Trad Gang

it may not be any big surprise, that when I started hunting elk, I was instantly addicted.
I've done drop camps, and semi- guided hunts, but by and large I'm a DIY kinda guy. Why pay for something I can surely do myself?

Now lets be clear, Im no expert, and will readily admit I can always learn more from others far more knowlegable than I.

AS I began prparation for this years adventure, I hada lot of work do do. I read every elk thread I can get to, here on TG and other forums. One thing I see in every forum is guys who are first timers asking how to get started, and seeking advice. I'm right there among them.

SO I thought I'd put up a  thread sharing what works for me, and how I tackled the process of outfitting myself for now and the future for DIY elk hunting.

So here I go. By all means, others should feel free to add to the discussion. Like I said, Im no expert, but thought I could share a little of what I've learned.

I'll be watching this closely.  Flatlander heading for elk for the first time this year.  I think I will

1)  go deep if I can, don't know how this flatlander will really perform at 10,500'

2)  call very sparingly, probably no bugling

3)  scope out wallows if it's hot

4)  not get in a rush, 10 days to get them.  I'll be watching and listening for the first 2-3 days, then it's on.

5)  JUST ENJOY HUNTING THEM  AND BEING IN THE ROCKIES IN SEPTEMBER!!!!!!

Thanks for the Thread John,

I'll be watching closely as I am going on my first DIY hunt for elk this fall (3 weeks) and have no idea what to expect.

Since you've been out there, there's no substitute for being in good shape.  That country can beat the living crap out of a flatlander.  This is coming from a guy who's had guides say, "Your in darned good shape for a flatlander.".  The harder you can pound the better your chances.

That being said, I shot my last elk from a treestand at a wallow.  It was still hard to get the treestand to where I found the wallow.

Bowmania

The American west has moe square miles of publicly owned wild lands than one could ever imagine.We are blessed with endless opportunity.

the first time you hear that bugle of a rutting bull echo across the mountains, it will stir something in your soul. But how do ai go about getting my broadhead into that bull?

This is for the apsiring DIY elk hunter. If you've never hunted elk, or haveonly been with outfitted hunts, you can reat assured that you CAN do it on your own. the only real differenceis whether you'll be hunting private land, or public. And the price.

Forst off, you need to decide where you would like to go- MOntana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon,. Washington all hold good numbers of elk. Each state has its differences in availability of tags, amount of public land etc.
I suggest spending a lot of time on each states websites, as well as talking with residents from each of those states to learn the process of getting tags.

I have only hunted Colorado thus far, for ease of getting tags. Consequently though, this comes along with higher hunting pressure,or competition.

Once you decide on the state, then research wildlife numbers and hunter success stats for the different units, until you narrow it down. Again, talking with residents here helps, but dont expect them to hand over the GPS coordinates to the ir honey-hole. Remember, they found t hem by hard work, and so should you. its all part of the adventure.

Now you will have to decide how you want to do it. Base camp, spike camp, Bivy camp.

Base camp is probably the easiest and most comfortable. This involves setting a camp-tent, camper or RV at or near a  trailhead, and hunting in and out of there daily. This would mean closer to roads, and likely a little more competition close by. Also, you may find you are spending more hours predawn and after dark hiking in and out of hunting areas. But many elk are killed closer to the roads that you would think. A base camp setup allows for bigger tents, cots and other creature comforts. if you have access to horses or mules, these can be set up further in. But you get the idea.

A spike camp is similar, but usually much more simplified, and is packed in deeper into elk country. it could a camp that you backpack in and then hunt out of, and able to repack and move in one trip.

I bivy or bivouac style of hunting means you carry your camp on your back each day while hunting, and simply sleep whre you find yourself after dark. This style of hunting is tough, but has its rewards. Light weight gear is very important. As is physical conditioning.

regardless of camp style, you must be sure that if successful you can get the meat out in time to prevent spoilage. Wanton waste is a serious offense, and not to be taken lightly. 4-6 packloads of meat is the average to get an elk out. Make sure you're up to the task.

My hunt this year will be a combination base camp/spike camp arrangement. My son and I will be backpacking into a wilderness area of western Colorado for the entire season. 33 days, or until we kill a couple elk. A huge undertakingto say the least. We will set a base camp about a mile from the trailhead, hunt there as well as 2-5 days bivy type hunting, but once we find elk, we'll set our spike camp nearby so we arent lugging the extra weight around while hunting. We will return to base camp to rest and regroup as needed. With a hunt of this duration, going all out every day is simply unrealisitic. So we have rest days built into our plan.

This winter I spent countless hours researching gear. What I found is, for an investment about the cost of a semi outfitted hunt, I was ablr to purchase every bit of gear I will need for a lifetime of DIY elk hunting. My goal was to buy top of theline gear, new or used. I now have the gear to outfit myself and one other hunter completely. SO from here on out, my only expenses are gas to and from, and my tags. I really do not consider food to be a hunt cost, I have to eat just the same as if I was at home. But it is a bit more epensive. ok, getting off track here.

In my research, I read BAckcountry Bowhunting by Cameron Haines. Great book. Im currently reading a few others, but there are lots of good books out there to get you started.

I researched everything- tents, packs, stoves, sleeping bags, clothing, boots you name it. Once I narrowed down which specific item I wanted, I then started searching the net for the best prices. Trust me, shop around. I will list the gear I decided on later in the thread. Not to discount other brands etc, its just what I decided to go with.

Like I mentioned, some I bought new, some used. I bumped in to a great deal on a bunch of used stuff I couldnt pass up. All top notch stuff in like new condition.

In researching tents and packs, Kifaru was one vendor that seemed to come up often. TOp of the line mountain gear. Now I'll warn you, its not cheap. in fact, its very expensive. They do have a message board on their website, and in it is a trading post where you can pick stuff up, but snooze you loose here. Good stuff goes fast.

Another is right here on TradGang. Amazon,the big online auction site,and others can host some deals as well, but again research pricing. its well worth the wear and tear on your keyboard.

Ok, so what is the basic stuff you will need for a DIY kind of back country adventure? First, more is not better. Less is good.Lightweight, durable and dependable are key.

GOOD solid tent- with or without a floor is personal preference. I chose without. This is not an area to go cheap. a failed tent in bad weather can be life threatening. At the least, very uncomfortable.

Sleeping bag- down or synthetic again personal preference. Down bags pack down small, are lighter but worthless if wet. Synthetics dry out faster, a light but bulkier. I recommend a 10-15 degree rating. Buy a good one.

Sleeping pad- inflatable or rigid. Lightweight, and will make all the differene in the world on quality of sleep.

Backpack- there are many out there. get one designed for hunting, not sightseeing. The hunting packs will hold up to the weights of packing out meat. The others will fail.

water filtration- I have a pump style filter, as well as purification drops.

water bladder or bottle. Keeping hydrated is a big deal in the dry mountain air.

cook stove. lightweight, easy to use. Also a good lightweight cook set.

GPS and compass. Learn to use both. Coupled with USGS topo maps.

Boots- do not skimp on these. Your feet take a beating out there. Get good ones, and break 'em in.

Rain gear.

Other gear you will need- headlamp, flashlight, knives,game bags,personal hygeine items,and survival gear. I'll talk about clothing a little later.

Wife is getting after me to do something productive today, I'll add more later.

I will add a bit.  When you go on your very first elk hunt it's tempting to think that this is a once in a lifetime hunt, but in fact becoming an elk hunter is a process and that process takes time.  If you are a one and done guy get a guide and leave the knowledge with him.  I've been doing DIY hunts since 1993 (all public land) and learn something new every year.

The first year is a real learning experience.  Learning about altitude and conditioning.  Learning the importance of hydration.  Learning that elk are not deer and most of what you know about deer and deer patterns can be left at home because it won't help you kill an elk.  Learning that elk are everywhere and no-where to be found, that they can and will readily move 5-10 MILES if you put too much pressure on them.  Learn that you don't just drag an elk to the truck after you kill it.  Learn that being in the mountains in September is one of the grandest things one can do and is really addictive.

Just go, absorb, and have fun and the next year you will be 10 times more prepared.

One thing I've noticed about the trad bowhunting community, we as a whole are a pretty self sufficient lot. DIY hunts are the perfect venture for the trad kinda hunter. Lets face it, it takes just a bit more grit to shoot a stickbow, and that same grit is something deep inside every elk hunter.

Pete is spot on in his comments, elk hunting should not be viewed a a once in a lifetime venture. Once you properly outfit yourself, its an easily attained hunt annually, or semi-annually. Ort is that bi-annually? I newver keep the two straight. Ok, wife bugging me to go to the store......I suppose since I need a few more items for my food list, and some hot melt glue.

Aside from basic camp gear, your usual hunting gear will suffice for the most part. AS far as hunting clothes, there is a lot of personal preference involved. But I can say one thing, cotton hunting clothes have no place in the mountains. Its not unusual to get rained on often, and temps can plummet 40-50 degrees as a front moves in. Cold and wet cottton will kill you.

Wool, fleece, or the newer lines of sitka and kuiu clothes are designed for mountain hunting.
They arent cheap, but well worth the investment.
FUnny thing is, there are enough of those guys who HAVE to have the newest version every year, and many often sell off like new sitka stuff and bargain prices to  replace it with this years designs. Thats how I got mine, bought several sets used at prices comparable to "normal" hunting clothes. No, you don't have to have sitka or Kuiu clothes to hunt elk.

