What would you do if it were your money

[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