Elk Hunting is OFFICIALLY A FAD (Hunts You Should Do Instead!)

[@darrensmall4313]

Let me tell you the real deal about archery hunting elk here in the west. First, you must have a 2024 Mathews Lift bow and the draw weight has to be a minimum of 80 lbs. Head to toe Sitka gear, including underwear and socks. Has to be Sitka and to really increase your odds of filling your tag, your butt should look good in your Sitka pants so get them taylored if needed. Your blood stream on the morning of opening day must consist of at least 10% Mountain Ops supplements. Does not matter which supplements. Yeti coolers are a must. You have to carry the latest iPhone with On-X. You cannot even think about going into the wilderness area without first having a little gear dump session with your hunting friends in the bed of a pickup truck where you all show off your fire starting kits, kill kits, water purification kits, sleep systems, nutritional content of all the food you're "running". Finally, and this is the real important part, you must compare hunting social media infuencers you each follow. The pickup truck must have a sticker displayed on the rear window of all the gear you're "running", not using but gear you are "running". If you accomplish all of that then you really only need to walk about 38 yards off the main road and it's a guaranteed harvest of no less than a 6x even if you're from California or Texas.

[@CliffGray]

Jesus, u nailed it

[@johngalt7296]

Lmfaooooo %100!

[@travisgriffiths8170]

Hahaha you must Know my buddy dustin !

[@charlesbond4413]

Fortunately I hunt wilderness. But I know because I’ve seen this guy. Flew in with his new buddies, he’d been out with a guide previous and knew it all. He was an expert and confident in everything. He had everything new, a 600 yard rifle, new tent, new yeti, new and best hunting clothes and gear. His buddies for the two weeks were road hunters at best. They were sold on the big self guided hunt. Biggest slobs ever to get dropped off in the wilderness. All hunting near the airstrip. I won’t tell the stories I saw here. You’ve probably seen similar. He actually reminded me of LBJ. My elk and mule deer hunting is not a fad. It’s hard work. It’s ugly at times, it’s climbing when you want to quit and it’s getting back to camp after midnight with one load and leaving before dawn for another all day climb to get another load. 3 days minimum. Never had the luxury of a guided hunt. I can’t imagine having someone like you do all the work and then call it my hunt. But I do love listening to your wisdom and experience.

[@andreisharma]

@@charlesbond4413I just don’t get how the people trying to jump into the backpack hunting without even doing a whole lot of backpacking… I backpack all summer and yet I fully plan to get packed out, contacting horse guys with the Sat phone

[@jaredklein8863]

You’re right. I’ve noticed this, too. You can see every gun guy on social media that’s never hunted before going on elk hunts. That’s fine, but it’s getting awfully crowded. I’ve been looking at other animals to focus on because of it.

[@CliffGray]

for sure! there are a lot of other hunts that are great

[@hispeedbullet2661]

I still apply every year for an elk tag in Arizona, but it’s been many years since I last got drawn so a couple of years ago I started going to África. On my first hunt, I hunted for 9 full days for multiple species and even with airfare, I spent less than what a 4-day guided elk hunt would have cost me here in the States.

[@terrytummons8898]

For real?

[@hispeedbullet2661]

@@terrytummons8898 Yes, for real. And I’m on my way again this May!

[@terrytummons8898]

@hispeedbullet2661 how much we talking

[@hispeedbullet2661]

@@terrytummons8898 first hunt was about $6800 including airfare. This year it will be about $4000 but it’s only a five day hunt.

[@terrytummons8898]

@@hispeedbullet2661 what u gonna hunt

[@Westerner_]

I’ve never gone on a backpack elk hunt but as someone that’s hunted their whole life, I don’t think the average person understands the logistical, physical, and financial lift it is to take on a hunt like that.

[@CliffGray]

That is very true for a lot of folks. That's why you see 60-70% of guys come out about half way through the hunt.

[@abowhand]

I have been on a dozen elk hunts including archery, muzzleloader, rifle. Still can’t imagine a deep wilderness backpack hunt were a bunch of meat is not lost

[@Aspen7780]

Thing is, if you decide you are hunting out to 3 miles away from the truck, that just doesn’t sound very far at all and will be tempted to go much further in than that. BUT if you get a bull at the end of that 3 mile leg in, you have to start calculating how many round trips you are taking to get all the meat out. Let’s say you pack out a hind quarter on each trip (I’m not interested in any Herculean effort anymore. I’m too old for that) that’s 2 trips, plus 1 trip for the front legs, plus another for ribs and other meat. Not including head or hide, maybe that’s 4 round trips X 6 miles per round trip and that’s 24 miles of hiking meat out. You just don’t think much about that when looking for elk and 5 or 6 mile outward leg radius hikes don’t sound like much but if you get one down you soon realize you are in for a LOT of walking under heavy pack loads. Man, I wish I was younger.

[@andreisharma]

@@Aspen7780I’m just gonna just message my horse buddy’s to pack me out with my sat phone

[@Bryan-wc3et]

@@abowhand Yep I just go no more than 2 miles in in wilderness area. People higher push them down to my area works great. You need to know your limits 👍🏕️🏔️

[@TheModernDayMountainMan]

Public land elk hunting is so oversold by social media and the industry. I go every year, and every year there's more of a reason not to. Where I used to draw a cow tag every other year, now takes 5-6 years to draw. The elk herds are strong, but the demand is so high, and the crowds so thick, they get pushed onto private long before I get a crack at them (generally a rifle hunter). The archery hunts sound like a chorus of Hoochie Mamas and Phelps bugle tubes. The elk were silent the entire archery hunt last year. I hunted every weekend and evenings during the week, and never heard one bugle. Hunters everywhere. In further back areas where I backpacked in and encountered elk every year, now full of "backcountry hunters". Hell I see more elk now road hunting than I did away from the road before. Now I hunt the "front country" LOL. I decided last year was my last year archery elk hunting. It's just too popular now. I'm also getting older and less heat/bug/rattlesnake tolerant, LOL. The biggest problem I've seen is what's become the equivalent of modern-day market hunting. They're not selling the game anymore, just the products, and romanticizing the experience. Everybody wants to be the next Cam Hanes and companies are hawking their products with the promise of more success, and it all revolves around bull elk. Elk meat is good, but people are missing the bus on bear... it's amazing. I prefer it to elk. Last one I killed was a decade ago... might be time to get back after those things. Great points and video, Cliff. Always enjoyable.