Layering is important. Temps can go from the teens at pre-dawn to 80+ by mid day, then drop off again in the afternooon. Being able to add or remove layers helps from soaking your clothes with sweat, then freezing by late afternoon.

A couple of pointers- leave the cotton socks,and underwear at home. They hold moisture and create rashes where you dont want them, and blistered feet. UnderArmor, or merino wool is a much better choice, breath better, and wick moisture.

Good boot socks from Cabelas, Vermont Darn Tough socks or the like would be a far better choice.

You'll burn a lot of boot leather, so take care of your feet. I make ahabit of carrng an extra pair or 2 of socks in my daypack. Sometime around mid day, when I sit for a break and lunch, I take my boots off, cool my feet and if possible soak them for a few miinutes in a cool creek if its hot out. After they dry , I put on fresh socks. This program makes for some happy feet, and re-energizes you.

As for what temps to dress for, typically Ive been in weather that is more hot thatn cold most times. I take along one heavier jacket and base layers, but most archery elk hunitng is pretty tolerable temp wise.

My clothing inventory goes something like this:

2 pr Sitka Ascent pants
2 Sitka Core zip long sleeve T-shirts.
1 Merino wool top and bottom
Sitka Vest and JAcket
1 wool sweater-military surplus or Goodwill are good places to get them cheap.
Packable rain gear
Cabelas fleece windstopper hoodie.
3 pr Vermont Darn Tough socks- med and heavy weight
1 pr crocks shoes- light weight, and great for back in camp to rest the feet from a day in boots. I dont care how stupid they look, if my feet are happy, so am I .
1 pr light gloves, 1 pr of warmer ones.
If feasible, a spare pr of boots isnt a bad idea either. I keep 'em in the truck or base camp.

Thanks for all the info sharing here!  I am considering my first elk hunt to CO next year and would like to do DIY.  Is this something you can do solo or do you need a partner for safety reasons?

Cool thread, this will be my second season out here in CO. Lots of good information already!

Flingblade: From my experience I would say solo is not a good idea; safety is certainly a consideration as is what happens if you actually kill one? Even if you are not any real distance from the vehicle or camp you will skinning, cutting and hauling for literally days if you are alone.

Fling, it really depends on your own comfort level. Obviously with a good partner to share the work, its a better way to go. Tag team calling works well, and an extra set of legs to pack out an animal helps a ton. That said, I know of many guys who do it solo every year and are very successful at it. If it werent for my son going this year, I'd be going solo, although probably not for the whole season.

Safety reasons are a concern, but as long as you are in good physical condition and dont do anything stupid, its no riskier than driving back and forth to work.

Food is fuel, and you'll need plenty of it. deoending on the camp setup you choose, you have a lot of options.Hunting from your truck or a base camp, the sky is the limit. For those venturing further in, you'll have to carry it with you.

You wantto choose food that is light as possible, and packs a good amount of calories. The general rule of thumb here is 100calories per ounce. This is easy to do, but you have to read labels. Strip all the unnecessary packaging out. Military MRE's are good, but they run heavier, and there is a lot of extra stuff you dont need. I've used them, but no longer do.

Freeze Dried meals such as Mountain House and BAckpacker Pantry are very good, light and easy to prepare, but get expensive.

Our meal plan for this year consists of the following:

Breakfast-1/2C granola, a cscoopof dry milk and a scoop of protein powder ina baggie. Add water, shake and eat. Good cold or hot. About 450 calories.

I dont do a set lunch, I snack throughout the day. Trail mix,a cliff bar, a larabar,jerky, and a few Jolly Ranchers candies do the trick. I also made up a bunch of pemmican which is calorie dense, lightweight. A splash of honey or peanut butter dresses it up a bit. All told here runs around 1300-1600 calories.
A freeze dried dinner adds another 400-500 calories.
Other meal options are the lipton or zararains rice meal dinners. you can divide them in half, for a single person and get 2 meals out of them.
If you prefer to add meat, you can dehydrate grilled chicken or beef. rehydrate it in hot water for a while before adding to to the mix as it simmers. Instant packets of mashed potatoes are very filling, light and provide a good carb load. Tortilla wraps with peanut butter and bacon are also a good breakfast or lunch. Those boxed packages of bacon or bacon bits work well for this.

Being in the backcountry also affords the opportunity for some ddage grouse, rabbits or other small game, and maybe some fresh trout.

Our food plan for this year is pretty basic, but Im not out there for a fine dining experience. Food is fuel. I'll gulp down what I need when I deed to keep me fueled and on the hunt. I dont want to have to do a lot of cooking and dishes. Add hot water, stir and eat works fine for me, and I think while we'll probably have extra food when its all said and done, we're sure not going to go hungry. Not keeping yourself fueled will lead to fatigue, sore muscles and dull the senses.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/autumnarcher/photo-1.jpg)
Putting together breakfast packs.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/autumnarcher/photo2.jpg)
Each bag contains a days provisions. When we head out for a few days out from base camp, we stuff 1 bag per day in our packs. Everyting is neatly packaged, with very litte trash to haul out.

I do not eat or prepare meals in the tent I sleep in. Keeping a clean camp will reduce the chances of bear problems. Any food left in base camp whilw we're away will bu hung in a waterproof bag out of reach of marauding bears.

Food, shelter, and clothing- I've hit on those so far. Nothing overly difficult with a littel planning. I'll admit, I'm a gear junkie. I like having good ,quality gear, and always looking to improve on my gear. I'm of the opinion you get what you pay for when it comes to outdoors gear.
Not that cheaper stuff is always bad, but in the backcountry, you dont have the option of running back to the store if something breaks or fails on you. I try to get the best bang for the buck, but I won;t skimp on critical gear.

As far as your bow, search TradGang threads for bow wieght/arrow weight for elk. you'll find a ton of them. Im not gonna rehash that here. My setup is a Thunderstick MOAB longbow 56@27". Arrows are 650 gr Surewoods, with 225 up front. Nothing fancy, just agood hard hitting setup, with some wicked sharp Woodsmans ready to do the deed.

Optics are important. Its been said time and time again get the best you can afford. That leaves a lot of room for discussion for sure. Im still working on that area. I found a good pair of Kahles 10x42's Imusingthis year after several trips with Nikon's in both 8 and 10x42. If Im not happy with the upgrade to the Kahles, my next investment is the Swaro's. you can spend a lot oftime glassing, and cheaper binos will leave your head throbbing, and arent as good in low light conditions.

As for GPS, there a lot of good ones out there.They an be had pretty cheap, under $200 that will work fine. The higher priced units do the same thing as the cheaper ones, just more features you may or may not use. I chose one with the mapping features, but I still carry USGS topo maps of the area, and a good military compass. one thing that drives me nuts is to see a hunter walking around all day staring at his GPS so he doesnt get lost.

I keep waypoints of camp locations etc. I get a bearing to it from the GPS, tuen it off, shoot a bearing on the compass and go. I may not turn it on for days if Im hunting familiar territory. I use mine in conjunction with the map and compass so if it fails, I can still gethere I need to.
Im not an expert with the compass, but work toget better.

There are several mapping websites to download or create custom topo maps, aerial photos etc. Im not too handy with them, so I go with teh standard USGS topo's. Google Earth or ArcGIS Explorer are great for looking over your hunting areas, figureing out potential camp areas andunting areas longbefore steping out ofthe truck.

The biggest mistake you can make is not getting very familar with how to use and set p your GPS long before you get back in the wilderness. Use it, play with it. Make sure the map datum on your GPS matches that of the topo maps you are using. Know what the declination from true north and magnetic north are. Take you compass out and use it.

I do not use the longitude/latitude system. I found using the UTM grid system is FAR easier and much more applicable to hunting. Its much simpler to use once you get the hang ofit.

THIS is a good thread.  Thank-you and keep it coming.

I'm a flatlander. I livein Michigan farm country, which is about 900 ft above sea level.
The place Im hunting, base camp is at 9600 and it goes up from there to over 11,000. Needless to say, Imgonna suck wind for a few days.

Knowing your physical limitations, and being in good physical condition makes a big difference in your ability to hunt elk, and stay on them.

Now Im no athlete, but I try to stay in good shape. I'll admit my phyiscal training for this hunt fell off from where I started, but Im uin far better shape than my last trip 3 yrs ago. But Im also 3 yrs older. So we'll see where I lacked in my training in a hurry.

I know guys who train like olympic athletes just for 2 weeks in elk country. I know others who dont do much of anything. I'll be the first to say there are extremes on both ends.

I'd put myself somewhere in the middle. Obviously the better your fitness level, the lesss time you'll spend recovering from a hard push, and the longer you'll keep moving.

I've hunted with guys in pathetic shape, who still managed to hunt, still got in to elk, and still killed them. I've seen guys in great shape busting through the mountains at breakneck pace, and be unsuccessful.

Train,lose a few extra pounds, walk, run, lift, whatever you can do to get in the best shape you can. But if youre not, hunting slower, sitting wallows or water holes, treestands etc are still all good tactics for elk. It doesnt have to be all running and gunning.Hunt hard, but hunt smart. Listen to your body. Drink LOTS of water.
take breaks, sit and enjoy the mountains.

