Any experienced western hunters???

[deerkiller300wsm]

Hey guys, I have been studying for about two months, regarding priority points and West L Cox. I have it narrowed down to Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming. This year I'm going to apply for priority points in all three, but I understand Wyoming limits their nonresident hunters from injuring federal wilderness areas without the use of a God who is a resident or an outfitter, therefore making it somewhat more complex in Montana or Colorado. Any suggestions from anyone on here? The kenetreks are in their way and onxmaps app downloaded. I will do an over the counter Hunt if possible this upcoming fall, and other Montana or Colorado. But electronically Scouting is very confusing. I'm not looking for any honey holes, but would like some general information on what units you have on it in the past. I have looked at the statistics, and I realize some of the units with limited permits are obviously going to be better, but it looks like a nonresident should have fairly good odds in harvesting an elk on BLM land if they are willing to put in the work. What are your experiences?

 

[wjohnson1983]

Break in on antelope in Wyoming or Montana just to see the country and work on your gear list.

 

[BlackEagle1]

Get the chip and a good handheld unit. Generally no service for the app option.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

For a newbie, no need to go down the unit success rate worm hole. If you intend to enter this game for the long haul, you need experience. Sure, build points, but grab you some OTC tags in the meantime. The difference between a unit with a 20% success rate and another one with a 22% success rate is negligible. Scout google earth and google images and find terrain that says "I want to kill an elk there" and just go with it. A mid summer scouting/backpacking trip, if possible, will pay HUGE dividends in the form of return. A partner that is just as committed and in similar physical shape to you is worth his/her weight in gold, but hard to find.


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^^^^This^^^^

The first couple trips are such an intense learning experience, I would do an couple OTC hunts while accumulating points for when you have some more experience.

Antelope hunts are also great first western hunts. Some units have a near 100% success rate.

 

[AT Hiker]

I know nothing about elk hunting except that I have spoken with many people that live in elk country and spend many weeks chasing them in September with little to no luck. You either have it or you don't.
Rifle season is all about knowing where the animals are during that season. You may have access to millions of acres of forest but every elk could be on private hay meadows.

I just left Yellowstone. All the snow had them pushed off the Gardeneir Mountains into the private alfalfa meadows in low elevation. Giant bulls chasing cows all over the place, on private land in Sept....


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[ThorThor]

X2 on get the onx gps chips. An Garmin Oregon or Montana model with a good color screen. And nothing beats experience and time spent in the mountains. No gear online scouting map reading etc takes the place of a few extra days every trip you take. I have been out twice the last two years in a row just for antelope hunts in Nevada and Arizona- yes lucky in draw- and took two weeks for each. Get in the game now if you want go western hunting on a regular basis in good areas the draw game gets harder every year, in the grand sceme of things the out pocket is not bad compared to what you spend on trips trips or nice gear. Spend the dollars on getting good tags- except for get good glass. My number one thing but buy once cry once on that.
New Mexico and Idaho are random draw no points to build up Do those for sure. Idaho you can only pick one of three. Moose sheep or goat - if you don't do one one those you do all three draw tags for deer elk and antelope - really helps the odds the way they do it.

 

[DaveB]

My experience is all old.

Getting the OTC tags and heading out (and staying out) is very good advice.

You need to be in very good physical condition or all your work will be for naught.