Gone Hunting.. > Big Game
Real Elk hunt???
Hunt Master:
I know little about elk hunting other than what I see on TV. Since the deer hunts I see on TV are nothing like the deer hunts I experience, I assume TV elk hunts are the same. Can someone describe how a typical elk hunt goes for real people?
honesttjohn:
Can only give you my experience - out West.
3 years ago I went out to Trego MT (right at the Canadian Border) for a combination elk and mule deer. First off, it cost $977 for a guaranteed license, meaning you had to have a licensed outfitter. The hunt itself consisted of nothing but pulling up to a public area and doing a "censored Word" of a lot of walking. There were 8 of us in our group and also had to compete with the locals. In three days we got two mule deer (nothing big) and saw no elk. We were told that if we did see an elk, to shoot anything legal, which I believe was at least a 4 x 4, because the chances of seeing a second one was almost nil. I left after 3 days because we had a thief come thru camp and we couldn't leave anything of value behind, and I was grossly disappointed with our so-called "hunt." I didn't know quite what to expect, but that certainly wasn't it. With fuel to drive out there and back, the license, and hunt fees it was like throwing $4000 out the window - plus a week of time. I saved over two years for that. But it was a heck of a scenic drive and I lost 10 lbs.
My trailer salesman went out to southern Montana, by Yellowstone, with 4 of his closest friends for a pack in hunt, riding horses in, setting up the tents, and covering a whole lot of ground. They spent close to $30,000 between them and came home with a muley fork. They saw one herd of elk and didn't even get close. They were also told to shoot the first legal animal if they wanted to score. All he said when asked if he would do it again was "only if I can eat the horse." Expensive fun!
These out West hunts have become so commercialized with so many hunters and so few good animals remaining on dwindling habitat that I suffered "realism disappointment" when I looked into doing it again. Most states are now on a draw for licenses, with non residents paying an exhorbatant fee. Even in Colorado, the elk mecca, success rate is less than 25%, and unless you have a lot of money and time to keep going back, you are advised to take the first legal animal you see. Passing on smaller animals for a trophy usually, but not always, results in going home empty handed.
Another note of interest. I found a elk ranch just a couple hours drive from my house and went up there and shot a cow for meat. It's about 600 fenced acres and you're guaranteed an animal. It's not real hunting, but target practice on a live target. Still, not a bad way to spend a week end and get to tramp around the woods. But, my point is, some of the woods in central Michigan look exactly like the woods out West. Many of these hunting shows start out on location and end up in places like that for the "breathtaking, exciting" finish. This place hosted 4 shows alone 2 years ago - just the kill.
So you're exactly right in thinking that the real thing ain't like you see it on TV.
The best time I ever had, was going up to Labrador for caribou back in 2001. Now, most of those hunts are so commercialized where they run you in, say to shoot which animal, and get rid of you to get someone else in. It's all about the money.
Arrowhead:
Sorry to hear that you had such a bad hut. I have hunted out west numerous times and have enjoyed each time. The cost is not getting any cheaper I will tell you that. The problem today is that we have to hope that what we read is true. The first thing is to make sure you are hunting with a good outfitter, check references and think about the cost, as everyone knows you "Get what you give" If it sounds too good to be true it is. "The Hunt of a Lifetime" may not be what you thought. The Outfitter also works hard in most cases, they work with what they got.We all work hard and the money involved to hunt out west is not cheap. When an Outfitter gives a price that is just the start.That price is to stay at his camp, also you have to think about airfare, rental cars, license, food, gas and all of the other things that it takes to have a good time. Keep in mind that hunting out west is totally different then where we hunt. If you think you will go out west and kill a "bigin" you better have the bucks and willing to put in allot of hard work, not only there but before. You need to get in shape, It's not like back east. Hope that did not scare anyone away but it is reality.....
honesttjohn:
I was told from the get go that the better shape I was in, the better it would be, so that wasn't much of a problem. I looked kind of funny mowing the lawn with a full pack on or walking the mountain bike trails. Most outfitters give it their best, but conditions have changed the past few years and I'm afraid the experience I want won't happen, at least here in the States. My dream is still to do a pack in for elk and a moose hunt up in the Yukon or Northwest Territories, but there is a limit to what I'll spend, even if money isn't an issue. Getting the time off is the main culprit.
Back in 2000 I turned down a chance to do a drop in elk hunt with the head of the Colorado Elk Association ( or something like that). He lived in Vermont - if that wasn't a surprise. All I had to do was swing by Wisconsin and pick up one of his buddies and pay my expenses. I turned it down (that time thing again) and still kick myself when I think about it.
But Hunt Master's question had to do with seeing reality on TV or not. It's nothing like the real thing. You can do wonders with editing tools to show whatever you want the end result to be.
Hunt Master:
Thats kind of what I heard. This is the reason that I hope our "swap hunts" takes off one day. That way you have a real guide who can give you a real expectation and build a friendship in the process....
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