Advice for a Hunting Newbie

[Pancho Villa]

Hello all,

I am a 100% hunting virgin in Co. Only ever did some halfassed hog hunting with friends back in Texas, so completely unfamiliar as to how its done here.

I have a few questions.

1. Due to a pregnancy taking up a bunch of my time, I didn't have time to put in for a deer tag and am going to have to try for OTC. Are there any left by now?
2. Are the tags left only in areas that are "slim pickins" or what is the deal with that?
3. What is the best method to actually get your shot in and take home some meat? I'm young and reasonably fit, so if it requires some hiking, even with a load, I am OK with it.
4. By the time you pay for the butcher to handle it, about how much will your average deer cost to bring home, for how many lbs of meat?

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer. With a baby on the way I am suddenly more interested in hunting as a way to add in some grass-fed meat at a (hopefully) reasonable price to our diet.

[DFBrews]

Deer is draw only but there are elk OTC tags try and grab a late season tag.

It is called hunting for a reason. My advise is study the area you are going to hunt during the summer start finding game trails natural choke points and things along those lines. make yourself as familiar with the land as possible. also a great way to get into shape for the season Hiking with weight is a whole different ball game than running or jogging
Also I always try to get an either sex tag so if a shot does present itself i will bring home something instead of just getting a picture thru the scope.
and hiking is a must there are quite a few people out during hunting season your odds go up the farther you are from civilization.
I can not answer the cost of processing question as I have always done it myself. 1-2 bucks a pound would be on the high side i would imagine.

[spencerhenry]

there are NO over the counter deer licenses. there will probably be some leftover licenses for deer in various units. elk is over the counter in most of the western half of the state for seasons 2 and 3, 1st and 4th are draw. but there are probably leftovers for many seasons and units.
if your objective is just to put meat on the table, the best bet is a cow tag. there are usually leftovers for cow tags in quite a few units, i would go for an earlier season because the weather is usually better, and the animals havent been chased around as much. a leftover 1st season cow tag for a unit that has high animal numbers would be my choice.

[DFBrews]

there are NO over the counter deer licenses. there will probably be some leftover licenses for deer in various units. elk is over the counter in most of the western half of the state for seasons 2 and 3, 1st and 4th are draw. but there are probably leftovers for many seasons and units.
if your objective is just to put meat on the table, the best bet is a cow tag. there are usually leftovers for cow tags in quite a few units, i would go for an earlier season because the weather is usually better, and the animals havent been chased around as much. a leftover 1st season cow tag for a unit that has high animal numbers would be my choice.

Hmm interesting I always go for late season with the hope that the snow has limited the animals range a bit less likely to see them at 11,000 ft plus

[Chaffee2]

If your looking for cheap meat forget hunting unless you have a rancher or a farmer in the family that has a land owner permit. Processing will cost around $150 or more over here anyway.

But if you want some extremely good, healthy meat then hunting is the way to go. As others have said a cow elk is the way to go for lots of good meat. Sage fed deer do have a flavor to them, grass or crop fed are much milder.

What I've learned is to get at least 1/2 mile from road to get away from other people in a area far away from a city and be patient when hunting. Lots of slow walking, glassing and lots of sitting and waiting.

Practice practice and practice some more with whatever rifle you are using so when the scope comes up and the animal is in the crosshairs there are no surprises when you pull the trigger.

Good luck

[Pancho Villa]

"Cheap" takes 2nd place to "good." Give an idea: we're buying a quarter of a cow on the 15th, grass fed premium stuff. So I'm just wondering if the price is comparable - about $6.50/lb. If its as cheap / cheaper when all is said and done, I am definitely in.

Thank you for all the advice.

Question then: whats the difference between an over-the-counter and "leftover" tag? And how do I go about getting a leftover tag?

[JohnTRourke]

I dunno the rest, but I do know the processing

elk, figure $200 to $225 by the time it's all done.

[Pancho Villa]

I dunno the rest, but I do know the processing

elk, figure $200 to $225 by the time it's all done.

