You are going to love it. Last year we did a DIY back country elk hunt in Colorado. We are going back again this year. Next year I am doing it alone. I am hooked.

We went in 10 miles and stayed for 11 days. If you are going to do a back country hunt I would recommend arranging a packer to get the elk out on horseback. Where we were it would have taken 3 or 4 days to pack out the elk.

Good luck and have a bunch of fun!

This will also be my 1st year so I am excited with you, good luck and enjoy the mountains.

Congratulations!  I know your patience and persistance will be rewarded in many ways.  Good Luck and share the story when you get back.

Sticks2117 - I was really surprised at how I got along with the altitude.  We were hunting at about 9,300 ft. and we are flatlanders from the midwest.  Both Jay and I did a lot of bicycling and Jay is a triathlete.

We drove through the night, hopped out of the truck, shouldered our packs and away we went.  We packed in about five miles.  Without the cardiovascular workouts with biking, it might have been another story.  My 65 year old body held up much better than I would have imagined.  What fun!    

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

Congrats on the upcoming trip! You WILL love it! Get in the best shape you reasonably can and don't push it the first couple of days. Get acclimated and you will do fine (and lose some weight too).

There are no words to describe a DIY backcountry elk hunt. My son is joining me this year for a 2 week wilderness hunt. He's 34 and I'm 58... can't wait!

Good luck and enjoy!

Sounds like a lot of fun! Make sure to take lots of pics for us unlucky ones left behind! LOL!

Good luck! Have fun and enjoy your trip.

It is something you will never get out of your head , I love hunting anything and everything. But once you hunt in the mountains with all your gear on your back it is all over. I count the days every year , good luck on your hunt sir....
,,,,Sam,,,,,

It's something I tell any young hunter who loves to hunt. "You should go to the mountains and hunt elk while you are still young..it could be a life changing experience."

I know if I had gone when I was younger I would be living somewhere in elk country now.

There's nothing in the world like bugling elk! Been 5 times, going again in Sep. will be 66 in Dec.

Enjoy, I've been 5 times and am going again in September. My favorite time of the year.

Make sure your boots are well fitting and broken in. Relax and take it all in, your time out there will be far to short. Good luck

Down to 4 days I am stoked I wont believe it until I cross in to Colorado Saturday morning

I'll be crossing into CO Friday afternoon ahead of you!  Good luck!

My 1st archery Elk hunt also. Will be going to South Central Wyoming. I waited until 46 to go. Wish I had done it sooner.

I'm in good shape now. I've lost 20lbs since I retired from corrections 3 years ago. I'm 170 and change now. On my recent scouting trip I was sure glad I had shed some pounds! You can't trim enough off of your tootbrush, maps etc... to make up for losing a few pounds before you go.

Learned that I had way too much in my pack also.

Good luck to you and everyone else headed to the elk woodss this year!

Have a safe trip and don't forget the stories and pics so the rest of us can join in with you!