JKAPP01 Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 i could have pry posted this in big game and exotics but i figured i would get more feedback in the lounge....my cousin and i are looking into an elk hunt next year....does anyone know of any state ground in colorado, wyoming, or montana that has a good success rate on a decent bull? dont really feel like spending 5 grand at an outfitter....has anyone ever hunted public ground in any of these states for elk??? just trying to get some feedback on which state and what areas of that state would be good for a public hunt....can anyone make a suggestion or two? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 Public land success rates on decent bulls generally runs in the 5% neighborhood. That means if you make the trip 20 times you'll probably get a decent bull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 Generally speaking success rates on Public land run about 15%. That's for a LEGAL bull. If you want a decent bull you're looking at the 5%-10% range. That means if you're planning the "do-it-yourself public land hunt" you can plan on it taking 10-20 seasons to get a "decent bull". There are things that can be done to beat the odds, but the law of averages say it ain't so. Bottom line is this....................... If you want a big elk hire an outfitter. If you want to enjoy the experience of elk hunting and you have several years to spend, do-it-yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 Generally speaking success rates on Public land run about 15%. That's for a LEGAL bull. If you want a decent bull you're looking at the 5%-10% range. That means if you're planning the "do-it-yourself public land hunt" you can plan on it taking 10-20 seasons to get a "decent bull". There are things that can be done to beat the odds, but the law of averages say it ain't so. Bottom line is this....................... If you want a big elk hire an outfitter. If you want to enjoy the experience of elk hunting and you have several years to spend, do-it-yourself. Yep, exactly what he said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKAPP01 Posted August 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 well ok i wouldn't say i have all the time on my hands.......tomorrow is never guaranteed......but is it worth paying 5k? is my question??? i know a personal friend who has hunted, Idaho, colorado, arizona, and new mexico with outfitters every year and has not taken a bull yet....so there goes 20k..........now thats 20 years of do it yourself.....is it WORTH it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 ......but is it worth paying 5k? is my question??? ..... It all depends on what you want and what you expect from your hunt. There are several ways you can go based upon the comfort level you need at night. I have a good friend from Iowa who's been coming to Colorado every year since 1977 hunting elk with a recurve bow, and he does it on the cheap. He's never released an arrow.................but he still comes. I know others who have shot bulls and been unsatisfied because they thought they could have done better. It all depends upon what you expect and what you're willing to sacrifice to meet those needs. If you need a warm bed at night and a hot meal with a higher % chance at a good bull then you should look at an outfitter. If you enjoy sleeping in the front of your truck and eating at the gas station then go that route. Or devise a plan somewhere in between that fills your needs. Personally..........I enjoy a hot meal....a warm bed..... clean fresh clothes every day........and not having to pack out 700 lbs. of meat 5 miles. So I hunt elk in my yard. But, then again, That's why I live here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKAPP01 Posted August 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 haha i love it.......it's all a reality.....i want to bring my bow but i know the rifle is the realistic choice! how much to hunt on your yard?? haha jk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ildrhntr Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 I have only hunted in Montana for elk. I hunted public/private ground once and only private ground once that hunt cost me $2,500 plus the tag which isn't cheap no matter how you look at it. I was very fortunate to take a 300 inch 6x6 my first day on that hunt. I shot it out of a tree stand over looking a rancher's alfalfa field. My second trip I didn't get an elk but I did spot and stalk a good Mule Deer. We saw lots of bulls on our second trip but we drew straws on who got to shoot first and my buddy never could seem to get the right shot. Our best day was the first day we were out when we had a 340 class bull at 30 yds twice after that we could only get as close as 100 yds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 haha i love it.......it's all a reality.....i want to bring my bow but i know the rifle is the realistic choice! how much to hunt on your yard?? haha jk My yard is archery only and it cost me $750,000. So if you want to buy in it'll take half of that. Don't they have any elk in Omaha???????? LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeck Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 If you want a good bull, with 100 percent success rate. low cost try hear. http://www.elkplanet.com/hunts.htm this will guarentee you an elk, you might miss out on the high country experience. But this is the only guarentee elk hunts I know of. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKAPP01 Posted August 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 ya there are elk in omaha, just mounted on peoples walls tough luck getting at them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 area 79 just north of jackson hole wyoming. all public land, lots of big bulls, and a good success rate. it's a very cold weather hunt and you have to trod through 3' deep snow in late october to mid december. best free hunt in the country, imho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKAPP01 Posted September 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 thanks steve, i will have to look into it......are the gun and bow seasons different??? i prefer bow hunting, but maybe on my first trip like this i will come armed i will take a look into that area. thanks for the tip.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 this is a rifle only area, but the best in the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
007hunter Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 area 79 just north of jackson hole wyoming. all public land, lots of big bulls, and a good success rate. it's a very cold weather hunt and you have to trod through 3' deep snow in late october to mid december. best free hunt in the country, imho Small flaw in the plan, in Area 79 nonresidents must have a guide. (if I looked that up correctly ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKAPP01 Posted September 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 well sonuvagun......i will do some more research on it......still a year away.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 Well, I went elk hunting with Steve once, it was private land, but still. :D Ah, good times, good meat and a good looking bull on the living room wall! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKAPP01 Posted September 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 haha im jealous!! hey dakota, go check out my cousins band in SF....if you havent seen them yet...you will enjoy the show.....snakebeard jackson.....they have some tour dates posted on their website.....im comin to SF to see them when i go back home to hunt in NOV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predator Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 Just noting you need to plan a little sooner - draws for permits start in June I think in some states. So about 10 months left. I put in for AZ draw but decided $150 a yr and low odds no good. I'll loook into the dream in a couple years again. Good luck with your planning and adventure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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