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Trying to plan a 2011 elk hunt, any recommendations for an outfitter with a drop camp service? I have never hunted with an outfitter/guide - just seems like I may have to start.
I don't need "the" elk, just an elk. Preferably large, tasty, and one i don't have to fight too many bears off of. again.
Why go outside the state and pay for outfitter, non resident fees etc.
CO has the largest # of elk in the lower 48. Just have to work sometimes, and an outfitter will work your ass off and if you ain't up for it he will make your life miserable.
I agree huge herds here. I've been successful 3 years running and I dont consider myself an expert by any means. also instate tags are alot cheaper
MT is the perfect place to go to find "the" elk, the Flat Tops are the perfect place to go to find "an" elk!
To hunt MT this year, unless you have preference points from previous years, would be very expensive. You would have to get an outfitter sponsored license, which is very pricey, not to mention what you would have to pay for the drop camp.
A drop camp over on this side of the state would be much cheaper in comparison and I believe you could have a great hunt. I'd be happy to recommend some guys and tell you which ones to stay away from.
Colby
I grew up hunting in ID, MT, and AK so hunting with so many people around is a new thing for me to figure out. I guess I just need to find a much more remote spot or change my tactics.
Yes, the new MT regs have me less inclined to figure it out there- I just miss hunting the Missouri River breaks. I have had some really epic hunts there.
I have never hunted in WY but see tons of game everywhere I go there. Last time I was just outside of Cody I got hit by a deer. Maybe he was trying to intimidate me? funny nonetheless as he stumbled to his feet looking up at the parked Blazer. weird.
for $50 you can get a license here. lots of great spots to hunt with your choice of weapon. some places do drop camps for $1000-1500, some more, some less. depends on the outfitter, how booked he is, when you book it etc.
seasons are long enough, especially archery, to just get out there and go. if you have hunted elk before, you know the basics to find elk in any area. do some research. you have until the end of august to figure it out....plenty of time to save yourself a ton of $$.
my advice is not free if you get an elk in CO however, please be advised of this now that you have read my advice.[Coffee]
oinco,
The breaks are epic! Problem is that as a non-resident, getting a tag is like winning the lottery. I hear it's not uncommon for it to take 20 years to get a breaks elk tag. WY is not much better, for a unit that is worth a poop, it takes many many years to draw.
As for CO, it does suck to see so many people while hunting, but that can be overcome fairly easily. On the Flat Tops, you can get a drop camp into the Wilderness Area. You may see a few other hunters back there, but no 4-wheelers!!! If you don't want to pay for a drop camp, it is tough to beat a 1st rifle elk tag on the Flat Tops. It holds the largest herd in the state and if you get more than 1/2 mile from the road, you will eliminate 95% of your competition. A couple miles in and you will more than likely never see another hunter. I spend as much time up there in the summer as possible and I assure you that it is the picture of Elk Country that people envision when they close their eyes and dream.
Good Luck and don't forget sniper7's backstraps!
Shawn
It's not hard to draw a tag in CO. Our family usually hunts together every year on a unit close to home and we rarely see other hunters. Sometimes that makes it tough as the critters are less likely to move around and present a kill.
But all in all we have had great success as someone always scores.
I just get an over the counter tag. People pay big money to hunt here in CO, why would you want to go somewhere else. Just do your homework and put in some scouting time. Invest in a trail cam too.