When you live your life at 900 ft like I do, it takes a fe days to acclimate. GO EASY. If you jump out of the truck and start running all over, you'll likely end up in camp with a splittingheadache and puking your guts out.
If it persists, the only remedy is to desend to lower altitude. Altitude sickness at the least can ruin your trip. But it can be life threatening as well at higher elevations.

I usually drive straight through, and may spend the night somehere around 5-6000 ft to help my  body adjust. The first few days I go easy. I find when I first get out there, I have to pee constantly. But I know once that returns to normal in aday or so, Im good to go. Again,listen to what your body tells you. Some people have no problems, others battle it the whole trip. Wilderness Athlete carries a supplement called Altitude Advantage that works great to help battle altitude problems.

Your legs and lungs get the workout. Anything you can do to condition those will pay off huge.
Walking or doing stairs with your pack on, whether its just a daypack of a full load bacpack is great training. Interval training as well is good stuff.

Here's a tip for managing altitude sickness that has worked for others and it has worked for me:

3-4 days prior to heading into the mountains take at least one TUMs (other ant-acids will also work; I used to take ROLAIDS until they changed the formula) per day and continue to take one per day once you are in the mountains.  The ant-acid creates a change in the blood chemistry by shifting the normal equilibrium (raises the pH I suspect), but it can prevent altitude sickness in some individuals - myself included.

Keep the wind in your face!

Shoot straight, Shinken

  :archer2:

Shinken,

Altitude sickness is a weird phenom.  It can jump up and bite you when you least expect it.  Some years it affects me and some not and there doesn't appear to be a pattern.  Usually if it does, it is only a dull head ache for 36-48 hours.  Haven't had anyone in camp that was severly affected but have heard stories of guys having to leave the mountain and get lower ASAP.  Have tried the tums thing and can't say one way or another that it helps but we always have them available.

This thread is jam packed with great information for anyone thinking about elk hunting.  Save it to your favorites - fantastic reference!  

So often I hear guys say that they have elk on their dream list to hunt "someday".  Don't let the years pass you by.  Make the commitment and just do it!  

I think that many guys are simply intimidated by the entire planning process.  And that really can be a stumbling block.  But all that it really takes is some research, and once you start you will discover that the research and planning process is actually a lot of fun by itself.  As John suggested, search the internet, make some phone calls, order some maps, and get started on finding your very own elk honey hole.  


I've been blessed to have done a number of elk hunts, and now I try to do one every year.  The only regret that I have is that I didn't start sooner.  I wasted many years that I can now never get back.  Don't let that happen to you!

Whip, your thoughts echo mine. I love the preparation process. I dont look at it as work, but rather part ofthe whole experience. It sounds like a lot, and in some ways it is, but preparation builds confidence.

I too wish I had started elk hunting many years sooner. My thought on this trip are this- I'll bein elk country until we both tag out, or until the season runs out. Either way, elk or not, I get to spend a month in the back country. I never gauge the success of a huntsolely on killing an animal. If you plan, prepare and enjoy your time in the mountains, you are never unsuccessful.

Here is my gear list. There are a few smaller items that arent on it, but this will give you a starting point. Since there are 2 of us, some of this gear is divided between the 2 of us to spread out the weight.

Elk Hunt Gear List

Kifaru AG2 backpack with Cargo Chair*
Kifaru Paratipi with Small Stove
Big Agnes Air Core Insulated inflatable Sleeping Pad
Marmot Pinnacle sleeping bag
Kelty tarp
Tyvek ground cloth
Thunderstick MOAB takedown longbow*
GFA quiver with  7 arrows ( 5 BH 2 Judo )*
ParaOrdinance Tac-S   .45 ACP with spare  mag.*
Kahles 10x42 Binoculars*
KAtadyn Hiker Pro H2O filter(with spare cartridge)
Aqua Pura water purification drops
Delorme PN60 GPS with SPOT*
Snow Peak Giga stove with fuel cannister
Snow Peak Titanium cookse, small plastic fork and spoon.
Sawvivor  Lt. Wgt. Folding saw
Compass/Maps
Platypus 100oz H2O bladder
2 headlamps
1 small LED flashlite
Clothes
Sitka Jacket
Sitka Vest*
Sitka Mtn Pants *                                 1pr
Sitka Ascent pants                              1pr
Sitka Core Zip LS Tshirt                      2
Sitka beanie*
Sitka ballcap*
Sitka gloves                                         1 pr
First Lite Merino Wool Briefs*  1pr
First Lite Wool LS top base later*      1
First Lite  Long johns base layer      1pr
UA Briefs                                             1 pr.
First Lite Wool LS top*                       1
Cabelas Fleece Hoodie with WS     1
Cabelas packable rain gear        
Vermont Darn Tough wool socks *                         3 pr

Asolo boots*

*denotes items worn. 1 extra set of Base layers and pants carried in backpack. Total of 2 sets of clothes on bivy trips.



Hunt Gear
Topo Maps
Sm notepad/pencil
Compass
Camera
Sheath knife
Elk Bugle w spare reeds
Cow calls
Elknuts playbook
Windicator powder bottle
Spare bowstring w/ nock and silencers attached
First Aid Kit
1 small roll Coban gauze
Bandaids
Steri-strips
Skin glue
Betadine wipes
Neosporin
Duct tape


Personal Hygiene Kit
Soap
Sm towel
TP/baby wipes(dehydrated)
Toothbrush/paste
Prescription meds
Nail clippers
Anti-chafe stick
floss
Survival Kit
Fire starter- cotton balls, char cloth, pine pitch, lighter, matches, flint striker
Space blanket
Emergency poncho(plastic)
whistle
Kill Kit
Game bags
550 cord
Knife sharpener
Havalon knife/spare blades
Orange tracking tape
2 lg zip lock baggies


Base Camp Gear

12x12 Canvas Pyramid Tent
Large air mattress
Wood stove
Zodi camp shower
Frying pan, 2 qt pan
Hatchet
Small folding chair
Small lantern ( Battery Op)
Platypus gravity feed water filter bag

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/autumnarcher/photo3-1.jpg)

This is a super thread and couldn't be more timely.It will help hunters for years to come.Really nice of you to take the time.

I used to backpack hunt a lot.I began my preparation with a check list and it was divided in groups like this:

1.Camp-tent,ground cloth,sleeping bag,pad,etc

2.Kitchen-stove,fuel,food etc.

3.Toilet gear-toilet gear,first aid etc.

4.Clothes

5.Hunting gear-bow and everything else.

6.Clothes

7.Misc.-lights,camera,batteries,compass,map,all the odds and ends that don't fit in the above groups.

Once I broke it down in these groups,it was easy to take one group and work on it without forgetting something.If I needed to pare off some weight,I'd go back to each group and see what could be substituted or left out.

In my really rabid years,I had a complete check list of all my gear,with weights of each item.I could go down through the list and set up a pack within my weight limits for a certain trip.

In the off season,when I was months away from being able to hunt,I found that the conditioning program and preparing my gear kept me from climbing the walls so bad.

I don't mean to hijack your thread.i just found that breaking my check list down into categories made it seem like a much less daunting task and seemed to keep me from missing things that I might need.

I sure appreciate your effort here.Good luck on that hunt.

Jim, you're not "hijacking" anything my friend. You comments are welcome, and are what make threads like this helpful. Good thoughts for sure. I just added a pic to the previous post, as you can see I also keep my "kits" in small bags to keep gear organized. Theres nothing worse that haveing to dig to the bottom of your pack every time you need something. Keeping it organized also rprevents lost gear. I use something, then put it back right away. Leaving gear sitting out in camp over night could be a bad move if you wake up to 6" of snow!

after gathering your gear- practice-practice practice.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/autumnarcher/photo4-1.jpg)

A few thoughts on practieing for elk, or any other larger game than your usual deer sized critter. Try to shoot at a similar sized target.
Elk are way biggerthan deer.For those not used to hunting them, its common to under estimate the distance as the larger elk will appear to be closer than it really is.

I use the block target as pictured for broadheads, but also use a large burlap bag target that is very close in size to the chest of an elk. I place it at elk height and shoot at it from varying distances. I toss arrows all over the yard, and shoot each one from where it lands.I shoot from my knees a lot, and awkward positions. Also, its important to shoot with your pack on, and your hunting clothes. Another good practice is to run a couple laps around the yard etc, getyourself good and winded, then shoot 1 arrow.
Like any sport, preactice like you play. Build good habits. Every shot, envision that bull stepping into the clear, snot dripping from his nose, looking for a fight. Then make the shot.

couple years back I was dialed in before I left for the hunt, easily packing broadheads at 30 yds in groups smaller than a paper plate. Well one morning we had a big herd bull come in, looking to a fight. He was fired up, screaming his head off as he slowly swaggered in to our setup. He stopped broadside tome at about 30 yds, and as he scremed and chuckled at Bob, my caller, I came to full draw. My heart was about to pound right through my shirt. Exciting? You betcha!! But When I drew, I couldnt help but notice my arrow was bouncing on the shelf. YEah, I was shaking, the adrenaline of the situation was off the charts! While I knew I could shoot at that range, its a whole different game when its a screaming bull intead of a quiet bag target. Needless to say, I didnt kill that bull. He coninued in head on then turned at 20 yds and looked right at me. Go figure. The memory of that hunt, I'll replay in my mind until the day my family scatters my ashes in the mountain breeze.

