067
Active member
LuketheDog
Well-known member
Sheesh, no kidding...time to take up golf!
My buddies and I have an annual deer hunt in a unit with lots of hunters and average hunting. I think every year the group has gone about 50% on bucks, with a bonus bull elk one year. We've had heat, extreme cold, wind, rain, snow, and even a wildfire. I haven't heard anybody with an unfilled tag complain yet, and everyone signs up for it again the next year. You've got to learn to play the game...
Cerebral Stalker
Active member
Exactly!!!
Makes a guy scratch his head. Why do we do what we do? Some are just into the kill, some into the total experience, some for the challenge, some as a way to get away from people, some for the camping, and some for all of these reasons. Some chase horns, some chase meat, some do both. Some like to make it harder and throw sticks, some like big bore rifles, some like both. Some like to hike, some like to pack in, some like to drive roads, some like to sit on water. Some buy all the new techy stuff, some rely on tradition. Some will throw dollars at it, some are on a budget......get my drift. We hunters are all alike in some respects, but also unique and different in our own approach, our desires of what to get out of it. You have to find out some of these things on your own, on some,you can rely advice. If you get bogged down in choosing where to hunt, you honestly are robbing yourself of the first fun part of a hunt, as in planning a hunt. FUN, not uncertanty, not stress, not fear, not negativity. There is already enough of that in every day life. I could give you my two bits on Colorado, but right now, I say, take a chill pill, get excited that you have the health and means to even consider a hunt. A lot dont
'Ike'
New member
Best part, there are 'random' tags in WY...CO you can most likely, just go with a OTC...All depends on what you're looking for!
Elkmagnet
Well-known member
Picking a unit is easy the statistics are usually available for units. The hard part is picking where in the unit to hunt and what approach is best suited to the topography/animal/season/weather.
Seriously just pick a unit with good numbers and get to researching the stuff that decides whether or not you will be successful
Seriously just pick a unit with good numbers and get to researching the stuff that decides whether or not you will be successful
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