At this point if you want to hunt the mountains you must be at good point on your fitness program,otherwise it is better to save money and stay home.!!!

Amen to that sir.

For me though, it wasn't the mountains ........ it was the elevation that wore this flatlander out.  

I was in fairly good shape for my age but I just couldn't overcome the lack of air at 11,000'.  I don't think any amount of exercise would have helped me beat those mountains.    

One day I'll be back though, just at lower elevations.

I sure wished the 4 monster bulls I was watching Monday night would stay where they were. They would be so much easier to haul out. But before the seasons starts they will drop of the big easy meadows close to the roads and go down into what I call the "hell hole". Stay in shape!

QuoteOriginally posted by twitchstick:
I sure wished the 4 monster bulls I was watching Monday night would stay where they were. They would be so much easier to haul out. But before the seasons starts they will drop of the big easy meadows close to the roads and go down into what I call the "hell hole". Stay in shape!

Elk seem to be illiterate, and refuse to read the script, at least in my experience. I know where a bunch of them are hanging out now, but come September, they may all be in Colorado. But, like the old trooper that I am, I will keep on after them, against the odds.

It doesn't matter much what kind of shape you're in.  Unless you live at the elevation, you will be affected by it.  I think its a good thing.  It slows you down during the hunt.  Cant wait for my hunt this fall in Unit 54 in CO.

Go a little earlier, go a little slower, and you will get there when you need to.
MAP

I've had a few easy hunts for elk and then a few that would challenge anybody.  It's not so much the hunting but what happens after you kill.  Packing out a big bull can be brutal.  The worst was a bull I killed on top of a big mesa.  Packing it down a steep slope was scary.  If my leg muscles weren't in shape I would have blown out a knee for sure.  I am all for being in shape when it comes to elk.

Good luck to all the elk hunters. Always enjoy reading the adventures that follow.

 

Hi buddy I'm working on it a little behind but should be ready for it by Sep.   Widow

Just got hit with kidney stones!!!! Bad timing. But in 2012 I had surgery to remove two large ones (through the back) on August 6th and was up on the mountain in CO by the end of the same month.

This is wreaking havoc on my "training"... but I'll go anyway.

Good luck all!

Wayne Bad timing Buddy I wish you the best and I will see you up there for sure be in touch.    Widow

There is no doubt being in top shape gives you edge but if you stay home just cause you aren't in top shape you're loosing out on good times. Can't kill em sittin on the couch. Lots of elk down low.

Todd

QuoteOriginally posted by just_a_hunter:
There is no doubt being in top shape gives you edge but if you stay home just cause you aren't in top shape you're loosing out on good times. Can't kill em sittin on the couch. Lots of elk down low.

Todd

Well said Todd

QuoteOriginally posted by just_a_hunter:
.... Lots of elk down low.

That is right. I put a buddy on a wallow I found @ 6500' (that is low in my area) and he shot a nice bull that scored 352.
I had decided it was "too ;low" for big bulls.

My only consolation?

I was not in cell phone range and couldn't help him pack it out. Ha Ha!

Joshua

I have to agree with a few that say "I don't think it matters how good of shape your in."  I worked my tail off before last year and while I'm sure it helped, that first walk in to camp I thought I was going to die.  By the third day I was good to go and I'm somewhat of a youngster at 34.