Have you ever hunted multiple states for elk in one year?

[DTP]

I've done it for whitetail and turkey, but never elk.
I think I have a good chance at chasing elk in two to three states this year.


If you have done it, do you have any take aways? Learned lessons?
Is it still as fun as it sounds or does it turn into more of a job than a fun trip?




Thanks!

 

[cohunter14]

I?m crossing my fingers that I get to this year  :upthumb:

 

[cnelk]

Yes I have


You will be tired

 

[Don K]

As much as I would like to, I try not to do it.

I like to devote as much time as I can to the tag and don't want to cut myself short. With the cost of the tags, vacation time I just don't want to be pressured.

 

[DTP]

As much as I would like to, I try not to do it.

I like to devote as much time as I can to the tag and don't want to cut myself short. With the cost of the tags, vacation time I just don't want to be pressured.

I completely understand.  The trips wouldn?t be cut short if they fall in line like I hope they do (NM being Sept 1-14 and MT being 20-28)

But you know how things go.... they never go as planned [emoji23]

Yes I have


You will be tired

Haha tired worries me.
I want the trips to be a ball, not draining. 
I just gotta make sure I?m not biting off more than I can chew.  Especially with the extra driving now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ivar88]

That extra driving is going to be the tough part. Hope you have a co pilot for at least one of those trips!

 

[cnelk]

Let me go into further detail.
Hunting elk in multiple states sure sounds sexy and fun, but its a real chore.



Last fall - 2017 - I did a week in Colorado and then drove a couple hours up into Wyoming, took the atvs in 6 miles and set up camp for another week


Every day gets harder and harder to keep up the pace. You definitely arent as alert as you are 2 weeks prior. You eat less, mid-day you will need to nap. Then, every once in awhile you will stumble/trip on a log/branch that you normally wouldnt. Thats fatigue setting in.


Personally, I think its a great way to find 'burn-out'. In the end you probably say to yourself..... 'Yeah... that really sucked' and elk hunting isnt as enjoyable as it should be


In 2016, I hunted 4 different states and shot 4 different big game animals in that time - Colorado elk /Alaska moose/Nebraska WT/Wyoming elk


I dont think Ill do that again.


But give it a try! Let us know what you think after its done

 

[joegiglianm@gmail.com]

I would still take 23 days of hunting elk over 23 days at work any day.  :lol:

I have never hunted outside of NM, but after hunting 14 days myself, I guide until January.
I would say, to those that have never done extensive days, the key is to listen to your body. When you are hungry, eat. When you're thirsty, drink and when you are tired, sleep. Nothing better than a nap in the woods.
Sometimes a day off or hunting just the evening is a great way to replenish the batteries or enjoy the gift of what's around you.
Plus you never know. I have more than once called in bulls that started screaming only a few hundred yards off while I was reading and relaxing at camp.

 

[DTP]

I would still take 23 days of hunting elk over 23 days at work any day.  :lol:

I have never hunted outside of NM, but after hunting 14 days myself, I guide until January.
I would say, to those that have never done extensive days, the key is to listen to your body. When you are hungry, eat. When you're thirsty, drink and when you are tired, sleep. Nothing better than a nap in the woods.
Sometimes a day off or hunting just the evening is a great way to replenish the batteries or enjoy the gift of what's around you.
Plus you never know. I have more than once called in bulls that started screaming only a few hundred yards off while I was reading and relaxing at camp.

