It is 92 days before Ileave on my first archery elk hunt. My confidence is alot better than last fall when I started on this endeavor. Thanks to you guys.
My questions are ....
Do you very your shooting practice as it gets closer ? I try to shoot early in the a.m. for a bit and then a session in the evening ? I try to shoot one arrow and then do something rather than shoot a quiver full. I am guessing an elk won't stand there and let me walk it in.
Do you guys take a target with you to practice with ? on the drive out or once in camp ?
I am set on either a 225 gr BH and 50 gr insert or 175 gr BH and 100 gr insert. I have read that equal tip weight with the smaller head, I should have better penetration ?
Thanks guys.
to be continued I'm sure....
I just try to shoot whenever I can and I soley stump shoot. I will shoot at targets for form or tuning but after that I just walk/hike around and shoot. Once at camp always carry a judo/blunt and you will be amazed how much you can shoot in a day of hiking the hills. This will also allow to get use to shooting/distances/terrain in the area your hutning. When stumping I usually shoot just one arrow.
I bring a designated practice head with me to shoot at a target in camp. Gets the confidence up with the broad head since most of my shooting is with a field point.
for what it's worth, i went to colorado last year and it was a blast but i lost out on the first three days of my hunt due to altitude sickness ( started on horses at 8000' and ended at 10500" ) it was 94 degrees and i thought my head was going to pop off!
so don't forget to train for the altitude. lots of cardio and lots of hydration. do stairs or hike whatever steep areas you have in the local area.
unfortunately you can't really recreate a high altitude situation but trust me do what you can!
otherwise have a great time and enjoy the trip. elk hunting is an awsome trip1
Thank you. I went with a rifle two years ago and it snowed two feete and was below zero. I am guessing we will be warmer than that. I have been doing cardio and trying to not eat like an idiot.
Find a good hill in the woods, run/hammer up it until you are sucking major air, then shoot into a 4 inch circle at 20 yards or so.
You can learn a lot that way about real conditions in the West. The idea is you will be shakey at the shot. Easy to get shakey coming form lower elvations and chasing elk up high.
You will learn to adjust for that body condition and still make a good shot.
Joshua
I ahve heard that you can sort of train for altitude by wearing a snorkel while hiking up hills because it will restict air. Does it work ? not sure but saw it on show when they were training, give it a try.
just stumps, ant hills squirrels and grouse for me. As far as penetration, you'll be better off with with either head, cause neither will give any more then marginal gains over the other, just shoot the one that gives you confidence. If they are the same style of head, don't fret over it. Just make a good solid shot.
though yes, in theory, a narrower head, given all else equal, will penetrate deeper, having less friction. Elk are only a couple feet wide though, so the argument, IMO is largely moot.
enjoy the pursuit!
target in camp and judo on for stumping, and if im in a backpack scenerio, then its just the judo but i take a lot of practice shots.besides good practice, makes the walk out of the woods a bit more fun on the days i dont hunt all day.
I make it a goal to shoot at least 5 practice arrows everyday while hunting. Often it's a lot more but 5 is my minimum. And I usually shoot ant hills, rotten stumps, dirt clods, green plants and sometimes rocks which look like dirt clods. I use 145 grain braodheads, period. You might think about getting a different shaft if you need to load it up like that. I say shoot when you can, but don't believe extended sessions is helpful- about 25 arrows is good for me. Have fun and enjoy this- you only get so many elk hunts and to obcess about what time of the day to practice or whether to use this or that just doesn't sound like a good time. And if you want a good time, read the posts again about altitude sickness and not being in shape 'cuz they will really take the fun out of things.
I have been fortunate enough to never be affected by altitude sickness. I was stationed in Colorado in the military. I jabs worked and hunted in the western states a few times also. I try to stay in shape, j am in the gym five days a week, lifting and cardio. This hunt is already a success for me. I cancelled a hunt last year because two years ago my wife was diagnosed with one of the female type cancers. She is cancer free now and accompanying me on this upcoming hunt. The outfitter is letting her come free of charge. I am spending a week in the mountains with my wife, the elk will be a bonus. Thanks Guys
My favorite tip for high altitude training came from an archery forum and I really wish I could take credit for it but I can't. It goes something like this. Take your wife's grocery list and put on your backpack and jog to the grocery store. Buy everything on the list and place in your pack. Then stop back through produce section before you leave the store and get an extra one of those clear plastic bags you put fruit in, place it over your head and secure it tightly around your neck and run home with your pack on, hope this helps!
About the only way I know to truly train for altitude is to tie a plastic bag over your head and run around the block. :eek:
-just kidding.
Practice shooting uphill & downhill when you're winded.
I am from Texas and live at a whopping 650' above sea level. I. Started elk hunting several years ago. Shoot all. You can but focus on being in shape. It takes a ton of work to get to elk. Focus on legs and lungs. I found riding a bike works well for that. But riding around the block won't do it. Ride 20-30 miles at least 4 days a week. And every couple of weeks try to do a 50-70 ride. That will help. Also if you havent worn a pack start wearing one adding weight each week. Don't show up to your hunt with the tags still on your pack. I have yet to take a shot at an elk but a darn sure walked my legs off on every hunt.A
There is no tired like elk tired. I live at elevation and still work out hard to get in shape. Do no underestimate the butt kicking you will get chasing wapiti.
Regarding shooting. If its a car camp you can bring a target... but we pack in. I bring two Judo headed arrows of the same weight and we shoot stump sessions several times throughout each day.
Jeff