[@russellkeeling4387]

This last elk season, 2023, I saw a bunch of pickup loads of hunters watching a large herd of elk, about 400 head, and the elk were all on private property. The land was foot hills and open prairie. Those hunters were so fixated on those elk they couldn't shoot that another herd could have walked right behind them and they wouldn't have seen them.

[@andrewpurcell6153]

100% agree here. Went out to Colorado with a buddy last year for muzzleloader….tons of people and no elk to be seen/heard. It’s just a different scene than it was 10-15 years ago.

[@michaelogden5093]

I hunted for years from my 73 Camero, Sears work boots and pretty much not much else. Spam is my supplement.

[@CliffGray]

bwhahaha! love it

[@lspostma]

My first 3 years hunting elk was out of a 79 Camaro... PB&J was my staple.

[@Andrew-jm4tp]

I totally agree. Gear doesn't mean anything. I hunt in army surplus camo pants and an old wool sweater. The animals don't seem to care.

[@terrybritton1355]

Another on with calling and response is spring turkey hunting. When they are responding, it is amazing. It gets a person talking back and forth with a game animal. Goose and duck hunting is amazing too, but costs add up like fishing but can be done on a budget. Some states have a lot of public areas for waterfowl.

[@CliffGray]

For sure, great options

[@HockeyDad6631]

Long time Colorado elk hunter here, everything he said is spot on. Hunting elk in the rut is a life-changing experience. But there's a lot of other hunts that have higher success and are just as enjoyable.

[@M.H357]

Thanks for addressing this issue, It’s a true reality check. Don’t sugar coat facts.

[@CliffGray]

👍

[@NewDivideOutdoors]

This is all so true!! I’ve been saying this for the last 5-10 years that elk hunting is such a FAD. Not saying I don’t enjoy chasing elk but I’ve spent enough time in the woods to know there’s other things that are just as exciting and more difficult and rewarding to pursue than elk.

[@CliffGray]

👍 they are fun to hunt, my hope is that people realize there are other options too

[@heyheyhey1340]

This video should be mandatory for anyone who follows Cam Hanes or Joe Rogan. I know it's not big game but I think the most underappreciated hunting is upland birds. Yeah the amount of meat you get and the social media pictures aren't as great but they are super fun to go after and taste better than any big game. Hearing grouse flush gets your heart going and the anticipation of the next time it happens is addicting. Dusky grouse are in the same areas as elk, last year I wish had my shotgun instead of my bow while out elk hunting. Another species to go after is white tail in the midwest. They are everywhere and tags are easy to get. Taste better than any elk I've had too. I live in CO so I'll continue to hunt elk, pulled a muzzleloader tag this year. But I agree with Cliff, it's way harder than most people understand and there is a ton of pressure. Other options are out there, including non big game animals. Also, last thing, a lot of hiking gear can/does double as hunting gear. Not everything has to be expensive camo.

[@eugenepage7248]

As a Wyoming resident, I've decided to hunt Whitetail this year to try and help the Mulie population from last years severe winter kill.

[@DocJillBeans]

Same here.

[@overlordbear8505]

If you live in Elk Country and call yourself an elk hunter you owe it to yourself to harvest any fresh roadkill you find. Every other year I don't kill an elk, the Lord has blessed me with a fresh roadkill cow elk every winter on my commute. This butchery practice has made all the difference in the field and has saved me from making mistakes with meat care.

[@LakeValleySeed]

My entire elk hunting career has been DIY backpack hunts. Most of them are during Muzzle-loader season. It certainly costs something, but since I am already a back-packer during the rest of the year, it is not what it would cost to have an outfitter/guide. And I am fortunate to be a CO native and not have to pay the out-of-state fees.

[@ColoradoStreaming]

"but since I am already a back-packer during the rest of the year," this right here is 100% the difference between you and the other guys. I cant fathom buying a bunch of gear for a backback hunt and not actually go backpacking first to realize the kind of logistics involved. I was fortunate enough to grow up backpacking in a boyscout troop ran by a Marine that never allowed us to even bring tents so its pretty much engrained in my blood.

[@brucekeller9302]

I took your advice from an earlier video and did a do it yourself mule deer hunt with my nephew in an easy to draw GMU for the second rifle season in CO this past fall. We both were successful. Had an awesome time and learned a lot. Thanks for the information you provide.

[@CliffGray]

Of course! Congrats to you and your son. That’s awesome

[@toddbrooks9845]

Nephew :) ​@CliffGray Thanks for your content. You put out good, no BS info. I'm sure you're right about the elk hunts. As an adult onset hunter, I've bought into the hype hook line and sinker. It's been one of the toughest things I've ever tried to do, and I haven't made it easy for myself. I've been determined to figure it out on my own. I've been a student of elk hunting for 7 or 8 years now. Soaking up all the knowledge I can from others, like yourself, but have only ever hunted with anyone else on two hunts. I was hooked from the get go, but after the first answer to my bugle there was no turning back. I'll work for my first bull and tromp around the woods with my bow for as long as my legs will carry me. But I will be tring to spend more time on different hunts with this advice in mind. 🍻

[@Yetified_Mayhem]

Sounds fun. Congrats!

[@1bobharvey]

Shhhh 🤫 don't tell everyone about how awesome bears are, that's my reprieve from the combat hunting of elk and deer lol. Seriously tho, I've thought for years that draw bonus points should be determined by tagging out predators (coyotes, bears, Wolves, cats) instead of years of buying points. Help the undulates survive the late winter and spring by pressuring predators, earn points for undulate draws.

[@Joeyplastics]

As far as harvest percentages, you forgot about all the people that don’t harvest that don’t report it. That brings the percentage down even more.

[@elkhuntr2816]

Backpack hunts are also a big fad right now. The ironic thing is that everyone does it because they think that is the way to get away from other hunters. So everyone is backpacking 6+ miles back in and everyone is heading for the same area that looks the most roadless. Sure you won't see any vehicles, but guess what, everyone else had the same idea.

