How to approach elk hunting long term

[np307]

Let me begin by saying I am NOT looking for units to hunt or anything like that. I'm looking at hunting elk in a couple years. I'm starting Master's work this fall and there is no real way for me to go any sooner. When I do go, I'll be hunting in Wyoming on a general license or Colorado on an OTC tag and making the drive with a buddy. I bow and rifle hunt deer on public land here in NC currently.

What I am looking for is guidance on evaluating what needs to be done and in what order to prepare for this hunt. I've got a general idea of what units I'd like to hunt, but I am assuming that research is better suited for closer to hunting time because of how much things can change. I've got a good rifle and I load my own ammo, so that's covered.

In my mind, the most important things to start working on right now are 1) getting in better shape and 2) figuring out what gear I lack that I will absolutely need. As far as gear goes, I know I'll need another pack and probably another pair of boots. I'm not too sure beyond that. I've looked around at some gear options but I also want to hear real-life experiences.

Hopefully this doesn't run me into the moocher category. Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

 

[Deleted member 16014]

Tying in directly with your plan of getting in better shape and figuring out gear, you will be way more effective at planning and e-scouting if you can make a trip out in the summer or fall for hiking trip. Even if you're not directly scouting you'll pick up some of the nuances of different kinds of terrain, get a sense of how long it takes to move around on foot, sort out some gear that works and doesn't, etc. Even just one or two 3 day hiking trips in the mountains you intend to hunt over the next few years would be a very high priority it were me. Per hour and dollar spent that would be an excellent value in terms of increasing odds of success in my opinion. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Coach Chris]

Howdy
The easiest way for me to answer "1)" is to share my basic training program.
All year 'round I train for absolute strength and maintain a base level of endurance.
At the end of hunting season I strength train 3-4 days a week.
For absolute strength development I focus on basic compound lifts, i.e. squat, deadlift, bench press and overhead press.
For endurance-strength I focus on kettlebell complexes, kettlebell swings, push-ups, pull-ups, inverted rows, etc....
For strength-endurance and absolute endurance I hike, splitboard and snow bike 3-4 days a week

As the snow begins to melt out in the spring I cut my strength training back to 2 days a week.
For endurance-strength I supplement in sled drags and Prowler pushes 2 days a week. I load them up to my bodyweight and try to cover 500yds in less than 25min.
I keep hiking and biking 3-4 days a week

Once the trails are dry I keep strength training 2 days a week
For my endurance-strength I switch my sled work to rucking a heavy pack 2 days a week.
Day 1 - I ruck 40% of my bodyweight for 3-4hrs (7-8mi.) and gain 1,500 vert ft.
Day 2 - This is my heavy day. I start with 50% of my bodyweight for 1/2 the distance and vert as day 1. My goal for this day is to work up to 75% of my bodyweight by the start of the season while maintaining the distance and vert.
I continue to hike (scouting) and bike 3-4 days a week.

Hope that helps

 

[PrairieHunter]

Not specifically related to elk but I have found that I have better luck hunting the same area year after year as opposed to always chasing a new unit and going through the 2-3 year learning curve it seem to take me to really get to know an area. Picking up deer, antelope, doe, and cow tags or just going on vacation/scouting trip to an areas without hunting can be a great way to get to know an area before you have a bull tag in your pocket.

 

[Ben Long]

Fill deer tags. Fill them far from the road as you can and get them out on your back. Hike in the mountains with a pack whenever you can. Read Elk of North America and then work down from there. Join Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Watch all Randy's elk videos. Get some elk ivories and put them under your pillow and you will dream of elk at night. Be pure of spirit.

 

[cheeser]

watch all of randy newbergs video on youtube, born and raised outdoors youtube, the gear used, how to use the gear and where and how to hunt are all there. as a young man coming out of college your training is gonna be good, your experience is what is gonna be lacking, learn as much online as you can. good powerful guns and bows will be plenty good without breaking the bank. getting points now for certain units is a bonus for someone young. ask as many question on here as you can, borrow equiptment you dont have and is cost prohibitive. good luck

 

[dirtclod Az.]

Plan extra days before and after your hunt.Nobody wants to go to work after processing an elk all night.A few days of relaxing will make a much better memory.

 

[cheeser]

watch all of randy newbergs video on youtube, born and raised outdoors youtube, the gear used, how to use the gear and where and how to hunt are all there. as a young man coming out of college your training is gonna be good, your experience is what is gonna be lacking, learn as much online as you can. good powerful guns and bows will be plenty good without breaking the bank. getting points now for certain units is a bonus for someone young. ask as many question on here as you can, borrow equiptment you dont have and is cost prohibitive. good luck

 

[genesis273]

I went with the, "I'm going to give this a shot" plan without working out or with any good equipment, other than a bow, and tagged along with a veteran elk hunter. I did borrow alot from him. I did kill a good bull the second afternoon of a two week trip.
When I got home from not being totally prepared and ending up packing out two elk, I had it all figured out what I was lacking, which wasn't a good thing. By the second trip, I had most of the gear I needed to buy, and borrowed more. I lost alot of weight and was in better shape than I was in my 20's (50 now).

