Advice for a Hunting Newbie

[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.