There is no drug that could ever reproduce the high of an adrenaline charged encounter at stickbow range to a fired up bull elk. Nothing, nothing can compare. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to experience such excitement in such beautiful places.

Its my hope that those considering elk hunting can find some inspiration, motivation and information from this thread.

I leave in 19 days.

Hunt hard, shoot straight and enjoy the moment!

One final side note I forgot to mention. The sidearm. Again, personal preference. I carry when Im not hunting. Its a personal protection choice. There are plenty of bears, and mountain lions in the area I hunt. While I don't worry too much about it, I carry a sidearm when in the back country. The other reason, you never know who you're gonna run in to. Wilderness areas are no stranger to dirtbags looking for trouble.

As for the weight of the sidearm, to me its a non issue. I carry it all the time when Im not hunting, so adding it to the waistbelt of my pack is no big deal.

If you choose not to carry, thats fine. Chances are, it will never come out of the holster.

John, you started a great post I just hit 40 last December and a elk hunt is on the bucket list I have to get motivated and get in shape before I get to old to do this hunt.  Good luck and shoot straight.

Nice.Really a well thought out list.That comes from experience.I started using those Havalon knives a year ago and have kicked myself a lot for not trying them sooner.Nothing but the orange handle for me.Thanks again.

I found some basic things to help me get going. With these basic rules, you will eventually be successful. I am successful every year, in the sense of getting close to elk, but sticking one is tough. I get better at it every year.

Be prepared to walk a lot. You don't have to go fast, but look, listen, and keep moving until you are into them. Get off the path for crying out loud!! Use common sense and gage the age of sign.  That takes practice too.

Stay hydrated.

Calling early in the year will yield variable responses.  Don't expect a video scenario where you call and they run in!

Maintain a positive attitude, they appear at the oddest times.

Take a wilderness skill course so you can carry less "stuff".  

Pressuring the same herd too much will send them away! Scent is your enemy. They have crazy good noses. You can scare them a few times before you have to look elsewhere usually.

Once you find them, learn the area for future seasons, it will help you get a game plan for the next year(s).

This thread is very useful!!

One thing I thought of I forgot to mention when hunting is the wind, and specifically-thermals.
These dastardly little devils will cause you fits if you dont heed close attention to them.

As a general rule- Predawn cooler air pushes downwards into lower elevations, drainages etc.
AS the sun warms the air after sunrise, they will reverse, and the warmer air will begin to drift upwards. The transition period can result in a lot of swirling air currents.

Later in the afternoon, as the sun starts to drop below the tops of the mountains and hills, the air will again begin to cool, and reverse course back down hill.

Remember this- hunt down in the mornings,hunt up in the evening and generally you'll be ok.
Check th ewind often. I keep a thin thread on my bow tips and watch it all the time when in close to elk. If you find its switching, you may have to cut a wide circle around and start your stalk all over. Be flexible, and do not hesitate to cut off a stalk due to wind change and regroup.
One noseful of stickbow man, and that group of elk will show you their white rumps and are outta there!

Those same fickle breezes will tip you off to elk nearby as well. Elk stink. If you're slipping along with the breeze in your face and smell something like a barnyard, STOP! You're in them. Or else you're close to free ranging cattle LOL, but you get the idea.

Another lesson I learned- the area i've hunted previously was adjacent to a working sheep ranch. Ranchers often graze those sheep on national forest lands via grazing permits. Those flocks of sheep are tended by hired hands,and they use guard dogs. They look like cute little Aussies, and another bigger breed. They are no joke, and if you get close to those sheep, the bigger dogs are trained todo one thing-protect the sheep. They will tangle with a bear or lion without pause, and you are no different. Also, a lot of the herders are immigrants who come here to work, and dont speak much english. But, they are on horseback all day, and can tip you off to elk locations. a little barter sure helps. Don't hesistate if you run across someone tending sheep or cattle to as kthem whre theyre seeing elk.

I'm also planning my FIRST DYI elk hunt this year and although I've not hunted out west I have camped and fished from CO to AK.  Just thought I'd add a couple of things from my perspective.

First off, as been mentioned in several threads an elk hunt is like a lot of things in life; if you wait until you think you have everything you need you'll probably never go.  Don't let the long list of gear scare you off.  For the most part if you can do a Memorial Day camping trip you can do an elk hunt.  You may not be back in the wilderness but you can enjoy a good time in the mountains chasing elk.  Figure out what you can afford and then set priorities.  

I've heard it said a lot on this site that "You get what you pay for."  Often this is true, but I counter "you buy what you can afford"  A lot of us have to make up for what we lack in revenue with sweat.  That may mean hauling a heavier pack, putting up with less than optimal gear, or making our own gear.  Some people can brown bag a lunch and skip eating out to get their gear, I have to do that to be able to go in the first place.  I can chose between a wearing a $500 outfit in my living room or go hunting in what I have.  Not that I'm knocking people who can afford to outfit themselves the way they'd like.  I'm just not one of them.  But each year I'll try to add a best-in-slot item to my gear.  Until then I make do.  I'll list a couple of things I've done to equip myself on the cheap.  

* Buy used equipment, as mentioned already some good gear can be had cheap second hand.

* Borrow Equipment or better yet find a hunting partner that has everything. LOL

* Hit the thrift/goodwill stores, It's become a ritual for me now.  I've got some NICE wool items for cheap at even my stores in the south.  A few nice Merino and cashmere sweaters for $3 apiece, 2 nice pendelton wool shirts, a wool blanket, and I've got two pairs of tropical weight wool dress pants (grey and brown houndstooth) that should work well in warm weather.  I've gotten several layers for my Dad and I for less than $50.  Also check out the linens for pillow cases to use as game bags, and you can get good leather garments for leather material to make other gear for cheap.  Don't neglect the sections with household items, there may be something you can use at your campsite.

* Make your own gear.  I made an alcohol stove out of soda cans I picked up as litter and an empty peanut can.  A nice working stove for just a little of my time.  A coffee can cut to size nests down into the others and serves as a boiling pot.  Browse the net for ideas from the hiking/camping community.  I got Tyvek for ground cloth/emergency tarp from visiting construction sites and asking for their leftovers.

* Use what you got.  It may not be optimum but it will work.

* Improvise.  There's things that can be re-purposed if you take the time to think about it or do some research.

Anyone else have some cost savings suggestions please post them up.  I'm always looking for more.

Talon makes some excellent points. The key point to remember is camping is camping. Plan ahead and go as light as you can. Once you have your camoing situation settled, its time to start huntin.

The biggest hurdles for us flatlanders across the river is gas expenses getting there, and the price of NR tags. Once  that is settled, your of to the races.
I was lucky enough after I retired I had the funds to invest is some top ofthe line gear.
But I hunted elk 4 times before that, and built my gear arsenal along the way.

While I mentioned avoiding wearing cotton clothes, I nderstand that may be all you have.
If thats the case, just beware that if wet you an get into trouble in a hurry, so be prepared. I have worn cotton, and I carried extra clothes, shirt, socks etc in my daypack just in case, along with a good set of rain gear.

The key is dont put off a dream. You probably already have a good supply of hunting and camping gear that will serve you well.

This one is going in my favorites.  My first elk hunt is scheduled for 2014 unless my rich uncle gets out of the poor house.

Thank you for such a thorough and informative thread.

I suggest trying to choose clothing that does more than one thing. Part of a layer system. Can be warn when its hot of cold, in camp or on the hunt. Jackets, rainshell excepted, I feel are garments that can be left in the truck for a lot of hunts. Its lighter and more versatile to layer up to get the same performance, in a smaller package, usually.
Instead of bringing one heavy underlayer and a light layer I bring two slightly different lighter weights that seperately worn cover a broad temp range, but together are even warmer than that single heavy layer.
One layer is real fuzzy and the other thin and sleek for hot days. Worn alone its like a t-shirt but with another use- when its cold.
If you research and understand how these garments work you can find them for less. The down side is usually they are not quite as nicely finished or don't have the cachet. They won't be offered in camo, so get black or green.

Some great ideas in this thread. Thanks.

Joshua

the first year I went I had myself, a map of a wilderness area in Colorado, a propane burner and a bottle of propane, a pan, soup mix and a REI superlight tent and bag. Pretty simple - I backpacked in, I hunted hard, I killed a 5x5 and had an exceptional hunt that spanned a 3 week period.

next fall (just had ACL surgery) I am going back to the same area. I'll have a backpack, a jetboil, mountain house type meals, a water filter, a light tent and bag and not much else.

my equipment will be a bit better, I'll have a SPOT or satellite phone for emergency, but basically go in, hunt hard, experience elk hunting in the Rockies and ENJOY IT ALL


I can go into details on how I elk hunt, etc, but guys if you want to go, GO! Do it! You can hunt from a truck/tent/trailhead, you can backpack in - other than the tag and cost of driving out etc you CAN DO IT

aint nothing like elk hunting in the Rockies

Brad, I remember many a fishing trip as a teenager with just the same accomodations. I had a orange pup tent I bought with the credits earned selling garden seeds door to door as a kid, ditto for my on e burner coleman stove and sleeping bag. I think every garden in town was planted with the seeds I sold. Oh the good old days.

I'd throw it all in my old car, a few cans of beans and some hot dogs and pop tarts and off I;d go steelhead fishing. WOke up buried in snow more than once from a late spring storm, but man I was livin it up.

