Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Preparing for elk camp.. any quirks??

I have been gathering items for my upcoming elk hunt and am trying to prepare myself (physically) for the hunt. This led me to think about the different mindset I will be in, and must be in, while on a wilderness elk hunt.
This brings me to the question... Do any of you or your hunting buds do anything quirky or just plain different while in elk camp or when preparing for it.

I will start.. I am planning on shaving my head just prior to the hunt. I don't want to have to worry about where a hair brush is while hunting - let alone washing my hair.

Any of you guys do anything similar to get you prepared?
also, any tips for making backcountry hunts more convenient??

Carry wet wipes for TP.

Don't forget to shave your crack, while you got the razor out. It saves on dingleberry pickin', if you run outta paper...... Ask violator22 about the process........ Don

A saw blade long enough that you don't bust your knuckles on antlers with every stroke...

LOL!

Shaving my head would not be at the top of my list though I have been know not to shave my face during and elk hunt.
I'd be more incline to start hiking a mile or 2 every day in the boots your planing to hunt in or if it's a horse back hunt I'd get some time in a sadle be for I went.
Also GrizzlyBear gave some good advise!

+1

Straight razor, or electric?

If you are hunting in high country, you can not be in too good shape. I'd start a walking regimen with a pack containing 25 pounds of weight and work up to 50 pounds while maintaining a fast walk. You'll be amazed at how fast and strong elk can run up a mountainside.

Where are you going to hunt? What altitude??

I've hunted elk since 1974, in four western states and have never bothered worrying about my hair. Just run your fingers through it, put on your hat/cap and go bust an elk.

As others said, get in shape! Hunting the Rocky Mountains is not easy. You'll enjoy your hunt, and have more chance at success if you are in good physical condition.

Make sure to drink lots of water. The last thing you need is altitude sickness. Not only can it destroy your hunt, it is very dangerous. (Ask me how I know.)

Good luck.

L.W.

If you're going in on horses, don't wear wool pants unless you're also wearing long johns. Wool pants chafe like crazy in the saddle.

Dick

Here's one of the best folding saws I've seen. It's made by Stanley for cutting wood, etc. IT USES STANDARD RECIPROCATING SAW BLADES so you can chose what blade to use. They come in all sizes and styles.

Dick

I was just shaving my head for speed, ease and convenience. I keep it pretty short anyways but as a banker, I try to keep enough to cover the scalp. i was also thinking about shaving under my arms. I have a couple of Undrarmour style "wicking shirts" that I wear hen working out. Man do they wick, alright. they wick the stench right from my skin to the shirt and it stays there. I have also noticed that the unscented deodorant seems to "cake" on hair more and doesn't seem to offer the same "protection".

as for working out: I have been on a basic routine for about 6 months. I really ramped up the walking and cardio over the last month. I fugured starting too early would lead to burnout.
I have been walking outdoors, in the gym and even have done a few day hikes with a full pack. Did about 6 miles with a full pack just Saturday.
My hunt this year is in Idaho. I think the higher elevations are to be about 7000ft. A few years back, I hunted in Colorado. We camped at 10,000ft and hunted from there. That was really rough on a flatlander.
I am preparing better this time but also realize I am a few years older. Maybe the shaved head will make me more aerodynamic..

I'm changing one thing this year, I'm not going to burn myself out setting up camp and doing the chores.
Last year by the evening before the opening I was just about done in from setting up, cutting wood, ect.
I'll haull the gear out and it can set on the trailer until the kids show up to do the work

This is the shaving I mentioned......I got a kick outta it. Don
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...2&topic=0&Search=true#Post758691

pondjumpr,

I used to have my head saved alot and my brother is bald, so I'll tell you one little hint. The sun you get at altitude can give you one hell of a painful sunburn at anytime of the year and on any level of tan. And your head is not the best place to get burned either, it hurts for a couple of days and then is extremely itchy for about a week.

After reading about these good deal saws last year I went out and bought 2 of them to take to elk camp. We bent 3 blades and I am not so spiffy on them myself.

Just my 2 cents

Dober

You shoulda got the demolition blades. Then you'd be spiffed. They don't bend. Don

Recip blades are made to cut on the PULL stroke. If you try to push them, they'll bend every time. If they work in a recip saw cutting hard wood, they'll sure as heck take the antlers off of an elk.

Dick

+2

Plus buy a big cot and a big, sleazy, warm sleeping bag. Screw mummy bags and thermarests in elk camp!

-jeff