[@CliffGray]

Ha! Yes

[@Aspen7780]

That’s from all the hunting shows and magazines. No such thing as truck hunting on those platforms. You go away thinking everyone is going weeks into the backcountry with llamas.

[@jackramos3605]

I just like backpack hunting man

[@ColoradoStreaming]

That or they backpack in 6 miles, realize there is no elk and are stuck.

[@Wyldmatt]

I prefer moose hunting and I backpack hunt but that's just because where I want to go I can't drive , same with when I canoe rivers while hunting it's just out of necessity not because it's " cool"

[@Bullets4Bucks]

Game and fish (legislation) set quotes... blame them if units have too many hunter.

[@CliffGray]

There is truth in that… managing crowding and hunter density is a responsibility of the wildlife managers

[@jacktrout5807]

I'm a meat hunter and elk are alot of meat. I've dine the backpack hunt once. And I'm so glad i didnt kill an elk 6 miles into a roadless wilderness. Just makes no sense. (Without mules etc).

[@bushleague3472]

Totally agree, where I live, on almost any public land where elk can be hunted you invariable end up in competition with other hunters. As I've gotten older I've come to preffer big timber hunting for whitetails, and moose whenever I can get a tag. In rugged terain, hunting on the move, while the experience is a little different the adventure is every bit as good... but I generally go a whole season without cutting another hunters tracks.

[@CliffGray]

for sure. white tail and moose sound fun! hunting without other hunters around is always a bonus

[@bushleague3472]

@@CliffGray I feel like whitetail hunts dont get as much credit as western hunts because most people hunt them using boring tactics, in uninspiring places. I live in Alberta, can hunt all kinds of critters in any terrain you want, and as far as I'm concerned big timber whitetails can provide as much fun, adventure, and challenge as anything.

[@ColoradoStreaming]

I still think they need to shut off GPS to certain units so you have to use a compass and a topo and only SOS beacons work. It will cut down on hunters by 99%.

[@williamsifford769]

I am sitting here at 34 years old and had made plans on an elk hunting trip before my dad passed in 2008. I still have never been but the more I look into it and try to see what it would take all I see is people crying about the amount of hunters there are today. Just a few years ago everyone was trying to get more people into hunting but now they are just upset that people are hunting. Like pick a side of that and stick to it. Because for people like me who have wanted to do this most of their life and it’s going to be a one time hunt for me and I won’t be able to afford to ever do it again. Yall make it seem like people like me are the problem that you can’t kill elk every single time you step into the woods. So before acting like a black bear hunt that I could literally do in my back yard because of how vast the range of bear is would compare to something that I don’t have the ability to hunt unless I go to a different state. So before you act like the out of state hunters are the problem maybe look at the people who are killing elk every year and tell them to hunt something else, not the people who have never been because of where they live and it’s their fault elk hunting sucks

[@warrior5890]

Hi Cliff, perfectly timed video. I did a week long elk hunt last year and after doing all the research learning everything I could I realized how little I knew once out there. This past week I had been thinking about if I was going about this wrong and maybe it would be better to start with mule deer. Easier learning curve, easier pack out etc while also learning a ton about the areas and once I get proficient with mule deer then moving onto elk. This video pretty much confirms what I was already thinking Thanks!

[@CliffGray]

awesome man! good luck on your mule deer hunts! thanks

[@zaynemikita6897]

See thats interesting, I would guess Mule deer would be significantly harder to hunt due to them being way up in very aggressive terrain in that early season. Thing is it does kinda depend on how or what you're hunting but id think archery mule would be way way harder than elk.

[@TwoMuleBlues]

A good mule deer is a lot harder to get than a good elk. Way harder

[@ericm425]

What Rogan describes is what he experienced in private land. Those experiences are pretty rare on public land, especially in OTC units

[@terrybritton1355]

I have been on a few elk packouts in the Oklahoma Wichita Mountains. They still haven’t compared to some of my waterfowl hunts without a boat where I took in 60 duck and a dozen foam goose decoys. Coming back out with additional weight of ducks and a few geese was exhausting, in waders and mud. The worst was 1.5 miles into thick flooded timber with each step going to the knees in mud. I thought I was going to have a heart attack on that hunt, but was meeting up with clients that already picked the spot and wanted to go there. The hunts were amazing though. There is so much to see such as hawks or eagles picking off cripples (big reason for non toxic shot .).

[@targetfps5014]

Thank you for putting this out bringing younger hunters in such as myself I would’ve never knew this information without you.

[@CliffGray]

👍👍👍 of course! Thanks for watching

[@ronaldarroyo-lopez7082]

Archery Black Tail Deer and Fall Black Bear Season in Western Washington State are my go to. It’s not as crowded in the GMU I hunt in until modern firearm season kicks in

[@VenJesusorg]

The last elk I harvested with a bow in area 23 in the Gila NM was a cow. I had it packed in the truck with no help (lone hunter) by 10:00 AM. had to use a come along, It wedged between two trees. I had ether sex tag but the hunt was hard. on the fifth day I had a 40 yard shot, had to decide to go home empty handed or with memories only. Had just seen a wolf five minutes earlier. Two days later four hundred miles away in the Guadalupe mountains I harvested a small mule deer with a bow on the first day of a two day hunt. I agree you must put in time to develop skills. Watching you videos reminds me of the importance of knowing the area you hunt. I met some Texas hunter in a hunt and the were having a unsuccessful hunt. I told them to set at a water hole that was about 500 yard from their camp. I met them a day later and 3 out of 4 had harvested a buck.

[@HairwiththeHide]

Cliff I enjoy watching your videos bud. This one, you really break it down for all of us. I’ve been otc back country bow hunting Colorado from MO, 4 years in a row now and Apparently I really suck at it because I have yet to draw my bow on an Elk. I can count on one hand how many bugles that I’ve heard in 4 years. I love the country, I love the adventure, and the time spend with my boys. Hell we’ve hardly even seen Elk, so I certainly believe what you’re saying…it’s a tuff hunt every year and pretty discouraging 4 years invested. Thanks for sharing. It took a long time to finally be in a position to go Elk hunting and had hoped to kill one in my life time. Thanks for the info! Happy Hunting buddy!!!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks man. Appreciate the support. I’m sure you are at the point that you are getting a catalog of spots. You and your boys will get one down soon!