Did the same on the property I deer hunt. I;ve camped in a multitude of different tents, pop ups etc. These days fish camp and deer camp is my 30' travel trailer. Its warm and cozy, but inside I always yearn for a tent, and sleeping bag in wild places.

I guess I gotta give up a little secret- I dont kill many elk, but it gives me a good reason to go on awesome campin trips and I can bring my longbow along too. try that in a state park and see what it gets ya LOL.

Excellent thread, ive hunted elk in two states on 16 different years, this year my 17th, this is about the most informative shorthand version of a prep plan as ive ever seen. Spot on advice from some on who has done it, not a pro team member who pays there way to game, great job.

If your go far back in, there is a fine line between being frugal and dead. I have seen a freak storm come in a get you soaked through and then freeze. Hypothermia is a bad thing. I had to get my guide back to camp as he was getting symtomatic. After that experience I bought the best gear I could. I hoarded stuff and kept it for 3-4 yrs before I went out west again. I went last year and had a blast. I am updating my gear list for this year. Its an ever changeing thing based on needs. I have my gear on excel and weight each individual piece. I should be carrying about 55 lbs this year.

Here is what on my check off list right now
Kifaru pack/ longhunter guide
zfoam thermarest under neo air
thermarest neo air
kifaru 4man tipi
Kifaru small stove
helle knife
ACS CX
jet boil stove
fly rod, flys, etc./tenkara or collapsible spinning
2 lighters/fire starter wet match          /
flashlight/fenix pd30/extra batteries
head lamb/petzl/ extra 3 AAA batteries
batteries/ 6 extra lithium
GPS
map cut map down
kaitadyn water system
gatorade powder for water/ hot chocolate
camera
extra string/ shelf material/   kept at  truck
spectra rope and  bear/bag for food
game bags/ alaskan bags
plastic bags
water bag 4liter
tyvek sheet
portable water bottle with filter
Mountain house foods
Day 1 with power bars
day 2  "        "            "
day 3
day 4
day 5
day 6
day 7
day 8
day 9
rain gear/ small pack
extra socks/
ascent sitka pants x2
sitka transverse shirt x2
sitka 90% jacket
sitka kelvin jacket
sitka core bottoms
sitka beanie
face mask cold gear
sitka gloves
Crocs for camp
small detergent
calls
fuel X2 cannister
western mountaineering badger down bag
throat lozengers
diamox
chapstick
hunter wipes 5x8 and large 10x15
toiletries
tooth brush& paste
decoy/ heads up decoy
small wire grate for cooking fish
liquid suture and epi pen/ lidocaine with suture in the truck

Great list Stalker. Just curious, what does you load weigh? Also, the zfoam pad under the neo air-I've seen pics of guys withthe zfoam pads strapped to their pack-looked kind of cumnbersome to me, but I'm curious aboutthe setup. Is it more for protection of your air mattress< or another insulation layer? Im using a piece of tyvek under my Ar Core pad. Works ok, pad wants to slide around on it a bit.

We're gonna use theparatipi this year, and I plan on getting a sawtooth next year. I like the para, but its a little tight with 2 and the stove set up in it. For one its perfect.

Great list, gives me some ideas for my load out.
Right now with 4 days food I'm sitting at 50#, and thats with my sidearm. I'll see how it goes the first run out from base camp, and pare it down if need be. Im using the AG2, which is very similar to the longhunter. Love the cargo chair.

Autumnarcher    there is an adventure doing it like that isn't there?

Sometimes we maybe make it all more complicated than it is. I'm 42, I'm not a stranger to elk hunting or camping rough and I certainly like a comfortable camp more than a not so comfortable one but I also like the simplicity of a light bivy type camp.

Hunting from the truck can be great too .... don't like the area you've hunted for 3 days? Drive 150 miles and hunt somewhere totally different! Western states are millions of acres big, adventures await all you gotta do is GO!

Mike Mittens book One Mans Wilderness- if you can read that and not instantly want to pile your gear in the truck, you might wantto check to see if you still have a pulse. I love that book.
I've talked to a lot of not so hard core hunting friends,tellingthem about our trip. They look at me like Im nuts. They like the soound of elk hunting, but backpacks, etc and its a whole different story.

Lifes short- sometimes shorterthan we expect. Get up and go for it. worst case, you dont like it and you can head for the truck.

Huntin elk stirs a fire inside me like nnothing else Ive ever done. I thnk t he only thing that comes close to the adrenaline rush of a rutting bull elk at close range was when I was a rookie firefighter kickin my first door and going in a rockin house fire. But honestly, I much prefer a bugle over a nozzle. Those days are behind me, so its elk huntin for me.

Every year I add more stuff to my hunting set up for my hunting trips. It makes it nice once you have a good setup that can be used for years. You done your home work and it sounds like your ready. I just wished you could teach me how to get that many days off for a hunt,that's a dream hunt in it's self to me.

I agree with the wilderness weather.  One trip we spike camped with a little tent and it rained all day every day,  and almost froze every night. The hunting was tough, and we ended up hiking out every night to sleep in the van. Unusual weather but we would have froze to death had we not made the decision to get out. We didn't pack clothing for the cold, WET nights. It was some freak weather pattern lasting a week.

Matt, that is why I have the kifaru 4man. If I had to do it over again, I might buy the sawtooth. There is nothing like starting a fire in the tipi, stripping down and drying your clothes out or taking a sponge bath. Last year, why my comrades were complaining of the cold, I was in my tipi in my underwear. They threatened to pee down my stovepipe.
John, the reason for the zpad this year is because I had pine needles come through my tyvek last year on several occasions. A little protection with the neo air. Again, research would tell you if it might be easier to go with a agnes pad. I think the neo air is 9oz and the zpad adds additional weight. Its kind of security thing for me.
John, I also seen a post on another forum where you were interested in goats. Going ultralight and having pack goats is where I am heading in the future. I am 47 now and ready to go hunting tomorrow. I get up every morning before work and go to the gyn to train. I wish it would already get here, I need a break. I would rather be climbing and calling. If I am going to do this when I am in my 50's, the goats would be nice. I broke my elbow on May 22nd, its healed and I am back on coarse. I think it helped me more than it hurt. I was thinking despartion for a while. I was finally able to pull my bow back and hold it last week. Last year, I carried 62lbs up the mountain for 9 days. Hopefully, I will be in the mid 50's. Its about time to start packing and weighing my pack. I train with a 40lb vest and do mostly walking up a 15% grade or run. I also do the mountain athlete program. I also added the decoy this year. I think its worth the added weight. One of these years, a elk is going to make the mistake and get to close.

I love the lead up to departure day. I had to run my mom back home today, and it just so happens she lives about 15 minutes from Cabelas.
Now I really dont need any more gear, but I had to pick a few fuel cannisters for my Snow Peak Giga stove, and a new lense pen.

I almost bought a zfold pad, but decided against it, for now anyway. Then I really came close to a major screw up. I was curious about the EuroGlass binos Cabelas claims are as good as " a major European Bino maker". So I checked them out, and side by side compared them with a pair of Swaro 10x42's. Oh my! First let me say it wasnt even close. But those Swaro's.....oh my are those nice. Truly the finest there is.
I contemplated getting a Cabelas card and buying them right there, but the little voice in my head won out. Good thingI did, I casually mentioned my temptation to the wife over dinner.
Fire shot from her eyes, and THAT LOOK told me I probably made a good choice. For now. I tried to explain the benefits of a $2000 pr of glasses over the $800 pr, to no avail. It just didnt work.

But I know what pr I want now, and just have to put an action plan into place to get them.

Got home, set up the base camp tent and woodstove, checked everything over, repacked it and ready to go. Just need to gather base camp gear,finish some arrows and sharpen heads, and to one final layout of gear. its almost go time.

Excellent Thread....., Excellent!

Ok, I am going to make this happen.  I do have a couple questions that I don't think have been addressed.  For the camping part; are you carrying water in or finding streams and using water purification?  Are you digging a latrine or just answering natures call wherever you are?  When you quarter out the elk in the field are you leaving the ribcage behind?  What else is left?  And lastly; if you kill your elk on day 2 but your son doesn't kill his until day 22 how are you taking care of the meat until then?  Do you find a local butcher that can cold store the quarters for you?  I have alot of research to do but I appreciate all of the tips and info shared here!

Fling, we each have a 100oz water bladder in our packs, and I have both a katadyn pump filter, and aqua pura purification drops. We refill from streams, ponds or lakes when we get by one. I opted forthe large bladders, as sometimes you get somewhere where water is a good hike away.
Stopping to top off your water regualrly is a good practice. Ive let myself run out before and its no fun. Happened one evening, and had to pack out an elk a partner killed at night, with no water. That was no fun. I think I drank a gallon when we got back to camp. I also have a larger dual bladder gravity feed filter system for camp. Fill it , hang it and you have an additional couple gallons of clean water available.

As for the latrine, a shallow hole out behind the base camp tent, and on bivy excursions, you hope you can find a smooth log :} I always bury my paperwork.

On a side note, I buy a few refill packs of unscented baby wipes, and dry them out and putthem in zip lock baggies. You can use them dry for your tush, or wet them to wash up with. easier to pack than a roll of TP, and face it, soft enoughfor a babys behind.

