| From: CMF_3
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| Date: 09-Jan-22 |
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Myself and two others are wanting to do a week-long semi guided hunt this September. None of us have elk hunted before. We would prefer Colorado, New Mexico, or Arizona since we are coming from Mississippi and Alabama (farther north would stretch our drive time a little too far). Any of you able to provide recommendations based upon first-hand experience?
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| From: groundhunter50
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| Date: 09-Jan-22 |
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Not enough time, if your serious take 2 weeks
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| From: Longcruise
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| Date: 09-Jan-22 |
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How does semi guided work?
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| From: Babysaph
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| Date: 09-Jan-22 |
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Agree take two weeks. They normally drop you off and then you are on your own.
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| From: grizzly63
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| Date: 09-Jan-22 |
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Somebody packs you in, tells you where to look and checks on you occasionally. Packs you and your animal out if you're successful. You still need to be in shape.
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| From: A Tag
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| Date: 09-Jan-22 |
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As mentioned I would recommend two weeks. Even a experience elk hunter would want the extra time in a new area. If you’re only going to do a week I would recommend a fully guided hunt. Arizona and New Mexico are very tough draw states that take a lot of points or in New Mexico’s case a lot of luck. That could be different getting a guide. I put in for New Mexico before and I know that you got to get really motivated on it quick. I know it was early winter when I had to put in. I am sure somebody on here puts in for New Mexico every year and will have better information. I just can’t remember and it’s been about three years ago. Colorado might be your best bet as far as the states you named for getting a tag.
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| From: Buglmin
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| Date: 10-Jan-22 |
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New Mexico is extremely tough to get tags in. I haven't drawn since 2014, and I know residents that haven't drawn in over 15 years. Arizona... good luck without!! Arizona does have a few otc units, which are desert units, elk are very few and scattered, and you best be ready to shoot 80 plus yards.
Colorado... All of the southern units are now draw. Not sure if you'll draw the first year or not. Elk numbers are very low, and even with the draw, hunter numbers are high. There was 76,000 more non resident elk applications in 2021 then in 2020 in the draw units. The northern otc units got pounded hard last year. Trailheads looked like parking lots with 20 to 30 cars and trucks. Very crowded last fall. If you watch the videos on youtube, you'll see hunters walking the woods bugling over and over, trying to be the biggest bull in the woods. Don't be that guy. It's more important to learn elk sounds and what they mean, and when to use em. That's why the success rate for first time elk hunters are so low. They blow out more elk then they realize.
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| From: A Tag
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| Date: 10-Jan-22 |
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I new someone would have better information then me one those states. If your willing to drive a little further Idaho Is about the easiest state for out-of-state hunters. Tags are over the counter first come first serve. Last year most areas where sold out by June. There is tons of public ground that is easily accessible by vehicle. Not much need for a semi guided hunt unless you want to be packed in to a wilderness area. Montana is not real hard to get tags either. I know guys that go there about every year. You won’t get the best areas without several points but can still have a good hunt.
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| From: Bob Rowlands
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| Date: 10-Jan-22 |
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My only advice is, get in shape before you come here to hunt.
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| From: Longcruise
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| Date: 10-Jan-22 |
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Take the two weeks and forget about the outfitter. What you are describing is a drop camp. You will be stuck right there for the entire hunt and could find yourself in a relatively elk free area. Most outfitters will save the better spots for their fully guided hunters.
Start doing your homework now and plan several different scenarios and locations.
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| From: jdbbowhunter
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| Date: 10-Jan-22 |
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Did drop camp in Idaho in 2020. Didnt kill but saw plenty of elk. Definately have to be in shape.
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| From: wytex
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| Date: 10-Jan-22 |
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Forestbows over on Bowsite, Flat Top Adventures.
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| From: donnyjack
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| Date: 11-Jan-22 |
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Look up Conejos County Outfitters, good folks and they can do anything from dyi to fully guided hunts. They work the South San Jean Wilderness in south central Colorado. DJ
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| From: Knifeman
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| Date: 11-Jan-22 |
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Second that, Flat Top Adventures in CO Go to big game forums and check them out.
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| From: donnyjack
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| Date: 11-Jan-22 |
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One additional note on Conejos Outfitters is they operate in unit 81 which is an OTC ether sex license unit for archery.
DJ
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| From: Buglmin
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| Date: 11-Jan-22 |
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Donnyjack, Unit 81 is now a draw unit, as is 80. Everything is sw Colorado is now a draw unit. We will likely see all of Colorado a draw state within the next few years. The folks in the northern units were very upset with all the bowhunters, lack of elk and elk getting pushed onto private property by the hunting pressure.
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