Youth elk options?

[TX mountain hunter]

I've been fortunate over the years to have multiple successful harvests on public land elk including a few good bulls and some cows. Most have been after several days of hard hunting and lots of ground covered. Last year I took my boys (12 & 13) on an archery hunt and a November rifle hunt. We covered lots of ground and had a missed archery 5x5 bull (and tons of good memories) to show for.

This year, for reasons I'd not like to get into, we only have two long weekends available that don't seem to mesh well with nearby elk seasons (AZ, CO, NM) with our restricted dates being Oct 2-4 & Nov 20-22 (leaving after school let's out Friday and back by Tuesday morning). If anyone has recommendations to help tilt the odds in their favor for an elk hunt (bull or cow) matching those very limited dates and restrictions it would be greatly appreciated. Open to PM / direct messages.

 

[TX mountain hunter]

I've been fortunate over the years to have multiple successful harvests on public land elk including a few good bulls and some cows. Most have been after several days of hard hunting and lots of ground covered. Last year I took my boys (12 & 13) on an archery hunt and a November rifle hunt. We covered lots of ground and had a missed archery 5x5 bull (and tons of good memories) to show for.

This year, for reasons I'd not like to get into, we only have two long weekends available that don't seem to mesh well with nearby elk seasons (AZ, CO, NM) with our restricted dates being Oct 2-4 & Nov 20-22 (leaving after school let's out Friday and back by Tuesday morning). If anyone has recommendations to help tilt the odds in their favor for an elk hunt (bull or cow) matching those very limited dates and restrictions it would be greatly appreciated. Open to PM / direct messages.

Not necessarily restricting to those states, just realizing that going much further would likely require substantially higher elk ratios to make up for the drive time difference.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

TX, I thought I'd mention the expanded opportunities for youth 12-17, where they can hunt on an unfilled E/S or antlerless elk or deer tag, later in the year, some thru December. I'll keep an eye out for other possibilities.

 

[TX mountain hunter]

TX, I thought I'd mention the expanded opportunities for youth 12-17, where they can hunt on an unfilled E/S or antlerless elk or deer tag, later in the year, some thru December. I'll keep an eye out for other possibilities.

Thank you. I was under the impression most of those state late options were for resident youth only but that's an option I will dig more into for sure.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. CPW issues hunting and fishing...

cpw.state.co.us

I'm, not seeing a residency requirement. If you can get access, there is also some excellent pronghorn hunting not far from the TX border. We have a hoot out there. Good luck, it's smart for you to jump on this soon as the first tues in April comes up quick.

 

[TX mountain hunter]

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. CPW issues hunting and fishing...

cpw.state.co.us

I'm, not seeing a residency requirement. If you can get access, there is also some excellent pronghorn hunting not far from the TX border. We have a hoot out there. Good luck, it's smart for you to jump on this soon as the first tues in April comes up quick.

Very cool. Great lead, thank you! Now off to research late season elk on CO public. While I've had great luck in September and October in CO, I / we have been 0% for later dates so far.

 

[L.Sherm]

If the Valle Vidal in N.M fits your schedule I would recommend that to try and draw.
I went there in 2005 had a blast, lots of elk and I think it would be a great youth hunt.

 

[Rick Richard]

I would contact some of the outfitters since I know one very well that offers very reasonable cow elk landowner tag hunts in New Mexico. That would be my recommendation. You send me a PM and I will gladly send the outfitters contact info if you are interested. Good luck.

 

[Otiro]

My daughter (12) got one on a landowner tag in NM, self guided. Guy who owned the ranch was great. I'll see if I can find his info.

 

[Ace Quackhunter]

My daughter (12) got one on a landowner tag in NM, self guided. Guy who owned the ranch was great. I'll see if I can find his info.

If you could share that information with me that would be great. I have grandson that is interested in hunting and that sounds like a great place to start.

 

[dogz]

Tx MH are you looking to do this on your own and or guided?

 

[TX mountain hunter]

Tx MH are you looking to do this on your own and or guided?

Preference is DIY type. I'd rather them feel like they truly earn one on our own a bit more; just hoping to shift the odds a bit with our limited time window.

 

[dogz]

good on you!

 

[dogz]

Tx-mh if some day you wish to treat them consider taking them to the Vermejo for a late season cow hunt. Just to be able to drive around that place would be well worth the admission...