As far as the carcass- each state is a little different as far as what meat you have to bring out. Best to check the regs,I believe in CO you can leave tehrib meat, but dont quote me on that one. I'll have to check again myself.  If e get one this year, I want to slow roast some ribs by the fire Fred Bear style.

Good question about meat care. If we get one early, Ihave a meat processor lined up where I can take it and have it frozen not too far from our area.

Any other questions you come up with fire away.

A few other random thoughts-

Buy unscented baby wipes, dry 'em out and store em in a baggie. Good for use as TP, and you can wetthem to wash up with.

A couple large contractor sized garbage bags in your pack have many uses- pack cover, rain poncho, a place to lay meat on to keep clean while cutting elk up. You cna also put your meat in it and soak in a cold creek to keep it cool while packing out your elk.

Hunt cooler benches on north facing slopes with dark timber, or good cover in hot weather. Colder weather hit the benches on the south facing slopes.

wallows with relatively clean or clear water arent being used, Find the muddy nasty ones.

Never drink sraight from a stream or spring. Giardia will ruin your trip, and you'll need a lot of TP.

Thunderstorms take on a whole new perspective when you're actually in it, ratherthan below it.

If you're with a partner, slip a few rocks in his pack while hes napping. He'll complain how heavy his pack is getting as the day wears on, and you'l get agood laugh. did this to a partner one yr, I thin khe dumped 10# of rocks at the end of the day.

Great thread, just a couple thoughts. It may have already been mentioned, but learn how to call. Elknut has some great training stuff for calling, there is nothing as thrilling as calling a bull elk into you or your parnter's lap. And, learn how to bugle, I've hunted for 12 years and have called far more bulls in to a bugle than a cow call. Elk have a language, it pays huge benefits to learn it. My second suggestion is to scout using Google Earth, it can save miles of walking and can show some excellent honey holes that will hold elk.

John, Great thread!
When doing your research don't be afraid to call the wildlige biologist for the area you are hunting. If you ask the right questions, like are there any catle grazing in the area that you wish to hunt, is there any logging going on, are there any sheep in the area. Has there been any fires lately. Is there a water supply available.Things like that.

QuoteOriginally posted by Autumnarcher:

Thunderstorms take on a whole new perspective when you're actually in it, ratherthan below it.

Boy is that the truth!!  :scared:    :scared:    :scared:    Makes you feel so alive! Scary as all heck, but what a memory!

I used to carry a garbage bag in my pack like you suggested to lay meat on.  It really is a huge help in keeping meat clean during quartering if you have a place to lay it.  The only problem with the garbage bags is that they are so slippery that the quarters can slide off if you are on a hillside.  (And since very little of the west is on the level there is a good chance of that!)

What I use now is a very light weight piece of nylon from an old tent.  I cut it in half to minimize weight and always have it in my pack right along with the game bags.  The meat seems to stay put better on the nylon than it did on the garbage bags, and it is also large enough to function as a small emergency shelter if I need it.

Bees and flies can be a problem when field dressing, and they drive me crazy.  The best thing I have found to fight them off is white vinegar.  I carry a small bottle of vinegar in my pack, and a small spray bottle (empty)  When I start field dressing, I mix 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water into the spray bottle and spray the meat as I go.  I also spray the game bags once I fill them.  This year I am also going to pre-soak the game bags in vinegar before I leave.  It really works to keep the little nasties away from my prize!

I carry a bottle of Liquid Game Bag in my pack.  Doesn't smell or have a taste that I can decern but sure keeps the bees and flies off the meat.  

Oh, thunderstorms in the mountains, FANTASTIC.  I spent an afternoon in a treestand one year and every 20 minutes a storm would come thru.  Cloud to cloud lightening all around.  One of those memeories that I'll never forget.

I have only been on 2 meatless elk hunts, so maybe there is something I do not know, But why would anyone consider packing out the meat in quarters? is it required by law?  I'm thinking bone out the meat, and leave those useless,heavy, bones on the mountain where you killed the elk. If i'm wrong, enlighten me.

I'll say it again.  Loads of good useful info in this thread!  

And again.... DO IT.  Don't wait.  One of my favorite quotes from a true conservationist is "Don't wait until you retire to go hunting and fishing. Don't even wait for your annual vacation. Go at every opportunity. Things that appear urgent at the moment may, in the long run, turn out to be far less so." -Ted Trueblood

@ Randy Grinder... you'll have to check the state's regulations where you want to hunt.  In Idaho we have to keep evidence of sex attatched to the carcass... leaving it attatched to a boned out quarter is fine.  Boning out an elk is easy and it will cool the meat faster as the bones tend to hold the heat quite well.  However, transporting a boned quarter is a bit trickier than a bone in quarter, so it's a bit of give and take either way.

As for the aforementioned baby wipes, I have ended up making my own and they seem to work well.  I use the blue contractor towels from home depot or lowes, and mix in some rubbing alcohol, fall scent (because it is more pleasant to wash up with a light fall scent than bull elk urine...)and some unscented liquid aloe.  soak the entire roll (which you can cut in half with a hack saw by the way), and store it in ziplocks.  

I always take tylenol PM.  Really helps you sleep with aches and pains that inevitably come with the high country.

A silver space blanket takes up virtually no room or weight and can make the difference between a long, long cold night (and possible survival, but I won't get too dramatic) and a tolerable night after you shoot that bull of a lifetime at twilight...

Keep a journal.  Can't say enough what a believer in journals I am.  I re-read my field notes every year and remember what I have forgotten (which is usually a lot).  At the very least, grab a golf pencil and jot notes on the back of a map or a small ring notebook.  You'll thank me in 20 years when you are sitting by the fire, remembering everything.

You can skimp on some things, but please don't skimp on socks.  Get top shelf wool socks like smartwool.  You can get by with cotton pants, but you WILL blister like the sun if you wear cotton socks.  

Hunt the wind, hunt the wind, hunt the wind.  Enough said.  But also hunt where the elk are...

Surveyor's tape.  I have begin using the small roll of TP in my backpack.  Still highly visable, but it degrades much faster.  I do still have some tape in case it is raining or snowing (last year was the first year in 10 that it didn't rain or snow on me the whole hunt).  

Finally, read David Petersen's (or check out this "guttless" video:   http://elk101.com/webisodes/gutless-video/  ... if that into doesn't get you excited, time to pick up knitting...) articles on how to dress an elk without gutting it.  Much worth your time!  

You can never learn too much.  Do your homework!  Enjoy every minute of it!

Just wanted to add one nice resource I found for remote scouting. Traildamage.com is an 4x4 site that has a lot of reports on 4x4 trails in various states out west and they have some good reports on conditions of roads and difficulty rating and sometimes lots of pictures of the area.  This can be very useful info if going into a new area that you will be accessing using a 4x4 trail.

I was just thinking about elk hunting. This is a great thread.

Autumn archer,  You had mentioned you carry your sidearm when elk hunting.  What caliber?  I carry a .38 revolver here but I know that is not near enough gun for protection from grizzlies or brown bears.  What bears are present in CO?  Is there a minimum caliber you would recommend.  I've only killed one bear and that was with a two blade magnus out of a Bob Lee bow; but he wasn't charging me either.

QuoteOriginally posted by Talondale:
Just wanted to add one nice resource I found for remote scouting. Traildamage.com is an 4x4 site that has a lot of reports on 4x4 trails in various states out west and they have some good reports on conditions of roads and difficulty rating and sometimes lots of pictures of the area.  This can be very useful info if going into a new area that you will be accessing using a 4x4 trail.

Best thing about that would be to find an area that hasn't been roaded.

Supposedly there are no grizzly bears in CO, I'm bringing a 44 mag regardless.  Just would like something lighter than a Ruger.

I'm thinking of getting a Taurus Tracker for the trip.  Super light and comes with 4" ported barrel.  Anybody with any experience with this gun.

Just got a used 44 Tracker gun shoots great only draw back is , I guess to save weight it will only hold 5 rounds.And you cant shoot the super hot heavy rounds such as the famous Garret hard cast rounds cause the cylinder is shorter than a standard 44mag.You can still get some good rounds for it just watch the overall cartridge length , with that said if you cant get it done with 5 good 44mag rounds your in a bad spot.Im still in the air as witch to carry my 10mm Glock 20 or the new Tracker the Glock has the #s going for it but I love a good wheel gun also.Hope they never come out of our holsters but in todays world it aint just bears and wolves we have to worrie about.
Anyway love everyones posts been getting all my gear in order for my 45 day hunt in Idaho.Thanks for all the info guys its a big help seeing how the rest of the world does things great stuff here.I will be after Elk , deer , wolf , got my 2 bears in the spring so cant hunt them anymore so Im sure a hudge one is going to come by at 5 or 6 yards.Cant wait I leave out on the Aug 24th and dont come back til Oct 2nd the days are getting slower and slower.Im sure my trip has already improved with all the help and ideas from this so Thanks guys,,,,,,Sam,,,,,,,,

Sam, can you point me to a better short barreled light 44?

BTW, thanks for the great comments from all of ya'll.  I leave the 8th , but this post has made me pack my pack just to feel the weight on my back and close my eyes and dream that I am already there. LOL

I carry my .45 ACP with FMJ rounds. Same gun I carry most of the time for personal protection, I just carry FMJ while hunting instead of JHP's.

