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Norway_woods
.224 member

Reged: 05/03/14
Posts: 9
Loc: Deep woods of Norway

Elk, where to go?
#243367 - 06/03/14 09:41 PM

Good day to you all.

New member here form the deep woods in Norway.
A lot of good and interesting information here.

Looking at photos of Elk and Elk hunting, makes my jaws drop.
Have been thinking about a hunting trip to USA for a long time, Elk has been one of the spices I had on my dream list.

Many outfitters out there, in many states, but where to go? A draw for a tag I guess is not easy for a foreigner, so I have to find some who does have tags for sale. But, it HAS to be free roaming game, not a a farm with fences. That is not hunting in my mind.
A wilderness trip, horseback will be great. To explore and enjoy the nature, for me just as important than the trophy itself.

Hope some maybe can help me.

I am sure I will be back with more questions....Have black bear also on my list, to hunt them in on of the lower 48 states....One day.

--------------------
Happy hunting!

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Dumprat
.300 member

Reged: 20/02/14
Posts: 205
Loc: Vancouver island bc.

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Norway_woods]
#243383 - 07/03/14 01:31 AM

Two words "British Columbia"

Lots of guides here do elk, and black bears. No farm crap here either.

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Norway_woods]
#243384 - 07/03/14 01:45 AM

Quote:

Good day to you all.

New member here form the deep woods in Norway.
A lot of good and interesting information here.

Looking at photos of Elk and Elk hunting, makes my jaws drop.
Have been thinking about a hunting trip to USA for a long time, Elk has been one of the spices I had on my dream list.

Many outfitters out there, in many states, but where to go? A draw for a tag I guess is not easy for a foreigner, so I have to find some who does have tags for sale. But, it HAS to be free roaming game, not a a farm with fences. That is not hunting in my mind.
A wilderness trip, horseback will be great. To explore and enjoy the nature, for me just as important than the trophy itself.

Hope some maybe can help me.

I am sure I will be back with more questions....Have black bear also on my list, to hunt them in on of the lower 48 states....One day.

------------------------------------------

Most of the elk hunting in the US is free range---there use to be a couple in Montana but they are now illegal..

Your trip, as with many things in life will depend on how much you want to spend in part...if you want to spend $10-15,000 US --there are many good areas you could go..and there are lots of states in the US that have good elk hunting..Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico are to name some of the more noticable states with BIG elk ...

I can check if you wish and get some outfitter info from around my area..but yes, I agree, you need to decide which state you would like to hunt in---Arizona and New Mexico are known to have huge elk...along with areas in Utah, Colorado and Montana..most of those states have black bear available to hunt...

Now is a pretty good time to book as the elk populations are high..with the milder winters we have had here in Montana..now sure what the winters in other states are doing but I know Colorado early didnt have much snow...so I am guessing they should not have much of a winter kill issue..

One issue to keep in mind should you decide to hunt in Wyoming, Montana or Idaho is that areas around Yellowstone National Park, the elk populations have gone down dramtically in the past 10 years because of wolves. If someone tells you wolves have not affected the populations in those areas they are flat out lying to you...some herds have dropped by 70% or more...

I know I am rambling on ..but let me know where you would like to and I can get you some info to start with..ultimately you will have to make the final decision..

Good luck
Elk hunting is a ton of fun...

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27675
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Ripp]
#243388 - 07/03/14 02:18 AM

Roosevelt Elk on Vancouver Island & Oregon-USA. Rocky Mountain Elk in the rest of the Province of British Columbia - with some really nice elk being taken yearly in the Cranbrook and yes, - Elk Ford areas in the South - to the "Peace (river) Country" - ie: Dawson Creek and Fort St. John areas in the North.

I would contact Safari-International (just guess) to find guides for contacting, wherever you wish to hunt.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Norway_woods
.224 member

Reged: 05/03/14
Posts: 9
Loc: Deep woods of Norway

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: DarylS]
#243391 - 07/03/14 02:57 AM

Thank you for helping me.

Ripp, just feel free to ramble on, good information for me, and I hope to someone else to.

