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Did my first elk hunt this past year, man what a blast. Didn't see an elk lol, but still was an incredible experience. I wound up having 3 good friends go with me, none of which bought a tag. They were great partners, never complained about anything more than I was haha. We all helped a couple of guys pack an elk out one day. So we are getting deep in to planning the 2019 hunt now. Right now we have 7 people going, and 2 may jump in. Including myself, 2-3 of us will have elk tags, and 2-3 will have mule deer tags (I will not). We plan on splitting up every day in groups of 2-3 people, ideally each group has 1 elk tag holder and 1 mule deer tag holder. The others will be along just for the experience.
As I type that out I realize its a dumb thing to worry about. I'm lucky to have many solid friends!
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Lucky you. I had to go solo last year. Only thing to worry about is two people make 4 times as much noise in the woods as one person
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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I would keep the in field folks to a minimum. More folks tromping around the more noise and smell.
I would send the mule deer hunters out together and elk hunters likewise.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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Suggestion: decide in advance who gets how much meat if anyone scores. How to divide the meat has broken up some good partnerships. Be sure it's all clear before you go. The way my 2 partners and I have done it for years is if one gets an elk, he takes half and the other 2 split the other half.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Way too many people for a backcountry hunt in my opinion, but I guess you didn’t say how you’d hunt.. Also, make sure you understand how to get a deer tag as those can be harder to come by than elk tags in a lot of places.
Last edited by exbiologist; 02/14/19.
"For some unfortunates, poisoned by city sidewalks ... the horn of the hunter never winds at all" Robert Ruark, The Horn of the Hunter
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This is pretty important to sort out up front. It's amazing how many people disappear when the work starts and reappear when the work is finished. Often people have different social rules on helping versus expectations.
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Campfire Ranger
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Suggestion: decide in advance who gets how much meat if anyone scores. How to divide the meat has broken up some good partnerships. Be sure it's all clear before you go. The way my 2 partners and I have done it for years is if one gets an elk, he takes half and the other 2 split the other half.
That is the way I do it
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Most of the guys I have hunted with want to keep their own meat and not share. If there is no agreement beforehand, they tend to not want to share. I’m willing to share most of the time if someone is sharing the cost of the tag and processing. I sometimes buy a leftover cow tag with the expectation that I will share that beast if the cost of the extra tag is shared if successful.
Life Member NRA, RMEF, American Legion, MAGA. Not necessarily in that order.
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Lucky you. I had to go solo last year. Only thing to worry about is two people make 4 times as much noise in the woods as one person Amen to that. We have a hunt group but usually hunting pretty much solo every day. Last couple of hunts I have hunted with my landowner buddy and usually we are a mile or so apart all day. We will find each other by dark to make sure each of us makes it back to the truck ok. Other than that, you’re on your own bubba.
Life Member NRA, RMEF, American Legion, MAGA. Not necessarily in that order.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
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Suggestion: decide in advance who gets how much meat if anyone scores. How to divide the meat has broken up some good partnerships. Be sure it's all clear before you go. The way my 2 partners and I have done it for years is if one gets an elk, he takes half and the other 2 split the other half.
To the OP, I think last year you hunted in CO?? If you do again, be careful how you divide up the meat, CO has very specific regs on that. If you divide it up after it's been processed or at home, it's not a problem but if you do it in the field the limit is 20 lbs. unless the person you give the meat to has a "like license" and punches the tag. And in that case you need to give them a "donation certificate" with your license information on it. Your buddies without tags don't want to be checked in the field with more than 20 lbs of meat and no tag punched. Or, toting your rifle because you have a pack full of meat on your back. PS, I agree on the numbers in yuour hunting party, no big deal if you strike out on your own but two on a stalk would be the max I'd go with, and the other guy better be good. And depending on the season and wher eyou hunt, your best elk hunting area may not be your best deer hunting area, something to consider. There are a few deer in my favorite elk spots but if I was deer hunting I'd go somewhere else.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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OP
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Suggestion: decide in advance who gets how much meat if anyone scores. How to divide the meat has broken up some good partnerships. Be sure it's all clear before you go. The way my 2 partners and I have done it for years is if one gets an elk, he takes half and the other 2 split the other half.