Im not bear or cat paranoid, but ya never know. I carry most of the time anyway, so its no big deal. I have a Balckhawk Serpa holster with a great platform that clips into the MOLLE webbing on the waistbelt of my pack. I just ordered a quick release, so I can remove the holster from the waistband and snap into one on my belt- thought here is if Im cutting up an elk in the dark, my gun us useless if its on my pack 20' away. I can clip it on my belt so if I need to scare off a curious bear its still on me.

Couple years ago I had a really cool encounter with 2 yearly bears. We had bumped into them going in to set up on some ponds one afternoon.
THey ran off, but returned a while later.  I was leaning against a cluster of aspens, and they were about 10' from drinking from a puddle in the trail.
One spotted my daypack, which was right in front of my feet, and came over to investigate. I could have scratched his ears! He sniffed at it, and I shook my bow at him. He jumped back, looked at my pack again (power bars inside it) and gave it another sniff. I calmly told him to leave it alone. He didnt like the tree talking to him, and he and his brother wandered towards my partner, who was 40 yds behind me, laying doen along side a deadfall calling.

A few minutes later I heard the cub let out a howl, and bust outta there. When they wandered over to Jim, he saw jims boot sticking up on the log. He came over and sniffed it, then he licked it. Jim said he knew what was next, so he kickrd the little runt in the nose and sent him packing. LOL. Very cool experience. I didnt have my sidearm with me, nor my camera. I wasnt so much worried about the yearlings, but not knowing where mama was was a little unsettling.
THat was probably the coolest thing Ive ever experienced while hunting. How many people get a chance to be that close to a bear? Both of them were beautiful chocolate phase blackies.

this is a great read please continue.

Autumn archer,
Great story, what an experience!!  Good thing the sow wasn't around.  That'll be a story to tell the grandkids someday!

Autumnarcher,I remember you mentioned in your list 2 head lamps.I just wanted to touch on that.If you plan on moving before and after daylight and process meat after dark,that light means everything.I like to have two lights,both identical,where I can switch parts if I need to.You should at least have everything you need to repair one.Right now I'm using a Black Diamond LED head light.

Back in the '70's I was living in the city and left home after work the day before opening day.I had a 5 hr drive and a several hour hike in the dark and expected get to my camp site after midnight.

In those days,a favorite flashlight of backpackers
was called a Mallory.It held 2 AA batteries and you had to undo a screw in the side and the light came apart in 2 halves,in order to change batteries.On the side of the mountain,one mile from my intended camp,the batteries gave out.No problem,I had spare bulbs and batteries,only one light.It was no problem to find the batteries or get the light apart in the dark.My pack was organized and I was very familiar with that little light.

When I opened the light,I heard a "plink" sound and new instantly what that meant.One of the little metal contacts had popped out of the light and being mid-October,the ground was covered with a 6" layer of fresh fallen leaves and there I stood on the side of the mountain,in the dark.

I was in my mid 20's and had better night vision than I had sense and was determined to to get to camp.Tomorrow was opening day! I knew the country well and was on a hiking trail but the trail was covered with leaves like everywhere else and I just couldn't make it out most of the time.I couldn't use my compass and I couldn't see the occasional blazes on trees.I did eventually get to my camp site but it took twice as long as it should have and it really wasn't a fun experience.

I'm not sure why I even made that effort as I was to worked up over that light to hunt and at daybreak,had to get back down there and find that tiny piece of metal.I new the exact spot and it still took me one hour on hands and knees,removing one leaf at a time like a CSI detective till I held that little jewell in my hand.

I had taken for granted how important that light was to a 10 day trip where I needed to get into and out of my hunting spot and also cook, in the dark.I'm 61 now and haven't made one of those trips since without 2 identical lights.

Get a good light and take care of it.

I dont have 2 identical lights, but I, as well as my son both have spare headlamps, as well as a good LED  flashlight. I know some of the go light at all costs guys poo-poo the idea of such redundancy, but thats one area you really need to be in my opinion. The flashlight can stay inthe pack, but its always there for a backup. One problem with the backup headlamp is the switch design tends to turn itself on inside my pack. I just flipthe batteries around backwards until I need it so I dont pull it out to find it dead.  

The nice thing about the new LED lights is they are crazy bright, small, and batteries last forever. No parts to lose either.

Keeping your gear organized is important. Knowing what you need is always in the same place keepsthings from getting misplaced, or lost. We have small bags in our packs, each a different "kit". Kill kit containing what we need for field care of game, personals kit with toiletry items etc, survival kit with provisions for fire, water purification,first aid, and signaling. Inside at the top of my pack is aremoveable pouch for smaller items- headlamp,spoon/fork, fire kit, batteries etc. Everything in its place.

I agree with Jim, the Black Diamond head lamps are great - brightest I have used.  I carry two head lamps as well as a MagLite with an LED bulb so it lasts just short of forever.  Extra batteries for everything.

Just going through my stuff today.  One thing I never leave camp without is a package of Moleskin.  It will save your feet if you develop a hot spot mid day and you're 3-4 miles from camp.  I've had a moleskin patch stay on for over a week - good stuff.  You can get it at the drug store.

Also, I almost always have a paperback book in my pack for those days when you are just waiting for the thermals to change or are on stand an hour early.

awbowman prob the best lightest 44mag is a Smith 629 mountain gun best used price I have found is about $650. The days are going slower and slower , but it will get here before I know it.Anyone got any new info so I can go spend more money before I leave out for ELK,,,,,,Sam,,,,,,

Going next year. Finally!

Are you speechless Pete??  :p

This is a great thread. I need a new job that allows me some time off.

Speechless?  ME?  That doesn't happen very often.  I can't figure out how I could double post 2 1/2 hours apart - deleted out what I could.

I need to go shoot some arrows.

A few thoughts on prepardness for an extended trip into the back country. First off, being fmiliar with your gear, knowing how it works, being able to find multiple uses for nearly every item in your pack will help you save weight, bulk and energy.

I teach an outdoors prepardness class at a youth hunter safrty camp every year. I only have an hour block to cover the raw basics. SO I key in on those priorities that will keep you from getting yourself in trouble should you become lost. The biggest 2 things are shelter and fire starting.

How many of you here, who practice with your bows, scout, prepare for the hunt, but never spend one minute practicing some basic survival skills??? Seems kind of dumb if you ask me.

I carry a small fire kit in my pack, with several options to get a fire going. First obviously is a lighter, which i rarely use. I actually prefer my flint striker and knife. Works when wet, doesnt run out of fuel, pretty reliable- if you knwo how to use it. Im always stuffing tufts of fuzz and different stuff for tinder in my pockets while walking in the woods.
A bit of fuzzy dried bark layers, a piece of birch bark, a chunk of bird nest, a ball of pine pitch, whatever i run across.

Hypothermia will kill you far faster than being thirsty, hungry or injured. Knowing how to get a fire started in less than ideal conditions, and make a makeshift shelter can be the difference in just spending a cold night in the wild, or being found dead.

My primary fireset is simple, a cotton ball smeared with vaseline, and my striker kit. Add a piece of pine pitch, or birch bark, a couple handfuls of very small dry twigs and you're good to go.

A little trick I learned, instead of sriking towards the tinder with your knife, hold the knife still and pull back on the flint stick. This will keep you from knocking your pile of tinder and kindling all over. It will still direct your spark forward, without knocking it all over the place.

Lighters are fine, till they get wet. Rain, snow sweat dripping on the end of it and its useless.
Matches are great, but if its windy, they blow out too easily.

None of us expect to end up in a situation we would call a survival situation. But its easy to have happen. Getting lost and not making it back to camp, gettinginjured, or simply finding yourself a lot further than you planned due to a long blood trail or  lengthy field dressing job.
A rapid change in weather can do it too. Under dressed, no rain gear etc can find you dangerously chilled long beforeyou make it back to camp. Learn the signs of hypothermia. Stop if youmust, and build a fire BEFORE it robs you of your fine motor skills, less you wait too long and are physically no longer able to start a fire.

You don't have to be in a remote wilderness to get into trouble. take the time to practice those skills beforehand. Learn how to, and build a debris shelter. As  you travel through the bac country, take note of things in your area you could use for shelter.

A couple things you should always keep in your pocket is a small fire kit( is use an empty Altoids tin), a good knife, and a whistle. Yelling for help is useless after a few minutes, and your voice won't carry too far anyway.A whistle can go forever, and can be heard a loong way off.

The reason I carry those basics in my pocketis simple- what if I lose my pack? It happens. A couple of bugles down in a drainage. You drop your pack, grab your quiver and dive in after them. They lead you on a little further, and a little further, until they give you the slip a sthe sun starts dropping below the ridgeline.
Now-where was it I left my pack? You get the idea.

Have a plan in your mind before problems arise. If they do,dont panic,sit down, think, observe your surroundings and situation, and plan. Shelter, and fire first. Water and lastly food can wait.

Hunt safe, and hunt smart. Enjoy every minute, and have confidence in yourself.

The suggestion of making sure you have essentials on your person rather than in your pack is a great one.  I once experienced exactly the situation you are talking about.  Left my pack behind while chasing a javelina in Texas.  My pack held my GPS, compass, flashlight, etc.  I had nothing at all with me other than my bow and arrows.  

Fotunately, I was in an area that wasn't all that large and the setting sun allowed me to follow a relatively straight course in the direction I thought I needed to go.  I eventually made my way to a road and from there back to the truck.  But it was a much longer walk than it needed to be, wasted an evening of hunting, and in different circumstances could have been extremely serious.  I won't make that mistake again.