Montana looks great, have read some of your reports Ripp, and it looks nice.
Sad to hear about the wolfs, is it any hunting done on them? Sure hope so.

Same here in my woods, the wolf is coming back, badly, the roe deer is about 90% gone, moose has dropped, last fall I did only spot 2 calfs on my area...........Not good at all. Hunting moose in the norwegian traditional way, barking dogs, forget it! The wolfs will hunt down the dog and eat it.

Sorry, a bit off track there...back to Elk hunting.

All help, tip is welcome.

Good afternoon to you all.

--------------------
Happy hunting!

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gryphon
.450 member

Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Dumprat]
#243393 - 07/03/14 04:06 AM

Quote:

Two words "British Columbia"

Lots of guides here do elk, and black bears. No farm crap here either.

Great post.

--------------------
Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.

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Dumprat
.300 member

Reged: 20/02/14
Posts: 205
Loc: Vancouver island bc.

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: gryphon]
#243424 - 07/03/14 09:45 AM

I was not being rude. There are very few farmed hunts here. They are generally not allowed. And to this point our resident species are doing well because of it. If you look at many other places game farming for hunt has brought in diseases that have hurt the wild population. CWD in Saskatchewan comes to mind quickly.

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gryphon
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Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Dumprat]
#243432 - 07/03/14 12:07 PM

Quote:

I was not being rude. There are very few farmed hunts here. They are generally not allowed. And to this point our resident species are doing well because of it. If you look at many other places game farming for hunt has brought in diseases that have hurt the wild population. CWD in Saskatchewan comes to mind quickly.

If thats for me I reiterate 'great post' as in I love the idea of wild free range only myself.

--------------------
Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.

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NitroX
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40630
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Dumprat]
#243439 - 07/03/14 05:54 PM

Quote:

I was not being rude. There are very few farmed hunts here. They are generally not allowed. And to this point our resident species are doing well because of it. If you look at many other places game farming for hunt has brought in diseases that have hurt the wild population. CWD in Saskatchewan comes to mind quickly.

Not true actually.

Not sure about Norway, but Sweden definitely has places where "hunts" are done on extremely small fenced paddocks eg for moufflon, and the "hunters" also win medals/awards for the "quality" of these tame animals shot. But I guess you did say "very few" so perhaps that is right.

Secondly while I really enjoy hunting with friends from here on NE in Norway and Sweden, and would really love to be able to do it again one day, the hunting culture in Scandinavia is really and meat hunting culture and not a trophy hunting culture. Trophies certainly happen like our friend Gryphon's wonderful bull elch. And Ole's in Norway last year on my last trip. But while skill is part of it, pure luck is a huge part. Hunters can go for decades or a lifetime without the opportunity.

BTW our good friend Staffan on here, has walls of great trophies, so maybe there are good areas but in most of the countries there is good meat hunting opportunities. Not trophy hunting at all.

Sorry to post off your topic. Good luck in your elk/wapiti hunt search. I look forward to photos and stories in the future.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Norway_woods
.224 member

Reged: 05/03/14
Posts: 9
Loc: Deep woods of Norway

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: NitroX]
#243442 - 07/03/14 06:36 PM

Not all.

Good to read your words NitroX.
Have you hunted in Norway?

In Norway we hunt on open, free, land/game. Not like some farms in Sweden.

Meat and meat hunting here in Norway is what we all do, well not ALL. Hunting has long traditions here in Norway.
Here on my own area, I have license to hunt 9 moose and 4 reindeers.
Of the 9 moose, only one mature bull. 2 mature cows, rest is calfs and 1 1/2 years old moose.
1 mature reindeer bull.

But, I guess a lot of hunters in US also do meat hunts.

So, for me to hunt after a bull Elk, is interesting. A game we do not have and at the same time enjoy nature.

--------------------
Happy hunting!

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40630
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Norway_woods]
#243447 - 07/03/14 08:02 PM

Yes I have been lucky to hunt with my friend and fellow administrator of NE, ErikD. Erik drops into NE now and agin, being busy with business matters a lot. In 2013, 2012 and about three years before that. The first year on the first morning was lucky to take a yearling/spiker or it could have been a bull, have the antlers here somewhere. Now about 20 days of elk hunting and other hunting later, still waiting for the second one.

