Elk hunting on a budget

There are some good books to check out such as Elk hunting the west the Eastman way by Mike Eastman. Colorado has OTC tags for 2nd and 3rd season season. Pick a area with a high population of elk and go at it.

If you are serious about and cannot afford a guide you need to be willing to invest the time and travel. Your first, maybe even second years might not produce anything. To take it seriously you've got to understand the patterns that elk have for the migration, weather, and precip. I moved to CO in 2004 just started talking and asking questions.

I went with a guide about 6 years ago, and just like you i can't afford to drop big $$ every year.
I live in Michigan, i just went out and bought a wall tent and all the gear i needed, and now i do DIY hunts, i study the state web sites to decide where i want to go, get maps, and basically just go for it, if 2 guys go to split the cost it usually cost me $1300.00 to $1500.00 for a 2 week trip and that includes everything. hunting the mountains is a lot different then hunting back east so you need to pay attention to what you are doing. and get in the best shape you can. i have had several close calls with bulls over the last 5 years and finally scored on my first bull this year, but whether i get anything or not, it is always a great time. and i can't wait to get back out there next year.

Kevin

buckykm1 are you holding out on the pics :thumb

"primal215" wrote:buckykm1 are you holding out on the pics :thumb

+1

i dont care if it's a spike!, lets see some pics!

"primal215" wrote:buckykm1 are you holding out on the pics :thumb

No i am not holding out on the pictures :) . i just have not had time to right the story yet and figure out how to post pictures on this site, and my typeing skills suck so it takes me a while to do it, but i promise i will get up with in the next few days.

Kevin

I'd be willing to bet an elk hunting trip that someone on this forum would be williing to help you with your pics if your having trouble posting them up. I bet Killerbee would be one, I bet I would be another. Heck, I even bet primal would be willing to help. Just PM and ask if you need help, we wanna see them.Sounds like it will be a great story.-----shooter

I dont know if you are planning on rifle or archery but if you end up in utah and dont really know where to go i wouldnt mind helping you on a hunt. Me and my dad love to go out but we might be doing archery this year. If you are going to hunt utah you can PM me and we can talk more. The general season is kind of tough for elk though.

Try Josh Carlbom/ (website) Sun canyon Lodge and Outfitting. It's $3500 plus tags, 7 days, elk and deer. It's a back country hunt. Not what you would think a elk hunt would be. It's a very good hunt and not well advertised. He only does a couple of shows a year. Most of his booking is done a year in advance. Most of his clients are long standing. However, he does have holes here and there. He does bow and rifle. All you need is your personal hunting gear.

I would highly suggest you give him a call. This is as good of public land hunt as you will find. You can also feel free to contact me directly. my phone is 406-562-3546. Al his info is on the website listed above.

Hi, I just moved from Garrett County Maryland to California. We live on Deep Creek Lake. It is 1742 miles from my house on Deep Creek to Unit 33 in Colorado just above New Castle. Tell me, are you wanting to rifle or bow hunt. I was in your position in 2002. I did my homework for Unit 33. Went to asking around. Luckily we had 5 guys from my church that went every year. Anyway, BOW OR RIFLE?? Then I can help you get started for a do it yourself hunt.

"iditarodgrizzly" wrote:Hi, I just moved from Garrett County Maryland to California. We live on Deep Creek Lake. It is 1742 miles from my house on Deep Creek to Unit 33 in Colorado just above New Castle. Tell me, are you wanting to rifle or bow hunt. I was in your position in 2002. I did my homework for Unit 33. Went to asking around. Luckily we had 5 guys from my church that went every year. Anyway, BOW OR RIFLE?? Then I can help you get started for a do it yourself hunt.

you will fit right in this site! welcome to muleymadness!!

Thanks!!

What we did was ordered a topo map of units 23, 24, 33 from National Geographic. Then I took the map to people to have them show me where they had hunted. They will give you nicknames for places like; corral, gravel bar, cliffs, spring cabin, sheephearders cabin, cattle guard. These will be locations that most hunters that hunt in these units will be familiar with. If going 2nd or 3rd rifle season, those tags are over the counter for elk. Unlimited. 1st. rifle season is a draw.
Bow season in this area is a draw but they do have over the counter tags for archery, just check on which unit. Find you unit and I can hook you up with one of the guys to give you some coordinates to hunt. Buy a handheld GPS. They come in handy.