What's the range of edible meat you'd get for that much money?

[DFBrews]

"Cheap" takes 2nd place to "good." Give an idea: we're buying a quarter of a cow on the 15th, grass fed premium stuff. So I'm just wondering if the price is comparable - about $6.50/lb. If its as cheap / cheaper when all is said and done, I am definitely in.

Thank you for all the advice.

Question then: whats the difference between an over-the-counter and "leftover" tag? And how do I go about getting a leftover tag?

should be much cheaper than that especially if you already have a appropiate hunting rifle. Have you eaten much venison or elk? they can be gamey deer more so than elk it is stupid lean as well you have to mix pork to get good burger patties that do not fall apart the processer will usually do that for you if you ask.


here is the link to leftover licenses OTC tags can be bought in most sporting goods places

Click click boom (http://wildlife.state.co.us/hunting/biggame/leftovers/)

[DFBrews]

What's the range of edible meat you'd get for that much money?

300lbs easily in my experience

i believe the ratio on beef is 50% of live weight for an estimated packaged weight.

[Pancho Villa]

OK last question: are there any "good" elk units that I should be on the lookout for, or do I just get stuck with whatever tag is next on the list when I call up?

[DFBrews]

OK last question: are there any "good" elk units that I should be on the lookout for, or do I just get stuck with whatever tag is next on the list when I call up?

For meat look for high population density units not so much trophy I do not know about up here because I hunt in south central CO like unit 68 and 73
I have heard good things about north central/northwest co

[spencerhenry]

processed elk yielding 300 pounds? ........ not likely unless you shoot the biggest cow elk out there. the most i ever got out of an elk, boned out and packaged was 289 pounds, and that elk was huge. my old rule of thumb for deer and antelope was 1/3 of dressed weight was packaged meat. an average cow is probably going to yield about 150 pounds of packaged meat. no sausage with pork or beef added. a buddy got a "big bull" last year and got right around 200 pounds.

yes, i say early season. late in the season if there is sufficient snow, there range is limited and therefore they are more concentrated. however much of their winter range is private, and elk dont mind 2 feet of snow, do you? late season (which actually starts in august) is great if you have access to private land (most late season tags are private land only).

[DFBrews]

processed elk yielding 300 pounds? ........ not likely unless you shoot the biggest cow elk out there. the most i ever got out of an elk, boned out and packaged was 289 pounds, and that elk was huge. my old rule of thumb for deer and antelope was 1/3 of dressed weight was packaged meat. an average cow is probably going to yield about 150 pounds of packaged meat. no sausage with pork or beef added. a buddy got a "big bull" last year and got right around 200 pounds.

yes, i say early season. late in the season if there is sufficient snow, there range is limited and therefore they are more concentrated. however much of their winter range is private, and elk dont mind 2 feet of snow, do you? late season (which actually starts in august) is great if you have access to private land (most late season tags are private land only).

i consider the december cow tags as late season.

the least amount of packaged meat i had was from a yearling cow and I got right around 230lbs i do alot of bone in cuts and hamburger though. Guess this is one of those YMMV type things.

[Mtn.man]

Process your own, nothing like learning how.
OTC tags will be for units not as easy to access by a hwy like I70, 285, etc. NW CO around Kremmling, Steamboat are OTC. Leftover tags will be out in July, however those that didn't get their draw and checked leftover tag will get first chance.

To be successful it usually takes hard work and dedication. Luck only comes into play when you have done your homework as far a scouting, and finding where they are.
Road hunters are rarely if ever successful. So get out and get away.

[Chaffee2]

When I was AD at Malmstrom AFB, MT the commissary sold fresh ground pork sausage no spices and it was also fairly lean for pork. I would mix that and the deer burger about 90% deer to 10% pork. It made the deer just about perfect for cooking and mellowed out the wilder side of the deer. If I remember correctly the pork was about $1.50 or so a pound so it was a very cheap additive to the deer. If the ground pork is available around where you live it would be worth a try to see if you and your family like it.

