First elk hunt argument

[GoBears870]

Interested in the opinions of this group. I’ve been looking into going on a DIY OTC archery elk hunt in CO for a while now. I told a hunting friend about this and said I expect it to be so challenging that any legal bull would be an accomplishment for me. This sent him off the rails. He thinks this is the problem with hunting today - people “just killing something to check a box and not holding out for a mature trophy animal”. My perspective is I understand that and mostly agree as it pertains to deer hunting like we do in Texas, but this situation is very different. He thinks it’s no different. So, what are your opinions on the matter?


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[Mayhem]

How many big bulls has he killed?

[ken]

I disagree with your friend. I think the problem today is everyone thinks everyone should be a trophy hunter.

You are right. Any legal bull with an archery OTC tag in Colorado would be an accomplishment.

[TxAg]

How many DIY elk hunts has be been on? My guess is zero.

Shoot what makes you happy.

Plus, CO manages for numbers of elk, not size of elk.

[TWarren]

Has this friend ever hunted out of state, on public land for any species besides white-tails?

[Slick8]

He's entitled to his opinion just as you and I are.

I tend to agree with you. You need to set an achievable goal in order to enjoy the sport and bring home some meat.

A huge set of horns on a 7 year old bull is not the realistic goal for many if not most of us.

Now if you had numerous bulls under your belt, were in a difficult draw area or using a guide I'd question your thought process. But not CO OTC.

Carry on and best of luck to ya.

[GoBears870]

No he has not elk hunted but that’s never stopped him from having an opinion on something

I get where he’s coming from but don’t think he understands where I’m coming from


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[DTala]

it is a LOT different, percent of bulls killed that are 5X5 or bigger is less than 10% in the good areas. Bowhunting, I'd kill the first legal bull I got a chance at.

[WTucker]

If a legal bull was in bow range of me, I would take the shot. You’re talking about a DIY hunt in the mountains, not a managed ranch.

[TKC]

I’m tracking along the way you are headed. I went twice and would have taken the first legal animal but I ended up a swing and a miss.

[RJH1]

I think I would hunt one in Texas behind a high fence. Tromping up and down mountiains carrying an elk sounds way less fun to me than it once did. Oh, and as to the original question, when your friend starts paying for your hunts, then he can tell you what to shoot, till then he should stfu and be happy for you

[GoBears870]

Originally Posted by DTala

it is a LOT different, percent of bulls killed that are 5X5 or bigger is less than 10% in the good areas. Bowhunting, I'd kill the first legal bull I got a chance at.

That’s what I told him. The OTC units are pressured hard and managed for opportunity rather than quality. I am building points and will unload them one day on a good unit after I have some experience, but the expectations in OTC are a lot different.


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[talltexasshoote]

Have him put in for the draw in Arizona. You stay in Colorado OTC. Both of you can be happy.

[SmTx]

Sounds salty because you're out there making moves and he isn't.



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[J Wales]

I suspect a lot of first time elk hunters head to Colorado with the intent to hold out for a mature bull. After a few days (and especially a few years) of getting skunked, they find themselves willing to shoot any legal bull. Put me in the camp of any legal bull on an OTC unit is a trophy.

[asttbe]

I went on an OTC public land hunt in Washington. Spent 10 days walking all over the Boise Cascades. Shot an elk bull with 24" spikes with a rifle and was happy as #$%^.

That hunt kicked my butt, and the elk were under heavy pressure

[huntingfanatic]

Just let him tramp up and down those mountains a few days in an OTC unit and he will change his tune in a hurry.

[Texans42]

Hunt your hunt and don’t listen to him or anyone else. It’s your hunt

I’ve got friends that’s consistently kill bulls over 280 every year. They live close to the units they hunt, and spend 21 days in sept hunting. Not counting their summer scouting. They are the 90 percent that kill the 10 %, even they would tell you to hunt your hunt.

I’m personally not an any legal bull hunter but I’ve taken a few elk. With that said if I have a newbie with me, my bow normally doesn’t come off my pack and I encourage them to try to hold out for “Any” legal bull until they are happy with thier hunt.

With that said I’ve also eaten 4 elk tags in three years and could care less, I’ve had great fun memorable hunts

[Phillip Fields]

Any elk is a worth taking. I've done 3 guided elk hunts and am still elkless.

[BigRed323]

Originally Posted by GoBears870

No he has not elk hunted but that’s never stopped him from having an opinion on something

I get where he’s coming from but don’t think he understands where I’m coming from


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Why even care about what he has to say then? It’s a waste of time trying to argue with him.

[friscopaint]

He's an idiot.

[txoutdoorsman24]

Originally Posted by BigRed323

Why even care about what he has to say then? It’s a waste of time trying to argue with him.

Yep. He seems like the kind that has done it all and accomplished nothing at the same time.

[Farmdog]

Texas mule deer hunting has shifted in this direction also. It does take time with elk

[Farmdog]

I’m the most proud of my do it yourself OTC bull.But it feels like that was a lifetime ago

[diamond10x]

I hunt Colorado every year in an OTC unit during rifle season, and everyone in our group gets pumped up when anyone kills a legal bull.

That said, find a friend who shares your outlook and invite him, leave the other guy at home.


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[Drycreek3189]

Originally Posted by ken

I disagree with your friend. I think the problem today is everyone thinks everyone should be a trophy hunter.


You are right. Any legal bull with an archery OTC tag in Colorado would be an accomplishment.

This

Originally Posted by TxAg

How many DIY elk hunts has be been on? My guess is zero.

Shoot what makes you happy.

