First time elk hunt need help

[Coyotefurharvester]

Non resident tags # are declining in most of the best elk states. Outfitters are pressuring GF&P depts to turn draw tags over to the business. Places where 1-2 points got you a tag are now double that as quota's # are reduced.

 

[300_whisper]

Non resident tags # are declining in most of the best elk states. Outfitters are pressuring GF&P depts to turn draw tags over to the business. Places where 1-2 points got you a tag are now double that as quota's # are reduced.

That sounds depressing

 

[WindSurgeon]

The way the western states are going with their draw systems, you will wait many years and spend a lot of money on preference points as a non-resident. While there are fewer hunters in the world, apparently the prices go a different direction than they teach in economics classes. States have figured out they can rake Non-residents over the coals to get a precious tag. It is easier to simply hire an outfitter with tags, and not that much more expensive given pref points go for up to $50 a point for non-res. I have hunted Wyoming and South Dakota for years and they used to be fairly easy to draw. Now, not so much. People in those states don't want non-res hunters. I am looking at semi-guided trips (basically they point you to a patch of ground and its yours to hunt) to get access to a quality hunt with fewer hunters around.

 

[300_whisper]

The way the western states are going with their draw systems, you will wait many years and spend a lot of money on preference points as a non-resident. While there are fewer hunters in the world, apparently the prices go a different direction than they teach in economics classes. States have figured out they can rake Non-residents over the coals to get a precious tag. It is easier to simply hire an outfitter with tags, and not that much more expensive given pref points go for up to $50 a point for non-res. I have hunted Wyoming and South Dakota for years and they used to be fairly easy to draw. Now, not so much. People in those states don't want non-res hunters. I am looking at semi-guided trips (basically they point you to a patch of ground and its yours to hunt) to get access to a quality hunt with fewer hunters around.

I’m speaking with an outfitter in Wyoming right now. He said for a cow elk hunt it’s not hard to get tags. He did say something about him having to submit paperwork for a bull tag preference point. He said my buddy and I only need one point each. I don’t understand the system. In Georgia you buy a sportsman’s license for $70 and you can catch all the fish you want, shoot squirrels, to 14 x deer, to bear, to hogs, and the coveted duck. All on one license. I’ll figure it out. Everyone has been extremely helpful. I’m getting insanely pumped and I’m 18 months away ahaha.

 

[WindSurgeon]

I’m speaking with an outfitter in Wyoming right now. He said for a cow elk hunt it’s not hard to get tags. He did say something about him having to submit paperwork for a bull tag preference point. He said my buddy and I only need one point each. I don’t understand the system. In Georgia you buy a sportsman’s license for $70 and you can catch all the fish you want, shoot squirrels, to 14 x deer, to bear, to hogs, and the coveted duck. All on one license. I’ll figure it out. Everyone has been extremely helpful. I’m getting insanely pumped and I’m 18 months away ahaha.

Cow, doe, or antelope doe are easier to get. Anything with horns is protected for residents. Some states allocate as low as 2.5% of antlered tags for non-res. I wish my state would start charging non-res out the ying yang for hunting, but for some reason, they like the tourist revenue that these other states don't care about. Colorado for example could care less about some hunters when they have the ski, other outdoors, and pot tourism filling their coffers.

 

[284winner]

I’m speaking with an outfitter in Wyoming right now. He said for a cow elk hunt it’s not hard to get tags. He did say something about him having to submit paperwork for a bull tag preference point. He said my buddy and I only need one point each. I don’t understand the system. In Georgia you buy a sportsman’s license for $70 and you can catch all the fish you want, shoot squirrels, to 14 x deer, to bear, to hogs, and the coveted duck. All on one license. I’ll figure it out. Everyone has been extremely helpful. I’m getting insanely pumped and I’m 18 months away ahaha.

Georgia isn't one of the desired states to hunt as are the western big game states. My home state is the same way. Who wants to come to Michigan to hunt deer or bear. Elk are resident hunts only. Georgia is kinda the same. Awesome bass fishing but not so much big game

 

[284winner]

Cow, doe, or antelope doe are easier to get. Anything with horns is protected for residents. Some states allocate as low as 2.5% of antlered tags for non-res. I wish my state would start charging non-res out the ying yang for hunting, but for some reason, they like the tourist revenue that these other states don't care about. Colorado for example could care less about some hunters when they have the ski, other outdoors, and pot tourism filling their coffers.

I think states should match state prices. For example if it costs me 550.00 to get a deer tag in Wyoming, then a Wyoming resident pays the same here. Again nobody will come here to kill deer but it would be fair and consistent

 

[300_whisper]

I think states should match state prices. For example if it costs me 550.00 to get a deer tag in Wyoming, then a Wyoming resident pays the same here. Again nobody will come here to kill deer but it would be fair and consistent

Haha...could you imagine Georgia charging an out of state guy $550 to come shoot hogs? Even though hogs are varmints and there’s no limit, you still need the Georgia state license to hunt.

