1st Time Elk Hunting Advice

[HornPorn]

Howdy y'all,
Long time lurker, finally ready to post. Grew up shooting deer and hogs over food plots and feeders, but finally ready to head out west, do some hiking, and knock down some animals. A few of my buddies and I are planning an archery hunt. None of us have been buying points, so we are going to have to go OTC. Looking at Colorado for various reasons, and probably something off I-70 since we will fly into Denver.

A few questions:

How many coolers should we be bringing between the 4 of us for meat?

We are talking about coming for a week. Is this enough time for all of us to tag out?

Are there any processors near Denver that could handle 4 elk in a couple of days and have it ready for our flight back?

We normally just take our deer to a processor, and maybe gut them. Looks like we will need to cut the elk up into quarters and haul them out. Any recommendations on tools besides a knife to get the quarters off the carcass?

What are some recommendations on easy calls to learn for a novice?

Any recommendations on gear and clothing? I am asking for Bass Pro gift cards for Xmas presents...hopefully I can get most of it there

 

[Wrench]

All you need is a knife. A boned elk is about 70-80 quarts....100 is a monster. You could all tag out or all eat tags.

I'd search gutless method right now if you're not familiar with breaking down an elk sized critter.

Expect to carry 125-175ish no bullshit pounds of boned meat or an internet 400 however it strikes home with you.

 

[NMframed]

I would search and study the elk hunting section of this forum for the next year and you will have multiple answers from many different view points for all of your questions.

Like stated above, in a week you could all tag out or none of you. I would say the same if you asked if a month was enough time for you to all fill your tags. When archery elk hunting, especially OTC units, there is no guarantee. Do your homework for the next year and learn as much as you can about elk behavior and habitat and try to get in the best physical shape you can and there is a chance you could be successful. Good luck and enjoy the adventure and the experience and you will have a good time!

 

[ChrisAU]

I never saw an elk at all until my 12th day in the woods. I know many go longer than that, and much longer without killing one. 4 guys who have never been out there with one week to work with? I would tamper expectations just a bit, but if you do happen to kill, quarter, and pack 4 bulls in 7 days I'd suggest a dozen or so 100 quart coolers. 7-8 for the meat (deboned), and the rest full of ice to put on your legs (not the quarters themselves - you and your buddie's legs). Maybe fill one with ibuprofen too.

Ha good luck man I hope you all kill one day 1. Use the search function here, lots of good threads that dive deep into every aspect. Research, research, research.

 

[Buffinnut]

Lol this reads just like a troll post. If you are serious you obviously haven't done near enough research. All of the information you need is out there you just have to put in a little effort to find it.

 

[live4him]

Highly recommend one of the multiple online resources such as elk 101, roe hunting resources, elk nut. Think Jason Phelps is coming out with one too. For a never hunted west before, I’d recommend elk 101. For calls. Pick up a handful diaphragms and practice starting now until next sept when you’ll go. Not just the bugles but a wide array of cow/calf sounds as well.

For meat care, there’s great info out there on multiple ways to do it. The cutting the distance podcast had some great ideas in a podcast just a week or 2 ago.

If you’re serious about doing it, start planning now and researching now. Good questions to ask, but there’s so much out there. Chip away every day.

Most important tool will be a way to check the wind!

Good luck

 

[Indian Summer]

Lol this reads just like a troll post. If you are serious you obviously haven't done near enough research. All of the information you need is out there you just have to put in a little effort to find it.

I was thinking the same thing. Is this for real? If so it’s time to do some serious reading on here!

 

[Fatcamp]

I was thinking the same thing. Is this for real? If so it’s time to do some serious reading on here!

IDK. I kinda like the youthful enthusiasm and optimistic expectations. He'll be jaded, windburnt, and sore like the rest of us soon enough.

 

[HornPorn]

Thanks for the replies. We are all quick learners and have killed alot of animals, so I think we will be successful. From what I can see in my research so far, seems like many folks out there spend alot of time looking in the mirror, and then when their hunt comes they end up posting sunrises on Instagram....if that is our competition then I am not to worried about the odds. We are all just country boys who want to fill the freezer. Will definitely be reading alot on this site

 

[def90]

I’d be impressed if just one of you tagged out in a week coming from out of state and hunting along I70..

 

[Jxferg7]

Good luck man and enjoy yourselves! My buddy and I hiked 100 miles in 9 days and neither of us tagged out. Not saying it won’t happen just get out there and enjoy natre

 

[Indian Summer]

I’m looking forward to the hunt report. Good luck!

 

[TX_Diver]

I’m looking forward to the hunt report. Good luck!

Me too.

Elk 101 would be a great resource for the OP. Covers all the questions and more. Start there and then search forums for the more specific questions.

If the 4 of you tag out that'd be awesome but you'll definitely have more competition than just people looking for instagram pictures so as you learn more it may be worth re-evaluating your expectations.

 

[dacd4134]

Ok, after the second post, I'm convinced this is a troll.

 

[Lark Bunting]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you're off to a good start. Just find those OTC units with 80-90% success rates and you should be good to go! Good luck and enjoy the elk woods!

 

[Jbehredt]

Statistically speaking, you will need roughly zero coolers.

 

[dhawk798]

All you need is a knife. A boned elk is about 70-80 quarts....100 is a monster. You could all tag out or all eat tags.

I'd search gutless method right now if you're not familiar with breaking down an elk sized critter.

Expect to carry 125-175ish no bullshit pounds of boned meat or an internet 400 however it strikes home with you.

Good info here. Thanks

 

[Pbm20]

Highly recommend one of the multiple online resources such as elk 101, roe hunting resources, elk nut. Think Jason Phelps is coming out with one too. For a never hunted west before, I’d recommend elk 101. For calls. Pick up a handful diaphragms and practice starting now until next sept when you’ll go. Not just the bugles but a wide array of cow/calf sounds as well.

For meat care, there’s great info out there on multiple ways to do it. The cutting the distance podcast had some great ideas in a podcast just a week or 2 ago.

If you’re serious about doing it, start planning now and researching now. Good questions to ask, but there’s so much out there. Chip away every day.

Most important tool will be a way to check the wind!

Good luck

This! otherwise just hope to be lucky on the first time and content with good scenery.