Gentlemen, I’m new to the forum and Elk hunting in general, but wanted to pick your brains in preparation for my 2015 2nd Season Elk Drop Camp in GMU 24. I’m the hunt coordinator/planner for my group and we will actually be hunting the same Outfitter and Camp as Bigeasygator did last year. I have already talked to him on the phone and he is a great guy with lots of very useful information but it never hurts to get multiple perspectives and opinions.
I’ll give you a quick run down of what I have in mind so far. Right now I have six guys who will definitely be going with the possibility of two additional guys jumping on for a total of (8) in the same camp. I have already been told multiple times that such a large party could potentially make camp life and the hunting a little more difficult which is understandable. Admittedly, this hunt is more about reviving our family hunt camp tradition and spending quality time, however everyone in my party are experienced whitetail hunters who would love the opportunity to see and hopefully kill some elk.
Logistically I feel like I have some pretty solid ideas for a feed plan for such a large party but would appreciate any suggestions. From the reading I have done so far it looks like the best/tastiest way to feed your camp is dry goods and coffee for breakfast (instant oatmeal, muffins and etc.), pack sandwiches/snacks for lunch, and pre made and frozen at home venison stew, chili, spaghetti and etc. for dinner. I’m an active duty Marine and am all too familiar with the MRE/Freeze dried/Mountain House type meals and want to avoid this option all together. Along the same lines, I’m aiming to sustain the highest quality of life possible given the packing weight limits (200lbs per person) and the fact that we want a wilderness hunt. From my experience, the better you eat and sleep the harder you are able to hunt. In regards to this area, the plan is very basic, the Wall tents come with wood stoves and we are going to bring cots, sleeping pads, camp chairs, gas lanterns, and kitchen items.
Hunting wise, my group is pretty much split down the middle with fit guys in there mid 20’s and guys that are not so fit in the mid 50’s. I moved to the Eastern Sierras last summer for work and spent my first season ever hunting Mule Deer out here and have a STRONG appreciation for 8000Ft+ altitudes. Great experience and I was lucky enough to stumble onto a beautiful 5x5, but it definitely is not Whitetail hunting in New England or South Texas where my group and I are from. Right now, I’m thinking of doing a map study and giving the older guys the “easier” area where the inclines are a little more gradual and the younger guys will hunt the larger/steeper more difficult to get to areas. Additionally, I’m planning on two man “hunt teams” for safety, ease of field dressing/hauling game and social aspects mentioned above.
With all of that said, I would appreciate any constructive feedback or critiques on my plan and specifically:
-Cow/Mule Deer Tags, both are draw only, from my research it looks like Cow tags are fairly easy to draw and the Cow’s are fairly common in GMU 24, Mule deer not so much in both areas. No one in my party has any CO preference points. Ideally we would like to shoot a couple Bulls but it would also be nice to shoot a buck should see one or a Cow if we are striking out on Bulls. Any suggestions/feedback?
- Folding/collapsible camp table, done a little research on this as well and want to avoid the $100+ made in China piece of crap that will break in two days anyway. Main purpose of the table will be to prepare meals and play cards around and have a couple beers at night. Looking to be able to seat around 6 guys, be packable and somewhat light weight. I have a couple ideas myself but feel like I’m probably over thinking it, any DIY feedback would be awesome
-Quality of life or “field craft” ideas, looking for any lightweight relatively easy “hacks” that might make our hunt a little more easy and enjoyable.
-Leopold VX3 3.5 x 10 or Vortex HC 2.5-10x44 BDC? I shoot a Weatherby 7mm Mag that currently has a 20+ year old 3x9 Leopold on it and am using this hunt as an excuse to upgrade. Leaning towards the Vortex because of the price point but have loyalty to Leopold and do not want to exceed $500. Any suggestions?
-$200 or less Range Finder, want something durable and accurate that could be used anywhere from Bow hunting , the range to Elk hunting. Any suggestions?
-Any additional input on Elk hunting strategy, tag draw, GMU 24 or whatever is applicable.
Thanks, Jon
I’ll give you a quick run down of what I have in mind so far. Right now I have six guys who will definitely be going with the possibility of two additional guys jumping on for a total of (8) in the same camp. I have already been told multiple times that such a large party could potentially make camp life and the hunting a little more difficult which is understandable. Admittedly, this hunt is more about reviving our family hunt camp tradition and spending quality time, however everyone in my party are experienced whitetail hunters who would love the opportunity to see and hopefully kill some elk.
Logistically I feel like I have some pretty solid ideas for a feed plan for such a large party but would appreciate any suggestions. From the reading I have done so far it looks like the best/tastiest way to feed your camp is dry goods and coffee for breakfast (instant oatmeal, muffins and etc.), pack sandwiches/snacks for lunch, and pre made and frozen at home venison stew, chili, spaghetti and etc. for dinner. I’m an active duty Marine and am all too familiar with the MRE/Freeze dried/Mountain House type meals and want to avoid this option all together. Along the same lines, I’m aiming to sustain the highest quality of life possible given the packing weight limits (200lbs per person) and the fact that we want a wilderness hunt. From my experience, the better you eat and sleep the harder you are able to hunt. In regards to this area, the plan is very basic, the Wall tents come with wood stoves and we are going to bring cots, sleeping pads, camp chairs, gas lanterns, and kitchen items.
Hunting wise, my group is pretty much split down the middle with fit guys in there mid 20’s and guys that are not so fit in the mid 50’s. I moved to the Eastern Sierras last summer for work and spent my first season ever hunting Mule Deer out here and have a STRONG appreciation for 8000Ft+ altitudes. Great experience and I was lucky enough to stumble onto a beautiful 5x5, but it definitely is not Whitetail hunting in New England or South Texas where my group and I are from. Right now, I’m thinking of doing a map study and giving the older guys the “easier” area where the inclines are a little more gradual and the younger guys will hunt the larger/steeper more difficult to get to areas. Additionally, I’m planning on two man “hunt teams” for safety, ease of field dressing/hauling game and social aspects mentioned above.
With all of that said, I would appreciate any constructive feedback or critiques on my plan and specifically:
-Cow/Mule Deer Tags, both are draw only, from my research it looks like Cow tags are fairly easy to draw and the Cow’s are fairly common in GMU 24, Mule deer not so much in both areas. No one in my party has any CO preference points. Ideally we would like to shoot a couple Bulls but it would also be nice to shoot a buck should see one or a Cow if we are striking out on Bulls. Any suggestions/feedback?
- Folding/collapsible camp table, done a little research on this as well and want to avoid the $100+ made in China piece of crap that will break in two days anyway. Main purpose of the table will be to prepare meals and play cards around and have a couple beers at night. Looking to be able to seat around 6 guys, be packable and somewhat light weight. I have a couple ideas myself but feel like I’m probably over thinking it, any DIY feedback would be awesome
-Quality of life or “field craft” ideas, looking for any lightweight relatively easy “hacks” that might make our hunt a little more easy and enjoyable.
-Leopold VX3 3.5 x 10 or Vortex HC 2.5-10x44 BDC? I shoot a Weatherby 7mm Mag that currently has a 20+ year old 3x9 Leopold on it and am using this hunt as an excuse to upgrade. Leaning towards the Vortex because of the price point but have loyalty to Leopold and do not want to exceed $500. Any suggestions?
-$200 or less Range Finder, want something durable and accurate that could be used anywhere from Bow hunting , the range to Elk hunting. Any suggestions?
-Any additional input on Elk hunting strategy, tag draw, GMU 24 or whatever is applicable.
Thanks, Jon