 

[WindSurgeon]

I think states should match state prices. For example if it costs me 550.00 to get a deer tag in Wyoming, then a Wyoming resident pays the same here. Again nobody will come here to kill deer but it would be fair and consistent

Wyoming makes it harder every year. Even a pronghorn tag in the red desert area where they have lots of public land takes 5 years+ to draw. Easy to get deer and antelope tags in other areas, but access becomes VERY expensive with trespass fees. My easy to draw deer area costs more than a grand when you add it all up for a DIY hunt. Points have been $40 a point each year you don't draw, so I'm up to $160 so far before buying a tag. You also need a law degree to figure out the lottery system accurately. Separate date deadlines for lottery, left overs, and PP's purchase. My calendar for hunting looks like my work calendar.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I'm good with what Wyoming does.. I hold a Wyoming Pioneer license. I have a card that grants me life long small game, bird, fishing and conservation stamp, as well as half price big game licenses..

 

[284winner]

I'm good with what Wyoming does.. I hold a Wyoming Pioneer license. I have a card that grants me life long small game, bird, fishing and conservation stamp, as well as half price big game licenses..

If your a resident I guess you are. I also have a Lifetime Michigan sportsman's license. It allows me to hunt and fish all but two species with it( Elk and Turkey). Both are draw tags. I'm still not typically good with what they do. I just made a great decision back in 1988 by buying it. Other sportsman count in the big picture. These license costs are ridiculous no matter what state you reside. I suppose compared to season tickets to your favorite sports team games, they aren't so bad.

 

[284winner]

Haha...could you imagine Georgia charging an out of state guy $550 to come shoot hogs? Even though hogs are varmints and there’s no limit, you still need the Georgia state license to hunt.

Exactly but it's how it works. I'd be in for some Hog hunting in Georgia if finding them is easier than here in Michigan. They are tough critters to figure out. If I took a week off to shoot some hogs, it'd be worth the price of a tag.

 

[WindSurgeon]

I'm good with what Wyoming does.. I hold a Wyoming Pioneer license. I have a card that grants me life long small game, bird, fishing and conservation stamp, as well as half price big game licenses..

Of course you're good with it, you live in Wyoming. I'd be good with it also if I lived there. No problem if a resident of most of the best hunting states. 5 years until my youngest graduates and I'm out of Minnesota and on to better, more diverse hunting grounds without all of the exorbitant Minnesota taxes and libtards that live here.

 

[300_whisper]

Of course you're good with it, you live in Wyoming. I'd be good with it also if I lived there. No problem if a resident of most of the best hunting states. 5 years until my youngest graduates and I'm out of Minnesota and on to better, more diverse hunting grounds without all of the exorbitant Minnesota taxes and libtards that live here.

MN is expensive?! I thought liberals were scared of fly over states? They are going to take over. Over populate one city in your state and boom, you’re voting democrat for the rest of your states history.

 

[jepp2]

Also we aren’t after monster bulls, that would be nice, but if we both got a cow that would be perfect. Any and all advice, recommendations, referrals would be greatly appreciated.

Bill,

Some great advice already offered. A rule of thumb on elk, 80% of the elk are in 20% of the land. If you do a do-it-yourself hunt, can you identify this 20% of the land the elk will be in? Elk hunting is so different than eastern deer, you just can't appreciate the difference.

Considering using a guide that knows the habits of the game and takes care of all the requirements for keeping you warm, fed, and hunting in the right places is well worth the expense. And your focus should be on the once in a lifetime experience, so enjoy the experience and don't make taking an animal the priority if the hunt is a success or not

 

[CharlieNC]

You can invest a lot of time and money over a period of years doing diy or guides on public land, and see little / harvest nothing. Unless you are lucky in the long run to hunt private land with guaranteed tags under ranching for wildlife in Co and similar programs in other states. I finally got a couple of bulls this way, and definitely would have cost less to skip the prior public hunts. Now I cow hunt for the meat, just as much fun, fraction of the cost.

 

[oldroper]

Here in Co there is elk in most game unit on west of I-25. East side is little different as most land is private.

They don't have 2018 up yet but you can look up by game units and what was what s taken.

https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Hunting/BigGame/Statistics/Elk/2017StatewideElkHarvest.pdf

Colorado Ranching for Wildlife is for Resident only.
https://cpw.state.co.us/rfw

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Of course you're good with it, you live in Wyoming. I'd be good with it also if I lived there. No problem if a resident of most of the best hunting states. 5 years until my youngest graduates and I'm out of Minnesota and on to better, more diverse hunting grounds without all of the exorbitant Minnesota taxes and libtards that live here.

All I can say is I have lived here all my life.. My family has been here since 1890 when this state was a territory.. As far as license prices, I am willing to bet that Minn also charges Non residents a premium to hunt.. Don't look for things to change here anytime soon.. I earned my Wyoming perks by living here.. You could do the same..