What would you do if it were your money

[Yankee]

After being unsuccessful and having not such a great time with a guided trip in Idaho in 2012, I'm wrangling with what to do this year.  I'm leery about dropping a big chunk of cash on another guided trip and getting skunked, so I'm considering using the research I've done to hit some new areas in Idaho and take a crack at DIY hunting.  The only downside is that I'd probably be hunting solo in Idaho (archery) as I'm not sure I can convince others in my usual crew to hunt out of state.  I'm a little nervous about heading out on my own, but would likely be hiking in/out from the road each day, not going too far into the back country by myself.  I'd really like a chance at a bull without waiting ages to draw a quality bull tag in WA.

[dscubame]

I would take time in the field over a one and done any day.

[grundy53]

I would head to Idaho for a DIY hunt.

[dreamunelk]

I would take time in the field over a one and done any day.

 

[Big6bull]

Neither. I would use that money to buy a high end bow. Everything kuiu makes. Couple good pairs of boots. Some premium back country camping gear. And anything left over is gas money!

[Karl Blanchard]

I'd go to Colorado 

[bobcat]

I would head to Idaho for a DIY hunt.

And you might try to partner up with someone from this site.

[Mfowl]

I'd DIY it. But I'd also recruit a partner to hunt with, especially in an out of state scenario. What kind of hunt did you already do? Elk, deer?

[Roosevelt]

Depends on the experience and quality of animal you're in it for. There are many places to hunt where they have a success rate of nearly 100% for $5000 to $6000. Northwest Colorado has some of the best elk and mule deer populations in the world with a pretty good hunting experience. The quality of elk is not super high but you can expect to shoot a nice 5 point bull or small six with an occasional bull in the low 300s.  The mule deer you would expect to shoot would be between 160 to 180 inch and you see a lot of them with potential for bigger.

On the other hand DIY hunts can be much more rewarding if you ask me. I've been fortunate enough to do both and the animals that I am most proud of are the ones I earned DIY. However, going guided is a blast as well. As long as you're hunting you can't go wrong.

[jackelope]

Why not have the best of both worlds and do a drop camp somewhere. I think Bearpaw offers elk drop camps in Idaho. I'm sure others do as well in other states.

[ghosthunter]

I'd DIY it. But I'd also recruit a partner to hunt with, especially in an out of state scenario. What kind of hunt did you already do? Elk, deer?

 

Look I have about 3-4 weeks a year and most weekends to hunt. Often my regular buddies dont have the time. So I am always looking for a hunting partner. Right now I have 15 people I hunt with some of those only couple times a year. Guys I duck hunt with and guys I Black powder elk with, and guys I deer hunt with.

My point is you should always be looking for the next hunting partner. They will not all work out but some will stick. Some will come on strong than peeder out once they figure out that I am not the hunting Messiah.
Some will come on because they think they are going to change me in some way. Sooner or later they decide it is hopeless.  And some will stay just because they like spending time with you in the mountains.

I would rather explore new country on my own with a couple buddies than have a guide.

Keep a open mind.

[huntnnw]

What you will learn about elk hunting and the areas you will hunt in 3-4 years is priceless and could be a gift that keeps giving for years to come

[huntnnw]

I have 1 buddy I hunt with and my girlfriend and thats it, the only benefit to having a buddy on a outta state hunt is splittling costs and help packing. Other than that if you are fine with packing out your own elk hit it hard and have fun

[T Pearce]

It would cost an xtra grand to hunt out of state (lic/tag + fuel) DIY?.
Myself, I would scout local and locate the elk (quality bulls) so when the tags comes I have the knowledge. Spend the time with my regular crew and spend the dollars saved on upgraded gear.

If I had to have the bone..... I would find a partner that wanted to hunt Idaho.

Every hunt I've ever been on has been a quality hunt.

[Yankee]

Thanks for the input guys.  For a little more background, I'm no hunting guru, but feel I'm reasonably proficient in the woods.  I've been hunting on and off since I was kid (rifle) but have  gotten serious about archery elk hunting for the past ~4 years.  I've managed to get two cows in that time in eastern WA and plan on continuing to hunt that area because I really enjoy having a full freezer and like the guys I hunt with in that area.

