I’d say if money is no option as you say, then definitely hire an outfitter to at least pack a drop camp for you and be available to pack your elk out-especially given that it sounds like you’re wanting to hunt bow season when temperatures will mean you need to get the meat out asap. There is no shame in hiring an outfitter-there is a ton of shame in killing an elk and not being able to get all of the grade A meat out without spoiling. Also hunting elk is f’n hard-it ain’t often the outfitter or guides fault even though it may seem to you like it is. I used to guide public land backcountry hunts and I don’t miss the bad attitudes and ignorance of the hunters when I couldn’t magically make the elk or weather cooperate. Unlike whitetails elk live and migrate in herds-when they’re there in your basin or your side of the mountain, hunting is great. When they’re not there, you really aren’t seeing fresh sign let alone hunting. Those hunting shows are heavily edited to make the hosts look like gurus and make it seem easy-the reality is they’re usually hunting trophy ranches and editing many days of hunting f ups to look like it all happened in a sweet weekend of elk hunting heaven. I live and work in elk country, Im in excellent shape and it usually takes me around 12 days of hard hunting to kill my elk. I also have horses and have a hard time imagining the torture of getting an elk out without them. Even with my horses I decline to bow hunt because I don’t want any of my elk meat to be wasted. You should find a way to hike at least 10+ miles, at least once a week, in the ‘hills’ to the west of you so that you can get somewhat fit/prepared for elk hunting.
Thanks
The guides were great guys, first trip was 3 for 6. 3 yrs later they limited out 6 for 6!! That first trip our guy just was not quite into it seemed. He never even got close to testing how much shape we were in, wasn’t really challenging. They had long range rifles, and we decided to use those. Most of our shot opportunities were 500-1000yds. It was 2018 and hot out so they were not moving. I did not like sitting around all day, wanted to walk around and just scout and act like I was hunting at least but they did not want to do that. One day we drove to behind a house and looked up at the hills behind there (there theory was a good one, that elk got pushed back there), but it just did not feel like hunting. I wanted to be out in the woods more.
If I go with a guide again it will be one that packs in a tent camp I believe, and I am practicing quite a bit with my own rifle but would like to limit shots to about 400yds max, vice the long range which means I have to spot and hump my ass to get the closer shots.
That is my plan right now I am just doing a 5 mile loop with 40lbs which is just 2.5 mi of crossing constant 50ft up and down drainages flowing into a larger creek and then flat the rest of it. Just got my pack in the mail and looking forward to walking a bit more then loading it up and seeing what 80lbs feels like. Have a lot of work to do. Will get out to Shenandoah for sure.
