how do you hunt elk on a budget?

[my82cam]

since my hunting trip while i was in africa was a bust, i am trying to plan an elk hunt for the fall of 2011(not 2010 because i am sure i don't have enough time and money for this year).

my question is how do you do, or what is the best way to go about this? what state has a high population of elk that you can hunt on public land? who has the cheapest hunting license cost? what on earth do i do with an elk after i shoot it? lol i can't just drag it back to the truck like i do with my deers after i gut them. i guess i cut as much meat as i can carry and the antlers for the mount. any advice or pointers would be awesome. thanks

[DaveS]

I know a few guys at work that travel out and hunt public land in Colorado every year. I seem to remember ( I could be wrong), that a cow tag costs about 250 and a bull tag cost 500. They wanted me to go last year. They say they go out and camp, hunt ect., all for about 1500 if I remember right.

[DaveS]

So what "busted" your trip in Africa?

[Guest GunTroll]

I'm from Wyoming and have also lived in CO and hunted elk in both. CO has a larger elk herd. But has more hunters to compete with you. Both states mentioned have an abundance of public land. I believe the tags/prices are comparable. There are plenty of outfitters that will gladly help take your money and put you onto the herd. This might be the way to go since you can't scout here from TN and you have little to no knowledge of the land. Its all in the timing with elk. If you want to hear bugling then you really need to plan your trip on the rut.

WY would be my choice out of the above mentioned. AZ is darn near impossible to get tags. NM is better than AZ for draw results but not much. NM has better trophies they claim. I know nothing of Montana. I believe their prices for tags are the highest. Something you might want to do is look into the lottery/draw of these states and pick the one that seems to be easier. CO has over the counter tags bull/cow. I don't know about the others. Also what weapon do you want to hunt with? Look into that big time. WY has a longer rifle season than CO and basically easier regs to decipher. In CO you may want to hire a lawyer to help read their regs to you in layman terms. WY would be my choice. Also elk/deer season bleeds into one another there if you time it right. It does in CO as well but not as long I believe.

On your question of game retrieval. There are retrieval services available for those hunters not fortunate enough to have horses. You can quarter the thing and put some miles on your boots if you want as well. All depends on how motivated of a hiker you were before the shot that will determine the retrieval effort.

Do it. I'm going to WY in '11 for deer & antelope God willing.

Edited July 1, 2010 by GunTroll
WY doesn't have OTC tags

[gotigers]

AR has elk hunting. Travel costs would be much less, out of state big game license would be $250 plus any special elk permits there may be. AGFC | Hunting Other Species

[Mike]

Wyoming is nice but you need to draw for a hunt. I went to Idaho to get an over the counter license. I would recommend a guide. My buddy and I hiked all over the place to find them when we could have gotten a guide and at least pointed us in the right direction.

Bring a light rifle. I took a savage model 10 and i wanted to throw that thing off the side of a mountain at the end of our trip.

On your question of game retrieval. There are retrieval services available for those hunters not fortunate enough to have horses. You can quarter the thing and put some miles on your boots if you want as well. All depends on how motivated of a hiker you were before the shot that will determine the retrieval effort.

Just needed to be restated.

Bottom line is it was a lot of fun. i got to see a beautiful part of America. And even though I didn't get to bring home an elk I will definitely go back in the future.

-Mike

Edited July 1, 2010 by Mike

[my82cam]

wd-i wonder if they would let me tag along next year....lol

[dlm37015]

try for draw in KY lots of elk lots of public land they are breading like rabbits in eastern Ky

[TNFF319]

1. Go to store.

2. Locate meat section.

3. Hunt down elk meat.

4. Take home and enjoy.

I can never stay in budget when it comes to hunting. There is always something cool I just have to have. Good luck doing it on the cheap.

[my82cam]

i called KY and i can apply for next years elk hunt come this december, i applied for TN draw but doubt i will get a tag.

[dlm37015]

there are over 1000 for ky now i can help you with a place to hunt if you get a tag .there is lots of public land in east ky though

i am lucky i get to hunt nm every other year

[Guest Jcochran88]

i am lucky i get to hunt nm every other year

Yep I would say so!

[gregintenn]

Save up and employ a reputable guide.

[Ropin4gold]

I have a buddy that went to NM last year and is going back this year. He hired a local guide for cheap and they saw alot of elk but he didn't bring one home (trophy hunting). He had some great stories and pictures. I hope to get to go some day.