Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Just got invited on an elk hunting trip (short notice) . . . advice?

+1 on the gun boot, it can be hard or soft, must fully enclose the firearm AND it must be completely unloaded, nothing in the chamber and nothing in the magazine. In a truck/car you can have rounds in the magazine, but nothing in the chamber. GFQ

X 10. 6-10' is nowhere near enough for some jobs. One time I shot an elk that decided to die on a steep snowy slope. Only a small rock kept him from sliding into hell where it would have taken 3 days to pack him out. I needed every inch of my 50' of rope to reach a sagebrush to tie him to. 100' isn't too much sometimes.
Another time, we needed an elk moved about 3/4 mile on a relatively flat snowy trail. We boned it then laced the meat inside the hide, which will slide nicely on snow if you get the hair the right direction. It took a lot more than 10' of rope.

couple pair of good boots, med weight hikers and snow pacs

Layered clothing, lots of fluids, & a plan & the gear to get your animal out.

if your using a 4 wheeler in colorado, your gun has to be carried on it, in a hard case.

I went for archery opener near Montrose. We camped on Divide Rd.. east end. Our camp was at about 9,800ft.

I had spent the previous 3 months in Houston, so I was acclimated to sea level. Allow a couple of days to get used to the elevation.

Water, water, water! Over the years I've found my water requirements to increase quite a bit. I will drink a 1/2 gallon as soon as I wake every morning and at least another gallon and a half during the day.

+ 1 on the nasal spray, at high alt in Co. I need about 10-12 hits a day or my sinus will kill me after a day in the low humidity.

This year was my first and last trip to unit 62. If that is where you're going take steel toe boots. That way all the other hunters stepping on your toes won't hurt so bad.

I will be hunting 062 this year as well. I prefer 061 but did not get drawn this year. So I bought an OTC bull tag.

My friends are camping and hunting on unit 061 and I will be camping with them. I will "commute" to 062 every day.

Good luck to us both !

whats all this crap about excercise, didnt you say they were 4wheeler hunters?

one each 18-30 yr old young male who is exceptionly strong for packing out meat. Nephews or nephews of other members of your group work well.

Rubber gloves for cleaning elk; especially if you are camping. You can get the smell of a whitetail off your hands with a wet wipe, but the smell of a bull elk takes sandblasting. 5-10 pairs weighs less than an ounce and will make your trip better.

I am leaving Tuesday week for the exact same area. Hearing good things so far.

I prefer the yellow, cuff-type Rubbermaid kitchen gloves @ $2/pair. They're tougher and last a lot longer. They also have a bit of a rib on the fingers for a good grasp.

4wheelers only get you to the end of the road quicker,then ya gotta get on 2 legs... or 4 if you have em..

Good gracious....lots of good advice.

Did anyone say headlamp?

I'll bet no one recommended this:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/2439970/A_delicate_topic_baboon_ass

it's a great read but LISTEN to me when I say this...

get one of the cures recommended for BABOON ass. i don't have ass problems so much as I have BABOON THIGH chafe...i'm talking bloody raw.

Hello flatlander,

If you want to get into elk regularly, park the ATV. Ability to make a fire. Water bladder. Space blanket. No cotton - I'm a fan of Smartwool - socks and thermal underwear. Balclava. Toilet paper in Ziplock. Snacks. Hands free light with extra batteries. Extra batteries for GPS. Walking stick(s). Game bags.

Prepare like you may spend the night on the mountain everytime you step off the ATV. Don't leave the critical items behind - ever. Have a blast. Work hard and you just might get rewarded. Either way you stand to be in some beautiful country that takes your breath away in more way than one.

BB

TXRam:

Previous responses have covered a lot. But don't forget your gaiters and some baby wipes.

KC