I am thinking about a hunt in 2006..

[Brithunter]

Hi All,

I have been giving it some thought about partaking in an Elk hunt in 2006. I need some time to save up and plan this whole idea, plus I need to get fitter . Now nearly every site I visit about Elk including outfitters sites have horses taking hunters into the hunting area or spike camps. Now I have never to my recollection been on a horse so is it possible to hunt Elk without riding a horse? A combined Elk Mule Deer hunt might be a good idea?

At present my rifle batterie's only magnum is a 458WM which is not really suitable for this kind of hunting so discounting that one I have the choice of the following:-

6.5x53R Rigby Mannlicher (.256") express sites no scope

6.5x55 SE choice of two here both scoped

.270 Win BSA Majestic featherweight also has back up aperture sporting peep sight

7x57mm BSA CF2 139 BTSP at 2850fps

.303 British BSA Model E built on P-14 action

.308 Win Cz-Brno mod 601

.303 Improved P-14 sporter

7.92mm (8x57) Parker-Hale 1200 super

9.3x57mm Husqvarna Mod 49 (96 Action)

No synthetic stocks or even laminates, all are solid wood

Now nearly all of them have QD scope mounts, what ever I use will have QD scope mounts and usable iron sights, just in case . Luggage is a logistical nightmare, travelling from the UK especially if I have to take a sleeping bag because they take up so much room

Now coming from the UK, I cannot ship the meat out of the US home it's just not allowed sowhat's the best thing to do with the meat assuming I actually get lucky? Whith my Whitetails in 2003, the Buck after we ate the backstraps ans tenderloins was given to a local family who luck could have been better, the Button Buck and Doe we boned out and my friends shared it between them and a friend who was to sick to hunt, so none got wasted.

Oh I see some outfitters can guarentee a Licence, is this a good idea? if not how does one get the correct licence as I don't fully understand the drawing system. What happens if you apply then due to finances not being there you can't go?

I would be gateful for any ideas and guidence you may be able to give, I know it's a long way away yet but I have to figure out the rough costs to see if this is feasible. Looking at it this will cost somewhere in the region of $720 for the flights then the cost of the hunt. Due to the time spent travelling I think an extra day or so to rest up may be a good idea so I would have to allow for that extra cost puls a little spending money so it will probably be in the region of about $5000 and that's going to take awhile to save up! and thats just a rough guess without the tag fees, which I don't kow the cost of yet.

[FIJI]

http://www.huntchat.com/showthread.p...highlight=bill


I will definitely hunt again with Bill Mitchell some day.

[gspsonny03]

Brithunter: I think any of your guns would work with the exception of the 6.5's and depending on the shooter they would too, so that shouldn't be a problem. You might email Petey. he could give you information on Dal outfitters. I'm not sure whether they can guarantee licenses or not, but hear that they do good hunts. United States Outfitters with George Tallman gauantees' licenses and hunts from Colorado to New Mexico and all states around,I believe. His prices are in the area you are talking, as I believe Dal's are. Some of these places will furnish you with sleeping gear so that may not be an issue. You just need to let them know what you expect, so that something doesn't get left out. As far as not taking the meat back with you, you can donate it to Hunting for the Hungery or Hunting for Humanity. They are always looking for things like this, so they would appreciate the meat. Or you could have it sent to me I'm not sure about the combo hunt, it will cost more so may put you over your $ limit, and you may not have enough days to do both. Just some things for you to think about.

[petey]

Brithunter,

You most certainly can kill elk without usign a horse. I hunted with one of our sponsors this year, DAL Outfitters and one several occasions had elk within sight of a paved road!

The neat thing about DAL is that you're hunting National Forest/Wilderness Areas/Local Ranch directly from a Housing Development. So you're no more than driving past $1,000,000 homes and your hunting elk. On the first day we had 3 bulls bugling not more than 250 yards from where we left the truck!

Herds of local elk that come down into town are basically what you're hunting and since DAL is the only Outfitter in the area and is the only one that has the private access via a ranch you're hunting elk that people would have to hike 10 miles to get to otherwise.

I hunted the early rifle season which is a draw elk "only" season. The unit is mostly private land so there are always extra tags left over. Once Ol-Spark and I drew our bull tags we got leftover-leftover cow tags after 2 other drawings. The bulls are still bugling during this time, but the deer season does not start until the 2nd season. I saw a HUGE 30" muley buck on the 3rd day that just stood there and watched me at 30 yards. Kind of made me wish I was hunting a week later. This was the ONLY season you have to draw for in this unit, all others are over the counter including the deer tags so you don't have to apply for any tags.
Seeing as how this is what DAL called their "hardest" season we had 5 guys with 7 tags and should have came home with 7 elk.

We didn't have snow until the last day (which is why they call it the hard season). ALthough I killed my bull on the 2nd morning, and had an opportunity to kill my cow on the 3rd letting a herd of 50 or more elk pass by at 225 yards.

DAL calls it a "Gentleman's Hunt" funny like. Meaning they have elk you can kill not more than 70 yards from where you park your truck (much like my 3rd morning) I was sitting 50 yards from the truck when that herd walked by me. They also provide the deep pack in hunts. They have the ability to pack you in deep if you want or need too, but why bother if the elk are right there?

Some people do it for the reason just to get out of town. There are elk everywhere and I'd say one's chances of killing an elk are better than that of any place I've ever hunted elk. I've hunted elk for over 12 years now. I rank DAL as probably in the top 5 of Outfitters I've ever hunted with.

