Recent content by Eric Bailey

Have any of you used outfitters for game packing in Colorado? I prefer to hunt alone in the back country. I have packed out deer a fair distance by myself the past two years, but this year I want to focus on elk. I have called a few outfitters and they seem to think of game packing for a lone...

I am a very busy father without much optics experience or time to try new binos and spotters. I am going to be backpack hunting elk and mule deer primarily with a muzzleloader but sometimes a rifle in Colorado. I won't be using optics for field judging, just to see animals. Mostly while still...

My first hunt (at age 39) was a solo backpacking muzzleloader trip to the Holy Cross wilderness in unit 45. I was lucky and thankful to get this buck. Thanks to lots of folks here for sharing your knowledge with me. You helped me decide on a season, unit, weapon (CVA Wolf Compact) and load...

my boy at the KOA in Estes Park last weekend.

My boy at outdoor world.

Hi, I am a Colorado resident. I've done a lot of backpacking. Now I'd like to do some armed backpacking and hopefully bag a mule deer or elk. I have never hunted before. I have no preference pts. Just got my hunter safety card. I own a .270. My wife is newly pregnant. If things go well...

I am a long time backpacker. I have tons of good gear for the Colorado high country where I live. I'm planning on hunting for the first time this fall (mule deer and maybe elk). None of my gear is made specifically for hunting. Some of it is noisy, none of it is camo. How important is it to...

I have never been backcountry hunting before. I was not planning on building a fire, because I figure elk and deer would be able to smell it, or me the next day. Does that make sense, or am I just going to be cold for no reason?

I am going on my first big game hunt this fall. I live in Colorado. I'll be hunting one of the wilderness areas in second or third rifle season (Oct 20 - Nov 11). I plan on staying ~5 days. I have an ultralight pack about 3 liters that I love, but it is pretty light-duty and I have visions...