Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting I've never been elk hunting.

And you only packed the head out.. Damn....

We had to eat him where he lay.





P

[bleep] yeah!.....

That was staged, you ain't even sweating.

Nope, but everyone that does also at one point didn't.

That's right. All you need is a good pack and good legs. Plan on hanging the balance of the meat in a tree while you're packing out the first load, and if you have to pack any distance, plan on boning out the meat in the field. A small plastic sheet or a couple of trash bags come in handy to lay the meat on while you're cutting.

There's nothing better than packing out meat!!!!

Yes, there is Smoke...Having someone else pack out the meat for you. Dad, used to love having me as his meat Uhaul. 😁😎

Yep I figured a few strong trash bags and maybe a drop cloth will be essential in the pack. My Amazon wish list looks...expensive ha.

I think what we are going to do is 2 of us go but only one of us buy an elk tag, and the other buy a deer tag. We'll take one rifle, and one sidearm. For the trek in, one person carry the rifle/ammo, the other has the tent and sidearm. Leaves us with equal space/weight remaining for carrying things each person will need, food, sleeping bag, etc. We'll be preparing for the weather the week before we leave to go out. I'm hoping 2nd rifle season will be somewhat mild. Highs in the 60's and lows in the 30's would be nice...but probably won't happen ha.

We are going to do our best to get there for opening morning, but still not sure if we'll both be able to miss that much work. Worst case we'll be hunting by the afternoon of the 2nd day, and be able to stay through the end. We are both just excited about camping, and elk or deer would be gravy.

Well, it comes down to personal preference. I'm getting to the age where one of these years I won't be able to pack out a heavy load. Not looking forward to that, it's all part of the experience. Nothing like a folding chair and a cold beer back at the truck at the end of a long day, once the meat's on ice.

Good attitude. It took me a bunch of seasons to figure it out and kill an elk. But looking back, those hunts were as memorable as the ones when we got one on the ground. I never tell anyone I'm going elk hunting, I tell them I'm going hiking in the mountains with a rifle.

I can understand wanting to save on non-resident tag costs the first time out, but just be advised, if you both get a chance at elk you'll be kicking yourselves!

I can also understand wanting to trim weight down as much as possible but if you have decently lightweight backpacking gear including a good pack you'll see that you both could have carried in rifles.

As far as highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s, that's more like mid-September weather. 2nd rifle can be mild, or........make sure you have good chains for your tires.

Take two rifles and leave the sidearm at home. Split the tent components, if need be.

I’ll echo what Smokepole said.

For planning, be prepared for lows in the low teens. During 1st rifle it’s typically in the 20s at 10k’, but I’ve seen 15 Deg many times. I’ve seen highs in the 50s, maybe low 60s, during 1st rifle, but that’s the exception. Find a weather reporting station at close to 10k’ in the area you intend to hunt. That will be more relevant than any towns at lower elevation. Archery season is easy to prepare for and the later seasons are easy, 1st and 2nd rifle can vary dramatically!

Taken the day before 1st rifle.

Hell thats awesome, we don't see snow down here. Vehicle will be able, not to worry there. Just hope we have some sunshine for the initial hike in and setting up camp.

On the deer license, are they generally available OTC when the elk tags go on sale? Finding conflicting information. A somewhat decent mule buck would be awesome, never hunted them.

This



Became this



Which became this




We were only five miles or so from the trailhead so we left the femurs in. I like the structure it gives a pack.




P

There are no OTC Mule Deer licenses.

ChrisAU, the one issue with your tag plan is that deer licenses in CO are draw only and that is complete for this year. Chances of getting a deer tag in a good elk unit might be slim this year off the leftover list. I would bring 2 rifles and ditch the handgun. That’s a long way to travel with no backup rifle. Leaving one in your vehicle or camp not a good idea. The weather can be sunburn or icicles. Even at 7,000 feet I have experienced temps from 12 to 80 during 2nd rifle season and near zero in 3rd and 4th seasons. Bring non-scented SPF 50+ sunblock. I have had the worst sunburn in CO during an elk hunt in 2008 and dang near froze to death in 2009. Be prepared for any 4 season weather.... all in one week. Good luck!

Didn’t cross my mind that you could buy elk licenses OTC but not deer. Seems backwards to me ha.

Pharmseller sure cheats the magpies and coyotes 😂

To save some cash and expand your opportunities, may I suggest one buy a OTC bull tag and the other a leftover cow tag. Many units have available cow tags after the draw. Buy those online after August 7 after you pick your unit(s). There are returned deer licenses but that can be hit or miss. Some cow tags disappear rather quickly and some are available all the way until opening day, just depends on the unit and quotas. Happy Trails