Mountains are unreal, around the 12-14,000ft level. It is a resort community, with 4 major ski resorts within 15 miles. Denver, CO not more than an hour away. Siverthorne itself is a resort community with outlet malls, so it's a perfect place to bring the wife and kids to shop and have fun while you hunt.

If you want more details, I'd be more than happy to give them. I could talk about my elk hunt for days and how DAL treated us.

[M.T. Pockets]

Brithunter,

You've been reading about pack-in horseback hunts and before you book anything you should really consider one. Riding a horse isn't all that bad, you don't have to be able to rodeo to get along just fine. They're not for everybody but in my mind they add a lot to the experience, don't rule out a classic, pack-in wilderness horseback hunt miles from the nearest civilization. It's like going back in time and is quite the experience. The wall tents, campfires, comradarie in camp and overall experience of being in the wilderness together with other hunters and a fine outfitter can be the experience of a lifetime. Especially if you can do it during the rut in September.

With or without horses I'd suggest getting in the best shape you can. Altitude is very humbling and elk won't wait if you can't keep up to them.

You've got a bunch of elk rifles already, I'd lean towards one of your .30 cal's and some premium bullets like Fail Safes, Barnes X....or the like. Practice from all different positions out to 300 yards and you'll do fine.

I hope it all works out for you.

[Brithunter]

Hi All,

Well thank you for the advice that has been given so far. As I have a little while to go before making any final decisions, at this time I am keeping all my options open.

M.T. Pockets,

I hunt Deer here in the UK and had one trip to Northern Missouri hunting Whitetails in 2003, which was successful with 3 brought to book including a nice 9 point Buck. Untill last year my main quarry was Muntjac Deer, now these are little Deer weighing only about 20-25 lbs so my fied marksmanship whislt it couls always be improved is not so bad. Muntjac stand about 18 high and as I type this My mounted Buck looks down on me. I am sorry to say that my friend the Gamekeeper lost his wood and lease when developers brought up the woodland

Petey,

I have e-mail an enquirey to DAL last night so I will wait and see what they say to my questions. I have also put a similar question on another hunting forum, I am trying to get as much imformation as possibly about this. Can i ask what calibre you use on Elk? Must dash now it's time I got ready for work, we will speak later about your hunt.

[Dan Morris]

Good area to hunt. I wish you success in getting your hunt planned.
If the meat is really a problem to transport home, I know a family of 4 in Denver that has two freezers.... ...LOL
Good luck.
Dan

[M.T. Pockets]

Brithunter, sounds like you've got some good hunting experience. An elk certainly has a larger lethal zone than the deer you have hunted. The difference I've noticed hunting elk compared to other animals is mostly the shooting conditions. It is common to have to shoot while you're out of breath, standing on uneven ground (mountain sides) through a small patch of timber, and other challenging field conditions.

Another shooting pointer while hunting elk. They have a large lethal zone and you don't have to be able to see the entire animal to take a very good shot at it. Elk are often shot in timber where only part of the animal is visible. Once you've identified it as the one you want you may end up shooting at a part of it, while not being able to see the rest. If you wait for a standing broadside shot when the entire animal is visible you may pass up some good opportunities. It's not always like on TV.

Another pointer, keep shooting. An elk hit in the lungs can still run an awful long ways, a hit to the heart and they can run even further. You'll likely find it dead, but it's best to try to drop them while they are in sight.

You'll have fun and I wish I was going with.

[Brithunter]

Hi M.T. Pockets,

Thank you, not all the Deer are that small, my last one which I shot a couple of weeks before Christmas was a Roe Doe. The weigh about 35lbs, and here she is:-


Rifle is a 30-30 Bolt action with 6x42 Schmidt & Bender scope. The weekend before that I shot a Nice young Fallow Buck, he was only half grown but it seems he had lost his Mum otherwise I woudl have left him to grow on, the fact that the freezer was almost empty of Venison also played a part in decideding to shoot.

Oh we have Deer in season all year here, so perhaps I do get a little practice in

The other year I brought a book on Elk called "Elk Country" by Dr Valerius Geist, it was very imformative with some really beautiful photography in it. It was this plus the fact the Elk are the largest of the Red Deer and related to our Native Red Deer which made me think about this hunt.

[Brithunter]

Hi All,

Well so far it's been a week or so but I have heard nothing fron DAL. I know it's a long way off but I would like to get some background stuff found out. This afternoon I traded into a Parker-Hale 30-06 so assuming it shoots OK I have the bases covered on the rifle front, and I am going to be finding out about learning to ride. As I said let's get all bases covered.

There are some others I am going to make enquiries with because at this early stage I am keeping all options open.

[petey]

Brithunter,

I'm done with DAL's DVD and shipped him out the first copy last Thursday. If he approves the final cut I'm ready to start mass production and will ship you one.

It'll pretty much tell you all you need to know about DAL Outfitters. It's a bout a 30 minute show with interviews I conducted with Dave and DJ.

I know Dave is on the road a lot right now and unless you have his cell number sometimes it's hard to get a hold of him. Normally he has the lodge number forwarded on to his cell phone when they are out. Dave said he doesn't get to excited about booking new clients until the new regulations come out which should be the end of January. That way he's not misquoting anything, since it seems Colorado changes their regs often. If you want I'll send you a DVD, just email me your address.

Also, you may want to try DJ Cornutt, the other owner of DAL.
His number in Meeker is 970-878-3165.

Tell him I told you to call him if you want some info.