[King]

The best advice I can give you is to get out a scout. For elk, I would recommend getting up high in the mountains. I hunt at 9500 ft up for rifle season. Learn the signs of the animal you hunt and how to distinguish deer and elk signs. Find an active game trail and watch it from a short distance. Trail cams can help in the scouting process.

FWIW, I never draw for elk. Just head on over to dicks or wally world and get an OTC (over the counter) tag. But if you want a "trophy Unit" you will need some preference points

[Pancho Villa]

Process your own, nothing like learning how.
OTC tags will be for units not as easy to access by a hwy like I70, 285, etc. NW CO around Kremmling, Steamboat are OTC. Leftover tags will be out in July, however those that didn't get their draw and checked leftover tag will get first chance.

To be successful it usually takes hard work and dedication. Luck only comes into play when you have done your homework as far a scouting, and finding where they are.
Road hunters are rarely if ever successful. So get out and get away.

That sounds good to me. The idea of just pulling up and hunting near a road sounds kind of lame, to be honest.

(Not to denigrate anyone who does, just not my thing. I do love long hikes after all.)

This brings to mind another question, though. Say I've done my homework, all the things line up right and I get my elk.

Now I have a 500+lb carcass at my feet and a long hike back to the truck. How do you get the tasty bits back to civilization?

[henpecked]

You need to go with someone who has hunted already.
It will make your trip more enjoyable.

[djjames]

I agree with henpecked. Going with someone who has hunted before will make it a lot better. Not only from probably having a better chance at getting an animal but have you ever gutted something?

Are you planning on hunting alone? Packing that animal out is going to be a heck of a feat.

[Mtn.man]

That sounds good to me. The idea of just pulling up and hunting near a road sounds kind of lame, to be honest.

(Not to denigrate anyone who does, just not my thing. I do love long hikes after all.)

This brings to mind another question, though. Say I've done my homework, all the things line up right and I get my elk.

Now I have a 500+lb carcass at my feet and a long hike back to the truck. How do you get the tasty bits back to civilization?

Quarter it. Take the backstraps and tenderloins out first trip, ans if you can carry a front quarter good. Takes longer to bone the meat but if time allows then you won't be carrying extra weight.
Then pack out hinds, usually can only get 1 at a time. Finally if you want the hide and head take them last.
http://www.elk-hunting-tips.net/quartering-elk.html
http://elkhunter2.tripod.com/quartering.html

we use the gut less method or indian method of cleaning the animal remove hide and then quarter. remove backstraps, count back about 5 ribs or so cut into carcass and remove tenderloins by fingers.

I have packed a few out alone so it is possible, hard work, and rewarding. But it is more fun if you can get a hunting buddy to go with.

[ShooterJM]

Quarter it. Take the backstraps and tenderloins out first trip, ans if you can carry a front quarter good. Takes longer to bone the meat but if time allows then you won't be carrying extra weight.
Then pack out hinds, usually can only get 1 at a time. Finally if you want the hide and head take them last.
http://www.elk-hunting-tips.net/quartering-elk.html
http://elkhunter2.tripod.com/quartering.html

we use the gut less method or indian method of cleaning the animal remove hide and then quarter. remove backstraps, count back about 5 ribs or so cut into carcass and remove tenderloins by fingers.

I have packed a few out alone so it is possible, hard work, and rewarding. But it is more fun if you can get a hunting buddy to go with.

Are sleds worth it?

[Mtn.man]

Are sleds worth it?

Yup, we use those cheapo plastic sleds you get at the store for snow sledding. Add some holes and para cord to tie them in. There is also a meat sled that you can put quarters on and then tie the whole thing up that worked for a couple years when we got a moose and din't have one, they are cheap as well. But worked great.
I have a Bull Pac, had it for 18 years http://www.bullpacs.com/ for packing, and I carry plastic bags in my day pack for tenderloins, and backstraps. Army duffles with the shoulder straps work great as well.