Had a very good chance at a trophy sized elg bull in 2012, should have shot it instantly, the shot was very easy, it even stopped standing but dropped its head. Tried to count the points, it had to be 10 points or more, it raised it head, took a step and was gone.

It is possible this bull was shot by a young hunter in 2013, Ole/Ule (splg?). It was his first moose I think after three years hunting. Well done to him. The photo is on NE somewhere I think.

Hunted capercaillie with Erik the first year as well. I want to do that again too.

The last two years Staffan here on NE, another good friend, also invited me to hunt with him. Lots of different game on Staffan's various hunt areas, fallow, red, roe, boar, alg, etc. Always a great fun hunt and good people to hunt with in the teams there.

Another previous moderator (resigned) and long time friend, Christer, have visited him a couple of times too and had some shots with him.

Hunted a bit in Denmark too about five years ago, with someone else not to be named.

I enjoy Scandinavia a lot. The hunters are almost always friendly, polite and welcoming. And it is good to experience a different hunting culture to one's own. Here I usually hunt solo or with at most a couple of others. Except maybe for a few shoots each year for foxes locally, or released pheasants (in the past).

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40630
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: NitroX]
#243449 - 07/03/14 08:09 PM

If Norway_woods doesn't mind as it is on topic.

Can I ask if a foreignor MUST use an outfitter in the USA or Canada to hunt elk/wapiti?

Norway_woods mentions obtaining a tag, and I presume might like to arrange a hunt himself?

But I understand legally anyway, a foreignor must use an outfitter - is this the case?

I do know of people who have done it slightly differently eg for moose, but won't talk about that on here on a public thread. Still done with tags etc and not poaching, but no outfitter. May not have been 100% per the law however.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Norway_woods
.224 member

Reged: 05/03/14
Posts: 9
Loc: Deep woods of Norway

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: NitroX]
#243458 - 07/03/14 11:20 PM

NitroX,

Glad to hear you enjoy hunting here in Scandinavia.

You planing on coming back? If so, you have to go after the reindeers to. Hunting in the mountains is great!
Can imagine hunting here is far from what you do back home. One day, maybe next year, I like to go and hunt the Buffalo and the Banteng. A friend did a cull hunt some years back, that has to be interesting.

--------------------
Happy hunting!

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Rell
.375 member

Reged: 03/12/04
Posts: 642
Loc: Oyster Bay, NY, USA

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Norway_woods]
#243459 - 08/03/14 12:30 AM

My experience with elk is that they are realy hard to hunt, the kudu of North America only more nomadic and spooky.

Even outfitted hunts have a 50/50 success rate and that only about 10-15% are trophy bulls.

I have taken a few little bulls but no herd bulls.

I think New Mexico is probably the best place for big bulls and a private free range ranch or the Indian reservations are tops. Chama and Ted Turners ranch are both 1st class. I think they both are over $15,000 USD but if you take a bull earlier they both have great deals on Bisson. Both use bourse but no back country wall tent experience sadly.

--------------------
450-400, 9.3x74r and 7x65r.

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Sville
.400 member

Reged: 23/03/10
Posts: 1189
Loc: Sweden

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Rell]
#243461 - 08/03/14 02:24 AM

Welcome to NE Norway Woods, you will enjoy it! /Staffan

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Norway_woods
.224 member

Reged: 05/03/14
Posts: 9
Loc: Deep woods of Norway

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Sville]
#243467 - 08/03/14 04:23 AM

Thank you Steffan.

--------------------
Happy hunting!

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40630
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Norway_woods]
#243523 - 08/03/14 06:24 PM

Quote:

Glad to hear you enjoy hunting here in Scandinavia.

You planing on coming back? If so, you have to go after the reindeers to. Hunting in the mountains is great!
Can imagine hunting here is far from what you do back home. One day, maybe next year, I like to go and hunt the Buffalo and the Banteng. A friend did a cull hunt some years back, that has to be interesting.

