I think this is finally the time, I have been waiting for to go elk hunting. Fellows I want to thank everyone who is kicking in to make this a go.

Well, I think everyone should try elk hunting at least once, and this is a good opportunity for that.

I have finally moved from dreaming about an elk hunt to gteting the gear together (slowly). This sounds like the perfect opportunity to make me pull the trigger (pardon the pun ) and actually do it. I would be up for either bow or rifle.

My grandpa was raised on a ranch out of Rifle. He hunted up on the Grand Mesa, out of Grand Junction, most of his life and he always got Elk. I think he hunted late after high elevation snows pushed the Elk lower.

Don't know if this helps or not, but there it is. Something to consider.

The big bulls stay high until the snow pushes them out. It actually pushes them all down lower, but the mature bulls are the last to leave. Takes more snow to push them down. In October, during the rifle season, you could be on either side of that migration.

I am going this year and if I don't get one, I will be going next year. I am also buying preference points for Wyoming for the next 5 to 10 years to go after that "Bull of a lifetime".

I will say this, is it better to have at least 5 people to help carry the meat/hide/horns out of a mountain. (1 for head/hide/antlers, two for a back leg each and 2 for a front leg/back strap each). Believe me, hiking out a big bull 2 to 4 miles in rough country can be tough. You may think you can carry more out by yourself, but you will be very appreciative with more helpers.

I guess it would be real nice to have more than two people packing out a bull. We've always just carried two quarters a piece, boned out. Makes for a rough trip, but it beats doing it again.

Guys I am 110% in to do an elk hunt. I can contribute a tent, accessories a 4x4 crew cab and a limited knowledge of the mountains.

All I ask Is help on a good unit to have a reasonable chance at getting an elk for some of the party.

I will do bow or rifle. Bow seems to be (based on limited experience) the best chance on hunting less pressure elk.


Let's get something going !

I'd be in on it! I've always dreamed of getting a Elk with my bow! I'd love to go with a experienced group of guys.

We need a rifle group and a bow group. Anyone want to head up the bow group?

I nominate sneaky

I'm trying to stay on the rifle side of things.

Please do. DIY rifle hunt on the dates you suggested, or NM with CO as backup still gets my vote.

Thing about NM is only 4 people to an application. So that makes two different groups, where one group may draw and the other may not. Just something to keep in mind. It can still work fine, but the groups need to be split up accordingly if we go that route.

The thing about putting in as a group is you draw as a group or die as a group. Your better of putting in individually.

And what if only one guy gets drawn?

Then he's the only one to get drawn. For this hunt, we would need to put in as a group.

It may be best to keep things simple and forget the draw. We can make better plans that way.

But, we can break this thing off into as many groups as needed. Bow, rifle, draw, etc.

I'm in for the rifle hunt, I have always wanted to go Elk hunting. I am not a fan of CO, cancelled a vacation there this year, but I have always wanted to give Elk hunting a whirl.

All I need is a budget to shoot for and a gear list, have 7 mag will travel.

Alright guys, I'm going to attempt to organize this a little.

I will start a new thread for the hunt that I am going to organize. I'll put together an over the counter hunt in Colorado. Any bow or draw hunts will need to be organized by someone else, so if someone wants to step up and handle that, I'm sure others would be quite grateful. You don't have to be an elk hunting expert, as I'm certainly not, but someone needs to step up to organize things or it won't happen. I would like to see all those that want to do this get a chance to. Elk hunting is something you won't forget.

And I'll get a list together of what I think is necessary for this hunt.

OTC makes much more since for a group like this. Especially since it is a group that is not brought together by anything other than the internet.

I am sure many people will say they are in but will not be for sure in the end. Maybe a deposit down is the best way to secure your spot? Just a thought. To get organized

I would try to get some more details hammered out before money gets involved. Some work can be done on dates, locations, plans, than people can decide if they want to

Many thanks to our fearless leader. Sounds great.

This is my elk hunting list. Others may add to it.

Good pair of boots that you can put many miles in comfortably.
Either a good pack that can double as day pack and meat hauler, or a decent day pack and a pack frame for hauling meat. I have an Eberlestock J107, and I find it to be perfect.
Good knives for skinning and quartering. If you bring one knife, it better be a good one, and you better bring a stone for it.
Emergency kit. I have things like lighters, space blankets, Quick Clot, spare knife, sewing kit, super glue, pain killers, gauze, electric tape, etc.
GPS. You can get by without one, but I wouldn't. You can get a simple unit, like a Garmin Etrex for not that much money, and it's more than worth it.
Flashlights. I like to have a headlamp and at least one good handheld.
Maps. You'll want good maps of the area we hunt. When we decide on an area, I'll give more details.
Batteries. Put new ones in all of your accessories, and I like to carry spares for everything, as well.
Game bags. You'll want at least 4 if you get an elk on the ground. I think 5 is a better number.
A lightweight, rainproof jacket is nice to have for rain and snow.
Layered clothing. It will be cold, but you'll want to be able to shed layers of clothing when you're hiking. You'll warm up quick. But if you stop and sit, or if a storm rolls in, then you'll need to layer back up. Staying dry up there is important.
Water. I have at least one hydration bladder in my pack that I fill up before I head out on each hunt. You can also put bottled water in your pack, but I recommend a bladder of some kind.
Lunch/snacks. Bring food that is high in energy. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Snickers, trail mix, etc. is the type of stuff I like to pack.
Good glass is not a necessity, but it makes a huge difference. 200 bucks can get you some pretty nice binoculars. I like 10x40.
A rangefinder is also not a necessity, but if you are capable of shooting a target the size of a truck tire, then it's best to have one. Shots up there are limited only by your capabilities. The further you can shoot, the better.
Hunter's education. The cut off date in CO is different from Texas. Look it up and make sure you don't need it if you don't already have it. I believe their date is in the 50's.
Blaze orange. You'll need a cap and a vest.
Sling. If you don't have a GOOD sling for your rifle, get one. A poor sling will wear your shoulder out. I like Vero Vellini.
Cooler. A 120 quart will easily hold a cow. It won't be enough for a big bull, though. To save space, I like to bring one big cooler. If I need another, I'll go to the nearest town and buy one.
Leatherman. I like to have a multi tool. It's not necessary, but it can come in handy.
Parachute cord. You'll never know how important that stuff is until you keep a roll in your pack. The uses are endless. This is a necessity for me.

That's just for hunting. For camping, you'll need the usual stuff. We can either get a couple spots in a campground or camp on the side of a forest road. Campers are nice, but tents work, too. I'll probably camp out of my truck. This is where we can combine supplies and bring less equipment, such as cooking and eating utensils. We can discuss all of that in each individual thread.

Of course, you'll need a rifle and ammo. If you are unsure of what to bring, just ask.

And a license. You can buy that when you get there. I like to order mine over the phone and have it before. You can get a bull tag or cow tag. Some units offer both, last I knew. I will probably get both. If you can afford it, I recommend it. On a slow year, you'll want options.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something. If so, mention it. If you have any questions, ask away. This is big country. I like to go prepared. A lot of people hit those woods with far less than I do, successfully. Some even take more. If you have a license, rifle, ammo, and knife, you can make it work.

I agree on the OTC part. That way, if someone can't make it, there's no skin off anyone's back.