Help with planning Elk hunting trip

Any suggestions, ideas or general help would be much appreciated. My oldest son and his two friends he met in college think they are at the time in their lives that they should go elk hunting. Each is just 40 or turning 40 yrs. old and in good shape. This threesome has made a fishing trip each of the last several yrs. and are very adventurous. Canoe/fishing trips in the Minnesota BWCA, Quetico provincial area, Nipigon area both in Quebec, Canada and bonefishing in the Bahamas. All three are good whitetail hunters and have hunted strictly with muzzleloaders for some time now and prefer to use that firearm for elk (inline). One of my sons friends has hunted Idaho and has taken 2 cows with centerfire rifle. They prefer a DIY hunt or dropped into a elk camp/later picked up by a guide and are willing to possibly use a first year hunt to learn the area so to enable a later successful hunt. They are open to any state but are not at this time needing that the hunt is for trophy bulls or even any bull. My only experience that I have for them was from my bowhunting Coulter Mesa in Colorado and the Crazy Mountain Range in Montana back in the mid 70's and know that many things have likely changed since then. Type of season/state, license issues (drawing or no-draw). Thank you in advance.

I live and hunt in NM. Non-residents are only allowed to hunt bulls. The chances of getting drawn for a muzzleloader hunt are pretty good for non-residents. We've had some warm weather during elk season, and that often moves the rut into the muzzleloader season. I use a Hoochie Mama elk call, because it takes no skill whatsoever. I stopped a cow with it this year. If they are up to backpacking, unit 16C is a great unit. We bushwhacked in away from the trails, and a friend got a nice bull the first day. The outfitters with horses use the trails. If not backpacking, 13, 15, 16a, 16b, are good. I saw about 20 bulls during our late season cow hunt in 14 this year. You don't say where you're from, but the elevation in these units ranges from 7000 to 9000 feet. The best way to get in shape for that is to hike with a heavy pack (45 lb. or more). It builds up the calf muscles you need for uphill. If you aren't used to elevation, you need to come a day or two early to let your body aclimate, and carry and drink lots of water. I carry 3 liters a day in Dec. It is dry here. I do spot and stalk hunting, which requires a good set of binoculars. It isn't unusual to spot an elk at a mile away. Practice at 200 yards. I sight in at 150, and shoot at the top of the back out to 200 m. Use heavy bullets. At longer range, they hit much harder. Elk are tough! I use 400 gr. plus. You can kill them with less, but with lighter bullets, they tend to run off, often with no blood trail. If you use soft lead bullets, don't shoot the shoulder. My first muzzleloader elk was hit in the shoulder with a 400 gr., and it split the bullet in half, and she ran off. Luckily one half went through the lung, and 1/2 through the neck, so she didn't go far. It did crack the ball of the shoulder, but not enough to drop her. My load is a 405 .458 rifle bullet in a Harvester Crush rib sabot over 115 gr. of 777. Temperature can vary from 20 degrees in morning to 60 in the afternoon, so carry lightweigt layers. You'll be carrying most of your clothes after 9 am. Read up about boning out elk. No point in carrying bones out. Good luck.

I've only muzzleloader elk hunt in Colorado. You have to put in for the draw that the deadline is April 1 or 2. Best to get on their website for info. You have to decide on your area. You can go into the statistics reports that will show you your chances of getting drawn. There are areas that with 0 preference points you can get drawn first time for a cow tag. They can put in as a group. I have bowhunted and muzzleloader elk hunted Colorado for 30+ yrs. My so called honey hole has dried up so I am looking for a new spot myself. A huge area that you can draw is 42 that is combined with several others.

Most of my website is devoted to DIY Elk Hunting... Can hunt in 5 western states every year without winning the lottery... Montana and Wyoming are good chance to draw General Tag every year... The Northwest states limit hunting with ml in various ways, and Colorado prohibits pelletized powder and sabots... Utah is good choice for general tag every year with ML. Good Luck.
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