[@josephr2766]

We primarily hunt for fun/meat. To travel 2400 miles round trip roughly and pay for tags and extra equipment, lodging, etc just isn’t feasible. For 1/2 tank of gas round trip I can watch my son stack white tails like cord wood while I check for turkey roost. Maybe one day when I’m retired and the fad is over I might go on an elk hunt, or just use my spare time to keep driving 5 hrs to fish the gulf.

[@PNW_Wolfpack_Adventures]

Completely agree with the skill set building portion of the video. I keep my chops up on archery turkey, spending time in the woods, shooting my bow, even butchering livestock. The last thing you want to feel when you have an animal down is "oh crap, how do i do this again?" I feel knowing where cold lockers or ice is should be part of your preparation before a hunt. I've hunted with a guy that was turning green at me cleaning a fish and had to think to myself, what the hell are you going to do if you down an elk?

[@CliffGray]

Bwhaha! Exactly 👍

[@Yetified_Mayhem]

Maverick, u can be my wingman anytime

[@reneebulkley1333]

"Commercialized and Monetized". Took the words right out of my mouth. I don't want to lie though-- I did get plenty excited to wear womans pants up on the mountain! We get excited over the COW tags, although we have harvested plenty of smaller bulls. You are right I carry WOLF and BEAR tags every year-- just incase. I am also the one with extra time on my hands, so I GET to do all the scouting for the family!!!😂 I really enjoy your content. -A Hunting HouseWife in Montana

[@CliffGray]

ha! I totally agree, commercialization comes with some nice benefits... some of this gear is awesome nowadays

[@mkcl9073]

Late to this video: but your point at 11:30 is why Elk don’t bugle on the coast range of Oregon, not because they’re Roosevelt, is because at least in my unit (Wilson) there’s only one residential herd, the bulls are rarely challenged during the rut. These days I hear a bugle I know it’s another hunter.

[@iranederhoed8121]

Cliff, I really appreciate your experience, and real life hunting perspective. So much truth, nuggets of information and your transparency. Love it! So glad I found you. Keep it real!!!!

[@fjfb09]

Colorado Fall bear hunts are lots of fun and cheap, but also come with their own challenges. More than any of the other species mentioned, I think success is highly correlated with what the food looks like that fall. I've explored the same choke cherry run in multiple years and found it extremely variable - some years the branches are almost breaking off with so many cherries, some years there are ZERO cherries on the same bush. Same with acorns - sometimes there are thousands of acorns in 1 bush, other years, ZERO acorns. I like to scout in late summer, before hunting season, to see which food sources will be plentiful in the fall - by early august you can tell if acorns and cherries are coming in. If I see zero food anywhere, I'm probably not going to focus on bear and wait for a better food year.

[@CliffGray]

Yes. Bear hunting will turn a guy into a botanist. I personally prefer a mixed year, where only one feed source is popping off. No feed or tons of feed disperses bears, making it tricky for sure

[@corymaxwell4467]

Someone finally said it all and didn’t t hold back 👍🏼

[@colepriceguitar1153]

We need to get hunters off of talking about gear and talking about how to get more animals out there. We can’t just complain about there not being enough for everyone if we aren’t doing everything we reasonably can to increase game numbers.

[@DocJillBeans]

🙌🙌🙌

[@ipballdtime]

I legit checked to see if my replay speed was set to 2x. Dude was not fucking around

[@CliffGray]

Bwhaha

[@brian-cz9kb]

The perks of being a disabled veteran of 40% or higher in some states like Idaho saves 90% of all fees!!

[@daltonl8751]

30:52 - man I'd be all in on those videos this year! I've done the 'add-on' tag for bears in the past, but this year am doing a strict September bear hunt on Grand Mesa. Would love to hear your pointers.

[@CliffGray]

I’m going to try to get a fall bear video out within the next few weeks

[@daltonl8751]

Went scouting last weekend. Bears and bear sign everywhere! In your other videos, I've gathered that most are killed just before sunset, and I've watched your food/diet video on them. Are north facing slopes more important? Is early Sept vs mid vs late Sept more productive? Of course no baiting, so watching their food makes sense. How about over water? Also, thanks for that video on skinning a bear!

[@zaynemikita6897]

So thats kinda the issue for me. I as a newer hunter want to get deeper into it but i dont want to step on peoples toes by going on my first say Elk hunt. Issue is this, its selfish to keep people out if hunting public land but its also selfish to want to go in and hunt where others are too. I always try and be nice to people but yea what am i suppose to do?

[@CliffGray]

Go hunting. When in the field, treat others like you would like to be treated. You have just as much right to hunt public land as anyone else. Good luck man 👍

[@Bowsonthebrain]

Finally someone said it straight! The average guy or gal isn’t going to have anything like the elk experience they see in a video, it’s still fun to get out there but you’re probably going to see more people then elk, and there is a bunch of other awesome opportunities out there

[@CliffGray]

For sure 👍

[@3113chutch]

Cliff! What do you consider easy to draw units in CO? 1 point? Under 5? Under 10?

[@CliffGray]

0-2pts

[@jonjones3415]

I agree 100% about judging ability by bull size harvested. I'm a full time taxidermist with 6 on staff taxidermist. We see great bulls come in every yr. From private property, guided etc. Most of those individuals couldn't hang a day with me on public in Idaho or Col.

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

I just remembered what I'll really be hunting when I can't hunt elk anymore. Okay deer every 2 or 3 years, but what I'll really be shifting my focus too? Long season, no tags......... GROUSE! I have a score to settle for all the times they've scared the shit out of me. That and their tasty.

