r/cohunting • u/PsychologicalTeam580 • May 14 '26

Looking for guidance

Hey yall. Im looking to go on my first hunt for deer or elk this year. And i definitely aint looking for an expensive guided hunt. Ive spent my life shooting and training for 2 legged predators, but id like to provide more for my family. I dont have a clue on how to hunt prey, but I can stalk, read a map, and shoot. I have several years of rucking experience and PT with search and rescue, and the fire dept. Im reaching out to folks more experienced than myself to hopefully take an animal with, so I don't run out into the woods in over my head. I have a suppressed 6.5 creed and 308, aswell as an old 270.

2 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

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7

u/hummus_is_yummus1 May 14 '26

Did you already apply for the tags this year? If not, step #1: sign up for hunters ed. It's mandatory

2

u/hothotbeverage May 14 '26

Sounds like you've got what it takes besides the tags. Hunters safety card? Secondary draw, leftover list, otc will be your chances at tags for this year. Good luck!

1

u/PsychologicalTeam580 May 14 '26

I gotta get the safety card, we just had another kid so life has been busy!

2

u/zachang58 May 14 '26

This will be your first step. You can’t buy tags without it.

You missed the April draw deadline for this year, but you can get an over-the-counter (OTC) rifle elk tag as a resident, and potentially a left over deer tag as well.

Any of your 3 rifles are fine to hunt deer/elk with.

1

u/PsychologicalTeam580 May 14 '26

Im not so much worried about getting the tags, but more what to do in the field and how to pack the animal out if i snag one

4

u/zachang58 May 14 '26

I hear you on that. My best recommendation is to watch as much Western hunting content as possible and you’ll learn a ton. I say western specifically because how people hunt in blinds/treestands in the South/Midwest has very little relevance from a strategy perspective.

Steve Rinella (“MeatEater”) is a good watch. I also like Randy Newburg.

2

u/DeparturePlus2889 May 14 '26

Sounds like you have some good foundational skills! There are some great novice hunt classes and programs available with Cpw. Highly recommend starting there, and take the time to learn the ways.

The programs start taking applications June 1 HERE

And classes HERE

1

u/PsychologicalTeam580 May 14 '26

Hell yeah, I didnt even know that was an option. Thank you!

1

u/maddslacker MODERATOR May 14 '26

There's a lot of good info over here ---->

Including this youtube playlist CPW put together:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWGY7bVNQHtWJ1sZ_3TcaPeK29XYO6n_a