A few buddies and myself are wanting to go Elk hunting this fall, but aren't sure what the best option is. I understand public land is cheaper, but can you even rifle hunt and get a good bull? Or should we just book and outfitter and pony up the extra money.

It doesn't really matter which state we go to, obviously the closer to Dallas, the better.

So what would you guys reccommend for the best odds of getting a decent bull, while not spending to much money.

Not spending much money for a bull elk is the holy grail. My suggestion is to spend your money on a proven private land or guided hunt.

If you want a for sure kill not far from Dallas, find you a high fence ranch that has elk and go there. May cost a little more but a lot better chance at a big bull. If you want a "wild" elk hunt for a big bull you will need to get in line for a tag at one of the indian reservation in N.M. or Az. They will cost you some $$$$$

If looking west Texas, mulie_mike is your guy

What do you consider a good bull?

Start all the research you can right now... one of your biggest hurdles is going to be able to draw an elk tag. The open draw application for most states will run from March into May depending on the state and tag you want to draw. You can find a guide & outfitter that may have private land owner tags also, again depending on the state. Colorado does offer over the counter tags for many units and mostly in the later seasons. Some states will post "left over" tags in July that weren't given out in the spring draw. As a rule of thumb most out nonresident tags in most states are going to run in the 500.00 range. Obviously private land owner tags will be much more! Some tags will take years and years to draw. I have been putting in for two particular units one in Colorado and one in Arizona for over 13 years and haven't drawn one of them yet!

Find a landowner with tags for sale. This is a good option for a group of guys.

Yes you can rifle hunt and get a good bull. BUT something to think about is the rut and nice weather is usually during bow season.

Also, you're probably going to have to make up your mind quickly. I believe non resident applications in Wy are due this month. Plus for a non res, if you apply to a really sought after area you're probably going to build up points as you wont draw the first year.

I consider a good bull a 6x6, but would be happy with a 5x5 since you usually pay more for bigger bulls.

Stay and hunt in Texas. I have good bulls in far west Texas that are free ranging. No draw, private land, and 100% success last 2 years. If interested shoot me a Pm.

It all depends on how much $$ you want to spend. Stay in Texas and hunt private for 5k or more (for just the hunt), or try to draw or get an over the counter tag (colorado has plenty) and spend less money. All though the cheaper route money wise will cost you more in sweat.

Edit: Ooops I shouldve said 6k or more....for three days..

Trans Pecos area in Texas. Resident license and some pretty good bulls. We had a 6x6 bull seen on our Mule Deer lease this year that was said to be around 310-320. Was another 5x5 that was there in Sept that was not seen during the season. I know there are areas around Alpine and Ft. Davis that have lots of elk. Longfellow has a huge herd. Most all are LF free range herds there.

go to the oregon coast and bow hunt them. what a rush!

I've hunted them in Idaho and Utah. Idaho was guided public land, Utah was a guided private ranch. Saw way more game on the Utah private ranch and hunting was 500 times easier. The Idaho tag was unit 2b general tag and Utah was a limited entry draw that we had no business drawing with no points. In the meantime I've been building up points for Utah, Arizona and Colorado draws. If it were me and I were starting over again, I would put in for the points for those states and put in for a general public land rifle for the Flat Tops in Colorado and have an outfitter drop you off the beaten path away from all the other hunters.

There's some sleeper units in Colorado you have a slim shot at drawing with 0 points. Ppl always seem to kill a few good bulls OTC but success rate is way lower than the LE units.

Hunted with Mike on one of these hunts and had a blast. Saw I figure at least 30 elk on that hunt and took a mature 4X5. Not the biggest elk that we saw but sure was some dang good eating. Actually the best tasting elk I have ever had the pleasure of taking.


Have also hunted several times with Gods Country Outfitters in Montana. Had a great hunt every time. Shane and Bridgett will see that you have a good hunt. The drawing deadline for Montana is I think March 15

Hunted with Fishtail ranch Thanksgiving before last shoot a nice 6X6 on private land in Chama. very nice! PM me if you want more details

I have been on 4 elk hunts, 2 were for bulls and 2 for cows. The cows are easy and 100% success. The bulls are another story and I have been shut out twice. First time it was about 2006 I think and there was an unusual heat wave in Co. The elk had not come down out of the high mountains to the lower elevations. 2nd hunt was w/a friend who goes all the time and saw elk the very last day, across the canyon, 5 miles away. I have learned you want a guide that knows where they have been in past seasons, can get you there by foot or 4 whlr, and in my opinion a team of spot and stalk is better than "let's go look for them!" "they like this area". Be ready to shoot a bull 4x4 or maybe 5x5 as true trophy's carry a true trophy fee. Good Luck. Ps, get in shape!

