elk and mule deer

[luckdog257]

I am looking at going out west next year. I would like to know has anyone been out there and hunted elk and Mule deer? How was your guide? Who was your guide if you were satisfied? I have not narrowed down an area yet. I dont want to spend a ton of money, but I do understand it wont be cheap. Any suggestions would be helpful Thank You

[mihunter]

http://www.monstermuleys.com/

Lots of info on this website.

[Frankie 2 Times]

Luckdog,
What you really need to do is decide where out west you what to go. Most states have some sort of point or draw system for the better areas. If you haven't been gathering points, then your options become limited to either over the counter tags or outfitters who have land owner tags. Be prepared to pay mor for the land owner tags for decent areas.

I'll be heading to Wyoming this fall to chase elk with my bow. No better way to spend time than a couple of weeks out in the mountains at the end of September. This will be a DIY hunt. Should be a great time, irregardless of whether or not I harvest and elk.

Are you looking for a rifle hunt or archery? Best thing to do is decide of you want to hunt elk or muley. Not all areas have both or are even good for both. Concentrate one and focus on where the bestplace to hunt that animal and what ype of hunt you want. A high altitue alpine hunt for elk is significantly different and reaquires a much different level of commitment than a desert muley hunt.

Good Luck.
Frank

[luckdog257]

I didnt even know they had a point system to draw some tags. We were thinking of going out with rifles for the first time, although I would like to give it try with a bow maybe next time. I think we will possibly try in 2009. Thanks for the information

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

http://www.identicards.com/links/statednr.html
luckdog257 this is where your journey begins!:woohoo1:

[HunterHawk]

dont know anything about this place really... i have to write an outdoor preparedness paper for a class and was taking some information from this site... looks kinda cool
http://www.actionadventures.net/colorado_big_game_hunting_rates.htm

[mmac1318]

You definately need to decide on where you want to go because in some states the best areas for a rifle hunt can take up to 10 yrs. You may want to subscribe to Eastmans magazine they have a section in every issue explaining how to and the odds for drawing different states. Why do you feel you need to hire a guide it isnt too hard to DIY and quite a bit cheaper. If you spend the time studying how to hunt them and the best areas to hunt them DIY is very real possibility. There is one good benefit to going with a guide though and that is a lot of states have outfitter tags so you may not have to draw for a good area.

[bigsablemike]

colorado used to have over the counter bull tags for 500 bucks.look around craig and meeker.lots of public land and the terrain while steep isnt intimidating.its more of a sagebrush,oakbrush and pinion pine.rather than the timber.we went ourselves and i spent about 1500.bring an extra pair of legs cause by the 3rd day youll be needing them.:lol:

[luckdog257]

Thanks for all the info. I am finally getting a direction to go in.:yikes:

[8iowa]

I've hunted in the Flattops area of Colorado every year for the last ten years. The Colorado deadline for the various draws is April 1st. Fortunately you can enter on line, www.wildlife.state.co.us (http://www.wildlife.state.co.us)

My area, unit 26, is in the mountains and is primarilly an elk area. We do see mule deer occassionally, but this would not be an optimum place for a deer hunter. I recommend finding a guide with his own horses. Don't get hooked up with someone who rents horses. You might consider one of the "Ranching for Wildlife" operators. It is more expensive, but you are sure of getting the tags you need and the success rate is much higher than hunting on public land.

Keep in mind the fact than an elk is much larger than a deer. It is an arduous task for a DIY hunter on foot to get the meat out of the woods.

I can give you some contact information in a PM if you wish.

[mich buckmaster]

Wyoming is tougher to get elk tags, but when you get one, they have giants. I would contact SNS outfitters, and talk with Sy, the owner. I used Guy Palmquist and he is an AWESOME guide. They are a little salty but it is 5 star all the way and we had a GREAT hunt!!

[aph]

I also hunt the flaptops and I would never do it without a horse. Success depends upon how much snow there is. You can rent a horse from an outfitter for around 300.00 for the season. Still a tremendous amount of walking/climbing.

[ID-Birddog]

There are some over the counter tags available in Idaho, but OTC means lots of competition. The local hunters will have stock and be getting into the better areas. Not to say you could not pull a decent bull, but it will be work. There are a lot of areas with over the counter spike only areas. You can reasonably expect to harvest in these areas if you are willing to work for it. These areas are generally either sex for archery if you choose that route.
You can opt for the draws here. We do not have the preference points the other states have yet. Just check the Fin and Fur website and look at the odds of drawing for a particular hunt.
As far as renting stock (as I saw posted earlier), you better be a good hand and know how to ride. You will not be getting the "kids" horses from the outfitters. You will be getting getting the stock he has left over from the high paying hunts. People are particular about their good horses and will not let them go out to just anyone. I know I am picky about who rides/packs mine.
Expect rank stock if you rent.....if you are not a horse person, then expect to hit the ground a time or two. You will soon learn why they call these hills the Rocky Mountains after bouncing off of them a time or two.
You can have a successful "do it yourself" hunt here, but you have to be willing to hike some hills and work hard. You just need to decide if you want this type of hunt of not.

[7MM Magnum]

What ID-Birddog said ! ;) :D