If you need any advice on what not to do pm me directly. I don’t want to make everyone else hurt themselves laughing.

My advice to a first time elk hunter is to take the first legal animal you get a crack at and if you can get a cow tag. There are a lot more cows to hunt than legal bulls in CO and cow gives you a good chance for some experience handling something as big as an elk. If you can't take care of a cow in the field then you shouldn't be chasing bulls. Field dressing and getting an elk out of the field is a lot bigger job than it is on a deer.

^^^^^ This is good advice.
Many folks think it will be like you tube. It won't. Have reasonable expectations and take a good shot if you're given one.
Elk are a pain to dress but they are not impossible. 2 people make it easier for sure.
Learn how to take the lower leg bone off without severing the tendon attachment you hang the quarter by. That will reduce the weight, and awkwardness of the leg, while packing it out.

Everyone will be different in their goals and expectations. Personally, if going on an Elk hunt was a big deal to me then I would want a Trophy. I’m not going to the trouble and not be proud of the animal. If it’s just all about the experience and memories(or meat) then that’s all fine. To me the experience and the memories are just so much better when a special animal is involved.
I would think setting realistic goals ahead of time and being happy with what you get within those goals would be the key.

Is he trophy hunting or going for the meat?
Elk hunting is no more trouble than deer up here. The meat is awesome and I would sure want to bring something home and not eat my tag because I wanted a big bull and didn't see one.
Nothing wrong with trophy hunting but just know for elk, the smaller bulls taste better anyway, so do cows.

Pretty sure that area has resident elk and is a wintering area, have your expectations set to what can be there, not what you want to be there.

Well...
Just ponied up and paid the tag fee. 2nd rifle on a ranch where we will be the first hunters in nearly a decade. Here. We. Go!

You will have fun!

hopefully that property will be a safe haven for pressured animals coming off of public land....you could get into them real thick if the weather is right.


Good luck!

Good to hear on the tags! Also, not all game bags are created equal. I bought some lower end ones that were more like a strong cheese cloth that were not good. I bought my next set that was much better. Also, see if you can find a cowboy or outfitter that will pack out an elk on horse back. I found several before we left and had their numbers with me. It was worth every penny!! I always carried a water purifier pump with me. We used it all the time. When you find a nice stream or creek, you can drink all you want, then top off your water and fill back up. Some pumps are really small and light weight now. I've been on about 5 archery elk hunts, with success happening only once (shot a cow). When we bow hunted them, I carried a small day pack that only had minimal items to reduce weight.

The main thing- GET IN SHAPE!!! When you think you are in shape, get in better shape. You will need it. And break in a good pair of boots before you go.

Congrats !!
Since 2nd rifle is end of Oct I hope it's cool enough just to hang your quarters, if it's warmish during the day just find some shade to hang them in, at night they will cool down nicely.
Be ready to fend off bears from your meat if not hung right, high enough and away from the tree trunk.
Maybe you'll find an old meat cache on the ranch for storing your quarters, underground one maybe.

Sounds like a good time to be had, looking forward to your report back.

Got this pic sent to me from the ranch the other day. Early scouting report was optimistic. Thought the pic was too pretty not to share. Can’t wait to get up there:

Congrats and good luck!

keep us up to date on your adventure! Good luck and safe travels!

I have been blessed to go on many public land, DIY elk hunts across multiple western states. My advice:

1. Be willing to go into places others will not and out work them
2. Keep covering ground (high and low) until you find elk. Finding them is harder than killing them!
3. Be very comfortable navigating in the dark. Most people leave too late and come back far too early.

@buschy Those are some impressive animals, DIY Public land hunting I can only imagine how much work went in to those bulls! To the OP- keep us updated, looks like a great place to go after some meat!

I missed the scouting trip last weekend, but am more excited than ever to get up there. Here are the screenshots from the ranch:

Good luck!

Have fun. Give a report after the hunt.

…and here. We. Go!

Still got about 10 hours left on the road-trip, but we are finally underway. Will be chasing elk in about 18 hours or less.

Steve Rinella of MeatEater said he personifies the anticipation of the hunt and sees it as a passenger on the adventure. He mourns the loss of that passenger upon the arrival of the hunt itself.

Not me! I’m ready to kick that SOB out the truck.

Big thanks to the THF’ers that have offered wisdom, shared stories, and even gear to borrow. Thank you! We look like the Clampitts; if we don’t have it….oh well.
I ended getting a bear tag, too. Hopefully tag soup will NOT be on the menu this week.

Please do keep us posted on this trip. I haven’t been elk hunting yet, but I plan on it before I get to much older. ive been reading the replies and updates on this thread.

Good luck with your hunt!

Bumped a herd of 20-30 and saw a good bull on the ranch heading to cabin. Settled in for a nap; sleep won’t come easy with the shot of excitement that bull brought. Will see what the COLD gray light of dawn brings!

Good luck. Be safe.

It was cold and the morning grays were still lingering but we tagged out this morning! My friend from Arizona set out to hunt together and at legal shooting light we had 3 bulls 265 yards in a meadow in front of us.

1, 2, 3 … 2 of 4 bulls down!

Bammmmmm!!! Congrats!!

Great bulls!!

Enjoy the cool air!! Still warm here

We are supposed to get 8-12” of snow dumped on us tonight with 35 mph gusts. 2 of 4 tags are punched. Hopefully the way everything hunkered down tonight we can get the rest of our guys bulls tomorrow.