Trying to do it right this Sept! Questions from a novice elk hunter.

[Matt3496]

I'm sure this topic has been brought up on this forum in the past but I have searched it and have not had any luck finding the answers to my questions. I am a novice elk hunter, as in this September will be my first time chasing elk. I bow and rifle hunt quite a bit here in Texas. Almost all on public land. (Yes, believe it or not we do have some public land here in Texas!!) I'm a former Marine and in good shape. I've been physically preparing for the mountain and shooting my bow at longer ranges since January. I will be hunting during the archery season in Colorado and will have two weeks to do so. I will most likely be solo since I cannot find anyone who is serious about going with me. I understand that hunting elk DIY on public land with a bow is an incredibly difficult task to under go. Add in the fact that I'm brand new to it and I fully realize that the chance of coming home with an elk this fall is pretty low. With that being said I don't want my success, or lack of, to be dependent on my lack of preparation. I will also be able to take a week long camping trip/scouting trip to Colorado this summer.

My question(s) are as follows.

1. Being this is my first time elk hunting, would truck camping at/or near a trail head be a better option vs. spike camping a few miles away from the trail head? I ask this due to some of my future equipment purchases like a camp stove vs backpack stove, ect.

2. Does the mobility advantage of camping next to the truck out weigh being a couple miles into a specific area each morning?

3. What western hunting specific equipment should I focus on acquiring by mid summer and what equipment is a luxery or overrated?

I really appreciate Randy and all of the forum member for what you do to help the noobies like my self grow into this great sport and way of life. Thanks!!!

 

[LCH]

You need good boots, a sturdy pack, and probably a GPS (I wouldn't go out without mine). Depending on the terrain you're hunting, optics may or may not be important.

I like to look for sign within 1-2 miles from the road, but across some kind of obstacle such as a stream or a steep climb. In my experience, knee deep water or an uphill grunt are enough to deter most other folks.

 

[kingderek]

Regarding #1 and #2, I think flexibility is key, particularly if you are unfamiliar with an area. Doesn't mean you shouldn't pack in and set up camp in a good looking spot. I've just discovered (the hard way) that sticking to a particular spot because i've hoofed in my gear or because I'm convinced the elk should be there (or, other hunters shouldn't be) hasn't always worked out. Sometimes stubborn-ness/patience is a virtue, sometimes not.

I'd echo what LCH advises--good boots, good pack and a GPS. Bad boots will end more hunts than anything else. And, good clothing that is appropriate for the time of year, and potential weather shifts (expect anything and everything up here in the Rockies) is also important.

 

[El Jason]

1. This really depends. It's hard to say how the hunting pressure disperses in the area you've chosen. In one area I've hunted there is a wilderness study area. I think it's a hunter magnet. I find less pressure in other areas. My best advice is to be as flexible as you can. Start out with truck camping and cover lots of country. When you find elk, if you feel it's advantageous to spike out then do so. Just be aware that your spike camp may not be in the area of solitude you thought it might.

2. It depends. If it's really shifty weather, it might be worth hiking a couple of miles back to a camper or a heated wall tent. I got lazy last year and left the wall tent and stove home during archery season. By day three of rain and snow I would have paid a hell of a lot of money to have them with me.

3. Good boots, good pack, good binos. Use your stuff and be comfortable with it. If you're going to spike camp, do some trial runs in the summer. Learn to shoot your bow really good. Then practice some more. Work on your tracking skills. Have a good emergency kit in your pack in case you spend the night out unexpectedly.

Most of all, have fun, enjoy the experience, and take lots of pictures.

 

[mplane72]

As far as the camping situation I would be prepared to do both, especially if you have 2 weeks. You can get into plenty of elk camping by the truck and move from one trail head or area to the other easily. Than if you find something interesting and the end of your hiking range from camp you can grab your spike camp and go in for a day or two to see what happens.

 

[elkduds]

Any experience w high altitude? A lot of sea-level folks are miserable @ 10K, and archery hunters often pursue elk to 12K or higher. Conditioning is vital, but a talk w your Dr. may prevent misery or a life-threatening illness up high. There are also that areas @ lower elevation that will hold elk, having a plan for those areas could save an expensive, anticipated trip. Good luck this fall.