[@CliffGray]

They are a blast to hunt! Recurve with flu flus… keep a guy busy for awhile

[@TwoMuleBlues]

This is why I used to love running hounds. We had the mountains to ourselves most of the time. People would tag along on one lung burner behind the dogs and take you out of their phone.😂

[@daneblackburn613]

Got a couple whitetail depredation permit deer when I first bought my house and was broke. Leanest best venison I have ever eaten. July august time frame if I remember right

[@CliffGray]

👍

[@mrsockeye]

I had to click on this. It has a great click bait title. I was thinking, "Who the hell is the jack off?" As soon as I heard him talk, I recognized him from Jay Scott's podcast, and I quickly realized he is no jack off at all. You are mostly correct, Cliff. I agree that all of those other species will offer most hunters a great western hunting experience. I think bears are the true sleeper of all of them. They receive almost zero hunting pressure. There is one obvious flaw in this: who says you need to hunt bull elk. Go out and hunt cows. You will get to hunt elk, get better meat, and sharpen your skills while learning the areas for down the road bull hunts.

[@CliffGray]

I agree with that. Cow hunts are great opportunities for folks

[@SP6X6]

Dedicated elk hunter here.Been at it 50 years.I shoot arrows a friend gave me.Ive called elk to the main forest service type road and shot them, one was 320.ELKFIRST,then I hunt my other tags.I filled antelope ,deer, elk,bear and cat all archery one season.Elk at 3 yrds.Iwas around in good ol days, few where I hears 20 bulls, now I hunt silent woods,I still score

[@swdw973]

Older guy here. Once you started pointing out the industry that has grown around, I had that "huh" never thought of that. I'm old school and will hunt deer, elk, and pronghorn. I meat hunt, so I put in for cow / doe tags. Because of the increased numbers , I stick to Ranching for Wildlife tags. Would rather deal with less people.

[@StrateOutdoors]

I have one of those knife sharpeners too, that thing is great. Crazy sharp edge and easy to use.

[@Paul-q3m7k]

I hunt elk because it’s what I like to feed my family with . Luckily I live in northern bc where it’s very thick , steep county and most guys give up on it pretty fast . I’m too stubborn to quit and have become a successful elk hunter .

[@russellkeeling4387]

It's all about merchandising. They can't sell the latest whiz bang unless they keep interest up. I've hunted elk since my childhood and always got a deer license to go along with it. I've never needed to buy some new rifle that will shoot one inch at four or five miles. I do not hunt for antlers but will take a big bull if I'm not carrying a cow tag but ultimately the goal is to fill the freezer. None of the videos I see about elk hunting apply to the area of Colorado where I live and hunt. You don't have to go miles into the mountains to find lots of elk. Everywhere I hunt I can hear the highway and the train when it goes by so all the wildlife can also. Elk live around humans and learn to be human wise just like the deer do. From my small town to the land I own is about a 10 mile drive. On that drive I see deer, pronghorn, bison, elk, and mountain sheep, all from the county road but luckily they are all on private property so they are somewhat safe from road hunters.

[@kingferguson1]

I'm calling "bullshit" because everyone knows that before Mountain Ops (especially their Purple Yeti Dick Superformance Kusitka flavor), NOBODY ever killed an elk. It's impossible to kill elk without something that hasn't sponsored a podcast.

[@bryanmoorefield8890]

Hunted elk in same unit for 15 years, 9 back in my 40s. 67 now and hunted last 4 years same unit(draw) now. Hunt wilderness area and I have never seen another hunter the intier time. I’ve started hunting mule deer last few years and had a 5 by 5 at 15 yds and I could see the road from where I was sitting. I know the area really well and most people hunt way back in , me just a mile or so. It’s all about pressure hunt where people aren’t and it can be just a couple hundred yards from the road.

[@budbogert8560]

This is the exact same thing that happened to salmon and steelhead fishing in the pacific northwest. Social media and youtubers along side the industry made it the cool thing to do so now there is 100x more pressure on the resource and every river here is overcrowded its actually what drove me to start hunting so i could get away from people so hopeful i get a few good years of hunting before its over crowded and i hang it up too lol

[@miamiriver8517]

Great video…… also love hearing you talk about braining Wahoos which is easily a top 3 game fish to shoot and something I love to do being a Florida boy. I agree with everything you said, not that it matters as I am a big game newbie. My first Elk hunt I took a dropout space on a backcountry week guided mule and horse Hunt in the Selway bitterroot. That was an awesome camping trip with zero elk. my second and successful elk hunt was a private land hunt in Montana. We trucked in and humped some mountains And hills for which this Florida boy lost his lungs and turned into a Jello bodied dead man walking on my final scout and stock to get a nice bull. But I made a choice to increase my odds and pay for that privilege And I’m grateful I did. Even if I was able to get on private land by myself there is no way I would’ve been able to kill and pack out an elk. I was a very satisfied customer for the experience and wisdom I paid for my guide to share with me. maybe one day I’ll be able to get to the point where I’m able to hunt one by myself. But I have to say it was lot of fun hanging out with a cool guide who I became friends with to boot.

[@CliffGray]

awesome man!!!! congrats on the bull and thanks for sharing your perspective. and YES on wahoo, what a blast!

[@miamiriver8517]

Let’s work on that knife sharpener sponsorship. I have two work smart sharpeners the Ken Onion deluxe belt sander and the kitchen model with the two groves. I was eye balling the one you were holding today to take out with me in the feild. Get me a code to link the Sale to you and I will buy it. Cheers! Mark

[@dhodgkiss]

Man… I truly love elk hunting and feel so extremely blessed to live in idaho. I can go out to my front porch set up my spotter and I am glassing bulls. Lol I know you’re not talking to me haha. But I have to agree with you. But every fall those dreams of bugling bull elk call me to the mountains. Haha thank you so much for your information. It has made me a better elk hunter

[@CliffGray]

👍👍👍

[@ricemiddalumni]

Elk hunting in Colorado went down the toilet 15 years ago. Even limited tags are 40% of what they used to be.

[@Piratedaveslife]

I went to Colorado 2x for Elk, and it was over hunted and camps all over. I just go hiking and jeeping out there now.

[@fishingwithphil2582]

This is spot on. I went on my first archery elk hunt in Colorado and never saw an elk. But I am going back I loved it. Plus I hate myself 😂😂

[@CliffGray]

Bwhaha! Good luck man, it’s an awesome adventure

[@ricemiddalumni]

You have seen your future for the next 10 years.

[@YamahaJ27]

Would you say Montana elk has the same presure as Colorado Elk on Public grounds?

