Elk Hunting Today

There are many opportunities for elk hunters, from high end guided hunts to lower cost self guided hunts. First, each hunter must decide what makes a hunt successful – is it bagging a trophy bull or is it simply the participating in the hunt, being out in the back country, or is there some other aspect of the hunt that an individual considers to be important.

Some hunters prefer early season archery / bugle hunts to later season hunting. Some prefer to travel using saddle horses, four wheelers, pickup trucks, and some prefer hunting on foot. You can choose a light weight back pack camp of only necessities, or a wall tent packed in on horses or mules. Whatever your choice, there are many things to consider to make an individual hunt a success and knowing what you want before you start planning will make your decisions much clearer.

Usually, depending on you real life experience in the woods, it is almost always considered wise and much safer to hunt with at least one partner. It is good to share plans and expectations for where and when each of you are hunting during the day, and maybe even coordinate efforts to push game toward each other.

Start informal planning by describing your ideal hunt – in a short list of brief specifics.

Something like this:

• trophy guided hunt with an outfitter
• travel / lodging expense
• horse back pack in with game packed out
• All food and camp equipment furnished
• etc.,
• Then establish your budget for the hunt which will be what you can realistically spend.

Next go through the list you have created for your ideal hunt and establish the cost of each item.

This will likely require a bit of research and you can learn a lot by calling or writing outfitters in the area you would like to hunt. Most outfitters are very willing to help you with determining realistic costs and varying priced alternatives. Make a grocery list, estimate fuel costs, and estimate any costs that will likely be different if you lower or expectations from you ideal list.

Once you have done your homework, total up the costs and if the total of your ideal hunt is within your budget amount, start packing! If your hunt exceeds your budget, you can begin to prioritize the specifics you have listed under the ideal hunt, and compromise some of the specifics of your ideal hunt, which are lower priority for you.

This will enable you to make definite plans and it will be an effective way to give yourself a boot in the ass and get well on your way to your dream of elk hunting.