Anybody Do Their First Elk Hunt as a Solo Backpack Trip?

[smartweed]

If you did your first trip as above, what would you recommend to somebody who is going to do it for their first trip? I am looking at a Colorado muzzy trip. Thanks for any and all input.

 

[clacklin009]

Yes I did but not on purpose. I had both a deer and elk tag and happened to get an elk when I was going after the deer.
1st) don't over pack. I had enough survival gear to show a boy scout troop up.
2nd) know how to pack, keep organized. Think about the order in which you will need to use items and pack accordingly.
3rd) game plan how you will get the elk out. I had no game plan ( I though I'd be bringing home a deer) and it caused problems. I shot the elk in the morning and didn't get off the mountain with the first load until sundown that night at which time I had to find cell signal and get a brother to drive 4 hours and help me with the rest the next day.
4th) know where you are going to camp. A good camping spot with access to water that will not disturb your hunting ground can be hard to find.

Take some trips so you can work out your backpacking needs and possibly even to drop some food or water stashes. If you harvest the meat as to not waste it you will need several trips even with an excellent backpack. 35 pounds of gear can fill a 70 liter pack and you have no room for any meat. Best of luck. Send a PM if you have questions.

 

[libidilatimmy]

A couple tips that I'd have is that you'll need a plan for the recovery of the animal provided you're lucky enough to harvest one. The gutless method of breaking down the carcass is about the easiest when you're by yourself, so you'll want to be knowledgeable in that subject. Also, I always have a couple carabiners and a d-ring that I can create some rope rigging with to keep the animal stationary and help to roll the carcass while your working on it if need be. The last thing you want when working on one by yourself is to have the thing inadvertently roll over on you. Depending on how far in you are, being proficient at de-boning would be a good idea. Most importantly, be in good physical condition.

 

[Farmer]

If you could give us some idea of your experience backpacking, camping and time you've spent in the high country of Colorado up til now then folks on the Forum might give you some pointers. Everything is doable by-the-way.

 

[smartweed]

I have backpacker in Pennsylvania, and hunted like mad around the Midwest and Canada. But I've never been on a high country trip of any sort, and am looking forward to the experience and challenges. I am 43, so I figure time is not on my side if I put such a trip off much longer. And I've already begun training....��

 

[Tim McCoy]

If real hi country, go a day or two early, not to camp up high so much, but to a mid elevation stop to sleep a night and start to accumulate to the altitude. As far as this flat lander is concerned, there is no oxygen above about 8,000'. Make sure you have a plan to get the meat out fast if the weather is warm. An elk is real big vs. a deer, unless you have taken something big, small moose sized, give the logistics quite a bit of consideration.

 

[smartweed]

Thanks everyone for the input. I plan on at least two days of lounging around before stepping out of the truck to head into the field. I handled a big cow elk my kid shot, so I am familiar with their size. But that was not at altitude either....

 

[2rocky]

A first Elk trip as an experienced backpacker is more doable than a first backpacking trip as an elk hunt.

My best advice is think BIG when you hunt and cover a lot of ground where you can see and hear a long ways. One year it took me 5 days to find an elk, and in that 5 days I covered 90 miles (Foot and horseback).

 

[Elkfitness]

I was in your shoes, all I've ever done are solo backpack elk hunts.

I would say to really lay out all of your stuff, let it sit for a day, and then come back to it and start trying to pare things down. For example, do you need 3 pairs of socks, or the expectation capable first aid kit. Really work to lighten your load.

In addition, like others mentioned, have a plan for when the elk is down. Paracord is your friend when working with the elk.

I would also make sure you do a combo or map and Google earth scouting to help know the area. In addition, keep moving until you find fresh sign and use glassing to save your legs.

Lots of little things you'll learn on your first trip. Bring a pad and pen and keep notes!

Have fun!!

 

[dustin ray]

three to five miles in 4 to 5 trips in and out doable for a vary fit guy
five to eight miles a supper fit guy
eight + miles unless you have four legs and eat hay your pushing the ones limits

 

[Apparition]

I would say to really lay out all of your stuff, let it sit for a day, and then come back to it and start trying to pare things down. For example, do you need 3 pairs of socks, or the expectation capable first aid kit. Really work to lighten your load

This^^^ Ive done a couple of backpack elk hunts, nothing reduces your load on your second trip like the load you carried on your first trip. Go over your gear with a fine tooth comb, leave what ever you think would be "nice" to have and take only what you absolutely need.

Where you from in PA?