 

[utah400elk]

Are you set on CO? Do you have an area in mind? If no to both questions I might have a few suggestions for you that would get you into elk this year. PM me if you are interested.

 

[Rancho Loco]

Hunt uphill.
Boots for the pack out.
Good glass.
Good attitude.

 

[Elk63]

Check out Randy's "Pack Dump" video

 

[mmcneil]

I hunt Colorado for elk all most every year. I'm from Georgia definitely a flat lander, so get in shape! Carry gps, good binoculars and good boots. I would go prepared for both situations. Be ready to camp by the truck and be ready to stay 5 miles away when you find the elk. Since your driving out you should have plenty of room to pack for both situations. I hunt the last two weeks of season and always carry gear for 60 degree days and also for 4' of snow, a lot can happen quickly at 10,000'. I've hunted solo before and I always carry a personal location beacon, similar to an epirb for a boat but it's registered to me. If I need help its one button away (life or death only). What area are you hunting?
Topo maps are always good to have and a back up compass also.

 

[Duck-Slayer]

Never hunted CO, but JLS has some very sound advice, along with every comment of this thread so far, Here in Idaho it is definitely possible too not only hunt from a vehicle but kill a bull relatively close too a logging road, I know several people that just drive around cow call or bugle and kill bulls every year, i'm sure they have a system that works for them, experience and finding a system that fits you will be the cat's meow....
Matt

 

[wytex]

Don't forget your cow calls and learn to use them. Listen close to the bugles you will hear and don't follow every one. You'll meet some great hunters if you do. The camping advice is right on, be flexible. Be prepared for any weather.

 

[Epfd217]

My elk hunting history is very similar to yours and I had many of the same questions. I will try to answer with some of the things I learned through my experience last year on my first elk hunt. It sounds like I had a few advantages in that I have done lots of backcountry camping so I had most of the backcountry gear I needed.

I like the advice that you should prepare for both types of hunting. That is exactly what I did last year. I camped at a trailhead and after I figured out a good spot that was best accessed from a different trailhead, we moved. Once on the other side, we spiked in 1 mile and were that much closer to the elk every day.

Plan your gear purchases for the type of hunting/camping you want to do, not the type you plan on doing this year. Next year you may be more confident and now you're needing a different type of stove/water filter, pack etc.

You will get many opinions about what is required and what is a luxury because there are many ways to hunt and locations dictate conditions. Look up several " bag dump" articles and videos to get ideas. My primary list looks like this...
Pack, emergency kit, kill kit, weather-related clothing, calls, binos, food, water and self defense.
Camping requires sleep system, water purification, stove, mess kit, food.

Thats pretty basic, but the options for every step of that are endless. Get the best you can in each category. Work with what you already have and upgrade what you feel will benefit the most.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

I think you have gotten quite a bit of good advice already. There is certainly a art to finding those little pockets that are going to hold elk on public land. Check out Corey Jacobson's "University of Elk Hunting" DVD, I learned a lot from this. I think it helped me get over the hump, to where I was at least consistently finding elk.

When you are remote scouting, make sure you are looking at topo maps, and not just Google Earth imagery. They can give you some great insight. I like to try and locate springs and benches on north facing, timbered hillsides, adjacent to feeding areas (remember elk eat grass).

I would also think real about going alone when you kill your first elk, especially during early season. If you don't have any experience breaking down an animal with the gutless method, an elk is a tough nut for your first try. You have to remember, going to be on the clock too, since it is likely going to be plenty warm and you need to get the meat taken care of quick. Don't let your plan for taking care of the meat be an afterthought.

 

[el unit]

I like to look for sign within 1-2 miles from the road, but across some kind of obstacle such as a stream or a steep climb. In my experience, knee deep water or an uphill grunt are enough to deter most other folks.[/QUOTE]
Great advice ^^^
I shoot my elk every year about 1/2 mile from the highway, on USFS land, with a bow. It's a flat walk and requires irrigation knee-high boots that time of year to cross the creek. Have it all to myself. I guess irrigation boots might be one of those "under the radar" items I have in my pack.