However, I would really like to take my elk hunting to the next level and have the experience of calling in a bull during rut.  I'll keep putting in for the quality bull tag in Naches, but like the idea of getting to know an area within a ~day's driving distance of Seattle, rather than waiting for my one chance every 5+ years (or whatever the current odds are for drawing). 

[rtspring]

Time spent learning an area in Washington may save you 5,000.  It takes years to find great spots but there is some awesome elk hunting in Washington.  Yes some you need to draw but others are OTC tags.. 

I have a great rule for hunting elk, if you see people while your hunting elk, you're in the wrong spot..  Elk dont like people.. 

Best of luck..

[wildmanoutdoors]

Is there a reason you wont hunt west side Bulls?

[Yankee]

It's primarily because of the current camp that I hunt with, which is committed to the Nile/Bumping area.  I really enjoy being part of their camp in the late season and don't mind chasing cows for that reason.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Ahhhh. Im kinda in the same boat, but may need to go on my own for a season or 2 as I want that same experience of calling a bull in.

[benhuntin]

Buy the governors tag. Problem solved


If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[vandeman17]

Why not have the best of both worlds and do a drop camp somewhere. I think Bearpaw offers elk drop camps in Idaho. I'm sure others do as well in other states.

I was thinking the same thing. You could have about 3 years worth of pack in hunts for that price. We did one in Oregon a few years ago and had a great time. Planning to go DIY in Montana this year but would not hesitate to go on a drop camp hunt again.

[jackmaster]

if i was you i would pm trophyhunt, i dont know very many people on this site and i know there are some avid elk hunters so dont take this wrong, what i know about trophyhunt is that he is an insane elk hunter, its his lifes passion, i have never met anyone who does their homework like this dude, and he backs it up with a ton of time on the ground pounding the dirt, i honestly dont know if he and his partner are looking for an extra person to split costs with but you could damn sure give it a shot, especially if your willing to work as hard as he does, i doubt to many guys here could keep up with him so if your only gonna go half hearted then disregard.. good luck..

[Bob33]

There's an old saying "you don't know what you don't know."

I'm going to vote counter to the prevailing opinion. If you select the right outfitter, you should learn more in one season that you may in 10 years on your own. I've hunted elk for many decades, and still learn a lot when hunting with another experienced hunter. If I had known it earlier, success and enjoyment would have been higher.

[Bean Counter]

^ go diy if you have some really experienced friends who are good teachers.  Just  because someone is good at something doesn't mean that they are a good teacher,  hunting included.   If you dont have any friends,  definitely hire the Guide. 

Personally,  I weren't up for diy, iwould buy a landowner tag in New Mexico.  Far better bulls than Colorado for the most part.   

[Stein]

If I was going solo, I would focus on areas without Grizzlies.  For me, that would likely mean parts of MT, WY and CO.  Of the three, I would go with CO as they seem to be most "friendly" to nonresidents in terms of future cost of tags and opportunities.  Look at it in terms of a 3-5 year investment to learn an area.

[trophyhunt]

Why not have the best of both worlds and do a drop camp somewhere. I think Bearpaw offers elk drop camps in Idaho. I'm sure others do as well in other states.

Thanks Jackmaster for the compliments, although sometimes I feel like I don't know much.  I agree with Jackelope, if I had the money and wanted to get to know different areas, I would do a self guided drop camp.

[TommyH]

For the cost of a guided trip $5-$6000. I'd  use that money for DIY for the next few years. Time doing it will teach you a lot. Learning is part of the experience. Trial and error, hits and misses, success and failure. Good luck which ever you choose.

[huntnnw]

For myself the satisfaction of taking a bull on my own is far greater then paying a guide to put you on elk that he has learned

[rosscrazyelk]

I have been battling the same thoughts myself.. Money does not grow on trees for me. I have gone on Three guided trips and was not successful in them. It was a cool experience but could of been better.. There are a couple hunts I want to do before I cannot walk anymore and those places require guides.Hopefully someday I will be able to do them.
I basically decided for the most part I am going to do D.I.Y hunts with friends everywhere I can afford to in the lower 48.. One reason it is cheaper and probably more gratifying. 
But if you are itching to be pampered and have all the work done for you an outfitter would be the way to go..
Just my