Very good advice to always keep fire kit, compass, flashlight in your jacket or pants pocket(and in your pack). Also good to leave a note at camp of the general direction you are hunting if you going alone.

Great info here guys, thanks for sharing.

Great advice in this tread, keep it coming. JG

Strategy- Pre season scouting is impossible for me, so like most NR hunters, we have to find them sneaky buggers when we get out there.

I'll be in camp a couple days before the season, so we can do a little scouting and glassing.
First week- check oak brush on the north slopes if hot, to see if theyre in there eating acorns.
If not, then get up high, and glass and scout some north facing cooler benches, try to find some active wallows and feeding areas.

AS the weather cools, and the elk start moving a bit more, try to stay on any we have found, start doing a little calling as we still hunt benches etc. I bugle very sparingly, unless I find a bull I want to annoy, and try to get agitated enough to come in to fight. Otherwise, I just cow call a little here and there.

If we can locate a couple groups of elk, just prior to muzzleloader season we'll head in a little deeper, in hopes the ML guys will push them to us. hopefully be in a postion to cut them off.

Later season, I do more calling. By then it depends on pressure in the area, weather, and stages of the rut. Like I mentioned before, Im surely no expert, there are a lot of guys with far more experience than I. But Im flexible.
Im taking a treestand along, whether it ever comes out of the truck remains to be seen. I dont mind sitting a hot water hole in the evenings,or for a few hours mid-day.

If all else fails, I can take a day off here and there and catch some trout for the campfire.

In colorado, my buddy's flashlight died in the bush, on a dense mountainside 3 miles from a road. I happened to be able to radio him and directed him out as I thought I was relatively close to him, lucky for him I was right and just decided to try him.

I have run into both bears and a cougar at very close range. I kind of wish i had a sidearm to pack. No scares, but a little nerve wrenching knowing you're sharing the top of the food chain.

Read this today, and it makes a world of sense.

As a DIY elk hunter- YOU ARE YOUR OWN GUIDE- you client has paid good money for this hunt. Give him nothing but your best effort.

That is from an ebook my Jim Deeming called Do It Yourself Elk Hunting. Its a great info packed read.

I know its been a while since this was posted but I just got Mikes book too and while I was already one who fantisized a diy elk hunt, now I'm in a planning mode. I hope to start next year with a diy moose hunt [its closer]

Thanks to everyone who commented and contributed to this thread. Im down to 6 days and a wake up before months of planning and dreaming are set aside, and piling in the truck and getting  this adventure underway.

To say Im climbing the walls doesnt do it justice. The gear is packed,staged and ready. All that remains is a few very minor things,adding the last item to each of the food packs,picking up some batteries and a little more 550 cord.

Im blessed to have the means to be able to take such a long hunting trip, and to be able to finally realize the dream of doing such. God willing I can repeat it again next year, but for now Im happy to get this one underway.

Just a couple of side notes- the arrows I hunt with are fletched with turkey feathers given to me from many friends who are far better turkey hunters than I am. I carry a small arkansas stone for touching up broadheads that was my Dads, he used it to sharpen his woodworking tools and pocket knife. The extra couple oz it weighs is worth it. My pack is stuffed with quality gear- obtained through the advice and help from many.

But more special to me is the opportunity to have my son with me, to see the amazement in his eyes the first time he lays eye on the Rocky mountains, and to see the fire it will light in his soul flicker to life. He has no clue what he's in store for.

And if our dreaming, planning and preparation pays off, I can realize a dream I've had for many years- to sit by a small fire, cooking elk tenderloin on an arrow shaft skewer, along with a couple of trout, as the sun sets on the mountain range behind camp, sipping a couple fingers of good bourbon from my tin coffee cup.

But should the elk elude our ambitions, the thrill of the hunt, and the sweat of the chase are fine by me.

I wish all the TradGanger's venturing after the great wapiti good luck,and a safe hunt that refreshes your soul.

Bring on those mountain mornings!  I guarantee a good thread when we return, and hopefully a few updates while we're there if I can get a data signal for my iphone.

Lifes short-hunt hard, and remember those who blazed the trail before us.

Travel safe John, and enjoy every second.  As one who shares your passion I know exactly how you feel and know what you have in store.  You are truly living the dream!  

This thread has been a step by step guide that virtually anyone who has the desire can use to pursue their own dreams.  I'm willing to bet there will be more that a few people that will have been motivated by it to take that leap and JUST DO IT!!

this is one of the best threads I read yet.  While I may not be going on a elk hunt, I am planning a camping/hunting trip opening week of whitetail season here on public land....The only thing that could make this thread better would be game pics.

Not far behind you I leave out on Aug 23rd from Texas pointing the truck to Idaho , and dont come back til Oct 2nd.All this has helped me with new ideas for my trip ( Thanks everyone ) will also try keeping everyone informed as the hunt goes on , I will backpack in a week then out to hunt private ground a week then back in a week then out a week on my friends place again a week then home for the whitetail opener for a week then back to the firehouse.These days are going so so slow. Good luck to all and be SAFE ,,,,,,,Sam,,,,,,,,,

Last years Idaho Bull ( my first ) ,,,,,,Sam,,,,,,,
(http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/samstephens71/elkhuntstuffforsale133.jpg)
(http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/samstephens71/elkhuntstuffforsale142.jpg)

thats what I'm talking about

Whip, good luck to you this fall a well. We just might have to combine our efforts next year.
That tent I bought from you will be our base camp, Im looking forward to waking to the smell of the canvas, mized with the pines and quakies.

The hardest part to DIY elk hunting is the first step west.Glad i did it 30 years ago.

Nice bull Sam, I see your using the " twinke " tents lol.Thats the joke when we go to CO. Hard to beat that tent for the price.Heading out on the 24th for CO , getting antsy. Good luck JG

Still doing last minute prep work.  Re-seasoned skillet set for base camp, waterproofing boots (trying Nikwax, will let you know how that works) and chasing down little things I'm missing.  BTW, I bought 1,000' spool of 550 cord off *bay for a little more than a couple of short sections and just cut my own lengths, much cheaper in the long run.  

Hunt safe!

3 annual trips 10 years+ ago, 7-9day intense backpacking trips in..what I remember/learned:

Slow down to a super crawl almost stop speed when discovering fresh signs. Elk are around and amazingly hard to spot sometimes.

Bet some of you guys remember that 'chucking' thread on the LW way back then? Was working a bull in the area, late morn came, thermals changed so I bailed and rested all day nearby, moved in late that pm, and a few light cow calls with lots of chucking sticks, rocks, stomping, brought him -almost...- within range. Man that was close...

Never put your bow down too far out when hunting. Know how you'll get/draw an arrow. Thats all I'll say about that. I blew one, learned, and success the next time a quick opportunity arose.

Backpacking trips... prepare to lose weight, came back 15# less each year from pre-trip weight, and I thought I was already at a good weight.

Filtering water.. I'd do it very often, and keep my bags topped off and drank lots. Never got caught short. It was enjoyable stopping at tiny seeps to take a break and re-fill.

Well good luck to all, and safe travels and hunting!

I lucked out and had perfect weather for every trip, but I remember one year I went later than most, they got hit hard, lots of them had to bail. Bummer. (San Juan Mountains)

to good of a thread to let fall

Here's an example of why you never want to be separated from your pack without knowing EXACTLY where it is and how you will find it again, even if it's after sundown:    Lost in the Woods (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/janfeb04/lost.html)

This is one of the reasons I carry lightsticks. But then, I was always paranoid about leaving my pack, long before my former SAR colleagues in Minnesota had to go find this guy.

Great link to some good articles. It amazes me how many people venture into wild places without any thought of carrying at the very least a way to make a fire. Then if they do, many never practice the skills. Nothing short of a dam shame to read about someone dying for the sole reason they didnt carry $3.0o worth of prevention in thier pants pocket. I keep a whistle on a lanyard with a compass either around my neck or in a pocket all the time. Small fire kit too,regardless of where I hunt.

I've had guys laugh at me for it when hunting a fairly small and familiar tract of land. Bt hwat happens if you fall and get hurt?

As far as leaving my pack, I dont ever get too far from it.

It's time. Today is my last day of computers, phones, and the usual daily going's-on. Today we unstring our bows, and place them in their travelin socks. Gear gone over one final time. PAcks closed up, tents and all get carefully loaded into the truck. Maps at the ready, good supply of CD's to listen to, thermos for coffee sitting patiently by the coffee pot for morning. Truck is fueled, and at 0600 tommorrow morning, the road trip begins. Today I'll pop Primal Dremas in the DVD player, so I can watch the elk one more time.

A good dinner with the family, and hopefully early to bed, although I think sleep will come hard tonight.

A long drive across all that America has to offer, through the farms of the midwest, and the plains of Kansas and eastern Colorado. Through cities like Indianapolis, Kansas City, St Louis and Denver.  But the prize starts on the exit from Eisenhower Tunnel, whre the western slope of the Rockies begins.

Its time.

Brilliant thread, my friend. The beauty of it is that your thoughtfulness and attention to detail make this thread universal. It gets folks thinking and planning properly, even if their next big hunt isn't for elk. Great job, and good luck this season!

I leave in 2 days and this thread has been very helpful.  Thanks to all that contributed.