Plus, CO manages for numbers of elk, not size of elk.

This

Originally Posted by Mayhem

How many big bulls has he killed?

And this....

[Jon B]

He has likely never elk hunted.

[Leemo]

Walking up a mountain is an accomplishment

[GoBears870]

Originally Posted by diamond10x

That said, find a friend who shares your outlook and invite him, leave the other guy at home.


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I was feeling him out to see if he’d want to participate and quickly found the answer. Sounds like I need to hang out with this crowd more




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[smokeless]

Them regular bulls eat just as good as a trophy. Invite him along and get back to us. I think his attitude will change.

[PYBUCK]

Get him to go with you and i bet his perspective changes after a couple of days.

[hopedale]

I've never gone but want to some day. Let me say the day I do my goal will be just like yours. If its a legal animal to harvest, and I have the shot, I'm taking it.

[Paycheck]

I have only hunted elk 2 times, I am 1 for 2. Both was with a guide. I also wanting to go this year on a DIY OTC trip. Just the accomplishment of getting up there will be a success for me, getting long in the tooth. If I was with a guide I would be a little more selective.

[MLank]

Y'all keep saying any legal bull....

It should be: any legal elk. Cow, calf, any bull; get down what comes close and pack it out with your head held high and a smile.

[db@100]

Bring him along to help you pack out your "small bull". You won't have to worry about returning the favor.

[quackaholic1]

I'm on your side. Been there, done that on the DIY hunt in Colorado.

[UltraMax]

Your friend is an idiot

[Flint knapper]

If it's legal and it's what I want! Then I'll shoot it and take it home and eat it! enough said. What your buddy things is not my problem!

Heck, the last time I hunted OTC Archery elk in Colorado, I harvested a nice fat cow with my longbow and was sure glad to get her. A few seconds after releasing the arrow on the cow, I had a 5X5 bull Bugle in my face at less than 12 yards.
Was I upset that I didn't hold out for a bull? HECK NO, I can't eat the horns and cow meat is wonderful.

[GhostSkull]

When he fronts the money for that OTC tag...then you can listen to his opinion. I’m 0 for 3..come close every trip to filling that tag, maybe this year is the year

[deerplanter]

You both have points, but any elk bull or cow isn't ready otc dyi. Trust i know from experience, if this is your first trip don't wait on a bull only unless your ok to go home without meat.

[JTeLarkin08]

Ive been on 3 OTC Colorado elk hunts..Ive seen one decent bull in 3 trips and he was a mile away.. OTC hunts are managed for opportunity.. Elk hunting is hard..

That said now that I have killed a decent bull the size of bull I am willing to shoot changes with the distance I am from the truck.. 1 mile in, any legal bull.. 3 miles plus it better be a **** good bull haha

[xman59]

Originally Posted by GoBears870

Interested in the opinions of this group. I’ve been looking into going on a DIY OTC archery elk hunt in CO for a while now. I told a hunting friend about this and said I expect it to be so challenging that any legal bull would be an accomplishment for me. This sent him off the rails. He thinks this is the problem with hunting today - people “just killing something to check a box and not holding out for a mature trophy animal”. My perspective is I understand that and mostly agree as it pertains to deer hunting like we do in Texas, but this situation is very different. He thinks it’s no different. So, what are your opinions on the matter?


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i think you should find a new friend,,, it is your hunt tell him to take a hike,,, and good luck to you!

[tx_basser]

I've seen some small legal bulls and I think it depends on your goals. I personally am not interested in shooting a little rag horn and willing to hold out until I find something worth of my goal.

[kdwalker]

I have gone on several OTC Colorado archery elk hunts and have never killed one. They are still my favorite hunting experiences. We always backpack in and it is a major challenge. Any legal bull would be great! I actually have a story about one of the hunts on the Extreme Outdoors page of my hunting/fishing website. Check it out. It's called Nine Nights in a Bivouac. texasdeerandbass.com

[JES]

Originally Posted by GoBears870

No he has not elk hunted but that’s never stopped him from having an opinion on something

I get where he’s coming from but don’t think he understands where I’m coming from


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I've started culling "friends" like this...no time for arguing with people who can't seem to see any other person's point of view.

Is he a Democrat?

[critter69]

Your correct, if your doing an over the counter here on public land I would shoot the first leagal animal you can. Even if that is a cow elk. I have hunted my ***** off for them and some times your lucky to even get a glimpse of an elk in 10 days of hunting. You pass on one you may not see another one for a couple years. If your hunting in a limited draw that requires a lot of points, private land, hire an outfitter then I would say you may want to hold out for a bigger bull. If I was you, I would ask him to come hunt with you. I guarantee he shoots at the first leagal one he sees. That’s if you could stand being around him for 10 days. Don’t think I could, by the sounds of it. And who knows the first one you see may be a 360 class bull, it’s possible. And that’s what keeps people coming after them. I would suggest you get a deer lic. if possible also. They are much more prevalent then elk, most of the time. If your in the right spot at the right time you may be over run by elk. But still take advantage if you get the chance. Good luck, the peak of the rut is normally around the week of black powder season here, or the week after.

[scoutman]

No corn feeders or feeder pens in elk hunting, if you get a opportunity at a legal bull on public and pass then I hope you plan on devoting years to the pursuit of a trophy bull which totally depends on personal perspective on " trophy".

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[scoutman]

Funny how people who have never elk hunted have such definitive opinions on it.

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[psicoo]

I think I wouldn't care how he thinks. Any bull harvested with a bow in CO is an accomplishment!
Good hunting to ya!

[Bear Charge]

Legal equals shoot