 

[smartweed]

I am from Ohio actually, but used to hunt and hike PA a lot, mostly in the Allegheny nf. I figure the only way I can really get what I want out of an elk hunt out there is to go alone into the wild areas. Or just with another backpacking maniac....

 

[25contender]

Every year after my elk hunt I lay everything on the floor and do the same thing what do I really need. I have a Rubbermaid tub I throw all the unwanted's in. I don't bring any cases or sacks for knives, binoculars, rangefinder, etc.at all anymore just that makes a big difference by itself.

This^^^ Ive done a couple of backpack elk hunts, nothing reduces your load on your second trip like the load you carried on your first trip. Go over your gear with a fine tooth comb, leave what ever you think would be "nice" to have and take only what you absolutely need.

Where you from in PA?

 

[njdoxie]

Don't know why this is not brought up more often.....you don't have to pack out your elk, you can arrange for elk packers on horseback to come in and get your elk....requires some planning. .... Call fish and game and find outfitters working that country, call outfitters and see if they would be a possibility to pack your elk out, try to have at least 2 possibilities

 

[dkw1959]

I did it in 2012 in area 76 in Colorado. I would not recommend it! I am in good shape, packed in about 4-5 miles at 9000' elevation. Where I live it is about 1600' elevation. Was not fun. Hunted hard all day and then coming back in the dark and you're sweaty, smelly, need to make something to eat. Start again at 5 AM. Killed an elk on day 3. Had to make 4 trips to pack out meat and gear. Took two days. I don't want to discourage you but it is a lot of HARD work.

 

[Farmer]

So,okay Smartweed what you want to know right up front is you really can do a backpack hunt, dkw1959 is right in saying that a hunt too far back is, in fact, too far back. Just be aware the distance required to haul your animal out on your back. Miles in, miles out and repeat til conclusion. Do the mileage math and allow for the ambient weather. Add in your ability and don't go further. Last year on my solo wilderness hunt I was 3-1/2 miles back and the elk I had located was a mile further and 900-feet higher a combination which put those critters beyond my ability. I moved camp. I'll be returning there this year better prepared. You're 43 and running out of time? I'll be 69 in three weeks and I've got a few good years left in me. Go gettem!

 

[Birdhunter24]

A lot of great advice in this thread and I echo all of it (especially getting rid of luxury items). A buddy and I have been bivy hunting for the past few years in CO at around 9,000-10,000 feet in mid-Sept. We learned a lot from Cameron Hanes' book, but also learned a few lessons the hard way:
1. Don't shave weight by ditching the rain gear. We got caught at 10,000 feet in an unexpected rain/sleet/snow storm had to retreat to base camp in the dark (about 5 miles) or risk hypothermia because we gambled and lost on the rain gear.
2. Don't shave weight by ditching the sleeping pad. Did it. A more miserable night I cannot imagine...
3. Make sure you have the best pack and boots you can afford. I have a Badlands 2200 which was too small and upgraded to a Sitka Bivy 45 which was great until it was time to haul meat. I'll be interested to see what Sitka does to redesign their packs next year, but I sure hope they upgrade the suspension and shoulder straps. Mountain boots are also a must for after the shot.
4. Train with weight on your back. The first year I trained by running hills just worrying about getting my lungs in shape. It worked, but I was not prepared for the load. Last year I ran some days and hiked with 40lbs on my back a few days a week and the hunt was much more enjoyable. That's the key... Better prep = more fun
I could go on for pages relating our mistakes, but I don't want to look like a complete dope! PM me if you would like any more cautionary tales. Having said that, I wouldn't trade those trips for a pile of gold. I LOVE bivy hunting.
I'm 47 and look forward to a lot more hunts. Its what keeps me getting up at 5am for those morning runs.

 

[RICMIC]

Great first post Birdhunter. I agree with you about being careful what you leave behind. Just because you didn't use it on your last trip, doesn't mean that it won't save your life on the next trip.

 

[smartweed]

Thanks again for more replies guys. The help is invaluable, I am going to be hunting high if I get the muzzy elk tag I want, is 10k feet going to kill me? I am already starting my exercise....

 

[RICMIC]

Smartweed; I didn't see where you were from. If you are a flat-lander, then it would be helpful to get some experience at altitude before you actually go on a hunt. Being in shape it vital, but I have been on three different hunts where fit guys had altitude issues (one was a recent ex-pro baseball player, 33 yrs. old.), while a 60 year old fat man did just fine. If you have the opportunity, take a backpacking vacation, preferably combined with a scouting trip and see how you do. There's a difference between "sucking wind", and having severe headaches, muscle cramps, puking, etc. You will not be high enough to worry about HAPE and HACE, so start climbing.