[@chriskahn7123]

Just being in the elk woods during the rut is magical, but it is getting crowded - ran into people 5 miles deep

[@CliffGray]

for sure. bugling bulls is like nothing else

[@kenraterink]

Same here. 5 miles back in the best drainage and that's where they spike camp for the week.. very ambitious guys , just not very woodsman wise

[@NewDivideOutdoors]

People only like and think elk is the best tasting game cause they’re conditioned to liking beef, which it tastes closest to. Other game when you bite into it you usually know what you’re eating and that’s what I love so much about wild game other than elk.

[@CliffGray]

Agreed!

[@eifertlawfirm9890]

Great video, I am a believer in the spring bear hunt myself. It is also a great excuse to get out in the mountains in the spring as well!

[@CliffGray]

Absolutely!

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

Excellent overview and tons of gold nuggets in there as you set realistic expectations about elk hunting. I for one am an aspiring western big game hunter who recently moved to Ohio from next door in West Virginia. I have only been out west for one big game hunt but I didn’t have a tag 🏷️ I just came along with my youngest brother and Dad on an Idaho rifle mule deer 🦌 hunt in 2019. I have not been able to come back since and I still kick my butt about not buying a tag 🏷️ back then. Anyway it’s my goal to get back out west and do a hunt this year. Depending upon my time off I want to do a Wyoming combo mule deer 🦌 and pronghorn hunt. I have 5 points for each. The other one in Wyoming that I was going to do instead since it would provide the most meat 🍖 for the money 💵 is successful is their reduced price cow elk hunts. I was going to do a Colorado cow elk hunt a couple years ago since I have to buy a small game license to buy points anyway, but they recently upped the price from $500 to full price any elk price of $760 for some reason. I’m a little surprised that you didn’t mention some cow elk hunts as a good alternative. I live in a small 864 square foot house 🏠 so elk antlers if I were ever so blessed would not fit. I have wanted to do a bear 🐻 hunt for a long time and recently my wife said that it would be cool to get a bear 🐻 perhaps a bear rug or throw blanket and eat the meat 🥩. I am pumped about that request. I have looked at a spring bear 🐻 hunt possibly in the unit or in one of the units that are in my deer 🦌 region. I have also looked at some of the fall bear 🐻 hunts in Colorado. Both as a combination tag 🏷️ with another animal like you mentioned as well as a stand alone option in a unit that I might be interested in elk or deer 🦌 hunting in the future so that I can also get an idea of access etc… Great topic Cliff thanks for sharing

[@CliffGray]

👍👍👍 cow hunts are a great option. If you do it in Wyoming checkout their hunter access program. Some units have some great public access to private land (for cow hunts)

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

@@CliffGray I’m glad you agree and I truly appreciate that pro tip. Unless I go to Colorado or Utah next year that hunt will probably be the one that I do.

[@campt91]

Another really fun and cool hunt that not a lot of people talk about are western backcountry Whitetail hunts like in north idaho and western montana. These can be super intense and there are some monster bucks in some of these overlooked mountain areas.

[@CliffGray]

I like it! Does sound fun

[@DrMundoB]

No lol we have terrible hunting up here (shhhhhh)

[@tallcip65]

I’ve been archery hunting public land in Idaho for 5-6 years now. I find that I run into way more non hunting hikers and campers out in the mountains than other hunters. The few times I’ve run into other hunters it’s been cool. But the non hunters are not concerned with being quiet at all and they just mess everything up. I seriously think that if we are restricted to one month to hunt then the non hunters could at least be limited to specific areas to use during September.

[@davids9780]

I agree with most everything you say in your video. I think you are being generous with the amount of elk in Colorado. I would say it is closer to 1/3 the population that it was 10-15 yrs ago. I am one of the "locals" with the 99% kill ratio, but in the last 6 yrs, it has dropped to less than 50%. I quit rifle hunting 15 yrs ago because there were getting to be too many hunters in the woods. I have exclusively archery hunted since then and now that season is getting overrun with people. If you hunt on public lands, you are going to see people period. Gone are the days of crawling into the woods and not seeing a soul for a week. It has become even more big business for the state and they have mismanaged it by over selling licenses and killing off the population. Now with the wolf introduction, opportunities are going to be even less in the coming years. An out of state hunter, should set the bar very low and be ecstatic to just see an elk. Yes the scenery is awe inspiring and hunting camp is great for the comradery but elk hunting has become over-hyped, over romanticized, and very expensive for the limited opportunities there are.

[@CliffGray]

Lots of truth here! 👍

[@stalker7892]

I thank you and other hard core Elk hunters thank you. This may discourage other would be Elk hunters!

[@stevecoad1]

Always enjoy your no BS videos Cliff! Out of curiosity do you use any of the fat from elk or deer? I prefer bear meat because I like to use the fat, the only drawback is no steaks since I like mine rare. Last year I had a little fat left on my mule deer when I got home so fried it with a little salt and pepper until crispy, it was actually very good.

[@timroelofsen4954]

I know you like elk and moose and axis but hear me out.. Iowa whitetail they’re corn fed and taste phenomenal

[@brianmiller1580]

Keeping it real w Cliff!

[@jakef1977]

Spot on Cliff packing out an elk from the back country is next level hard. And Archery hunting anything will make a better hunter out of anyone. I'll also throw in if you are going to do a DIY elk hunt, do it with 3 or 4 hard core buddies. That will give you a chance to get the elk out before it spoils. I've met a couple guys that I could smell from a hundred yards and they looked like death warmed over. The smell wasn't BO it was rotten meat. Please don't do that.

[@brianp296]

Can you hunt outside the state you live? Here in Canada I can not just head to Alberta or British Columbia and buy a non resident tag. Must use a guide or have resident family

[@davidhartley6232]

I have almost zero idea what you are talking about, except that it has been turned into something impossible to do in Oregon 😢

[@CliffGray]

Ha! well it;s getting more competitive everywhere!

