Elk Hunting Basics on a Budget

To most hunters, the idea of a Western hunt elicits feelings of excitement, enthusiasm, and a bit of intimidation. For those not residing in the West, it's a significant undertaking – but not impossible. Whether a lack of time, money, or information is holding you back, elk hunts out West are not as far out of reach as they may seem. 

Various hunters have different financial situations, and your elk hunting budget reflects your specific reality. For some hunters, an elk hunt is a high priority. For others, a Western hunt seems like a far-off dream. However, the more you can budget, the more elk hunting will be at your disposal.

The good news is that there are plenty of tags, public land, and elk to go around. By setting aside a little each month, you could hit the road for elk this fall. Here's what you need to know to stop daydreaming and start planning your hunt. 

Bow or Rifle Hunt?

Elk hunting can be a frustrating yet thrilling adventure. However, the work and patience required are worth the payoff.

You can use a few primary weapons for elk hunting:
 

• The compound bow
• The classic hunter rifle
• The muzzleloader

Overall, archery and muzzleloader elk hunts tend to be more affordable than rifle hunts and are in areas with plenty of elk. However, bowhunting elk requires more training and skill than rifle hunting. Still, the season is quite a bit longer than its rifle-hunting counterpart, mainly because it's a more sustainable form of hunting. 

License Draws

Big game licensing systems will determine if a tag ends up in your pocket. These systems also influence the price of western hunts by state.

States allocate big game tags to hunters primarily based on supply and demand. They also consider the number of animals that can be removed from a population without diminishing the resource.

Each state has different regulations, terminology, hunting seasons, and wildlife management procedures. Here are a few of the typical big game license draws. 

Over The Counter

One of the best ways to hunt the West is with over-the-counter (OTC) tags. These are tags you can purchase without entering a draw system.

These tags are readily available and allow for elk hunting yearly, which can help you become a better western hunter. Bowhunting often presents the most OTC opportunities, and it usually takes place earlier in the season.

Hunters can also find over-the-counter opportunities for rifle and muzzleloader hunts, but these are tougher to find and can mean more hunting pressure. 

Lotteries

In a lottery system, every hunter who applies for a tag essentially plays the odds of winning a tag that season.

Alaska, Idaho, and New Mexico issue big game tags with lottery systems. 

Bonus Points

The bonus system rewards repeat hunters.

In this system, if you don't draw a tag for a particular species one year, you receive bonus points for that animal. Then, the next year, for each bonus point you accumulate, your name goes into the drawing an additional time.

Arizona, Montana, Nevada, and Maine are some examples of states that use bonus point systems. 

Preference Points

Preference points are rewarded to unsuccessful applicants but differ from bonus points. However, once a first-choice tag is drawn, the hunter's points return to zero.  

Resident and Non-Resident Tags

In most Western states, residents are generally prioritized for big game tags vs. non-residents.

Montana, for example, caps the number of non-resident big game tags at ten percent. In some states, certain tags might only be available to resident hunters or to hunters who hunt with a guide.

DIY vs. Guided Hunting

If you've never hunted elk before, you might consider a guided hunt for your first time out.

However, top-of-the-line guided elk hunts are not cheap, so money is a significant factor to consider. Guided hunts are available at various price points. Hunters can choose DIY, a top-of-the-line guided elk hunt, or something in between.  

Guided hunts are great for first-time elk hunters who want an incredible taste of what elk hunting offers. However, a guided hunt is a luxury many cannot afford and does not guarantee a kill.

For a fully guided elk hunt, you will likely have to play the ticket lottery and save your points and money. However, if you can swing it financially, a guided trip is well worth the price tag since you are led by guides who have made elk hunting their passion.

A fully guided hunt in states like Montana, Colorado, or Wyoming may run around $4,000-$10,000, plus $400-$900 for an elk tag. 

DIY Elk Hunts Can Be More Affordable

While not as glamorous as a guided hunt, DIY elk hunts are one of the best ways to learn to hunt. DIY hunts require significant research and a detailed plan. In this way, DIY hunts are best for the beginning hunter who doesn't mind a learning curve while becoming a master elk hunter.

The process of planning and executing a DIY hunt is much cheaper than a guided hunt and can be more rewarding. Many hunters across the country can pull together a DIY hunt for around $1,000.

Another option is a drop camp hunt, where an outfitter will pack you into the backcountry on horses and, if you are successful, pack the meat out. Drop camps can range from $1,500 to $3,000. Below are our top states with over-the-counter tags for non-resident hunters on a budget.