To the OP, I think last year you hunted in CO?? If you do again, be careful how you divide up the meat, CO has very specific regs on that. If you divide it up after it's been processed or at home, it's not a problem but if you do it in the field the limit is 20 lbs. unless the person you give the meat to has a "like license" and punches the tag. And in that case you need to give them a "donation certificate" with your license information on it. Your buddies without tags don't want to be checked in the field with more than 20 lbs of meat and no tag punched. Or, toting your rifle because you have a pack full of meat on your back. PS, I agree on the numbers in yuour hunting party, no big deal if you strike out on your own but two on a stalk would be the max I'd go with, and the other guy better be good. And depending on the season and wher eyou hunt, your best elk hunting area may not be your best deer hunting area, something to consider. There are a few deer in my favorite elk spots but if I was deer hunting I'd go somewhere else. Thanks for the tip, yes CO. We'd be packing out as a team and it'd all go in one truck and stay that way until back in Alabama. Are you saying its illegal to help someone pack one out over 20 lbs? If so we outlawed this past year ha.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
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Suggestion: decide in advance who gets how much meat if anyone scores. How to divide the meat has broken up some good partnerships. Be sure it's all clear before you go. The way my 2 partners and I have done it for years is if one gets an elk, he takes half and the other 2 split the other half.
To the OP, I think last year you hunted in CO?? If you do again, be careful how you divide up the meat, CO has very specific regs on that. If you divide it up after it's been processed or at home, it's not a problem but if you do it in the field the limit is 20 lbs. unless the person you give the meat to has a "like license" and punches the tag. And in that case you need to give them a "donation certificate" with your license information on it. Your buddies without tags don't want to be checked in the field with more than 20 lbs of meat and no tag punched. Or, toting your rifle because you have a pack full of meat on your back. PS, I agree on the numbers in yuour hunting party, no big deal if you strike out on your own but two on a stalk would be the max I'd go with, and the other guy better be good. And depending on the season and wher eyou hunt, your best elk hunting area may not be your best deer hunting area, something to consider. There are a few deer in my favorite elk spots but if I was deer hunting I'd go somewhere else. That would be a pain in the rear. Here in Idaho, you can give meat to anyone as long as you give them a written statement as follows: "Any person who transports any wildlife for another or receives any wildlife for cleaning, processing, as a gift, or for storage must have a written Proxy Statement signed by the taker of the animal showing the name, address, and license number of the taker, and the number, kind, date taken, and the name of the person transporting (see page 78 of Big Game Seasons and Rules). The taker of the animal can keep the antlers but the tag must accompany the meat. The proxy and tag will be required of a commercial meat processor."
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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You should be good all in one truck with the meat. Divvy it up in Alabama.
Don't give any meat away while in Colorado.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
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Thanks for the tip, yes CO. We'd be packing out as a team and it'd all go in one truck and stay that way until back in Alabama. Are you saying its illegal to help someone pack one out over 20 lbs? If so we outlawed this past year ha.
No, it's not illegal to help someone pack one out. The regs don't kick in until you get the meat to your vehicle and transport it. And if you're all in one truck or more trucks traveling together it wouldn't be an issue. It would only be a problem if one of your buddies was by himself with >20 lbs of meat and no tag or donation certificate.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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This sounds like me 30 years ago. Decided I wanted a black bear. Got a spring bear tag and went to set out my bait sites. All my buddies---you don't know what your doing, you're wasting your time. Killed a bear & next year they want to go hunt. Same thing with antelope, got a tag near Craig---never been there. You'll never see one or get one. Killed a nice one---then they all decided they wanted to go. Same thing with mtn goat, bighorn sheep, spring turkey.
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Campfire Ranger
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Chris, you must be a very friendly guy! Personally, I would limit my camp to four people to minimize the disturbance in the area as Saddlesore and Wytex mention. Seven people over a couple days time will make an indelible but huge impression on any game in that immediate area (if they are there to begin with).