[@matthewladd3427]

Love the videos Clif, I said it on another one of your videos but this last elk season was my first time harvesting an elk (only been the last 2 years so 50% harvest for a newbie) but it was just an OTC Cow tag and everyone has told me that's some of the best elk meat to eat and boy were they right. I'd love to harvest a bull and have a nice rack to hang on the wall but I'm more interested in getting meat for my family and enjoying being outside. Your videos have been a big help keep up the great content

[@stevenlecamu7249]

Spot on..I've been hunting elk in CO during archery season for 6 years and people have no idea what it's really like and romanticize it heavily. I got extremely lucky and killed a bull elk each year for my my first 4 years of hunting (Year 1 -- private land OTC bull, Year 2 -- public land OTC bull, Year 3 -- public land OTC bull, Year 4 -- limited draw public land bull, Year 5 -- public land bull fatal but unsuccessful recovery, Year 6 -- this year with zero short opportunities). Due to this, some of my friends got a false sense of success rate and expectations and I think they thought I was trying to romanticize it by saying how difficult it was and how lucky I was getting. This came to fruition this year when some of them wanted to join for a hunt: I had two seasoned hunters join me this past season in steep country in the Maroon Bells. Both hunters have hunted great limited draw units and landowner tags in other states (one of these hunters is a mentor and actually invited me on my first elk hunt as a tag along 7 years ago which lead me to move from Arkansas to Colorado). However there expectations were based on these premier units and/or hunting shows...Day 1 as soon as we got to camp it's grumblings about "this is too steep for elk, how are you supposed to even hunt this terrain", Day 2 they were upset because they had not heard an elk bugle and "they should be bugling like crazy", Day 3 they were hysterical that there was no sign in the 20 acre meadow in the valley that the hiking trail cuts right through and is 1/4 mile from camp even though that's "where the elk should be", all the while refusing to hike more than 1.5 miles and/or 1,000ft of vert per day. This was after I spent all summer sending Cliff's videos on having realistic expectations, sent them waypoints and elevation profiles of our tracks from our camp to hunting areas, real in-field pictures of the terrain from my phone, and talking about how much of a grind it would be. It was more difficult than ever to stay positive with that kind of negativity and by Day 2 we were hunting separately, and by Day 4 they had quit hunting and I was the only person going out in the field. Day 6 I finally located two different bulls but not enough daylight to get to them, and low and behold as I'm walking back to camp at dusk there's a 5x5 bull in the 20 acre meadow, 38 yards off the hiking trail. If only they had at minimum, kept hunting, even if that meant walking 1/4 mile and sitting somewhere all day, they would have had an opportunity to tag out on a good bull. Personally, I will elk hunt with a bow every year but I struggle to say that it's "fun" when doing so on public land with OTC or easy to draw units. Mainly due to the intensity, effort, suffering required, and low probability for success. Do not romanticize public land elk hunting for something like you see on youtube or TV. Most hunts are only fun for a handful of moments however they are all phenomenal time to find mental clarity, connect with nature, challenge yourself, and grow really close with friends. If that's your expectation, then great!!! But I have way more typical "fun" during duck season, turkey hunting, low elevation mule deer hunts, etc. Be honest about what you want out of your hunting experiences! If the two hunters from my story were honest with themselves, they would have skipped hunting one year to save up there money and go on a $5,000 guided hunt and had a great time.

[@martygraves499]

Right, I tell people it’s 10 days of agony and if you are lucky 15 seconds of glory. Or at least an encounter. That’s realistic CO OTC unit archery elk hunting.

[@ricorijo3585]

Love tour stuff cliff. How do you get and review the harvest rates(beginner) ?

[@CliffGray]

Thanks! If you google CPW Elk Statistics, harvest stats will show up for CO. Other states are similar, they all have a statistics page

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

Random thoughts: - For some , particularly these days, its definitely a fad. Personally, to me, it's been a lifestyle. I guess I have a lot of time on my hands. - Spot on with equipment. Thankfully, I think I've reached a point where about about done buying gear. It really has to rock my world for me to open my wallet. - I've seen bear hunters all the time while I'm turkey hunting. Not once have I thought about it myself, not that I wouldn't like to. In my area, bears and cats usually involve a houndsman, and I just don't have the money. - Spot on with packing out an elk. Solo packing a cow kicks my ass. December 2022, , I can't express how thankful I was that I punched my tag on top of a ridge, with snow on the ground. One trip, most of the way downhill, with a sled. Beat the hell out of uphill in the summer on my back. - Mule deer have become an every 2 or 3 year hunt. - Mule deer just don't compare. This is probably the BEST video footage I have EVER taken, it definitely left it's mark on me. ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp6ThJJ6j697g5Ifeature=shared ) - Joe Rogan is a tourist.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks for the comment and thoughts 👍 love the video, right in the thick of it!

[@elkhuntr2816]

Never thought about it until now, but I have archery hunted elk during the rut in ID for the past 20+ years as a resident. I know our area well. In the past, we would rarely go a couple of days without seeing or hearing elk. For the past 3 years, we might hear 2-3 bulls all season. And last year, we hunted every weekend, and one solid week with only one bull vocalizing. I thought they might have shifted out of the area, now I am wondering if the population is really down. Thanks to the wolves.... Now CO is going to have the same problem in a few years.

[@CliffGray]

For sure could be… I use to have all sorts of theories on vocalizations then I interacted with a couple guys that raise elk for a living, thousands of elk. They set me straight with a simple explanation, more elk density = more vocalization. They’d figured it out through raising/breeding elk in all sorts of different setups, huge 20k acre high fences to feedlots.

[@elkhuntr2816]

@@CliffGray "more elk density = more vocalization" Makes sense. When talking to a fish and game biologist here in ID, he said something very similar. The higher the bull to cow ratio, the more competition for cows = more vocalization.

[@elkhuntr2816]

@@CliffGrayThanks for these great videos. I especially content like your mule deer video where you provide strategies for finding big bucks such as how to locate transition zones. That knowledge is hard to come by.

[@monray300]

I don't go out of my way for elk, probably why iv never got one. I had some bad experiences with other hunters out where the elk are. So i won't drive that far anymore to deal with the crowds. I love the spring bear because no one is out there, iv have not got one in five seasons, i don't spend too much time, but i see them. Very fun except the ticks

[@wimtheeuwen7315]

All in advertisement, go and grab it. You was so genuine.