Top States for OTC Tags for Budget-Conscious Non-Resident Hunters 

If you're considering a destination trip for your first (or next) elk hunt, where should you start? Below are our top states with over-the-counter tags for non-resident hunters on a budget

Plan your hunt when it's an ideal time to hunt elk.
 

Colorado

Colorado is a hunter's dream! It's almost a guarantee for the muzzleloader and archery hunter.

The state has the highest elk density in the United States, with a herd of over 280,000. Along with a high elk population, Colorado attracts a massive number of hunters each year, driven by the state's high number of over-the-counter units.

The incredible amount of wilderness available to hunters in Colorado is what makes the state so great for Western hunts. For whitetail and midwestern hunters, Colorado is logistically the closest place to visit, with a strong elk population.

Colorado sells "statewide" archery OTC tags, valid in most of the state's game management units. The state also offers OTC bull-only tags during Colorado's second or third rifle season. There's plenty of good public land elk country as well.

Whether you like to hunt with a bow or rifle, Colorado has the opportunity. However, one thing to note about Colorado is its difficult terrain. From high elevation to dense vegetation, Western hunters need to be in shape and pace themselves. Most elk live around 8,000 to 13,000-foot elevations.

Additionally, OTC units are unique in Colorado because if the unit you're hunting is unsuccessful, you could head across the ridge and hunt an equal or lower unit. Colorado is also incredibly budget-friendly. 

Ready to hunt? Plan your hunt here. 

Montana

To Western hunters, Montana is considered an "every year" hunt. As of 2022, Montana had a population of 141,000 elk.

Typically, the state has thousands of leftover general elk tags following the drawing. These tags are available on a first-come, first-serve basis every year after the draw concludes. It's important to note that these tags are usually in high demand, so you'll have to act fast next year if you're interested.

Although Montana may require a bit more budgeting than Colorado, the longer seasons allow for more scheduling flexibility. Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness is one of the only places in the world where you can rifle hunt mule deer, rutting elk, wolves, and black bears all at the same time. 

Idaho

From the panhandle to the Southern border, Idaho is extremely diverse.

The state boasts an elk population of about 120,000, but hunting pressure isn't quite what it is in other states.

Idaho has terrain for everyone, with sage flats, high alpine, rocky basins, and dark timber. It is also a hunter-friendly state, offering rifle and archery over-the-counter elk tags.

The state allows non-residents to purchase an elk tag valid for a specific "elk general zone." This means hunters can hunt any of the units in the general zone. Archery season takes place during most of September, and rifle season happens in mid-to-late October for most units.

Also, in Idaho, you can "tag trade" from a hierarchy of tags. For example, if a hunter has an elk tag and comes across a mountain lion or black bear, they could pursue the animal if they have not found their target elk. If the tag is deemed less desirable than the tag held, the animal may be pursued.

Idaho has a capped quota on elk tags, which sell out quickly. For over-the-counter tags, Idaho offers two primary options: A tags and B tags.
 

• The A tag gives hunters the entire archery season in September plus 4-5 days of rifle season in October.
• The B tag gives hunters the first two weeks of the archery season in September and the vast majority of October for rifle hunting.
   

Ready to hunt elk in Idaho? Plan your hunt here.

Oregon

Oregon's Rocky Mountain elk are among the most sought-after species for hunters and the second most popular game animal after deer. This elk species is found in eastern Oregon, while Roosevelt elk are found in western Oregon.

Dense, thick, and rainforest-like country marks the Oregon terrain for hunters. The west side of Oregon offers lower and intermediate elevation in comparison to the majority of elk hunting locations.

A unique feature of Oregon is its lumber company land. This land is generally treated as public land for over-the-counter tags. Ready to hunt elk in Oregon? Plan your hunt here.

Improve Your Elk Hunting Experience With HuntWise

In the end, elk hunting has a big learning curve. Whether guided or DIY, beginner hunters have a lot to absorb and learn. Becoming a skillful, accomplished elk hunter is a long process and takes time.

However, if you're an aspiring elk hunter, there's no reason to skip elk hunting season every year. Budgeting even $100 monthly can help you get to a public land elk hunt in many western states. Then, as your budget increases, so does your opportunity to bring home an elk trophy.

With the details of your hunt worked out, start planning with HuntWise. You can e-scout land, drop markers, check the weather and forecasting, and choose the ideal locations to hunt elk.

Download the app and explore every feature – free – for a week!

Content updated June 6, 2024.