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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8650725
07/28/22 01:38 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,842
ducknbass
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,842 |
If you need any advice on what not to do pm me directly. I don’t want to make everyone else hurt themselves laughing.
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8651669
07/29/22 04:36 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,313
QMC SW/EXW
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,313 |
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.
Retired Navy Chief NJROTC Instructor for Los Fresnos High School
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8651685
07/29/22 04:45 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4,053
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4,053 |
^^^^^ 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.
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: QMC SW/EXW]
#8651886
07/29/22 08:57 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,225
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,225 |
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. 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.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8652419
07/30/22 03:24 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4,053
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4,053 |
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.
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8654616
08/02/22 03:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938
HuntnFly67
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938 |
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!
Last edited by HuntnFly67; 08/02/22 03:38 PM.
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8654633
08/02/22 03:57 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876 |
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!
Bottom line, never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals.-Sen Joni Ernst
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8654643
08/02/22 04:10 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,959
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,959 |
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! 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!
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8654674
08/02/22 04:57 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19,186
ChadTRG42
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19,186 |
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.
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8654697
08/02/22 05:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4,053
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4,053 |
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.
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8661817
08/11/22 08:56 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938
HuntnFly67
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938 |
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:
Last edited by HuntnFly67; 08/11/22 08:57 PM.
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8661915
08/11/22 10:57 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,936
68rustbucket
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,936 |
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8662103
08/12/22 02:18 AM
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,247
Ringtail
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,247 |
keep us up to date on your adventure! Good luck and safe travels!
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8677161
08/30/22 04:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 107
Buschy
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 107 |
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.
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8677450
08/30/22 10:19 PM
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Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 4
DropTheRig
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 4 |
@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!
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8712884
10/19/22 07:04 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938
HuntnFly67
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938 |
Last edited by HuntnFly67; 10/19/22 07:05 PM.
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8712952
10/19/22 09:08 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,936
68rustbucket
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,936 |
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8713027
10/19/22 10:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,088
Gringo Bling
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,088 |
Have fun. Give a report after the hunt.
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8723723
11/01/22 06:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938
HuntnFly67
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938 |
…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.
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8723945
11/01/22 09:58 PM
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 136
Jstocks
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 136 |
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!
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8724341
11/02/22 08:08 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938
HuntnFly67
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938 |
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!
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8724578
11/02/22 02:40 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,225
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,225 |
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8725166
11/03/22 02:16 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938
HuntnFly67
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938 |
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!
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8725185
11/03/22 02:43 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,876 |
Bammmmmm!!! Congrats!!
Great bulls!!
Enjoy the cool air!! Still warm here
Bottom line, never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals.-Sen Joni Ernst
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Re: Elk Hunt First Timer
[Re: HuntnFly67]
#8725242
11/03/22 04:24 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938
HuntnFly67
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,938 |
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.
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