looks like I will be going it alone this year. Plans are to bivy hunt out from truck. this will be new for me never hunted out west alone
That's the best way to be unless you get one. :thumbsup:
The first time in the backcountry alone is a mental challenge more than anything else. The more you do it, the more comfortable you'll feel and the more confident you'll hunt. I personally prefer hunting alone...lets me go where I want when I like. That way any decisions good or bad are on me. Where are you headed?
nothing wrong with solo elk hunting. hope ya have a great trip.
quote:
Originally posted by Duckbutt:
That's the best way to be unless you get one. :bigsmyl:
Jt you should read Backcountry Bowhunting by Cameron Hanes. It's one of the best and informational books I have ever read regarding solo hunting out west. The man is crazy..
If you are young, have a good pack board, and don't go in too far, you'll be fine.
where are you hunting exactly?
That a great book , to read has ton of info !
Backcountry bowhunting is a great read. Really helped me prep for my first solo trip to AK.
If someone is done with the book i would love to read it. Elk hunting is a dream of mine also.
Good luck with your planing. Do not delay.
Do all your homework and conditioning and have a great adventure!
:archer2: :archer2:
I love hunting alone. Peace and solitude. The ability to change up your hunt plan anytime you want. No one around to see your blown stalks. :biglaugh: Then again once you kill one the work really begins.
I don't know how old you are, but I would say go for it. I'm going to be 60, went last year for the first time with a friend and it was great. That being said I would go alone, the biggest draw back would be the cost for gas to get there. Going with someone is great but solo has its good points also. Best of luck on your adventure!! :thumbsup: :campfire:
Just looked at your profile....I see your 10 years younger than me.....go for it!! :thumbsup:
I've gone solo...always love looking back at my car as I'm heading in and thinking "see you in about a week" and its actually just as good a feeling seeing your car at the end...an all around great experience if you can hack it
Virtually all of my elk hunting for the past several years has been a solo endeavor. I am so alone that even the elk don't show up for most of my hunts! But, I enjoy some solo time in the mountains. It is a great way to cleanse the soul.
I've always wanted to do that..but wouldn't mind to have a buddy to share a campfire and story's with at the end of the day. One of these day's. if I'm fortunate enough...I hope to fulfill that dream. Lord willing!!
Jason
QuoteOriginally posted by jtwalsh62:
looks like I will be going it alone this year. Plans are to bivy hunt out from truck. this will be new for me never hunted out west alone
I did the same exact thing a few years ago. It was my first elk hunt, and my first solo wilderness hunt. The mental challenge is the hardest part and is not something everyone can or should do.
Do a few solo overnighters locally so you know you're abilities.
Good luck.
what state are you going? Elk hunting, Nothing like it. The only bad thing about opening day for elk is it is another yr until the next opening day!!
yup that is how I hunt Elk. solo. My long bow and my game cart are my best friends. (that is, during elk season)
I end up doing most of my hunting alone. I try to get people to come with me but with everyone's busy lives it's just hard to do. Like said above it can be a mental game big time but it can be the most rewarding too. Just be prepared and you will do fine. I'm sure I will be all alone again this year too. Good luck!
Well I have hunt elk 5 years now (no Luck ,man those things are lucky) last year we pack in 5 miles and hunted (Colorado) I am really pumped up ,just never share camp with me.
I've been hunting solo for a very very long time. It has its bad points, like when the elks on the ground, but after you get it out and look back it turns out to be a good thing. Huntin alone means you can go at your pace, hunt your style and you have no one to answer to. You will second guess yourself, you will get discouraged sometimes, sometimes you'll feel like giving up and going home. Its as mentally tough as it is physically tough but I would have it no other way. I hope to be doing it until the day I die. Matter of fact, I can think of no better way to go than on an elk hunt with stick and string.
It is tough. I don't mean to disagree with anyone, but consider the temperatures and how deep you go in alone. It would be a shame to take an animal and then loose meat because of warm temps and long hauls that you just cannot physically make.
Also... be safe.
Good luck!
I should have added "cannot physically make IN TIME TO SAVE THE MEAT".
Sorry.
Solo isn't for everyone, but I really like the solitude.
I'm sure you will love it.
QuoteOriginally posted by fnshtr:
...consider the temperatures and how deep you go in alone. It would be a shame to take an animal and then loose meat because of warm temps and long hauls that you just cannot physically make...
I agree. If you are fit its easy to get back far enough that even being in shape you cannot get an animal out fast enough, even working around the clock. A lot of trips alone and only superman can do that without rest and fuel for the body.
J-
I like hunting alone. There are some inherant risks but some times there are no opptions. I am not going to stay home because I do not have any one to go with. You just have to be prepared. You also have to know the risks and understand the possibilities. I am lucky I have a 1000 pound 4 legged buddy who does not mind packing out elk ;) . He can also go hunting at the drop of a hat :goldtooth:
I've elk hunted along and with a large camp. I enjoyed them both ways. The last few years its been just my cousin and I, and I still go where I want, and hunt the way I want. But its nice to have a option if you would like to hunt a draw or area along or with your hunting partner. It's also nice to use the buddie system by putting the caller a few yards behing the shooter. But when it comes right down to it, I just enjoy been in the woods doing what I love.
Hunting ELK solo is my second favorite way to hunt, if any of my children cannot come with me....
Having said that, a plan for MEAT RECOVERY is essential, if you are going to be a ways from the nearest road and the weather will be warm.
Knowledge of how to skin and bone a lot of meat is essential. I definitely prefer the gutless method, always carry game bags, and I can take out the first load with my Eberlestock X2 - used to use the plastic frame that came with the Schuh or Camptrails packs, but found a better option after 2 frame failures....
Enjoy the journey!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
There is a certain satisfaction doing a solo backpack hunt- sort of a test your metal thing.
It can get a bit boring during the mid day down time but then there is always a nap.
31 years ago I killed my first bull, made a nice four-yard shot on a North Idaho 6x6. Since then I've killed a couple dozen with arrows, mostly bulls.
That first bull is the only one that was called in for me, and my dad did the calling. All the rest I killed on my own.
You can call me crazy, but to me it's much easier to kill a bull on your own. With two guys you have twice the sound, twice the scent, and twice the mistakes.
One on one-----mucho higher success.
It really doesn't matter how hard you train, and you DO HAVE TO TRAIN HARD, but no matter what, the mountains will kick your butt for a few days.
Then, you get strong, your lungs get a bit bigger, and the whole wide world of elk opens up for you.
Just under seven months and counting. . .