Elk hunting on the cheap is not possible (If it was, I haven't discovered it yet.) Tags, permits, trespass fees, gear, guide and outfitter fees all add up. New Mexico recently reduced the amount of out-of-state permits available and they now make you buy a small game license in addition to the permit fees. It is possible to try over the counter tags in some states and hunt public land or buy a landowner tag...but you'll be in areas with lots of other elk hunters and chasing a few satellite bulls or you'll be on a private ranch with a landowner tag who's out to make a quick buck with the few elk in the area. I recommend saving up cash and going with a reputable outfitter/guide in a good unit. Research the areas with good herds and find the outfitter who caters to that area. It seems everyone will try to sell you a tag and they tell you there's a 6X6 behind every bush....just be aware of this and do some research first. You can either hunt harder or smarter...I prefer smarter...more chance of success. Good luck.

You can rifle hunt and get a great bull on public land in Colorado. Is it easy, no, but it can be done. A big question are you wanting the hunt or the kill? Public land elk hunting is about the hunt, the hiking, glassing, climbing over deadfall in dark timber at 9000'. If you may see a bunch of elk, may see nothing. I have a friend that killed a trophy 30 minutes into his first elk hunt. It took me 10 years. But both were on public land. You could pay the money, come up and hunt private land and more than likely get your bull. But in all honesty, if your going to go on a guided hunt for a bull, stay in texas and hunt with Mulie Mike. He has a great reputation on the forum and has some pictures of some real nice bulls in Texas. If your interested in coming to Colorado, pm me and I'll give you some units to put in for. Here's a link to my bull
http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3856999/Late_season_bull#Post3856999

So basically you advocate being led straight to the elk? So shooting instead of hunting?

Btw, if the OP is concerned about the amount of people on public land he'll either have to start bow hunting and get into the deep backcountry. Of course neither are the "easy" way (which is why there are less people)

I concur with the other folks here. Stay down in Texas and plunk an ear tagged elk for 8 grand.

You limit the number of ppl you come across on public by getting on units that are limited entry. Typically, the more coveted the unit is as a trophy deer unit the less overall pressure you'll see on the unit.

[/quote]So basically you advocate being led straight to the elk? So shooting instead of hunting?[/quote]


I hunt public land exclusively with an outfitter/guide for elk. I believe that a new elk hunter should hire a guide to help him achieve his goals. With a guide, you get experience and can learn how to elk hunt from that person. I'll be the 1st to admit, when I started elk hunting, I didn't have a clue on what to do or where to go. It was like learning how to hunt all over again for me. If your new to elk hunting this can help you build skills. Hunting West TX elk has my interest. I am researching that right now. Hiring Mulie Mike might be a good option for me, or, I could blindly go out West on my own and hope for the best. I prefer to hunt smarter. I don't believe Mulie Mike hunts "ear tagged" elk. I understand W.TX has free range elk. But definately not numbers as good as Wyoming. I'd like to hunt Wyoming someday...since I'm not from that area...hiring a guide/outfitter would be my 1st choice for all the above reasons. And I'm sure the locals would appreciate my business.

Hiring a guide isn't always the smartest way to go about it. For something like a OIL tag, then sure. No matter how you chalk it up, once you add in the guide fee you're paying more than the particular unit is worth; to get an estimation of what the unit is worth, compare the cost of your hunt against the lowest priced voucher you can find for that unit for the season being hunted.

Some great points made by all. I hunted Colorado for 14 years straight. All on public land and all without a guide. Was lucky in that I got to know some locals and they helped point me in the right direction. In those years I killed two bulls. None were wallhangers but I was there for the hunt and we love the meat. There were years that I did not see anything. Walked a bunch and it was great. I decided I wanted to do a guided hunt. Did that this past year in New Mexico. Was on private land and a guaranteed tag. Saw more elk than I had ever seen before. Got a good bull too. A friend of mine told me that it must be nice to spend the money I did. I reminded him that we never spent less than $1200.00 on our trips and that he has never been fortunate enough to get anything. All of that added up to way more than what I paid. It is all in what you want to do and the experience you want to have. I will do a guided hunt again someday and will do public land too. Right now my freezer is full. Good Luck.