Mostly, everything is easier, quicker, and quieter with fewer people in camp. And hunting in pairs while still comparatively quiet adds a safety factor over going solo.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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How many will sit in camp all day drinking and playing cards? I agree that 7's too many. I've been on group hunts like that and in the end, nobody gets any serious hunting done.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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I do enjoy a card game and a beverage or coffee after dinner with my hunting buddies, new or old. What I don’t care for is having to shepherd hunters about the whole day. I like to get my carcass out of bed, drink as much coffee as time allows and hit the ridge in the dark. I don’t claim to reach a higher power or commune with nature all day in my church of the mountains; I just love a little solitude punctuated by some game animals. They call me Curmudgeon..... LOL!
Life Member NRA, RMEF, American Legion, MAGA. Not necessarily in that order.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
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The best part of the day is between 1st light and sun up.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Most of the guys I have hunted with want to keep their own meat and not share. If there is no agreement beforehand, they tend to not want to share. I’m willing to share most of the time if someone is sharing the cost of the tag and processing. I sometimes buy a leftover cow tag with the expectation that I will share that beast if the cost of the extra tag is shared if successful. Like many things, how to share (or not share) the meat is something that is best decided BEFORE the hunt. Not a big problem for me because I hunt with family (daughters and sons-in-law) and a long-time (20 year) hunting buddy. Sometimes someone wants to share processing expenses and the meat, other times I share anyway, fill my freezer, and let them help themselves to what they need when they visit. The grandkids hardly get beef at home, eating antelope and elk and deer instead. Heck, in the end the extended family eats 90% of what I take – I just provide cold storage until they run low or have freezer space. Works for me. Years ago I hunted with others that had less clearly defined sharing. In general, though, we followed the following rules back then: 1. Anyone that materially helps a hunter be successful is entitled to share in the meat. That help may be pre-season scouting, providing equipment, vehicles, food or other services or items essential to the hunter’s success. 2. Helping pack out the meat earns a share 3. Each person that earns a share for reasons listed above is also required to help pay for processing or forfeit their share. There can still be plenty of room for disagreement as to share sizes. Best to hunt with good friends IMHO.
Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!
No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.
A good .30-06 is a 99% solution.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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I just love a little solitude punctuated by some game animals. Quote worthy!!
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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How many will sit in camp all day drinking and playing cards? I agree that 7's too many. I've been on group hunts like that and in the end, nobody gets any serious hunting done. Seven is a lot of folks in a tented camp on public land. Definitely have ground rules for how you're going to manage firearms while not hunting. I'd also make sure that you all agree on how much booze will be in camp and how it gets consumed. Also bear in mind that Colorado is quite a bit higher than Alabama, and that alcohol hits you sooner and harder in thin air. The last thing you want on a stalk is some guy who smells like a tavern and pukes because he got sideways the night before. I used to hunt with three other guys. The first day we all hunted. Every other day, two of them were in camp with sore feet and hangovers. I'd be up and gone long before first light and not back until long after dark, but the two party guys expected that any deer we killed would be split evenly among all four of us. I'd have been willing to share if they had put in effort every day and legitimately gotten skunked, but that just pissed me off. On the bright side, they kept the camp clean and hot chow was waiting when I got back at the end of the day. Okie John
If Montana had a standing army, a 270 Win with Federal Blue Box 130's would be the standard issue.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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Just call it an autumn camping trip.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Campfire Outfitter
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How many will sit in camp all day drinking and playing cards? I agree that 7's too many. I've been on group hunts like that and in the end, nobody gets any serious hunting done. Seven is a lot of folks in a tented camp on public land. Definitely have ground rules for how you're going to manage firearms while not hunting. I'd also make sure that you all agree on how much booze will be in camp and how it gets consumed. Also bear in mind that Colorado is quite a bit higher than Alabama, and that alcohol hits you sooner and harder in thin air. The last thing you want on a stalk is some guy who smells like a tavern and pukes because he got sideways the night before. I used to hunt with three other guys. The first day we all hunted. Every other day, two of them were in camp with sore feet and hangovers. I'd be up and gone long before first light and not back until long after dark, but the two party guys expected that any deer we killed would be split evenly among all four of us. I'd have been willing to share if they had put in effort every day and legitimately gotten skunked, but that just pissed me off. On the bright side, they kept the camp clean and hot chow was waiting when I got back at the end of the day. Okie John Definitely agree on the firearm rules. Need to discuss ow they will be handled in the field, too. Have hunted with a couple people that had no concept of muzzle control and another who hunted the entire time with loaded chamber and, as we found out on the last day, a safety that didn't work. He said it was OK because he "kept his finger off the trigger". Such people never got invited back. As to the alcohol, I agree on that, too. hunted with some business acquaintances one year. They brought four coolers of food and I thought we would eat well. Turns out two were full of beer and the other hard liquor. In addition to terrible personal habits, a couple guys couldn't function until past noon on opening day. I left early the next day in total disgust. Another thing that should be discussed is whether people are attending to hunt or party. One year we camped on public land just inside the National Forest gates, along with a number of other groups. Damn people next to us partied loudly half the night before opening day. Then about 3AM a couple were outside puking their guts out. Thankfully, they only hunted opening weekend and we were able to get some good sleep after they left. Family non-hunters excluded, if people aren't serious about hunting, I don't want them in camp.
Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!
No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.
A good .30-06 is a 99% solution.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Suggestion: decide in advance who gets how much meat if anyone scores. How to divide the meat has broken up some good partnerships. Be sure it's all clear before you go. The way my 2 partners and I have done it for years is if one gets an elk, he takes half and the other 2 split the other half.
To the OP, I think last year you hunted in CO?? If you do again, be careful how you divide up the meat, CO has very specific regs on that. If you divide it up after it's been processed or at home, it's not a problem but if you do it in the field the limit is 20 lbs. unless the person you give the meat to has a "like license" and punches the tag. And in that case you need to give them a "donation certificate" with your license information on it. Your buddies without tags don't want to be checked in the field with more than 20 lbs of meat and no tag punched. Or, toting your rifle because you have a pack full of meat on your back. PS, I agree on the numbers in yuour hunting party, no big deal if you strike out on your own but two on a stalk would be the max I'd go with, and the other guy better be good. And depending on the season and wher eyou hunt, your best elk hunting area may not be your best deer hunting area, something to consider. There are a few deer in my favorite elk spots but if I was deer hunting I'd go somewhere else. Thanks for the tip, yes CO. We'd be packing out as a team and it'd all go in one truck and stay that way until back in Alabama. Are you saying its illegal to help someone pack one out over 20 lbs? If so we outlawed this past year ha. It is not illegal to help someone pack their meat out. It is illegal to donate (transfer ownership of) meat if not in accordance with the regs. For 2019:
Donation certificates are required for all game-meat donations. Certificates must
show names, addresses and telephone numbers of donor and recipient; donor’s
hunting license number; species and amounts donated; date of kill; donor’s signature. The certificate can be a simple note; no special form required. It must stay
with the meat until completely consumed. Donor and recipient are subject to bag
and possession limits. NOTE: A “like license” is a license for exactly the same species,
sex, season and method of take as a donor’s license.
1. You can donate to someone WITH or WITHOUT a like license:
a. any amount of processed and packaged game meat, anywhere.
2. You can donate to someone WITHOUT a like license:
a. up to 20 pounds of unprocessed meat, anywhere.
b. more than 20 pounds of unprocessed meat, only at recipient’s home.
3. You can donate to someone WITH a like license:
a. up to 20 pounds of unprocessed meat, anywhere.
b. more than 20 pounds of unprocessed meat, anywhere, only if:
(1) recipient’s license is unfilled, and
(2) recipient’s carcass tag is on the meat. This establishes recipient’s
claim to his/her portion of meat and voids his/her license. Donor’s
tag must remain with his/her portion.
c. the entire carcass, if:
(1) recipient’s license is unfilled, and
(2) donor’s carcass tag and recipient’s like-license carcass tag is on the
meat, voiding both licenses.
Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!
No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.
A good .30-06 is a 99% solution.
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Many years ago a young fella offered to help carry meat if he could come along on a hunt so that he could begin to learn to hunt elk. He still hunts with us today, and now his brother does also.
For a lot of years we had some older fellas in camp who were not enthusiastic hunters. They would return to base camp early each day and then road hunt. Those guys always knew everything that was going on everywhere for miles around because they would stop and talk with anyone they saw.
Having people in your group that are familiar with an area can be a valuable thing in years to come.
I'd be surprised if your serious hunters wanted anyone along other than a serious understudy who is intent on learning all he can. That cuts both ways too. I'd also be surprised if guys with no tag wanted to begin tough hikes before dawn day after day.
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