I refer to that first trip as a life lesson!! In hindsight, listen to what the others have suggested!

In all seriousness, be prepared mentally too. You will take a beating mentally and physically!! And as soon as you get home, you'll be counting down the days until the next trip!!

 

[np307]

Thanks everyone for the advice so far. I'll certainly try to get a trip out there to look at the country I'm planning on hunting. I got an elk and antelope preference point today for Wyoming, planning on doing the same next year. I've been watching tons of elk hunting videos on youtube from Randy, BRO, and Hushin. Randy's guides to escouting and such have been really valuable so far, as well as his video on which states to apply for and when.

I'm pretty sure the next piece of gear I'm going to get will be a good pack.

How presumptuous is it to plan on having an antelope tag in my pocket for my first elk hunt? Specifically a doe tag. My thoughts were that I'm going to have my hands full getting on an elk already, but having another tag could keep me from coming back meatless. Not a big deal right now, I've got plenty of time to figure that out.

 

[3855WIN]

Good job with the preference points. I wouldn’t worry about hunting antelope at the same time.

 

[rideold]

Biggest advice I can give being a not too experienced elk hunter is don't go out and buy a bunch of gear. Try things out. Think things through. Make do at first and let your gear evolve a bit. A good pair of boots and pack are where I'd stop until you've been out and about a few times. I have some gear I bought early on that collects dust now because I've changed how I approach my day in the field.

 

[claybreaker]

Take your time buying gear, hit the classifieds for used gear many people take good care of the stuff and are honest about any flaws that might be on them. You can either save some serious buck or used gear or get to upgrade to higher level of gear for the same $$. You have time so use it to your advantage.

Be Safe,

 

[onelionhunter]

A good weapon you are proficient with, a good broke in pair of boots, and a good pack with reasonable gear is the base kit. A truck full of layers of clothing is the next piece, we had 90 degrees and 20 with snow in bow camp last year, last few weeks of September, change is the only constant in weather it seems. The elk hunting itself will fall into place with some experience/boots on the ground after seeing what is available to read and watch now.

 

[Backcountry Hunter 2]

As others have stated, a good pair of boots and a pack goes along way. Those are two areas that you need to by quality gear. Another piece of advise I would say is to start learning elk behavior. Walking around aimlessly in the woods with a gun for a week can wear on a person if they aren't getting into elk.

 

[rideold]

As others have stated, a good pair of boots and a pack goes along way. Those are two areas that you need to by quality gear. Another piece of advise I would say is to start learning elk behavior. Walking around aimlessly in the woods with a gun for a week can wear on a person if they aren't getting into elk.

Man do I know that from experience!

 

[Dougfirtree]

Don't forget that altitude is real. Try to give yourself some time to acclimate and have some ideas for what to do if your initial plan ends up being too much for you. Some people aren't affected much, others get their butt's kicked by the thin air, especially in Colorado, where low elevation elk hunts are not easy to come by.

Have fun!

 

[WIbiggame]

I was in your boat 6 years ago. I started out using my whitetail gear from home and while this "worked" it wasnt ideal. I have been out west 4 times since than and have "everything" I need. I went from a pack that probably weighed 85lbs the first year down to 40lbs with everything I need for 9 days in the back country.

Like others said take it slow with gear the first year. The one thing I did jump head first in on was a good pair of boots. I went with Meindls and love them have since bought another pair even with the no questions asked warranty.

One of the biggest things I am still working on mastering is MENTAL TOUGHNESS. The mountains are a lonely place after 3-4days of walking around not seeing or hearing anything. You need to stay positive. I have found that taking 5-10minutes everyday and just sitting down and "being in the moment" in some of God's greatest country has helped. Dont get to caught up in the harvesting of an animal and truly enjoy the mountains.

If you have any gear questions private message me and I will try and help you out, I am a spreadsheet nut so have a lot of things broken down. Good Luck and have fun planning almost as fun as the trip itself.

Also Good Luck on completing your Master's Degree.

 

[Coach Chris]

Some people aren't affected much, others get their butt's kicked by the thin air,

Just a word on altitude and acclimatization.
One of my athletes is a world class mountaineer, mountain guide, North American Ski Mountaineering Champion, U.S. National Ski Mountaineering Champion and the first woman to cross the Alps on skis.
She suffered acute mountain sickness (AMS) on an expedition a couple years ago. She was born and raised in Colorado and lives here in Wyoming.
Anyone can suffer the effects of AMS, at any time.

 

[Addicting]

Lots and lots of Dairy Queen blizzards.
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