[@bhunter3850]

Thanks for the advice. I am just wanting to take my first elk and was wondering if it is easier to draw a cow elk tag instead of a bull tag? Or is the odds the just same as well?

[@CliffGray]

Cow tags are easier to draw and higher success rate hunts. Having a vehicle capable of getting around in some snow is typically essential. Look at Wyoming and CO.

[@bhunter3850]

@@CliffGray thanks for the response! I will definitely look into that!

[@Rcfreak57]

Hey Elk hunting videos aren’t Elk hunting videos without the 10% code thrown in your face for every product used and little bubble pop ups on product description. I’m all about harvesting a cow elk. Still get the enjoyment and beauty of a backcountry hunt . Cost of the tag is a 3rd of the price. Harvest rate goes up, good amount of quality meat and the processing and packing out stays fresh.still can have a badass elk rug!

[@jtmcculloch23]

I've put way more time into bear than elk. First big game animal I shot was a bear, and the second was a mule deer. I just haven't been able to figure out elk like I have bear, so now I'm friggin hooked until I can put one down ha

[@CliffGray]

you'll get it figured out! good luck man

[@Yetified_Mayhem]

Roosevelt on the coast do taste pretty amazing. When I ate my first Rocky mountain in Montana I couldn't believe it was elk. Damn I used to be spoiled.

[@williamolliges2622]

The experience of elk hunting . . . Colder, higher, shorter days, need friends to get it off the mountain, just miserable . . . Kinda sorta can’t wait to do it again. Not sure what my elk was eating, but definitely the mildest tasting game animal I’ve ever harvested. Alternate hunts, does Cow Elk count?

[@pooch7607]

Will you be at the Hunt Expo in Salt Lake City, in February?

[@CliffGray]

Yes sir

[@lspostma]

For the first time in 36 years I don't have a tag for Idaho. It was such a sh_tshow at the vendor trying to get a tag... I arrived over 3 hours early, and the store already had a handful of people there to buy tags. Once inside the store, the people running the computer had a notebook with a list of a couple of dozen people who had CALLED IN their license numbers and a credit card number and we were told they would have priority over anyone that came in person. I think I will be calling to open a kiosk to sell licenses at my hunting store so that I can lock everyone out and get the tag I want. What a JOKE!!

[@messyfisherman4140]

Ive been a hunter all my life and and all though it may have turned into a fad this year is the first year im in a position to fallow a dream ive had since i was a child im going to elk hunt and even if im noy succesfull i will love every moment of it

[@knuckledragger2412]

2024 will be year 14 of traveling west over a 1000 miles for elk one way. It's fantastic because there are no mountains where I live. This year we are hitting 3 states for elk. But I'm going solo for bear this spring in Idaho, should be epic. I see others whining like spoiled women about your video. Doesn't make sense, we need as many hunters as possible. Otherwise anti-hunters will win. United we stand folks... Come to Michigan and I will show you pressure on public land.

[@CliffGray]

👍 good luck on your hunts this year! Sounds like a damn good schedule!

[@SalDisimone]

Hi Cliff, been watching the show for a while and love it. Like the No bullshit about elk hunting. Been hunting out west for 15 years and love it. Have a question that I don't want to post. Is there a way to private message you?

[@StewartEngel]

The video you put out on food sources was a huge help on the first bear hunt I went on. I can't wait to see your video on fall bear hunting

[@martygraves499]

Elk hunting is hard work. At least the way I’ve (and friends)always done it. Public mostly OTC or low point draw Colorado archery. And we’ve been more successful than the average non resident. But it’s gets harder every year. Less elk, more pressure. But it’s crazy the number of hunters we talk to who rarely even see elk much less kill anything. Times are changing for sure.

[@ColoradoStreaming]

I am wondering how long the archery elk 'fad' will last. Unless you really love archery I imagine you can only do a few years with not seeing elk before getting turned away from it.

[@SheepdogConservation]

That is a bummer to hear that your elk numbers have dropped by half over the last 15yrs! Hopefully the wolf reintroduction does not hurt them much worse.. I have a feeling that has been sort of the case here in Oregon! We do not have quite the elk like some of the places in Idaho,Yellowstone,etc. The wolves have been around atleast 10yrs and it seems like their impact is fairly leveled now!

[@stuartbaker4867]

Pretty sure the CO commission up'd the NR bear tag price to $500, but they haven't posted this year's tag prices yet that i've seen.

[@toddbrooks9845]

Yeap looks like last year NR was right about $480.

[@stuartbaker4867]

Last years NR bear tag in CO was 112.34 @@toddbrooks9845

[@stuartbaker4867]

Last years CO NR bear tag was $112.34 @@toddbrooks9845

[@tylerpettegrew6980]

Cliff, I disagree with the main focal point here. I think you make great points as far as how to climb the learning curve quicker with going on different hunts with higher success rates. But, I believe we should as hunters take a page out of Randy Newbergs book which is we need to be talking about how to come together and get more elk on the mountains rather than dissuading people to go elk hunting. We have people who are against hunting in this day in age trying to take away and limit our hunting and we’re seeing it in Colorado right before our eyes and you want to come on here and put a negative notion on people who may have dreamed about elk hunting their whole life. Let’s talk about what we can do as a community to do better to invest in people who are willing to do the dirty work to put more animals on the mountain and who will be a voice against those who want to limit our hunting abilities. I just think as someone who has an audience you could have took the opportunity to be a voice of reason instead of voice of dissuasion.

[@CliffGray]

Hey Tyler, I appreciate the comment. Totally understand where you are coming from. My hope with this video was to convince people that there are a bunch of other, non elk, hunts they should consider. On the supply side issue you mention, I hate to say it but I don’t think we will ever see the abundance of elk hunting opportunity we saw in the past 40 years on public land, regardless of actions taken by hunters. Im not saying we can’t come together and maximize the size of the pie for everyone… I agree with that concept and Randy in that idea. However, Colorado will never again be a place where elk are managed for primarily hunting opportunity. Just due to the math, that means elk hunts are going to be progressively more rationed on public land. So, my advice while trying to avoid dwelling on the negative nature of that theory, is for hunters to become more well rounded and consider a wide array of hunts.