I hope to again, but not this year. An online friend invited me to come and hunt reindeer with him. I would love to. I understand it is a different season to elg?

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Norway_woods
.224 member

Reged: 05/03/14
Posts: 9
Loc: Deep woods of Norway

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: NitroX]
#243527 - 08/03/14 09:29 PM

Yes, the season opens the 25th of august and ends the 23th of september. At least where I hunt them.

--------------------
Happy hunting!

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Sville
.400 member

Reged: 23/03/10
Posts: 1189
Loc: Sweden

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Norway_woods]
#243532 - 09/03/14 02:42 AM

In what area do you hunt Reindeer? I have been hunting a couple of times up in Österdalen near Koppang. /Staffan

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Norway_woods
.224 member

Reged: 05/03/14
Posts: 9
Loc: Deep woods of Norway

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Sville]
#243538 - 09/03/14 06:30 AM

Well, Steffan, THAT is my woods

I hunt a bit south of Koppang. What did you hunt? How did it go?

--------------------
Happy hunting!

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Sville
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Reged: 23/03/10
Posts: 1189
Loc: Sweden

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Norway_woods]
#243539 - 09/03/14 06:35 AM

I work for Moelven, thats my connection to Koppang. Reindeer. No luck with the big boys. But for me who hunts in forest country, it`s great to be up in open space on the mountains. /S

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27675
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Sville]
#243552 - 09/03/14 12:36 PM

John - non-residents MUST use a licensed guide in British Columbia to hunt any 'tag required' big game. You can fish without a guide.

Any of you forum friends want to come fishing - I'll take you out with me - you pay your part - your licenses & 1/2 the gas, food, lodging etc - I'll supply the boat and location, no charge.

The Stelako river (fly fishing only) is super incredible for rainbows - world renowned - class 1 water. Only 1 1/2 hour's drive from my home - just a bit West of here. Waders needed.

Another is the Babine River - dodging grizzlies for rainbows - HA! - just kidding?

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Ruger_450
Banned

Reged: 10/03/13
Posts: 163
Loc: WY & FL

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: DarylS]
#243579 - 10/03/14 08:01 AM

As a resident of Wyoming, I can tell you that a quality, free range, horseback hunt with a qualified outfitter is quite expensive. Probably the best place in the USA to get a real trophy elk is in New Mexico on the Indian reservations.

Just one example:

http://riatahuntingranches.com/hunting/n...ion-trophy-elk/

Mega dollars but exceptional animals as well.

My best Elk was taken on a private ranch and ended up costing about $8000. It was more like hunting Whitetails in upstate NY where I grew up than the image of the 500 yard cross canyon shot you see on the stupid TV shows.

It was an in tent, food cooked for you, one guide/hunter horseback hunt (brought my own tack).

Killed this boy at 18 paces with an 1809 British Baker 61 caliber military flintlock. 30+ years of Whitetail hunting with bow and shotgun back East were invaluable in getting up on him. As a now deceased old timer once told me: "you a'int huntin' Elk till you can smell em' ." ….. I sure could !

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Ruger_450]
#243583 - 10/03/14 09:04 AM

Here is a web address for the White Mountain Indian Reservation..some very big elk there...and NO fences..

http://www.wmat.nsn.us/

Arizona also has some very large elk ..those are 2 very good states to look into if you are hunting in the US...

Having said that..very large elk are being taken in practially every state that has elk ..including Montana and Utah along with Colorado...

Here is a web address of a guy I know of--from what I know he is trustworthy...

http://www.montanahuntingcompany.com/photos/elk-13.html

Will check into more info for you..

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

Edited by Ripp (10/03/14 09:35 AM)

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Norway_woods
.224 member

Reged: 05/03/14
Posts: 9
Loc: Deep woods of Norway

Re: Elk, where to go? [Re: Ripp]
#243744 - 13/03/14 10:29 PM

Hello ad thank you all for the replys and information.

Ripp, thank you.

I have send them a mail and asked some questions. Cost a bit,but you get what you pay for.

Very glad for the help I get here.

All the best.

--------------------
Happy hunting!

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