Process Based Hunter ???

[CVA-444]

processbasedhunter.com

Has anyone ever worked with these guys? I've heard about them on a few podcast. I'm interested in taking an elk hunt in 2030. I've never been out west and never hunted elk. So I thought this would be a good way to start. Me and my good buddy want to go together. He will be using a rifle and I'll have a specialty pistol.

Any info for a couple greenhorns would be appreciated.

 

[LRNut]

2030?

 

[Dr. Vette]

2030?

I had the same thought.
Then again, you can't blame the guy for not planning ahead....

They run an elk hunter boot camp you might want to try out during the summer.

 

[CVA-444]

Yes. I know 5 years. But it's going to take that long to save the money so I can pay cash. Pressure test my systems. Test the guns. So on and so on. I also know sometimes getting tags takes years (from what I've read and heard). I've never done a major hunt like this so I'm trying to figure it out in advance to have the best chance for success

 

[BrentM]

Hmmmm, I'd save 1500 each year and do a fully guided trophy elk hunt. A semi guided hunt or drop camp is great for dudes with a bit of experience doing that sort of thing. It can be pretty overwhelming for those who have not done that sort of thing ever and elk harvest rates are around 10% on general hunts. Not sure if this is a draw hunt area, likely not.

 

[khart1988]

Yes. I know 5 years. But it's going to take that long to save the money so I can pay cash. Pressure test my systems. Test the guns. So on and so on. I also know sometimes getting tags takes years (from what I've read and heard). I've never done a major hunt like this so I'm trying to figure it out in advance to have the best chance for success

Good on you for paying cash for that hunt, but I'd like to add in that the only way to pressure test your system and ensure your best chance of success is to get out and hunt ASAP.

Learning how animals use the landscape, when they move, how wind interacts with topography, whether your rifle holds zero throughout the hunt, what food you can stand to eat day-after-day, how much weight you can carry, all the way down to how you pack and unpack your gear each day (or for every glassing sit) to avoid wasting time. Those are all make-or-break details for your planned hunt that you'll never get by sitting out for 5 seasons.

It could take years to draw tags, but others are readily available over the counter. It doesn't matter what animal you hunt. Grab leftover or OTC deer, javelina, hog tags. Go backpack hunt jackrabbits over a long weekend with a .22. You'll be so far ahead of the alternate version of yourself who just "researches" for 5 years.

 

[CVA-444]

I guess I should state that we are both experienced hunters. On the east coast that is. We hike regularly and hunt as much as we can around NW GA. We haven't ever ventured out west.

 

[MT-JONAS]

processbasedhunter.com

Has anyone ever worked with these guys? I've heard about them on a few podcast. I'm interested in taking an elk hunt in 2030. I've never been out west and never hunted elk. So I thought this would be a good way to start. Me and my good buddy want to go together. He will be using a rifle and I'll have a specialty pistol.

Any info for a couple greenhorns would be appreciated.

Back to your question. I've only discovered Tate through Backcountry Hunting Podcast by Joseph Von Benedikt. JVB is an awesome dude and these processed based hunting courses have also included Ron Spolmer. I've been living and hunting in the west for 12 years and I plan to attend the course along with my 2 sons. You can take other online elk hunting courses but this one is actual hands on training and coaching. I personally think it is a splendid idea for those of us doing diy hunts.

However, hunting these mountains for elk is nothing compared to any hunting in the eastern USA. It can look very intimidating when you first get into it. Knowing where to go to find elk can be very tough for a first timer. Finding a good outfitter will vastly improve your chances.

 

[khart1988]

I guess I should state that we are both experienced hunters. On the east coast that is. We hike regularly and hunt as much as we can around NW GA. We haven't ever ventured out west.

I'm same as you, my friend, as I live in FL. I do think our whitetails teach us a lot of patience, and make us quite resilient to failure and disappointment! Traits definitely helpful to get you out of that warm sleeping bag and up the hillside in the morning.

But many of those scenarios I posed are generally not applicable to our typical hunting style, and you'll only learn by taking a few trips out west, or purposefully pursuing similar scenarios on the East Coast. Backpack style hunting isn't necessary for hogs or whitetails, but if the management area allows you to camp, then take advantage.

Look up western hunts that have decent success rates (available on F&G websites) in similar terrain and aren't coveted tags.

If money is a concern, generally speaking the smaller the animal the cheaper the tag and the less it costs to bring home.

 

[jbur13]

If you are planning this far in advance, while trying to increasing your success rate, then I would leave the pistol at home.
I hunted with a group of guys from the east and one guy brought his pistol 2 years in a row. My friend put him on a spike at 320yds and gave him his rifle to use. The third year, the pistol guy brought a lever action open sight gun! Please, if you are spending that much time and money and effort on making a dream come true, then do it with the highest probability of success!
Back to your question, I think those guys will be just fine, they hunt some good areas and know how to get on animals.

 

[MT-JONAS]

If you are planning this far in advance, while trying to increasing your success rate, then I would leave the pistol at home.
I hunted with a group of guys from the east and one guy brought his pistol 2 years in a row. My friend put him on a spike at 320yds and gave him his rifle to use. The third year, the pistol guy brought a lever action open sight gun! Please, if you are spending that much time and money and effort on making a dream come true, then do it with the highest probability of success!
Back to your question, I think those guys will be just fine, they hunt some good areas and know how to get on animals.

I agree with this. If you are in a financial position where you need to save 4-5 years for your first trip, why put a handgun (any handgun) as a limiting factor? Suggestion, Come out and kill an elk then bring the handgun for your second trip.

 

[HRM Johnny]

Good on you for paying cash for that hunt, but I'd like to add in that the only way to pressure test your system and ensure your best chance of success is to get out and hunt ASAP.

Learning how animals use the landscape, when they move, how wind interacts with topography, whether your rifle holds zero throughout the hunt, what food you can stand to eat day-after-day, how much weight you can carry, all the way down to how you pack and unpack your gear each day (or for every glassing sit) to avoid wasting time. Those are all make-or-break details for your planned hunt that you'll never get by sitting out for 5 seasons.

It could take years to draw tags, but others are readily available over the counter. It doesn't matter what animal you hunt. Grab leftover or OTC deer, javelina, hog tags. Go backpack hunt jackrabbits over a long weekend with a .22. You'll be so far ahead of the alternate version of yourself who just "researches" for 5 years.

I agree with this. Also, you said you and your partner do a good amount hunting. It might be good to try and get out towards the Rocky Mountains for some experience. I googled towns in NW Georgia and towns in New Mexico. From Clayton, Georgia to Santa Fe, New Mexico, is about 24mhours; and about 1,500 miles. according to Google maps. I don't know how much time off you can put together for minivacation. It would obviously be a lot more than a three day weekend. But at least y'all would've been out west, hunting. And it wouldn't cost you anything like a guided elk hunt. For example, y'all could go out there hunting coyotes. They are varmints. No season. On the other hand, a 1500 mile trip ain't cheap. Just a thought. I thought I would put my 2cents worth in.