[TennVol]

The last cow elk I shot I managed to get it out of the field in one piece. I used a processor who didn't have a license to dispose of animal waste. Therefore, I got back EVERYTHING I gave them to process. Here are the totals for a decent sized cow elk:

Boneless meat: 172 lbs
Head: 25 lbs
Hide: 40 lbs
Bones: 82 lbs

[TDYRanger]

The last cow elk I shot I managed to get it out of the field in one piece. I used a processor who didn't have a license to dispose of animal waste. Therefore, I got back EVERYTHING I gave them to process. Here are the totals for a decent sized cow elk:

Boneless meat: 172 lbs
Head: 25 lbs
Hide: 40 lbs
Bones: 82 lbs

who does that? gives you back the bits[ROFL3]

[TennVol]

who does that? gives you back the bits[ROFL3]


A retired couple who lives out in Falcon that don't have a trash company that picks up animal waste... But they do an excellent job on the processing and it is very reasonable.

I never realized how much all the bones, hide, & head weighed before I took the time to weigh it before I disposed of it. It was a real eye opener... I'll never quarter another animal and pack it out. Boning out an elk is the only way unless you can drive your truck right up to the animal!

[CapLock]

Have a friend who works at the King Soopers meat packaging plant here in town. There's a butcher with 30 years experience who is going to cut and wrap deer for us for 50 each. We just have to gut them obviously. I could see if he's interested in doing more than two if anyone is interested.

Also last week the wife kid and I seen probably 60 cows with 30 calfs outside of Deckers. Seems like it's hot for them to be so low. Maybe come July August they will head for higher ground?

From my limited experience it would be cheaper to buy T bones from the store that taste better than to hunt. I hunt for the enjoyment not because the meat is even close to cheap by the end of the trip. It's the hunt itself that's priceless. Then when my son gets old enough....now you really have something to look forward to.

[battle_sight_zero]

I am newby myself since 2006 and every year I have harvested on all my deer and pronghorn tags. I have not hunted a elk yet, but when I get some time I will. I mostly grill the meats obtained from these hunts and my guests who have had bad experinces with the gamey flavor elsewhere always want more when I cook it. I use some cool tools to process my meats from the minute the animal goes down to when I am in my garage or kitchen doing final processing. The tools are manufactured by Colorado based Outdoor Edge http://www.outdooredge.com/default.asp. I love that swing blade for field dressing! You can obtain how to DVDs from Outdoor edge here. http://www.outdooredge.com/game-processing-dvds-videos-s/26.htm . I belive the key to advoiding much of the gamey taste in the animals is the hunters ability to skin, field process and cool the animal as fast as possible. I have been informed that much of the bad taste people may expereince can be from the natural decay of the meats because they were not field processed right away. Now I have had only 4 years of experience hunting but I have gotten better after each harvest as I learn to process the animals better and better. No offense to the butchers out there but I rather do it myself. I know the meat I have is mine and not a mix of other hunters harvest.

[Byte Stryke]

http://www.discountramps.com/images/game-cart.jpg


http://www.discountramps.com/game-cart.htm

[CapLock]

Watch the game cart and not get busted for taking your wheeled vehicle off road. [ROFL1]

[ridgewalker]

During 35 years of elk hunting I have drug them (down hill in the snow) whole but gutted of course, quartered and packed out on my back and deboned in the field and packed out. My preference is to debone and pack out. A typical 5x5 bull will come out in 4 trips leaving the antlers and skin behind for a total of 250 lbs of meat (excluding liver and heart). I recommend cloth bags for parts and tags to mark them. Once it is deboned, it can be hard to recognize the parts.

I have butchered my own many times and though I don't anymore, you should for a while just for the experience. It is fascinating! Even gutting is fascinating! All the organs and muscle structures are amazing!

The most fun to me is backpacking in alone, cold camping and bivouac setting up each night overlooking a meadow for the evening and morning hunt. Or, following tracks and setting up for an ambush on a saddle. Fun stuff, but you need to know survival techniques well and be in good shape. Always have a plan and let someone know it.