Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting AZ backpack elk 2017

Had a fun but short backpack adventure in Arizona's High country for elk last week. This time brother was able to join me to help with the downed bull should I get one. I had earlier cached 9 gallons of water up the mountain to last us a few days. Weather was clear and breezy as we headed up to the camp site.



The grass was looking good at our campsite among the elk.



Had camp set up with an hour to spare.



Prepped the next morning with anticipation as we had been treated to a lot of mewing during the night. Headed out for a nearby meadow where I had been seeing bulls during my summer scouting trips. Shortly thereafter I realized I left my camera in my tent. Oh well, historically that has been good luck...

Arrived at the target meadow with time to spare. As light increased I could see an elk grazing about 200 yards out. Watched it for a few more minutes as the increasing light confirmed it was a raghorn bull. I had pretty much decided I was after a meat bull this year so the decision was not difficult. Using a downed tree as a field rest a single shot dumped the bull. Broke the bull down using the gutless method and hung it in a nearby fir.



3 trips down to the truck and we were done. Climbed in the dark back up to camp for the last night of our hunt.

Gotta love fresh elk steaks in the freezer!

good deal, congrats on fresh elk steaks

Nice story and pics, congrats and thanks for posting.

Perfect! Nice job.

Congrats!! Looks like some neat country!

Sounds like my hunt last year. I am usually the guy who has to wait till the final hour of the season to tag out! Good deal on a plump bull!

Well that will work Mike -

Nothing to it, ehh? grin....

Thanks for the kind words guys. Looking forward to my backpack Coues hunt in a few weeks. They are easier to pack!

MikeS:

Congratulations. Thanks for sharing.

KC

If you would, tell us about your pack and how the rifle carries on it and your camping gear.

Thanks!

Sure, the pack is a Mystery Ranch 6500 with the adjustable lumbar pad that OV Innovations sells. They seem to have fallen out of favor lately as they are heavy, but it fits me and carries loads well. It has proven durable in the brush thickets in southern Arizona. I also have their smaller Longbow bag I use sometimes. I set the butt of the rifle in the side pouch of the pack and wrap one of the compression straps around the fore end for the pack in and out. I wrap some cloth camo tape around the fore end to help protect the stock. The pack compresses down pretty well to carry during the hunt.

The tent is a Hilleberg Atko which is great if the ground lets you stake it out securely. It is not freestanding. I use a Marmot down bag paired with an Xped UL7 inflatable pad.

A Primos Eta stove,pot,pan combo has worked great for me. Also couple of nylon stuff sacks for hanging food and packing meat. There are usually bears nearby in my spots. Planning to get a couple more stuff sacks and ditch the pillow cases as they are a little lighter.

My brother just purchased a Big Agnes (Copper Spur?) tent which he likes so far.

Thanks Mike, I appreciate the info. Congrats again.

Well Done..Congratulations! I'm assuming that was in 7E?

Thanks, 7E is correct.

Water caching -- it's an AZ thing!

Sweet!

That will work! Good deal.