It's funny you mention bulls near camp.
The first elk I ever killed in NM was about 250 yards from camp....
I was sitting in a tree stand over a small water hole. I could see my trailer roof from up in the tree.  :haha: :haha: :haha:

Let me go into further detail.Hunting elk in multiple states sure sounds sexy and fun, but its a real chore.Last fall - 2017 - I did a week in Colorado and then drove a couple hours up into Wyoming, took the atvs in 6 miles and set up camp for another weekEvery day gets harder and harder to keep up the pace. You definitely arent as alert as you are 2 weeks prior. You eat less, mid-day you will need to nap. Then, every once in awhile you will stumble/trip on a log/branch that you normally wouldnt. Thats fatigue setting in.Personally, I think its a great way to find 'burn-out'. In the end you probably say to yourself..... 'Yeah... that really sucked' and elk hunting isnt as enjoyable as it should beIn 2016, I hunted 4 different states and shot 4 different big game animals in that time - Colorado elk /Alaska moose/Nebraska WT/Wyoming elkI dont think Ill do that again.But give it a try! Let us know what you think after its done

A lot of what you're saying is kind of what I have been thinking and it hasn't even happened yet. I'm going to let the draws determine my future. If I draw both then I'm going to give both 100%.... and then probably never want to do it again. LOL


We will see though!  I need to draw one tag before I start worrying about two!

That extra driving is going to be the tough part. Hope you have a co pilot for at least one of those trips!

My co-pilot is my radio!  :haha:

 

[joegiglianm@gmail.com]

It's funny you mention bulls near camp.
The first elk I ever killed in NM was about 250 yards from camp....
I was sitting in a tree stand over a small water hole. I could see my trailer roof from up in the tree.  :haha: :haha: :haha:

Land of Enchantment buddy!  :upthumb:

 

[DTP]

It's funny you mention bulls near camp.
The first elk I ever killed in NM was about 250 yards from camp....
I was sitting in a tree stand over a small water hole. I could see my trailer roof from up in the tree.  :haha: :haha: :haha:

Land of Enchantment buddy!  :upthumb:

Yes indeed!!!  :upthumb:

 

[Boom]

never have, never will.

i just cant justify the expense.  sadly, i am approaching retirement.  okay, it is about a decade+ away.  but this is the time for me to really buckle down and fill in the gaps financially. 

hunting is fun, super fun.  but i cant afford to jeopardize my ability to sit on my ass and wake up when the eff i feel like it.

 

[Boom]

^^  which all kinds of effed up and ironic.

when i was young and could give a rats butt about retirement, had all the time in the world, didnt have a career..i could hunt THREE different States..

but didnt have two nickles to rub together, of even the means to afford three states.

life is backwards.

 

[DTP]

I hunted four different states for whitetail last year, then elk & antelope. At the end of the season I was pretty... tired!

Now comparing a whitetail hunt to an elk hunt is like apples and oranges, that's why I'm wondering if two hunts in the same year will be enough (with me being so far from the states) or if I will end up loving it.

I think if I was living within hours of both locations this would be a different story.

 

[sjl2012]

I've done New Mexico and Colorado several times. Once in the same trip from home, gone 17 days and kicked my butt. Having a buffer to relax between the two is much better. Will be pulling Wyoming early September this year then 2nd season New Mexico as well with a week home between.

 

[Don K]

One thing to think about as everyone puts in for the draws, and contemplates if they should wait is

"Enjoy life today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow is never promised"

 

[Ol Arky]

Make plans for a bigger freezer... :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[Ivar88]

I hope you have some podcasts!!!!

 

[mjgetch]

Multiple times. Last year was archery in Washington (had multi season tag so also hit a few days during muzzy season and rifle) then rifle season in oregon. Have done similar on the years I draw oregon elk tags. This year it will more than likely be Archery in both since I can hunt the oregon opener and a couple weeks till Washington opens and if need be the time after Washington closes. Spent 30 days in elk camp last year and if need be hope to do that again this year.

 

[DTP]

Multiple times. Last year was archery in Washington (had multi season tag so also hit a few days during muzzy season and rifle) then rifle season in oregon. Have done similar on the years I draw oregon elk tags. This year it will more than likely be Archery in both since I can hunt the oregon opener and a couple weeks till Washington opens and if need be the time after Washington closes. Spent 30 days in elk camp last year and if need be hope to do that again this year.

Good luck this year!

I hope you have some podcasts!!!!

Hunting and finances, that's all I listen to! lol :upthumb: