The HuntingPA.com Outdoor Community banner

Out west

3887 Views 23 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  2f6pt
Looking for some information. My dad and I want to head out west to hunt this fall. Hoping to hunt elk but if that is not possible a deer hunt will do. We have had the itch to get out for a few years and my dad isnt getting any younger. Not looking for an outrageous trip, something for a couple grand. Also, not looking at any state in particular. If anybody has any input or names of people to contact I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
Lots of public ground in CO. Great hunt, absolutely gorgeous state, lots of elk and big mule deer. DYI hunts are relatively cheap, $550 for out of state bull tags that can be bought over the counter in 2nd and 3rd rifle, muledeer are around $350. Archery hunts are fun too but you have to work for it on public ground. Can't recommend hunting that state enough...my buddies and I do it every year, wouldn't miss it!! Best of luck, cross it off the Bucket List and just do it
huntfinder.com
Trophy Mountain Outfitters - www.trophymountainoutfitters.com
Broken Arrow Lodge out of Alder, MT. Small family run operation in the heart of the biggest elk herd in Montana. Erwin and Sherri run a great operation and really take good care of you! Best of luck with your search!
I do the colorado deal also like mentioned plenty of ground and most places 2-3 rd rifle bull otc. There are trophy units recquiring 15+ years of drawing. Mule deer is tough draw at least in the areas i hunted units 52, 62. you need around 3 points to draw. There public ground is called BLM plenty of it around 60% of the state is blm. Call the Colorado DOW office and talk to them, they are the most helpful people you will see. Hunting brings in 300 million a year to Co. and they appreciate our business. I have been building points in Wyoming havent hunted it yet. Make sure you read up on game laws out west they are 100% different from ours and a screw up you might be taking a second mortage on your home. Treaspassing is pet pieve its not someone just raising afew words its loss of lic. and heavy fine and they do not have to post there ground. There can be a section of private in the middle of Blm and you better know where it is. Dyi can work but go ahead of time to scout, there are motels and cabins to rent. Most of the time your not going to find an outfitter less than 3k. at minium. Figure that plus lic. travel, and have to have gadgets 5k real easy. Good luck to you and be looking soon those states start there draw application anytime now till spring. Even if you dont go this year make the contact and start building preference points for future than.
See less See more
No doubt Colorado 2nd rifle. DIY over the counter. We went out three times now and have taken plenty of mule deer, 4 5x5 elk and a 6x6 elk all on public land outside of Craig Colorado. Great town with plenty of elk and easy access. I'd say we averaged 40-50% success on elk and a little better on mule deer.
Bearklr said:
No doubt Colorado 2nd rifle. DIY over the counter. We went out three times now and have taken plenty of mule deer, 4 5x5 elk and a 6x6 elk all on public land outside of Craig Colorado. Great town with plenty of elk and easy access. I'd say we averaged 40-50% success on elk and a little better on mule deer.
How many points does it take for 2or 3rd rifle around Craig?
Southfork mountain lodge & outfitters. Buffalo WY.
big28hunter said:
Broken Arrow Lodge out of Alder, MT. Small family run operation in the heart of the biggest elk herd in Montana. Erwin and Sherri run a great operation and really take good care of you! Best of luck with your search!
Broken arrow is booked for their 1st week of rifle elk hunts until 2016
outofstater said:
Bearklr said:
No doubt Colorado 2nd rifle. DIY over the counter. We went out three times now and have taken plenty of mule deer, 4 5x5 elk and a 6x6 elk all on public land outside of Craig Colorado. Great town with plenty of elk and easy access. I'd say we averaged 40-50% success on elk and a little better on mule deer.
How many points does it take for 2or 3rd rifle around Craig?
In the unit I hunt none. They are over the counter.
Sorry, i forgot to say how many points for deer around Craig. I knew elk was otc.
Deer is over the counter as well.
Bearklr,

Are you sure? I thought all deer licenses were draw only UNLESS they were left over from the draw. Then they are eligible for OTC as first-come-first-served sometime late summer. Just askin'.
Idaho is also OTC, no guide needed. But it is not for everyone. 6 of us killed 5 bulls last fall
BobB said:
Bearklr,

Are you sure? I thought all deer licenses were draw only UNLESS they were left over from the draw. Then they are eligible for OTC as first-come-first-served sometime late summer. Just askin'.
We've been out there four times and we always got them over the counter. It may be a "draw" as you're explaining but I think it may be one of those deals where there is always a ton left so the draw is pretty much pointless.
outofstater said:
Sorry, i forgot to say how many points for deer around Craig. I knew elk was otc.
The GMU's around Craig consist of 301, 13, 4, 441.

In 2012 the deer draw odds were as follows for applicants having no preference points.

GMU 301 - 75% drew second season and 29% drew third season
GMU 13 - 41% drew second season and 10% drew third season
GMU 4 and 441 - 59% drew second season and 13% drew third season.

There were no leftovers and the units that do have deer leftovers have leftovers for a reason. If you want to hunt deer there apply by April 2, 2013.

I was in Craig yesterday and saw a lot of deer and a few elk. As you would expect in January, they were all down low on private ranches where they winter. I nearly hit a cow elk with my truck between Hayden and Craig. They have a good bit of snow on the ground and it was 15 below zero in the am. The deer looked fat and healthy as did the big cow elk in my headlights.
Is 441 part of the Grand Mesa. 2 years ago when i was with an outfitter he normally hunted a private lease around Hotchkiss unit 52. Then after loosing it he got rights on the Grand Mesa i thought it was 441. I blew my points on it for deer and hunted only 1 day got sick and had to come home. First morning of 3rd season that year we had 2' fresh snow, very miserable.
outofstater

441 is not the Grand Mesa. I suspect you were in 411 or 421 which border 52.
Are the units around Craig otc for elk?
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
Top