I guess the worst it could be is 1 elk down and maybe 2 deer at the same time. Myself and my friend have the elk tags and we will be hunting together. We wouldn't be foolish enough to each shoot a bull the same day that far back.
Are we being realistic?
- Thread starter JEandAsGuide
- Start date
I would line up a mule or two just in case. Then you don't have to worry about whether or not you see two Bulls together and who gets to shoot...
Eastmans' Staff Digital Media Coordinator
25contender
Veteran member
- Mar 20, 2013
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It can be done but you really have to have a plan. Two of us shot and packed out two elk in 3 days last year about the same distance you are planning on. Just don't plan on getting much sleep. I always camp near a decent size high mountain creek which we cache the meat in between trips back to the truck. The cold water creek is a blessing in itself and makes a huge difference.
guess it come down to if you have the money to pay for the pack horse or mule or being fit enough to pack out on back. if money isn't an issue then by all means get the help with the 4 legged friend. not everyone has mula pouring from every door they open. having the horse help is indeed very very nice!!
I am seriously considering it. The problem is, besides my brother, none of us have much experience with horses or mules. Him and my sister have always had horses and from what everyone says he is really good with them but I played baseball growing up. Hah. I am going to talk to him about it and with help from you guys, we will probably go that route. I just know an animal that big can cause you serious problems if it wants to and we will have enough to worry about with the bears.
I don't think money would be a huge issue. Between all of us, we could probably split the cost for a couple pack animals, which is all we would need. I don't necessarily want to be riding an animal I am not familiar with in the backcountry.
This mare hauled camp out for us. She was a life saver after we did this.
Eastmans' Staff Digital Media Coordinator
I agree with lining up someone else to pack out your elk if you get one. Caring for horses on your own is a LOT of work. You have to pack in feed for them, most likley certified weed free and you must camp near water because horses drink a lot of water. They can also be very jumpy when they are taken out of familiar surroundings.
Good luck with your hunt.
Good luck with your hunt.
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
I would be concerned about the logistics of packing "several" elk out that far without horses. Killing several elk is possible especially with five or six guys on a two week rifle hunt. When you get the first one down, are you going to pack it out immediately? If so when you get it to the vehicle, what are you going to do with it? Take it to a butcher shop? Or are you going to hang all tagged elk in a tree near your remote camp and then pack them all out at the end? That could be a heck of a lot of work at the end of the hunt when you are all tired. I see you are from Louisiana. If all of you are flatlanders, you may have trouble getting accustomed to the elevation. Unless you are all in excellent physical condition, I would rethink this plan IMHO.
Oops, now I see you only have only two elk tags. Still two elk and maybe a couple of deer...
Oops, now I see you only have only two elk tags. Still two elk and maybe a couple of deer...
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The meat would come out after one was down and taken somewhere to be processed and/or held for us. This would cost everyone a least 1 day of hunting per elk and I will be sure everyone understands this going in. Elevation is a concern. We plan to arrive at least 2 days before hiking up and spending at least one night at the trailhead to help acclimate. We will take it slow going in but you have a point and we have definitely given it some thought.
NDHunter
Veteran member
I feel like you might be trying to sprint at the beginning of a marathon. Your plan is definitely ambitious and at some point, an ambitious plan turns into a bad plan. I don't think you're there but you are biting off a lot to chew.
You said you don't have a lot of backpacking experience, correct? If you're going to be hunting for close to 2 weeks, I think you would be way better off to at least do a "trial run" a mile in or two somewhere. Pack in 2 miles, setup camp and all your stuff and then hunt for a day or two. There is plenty of good hunting 2 miles off the road and that way you can see if you truly "need" all the stuff you're packing or not and I'm sure you'll learn a few things that you'd do differently.
I'd definitely say you're being smart about it though by asking these questions now and looking for advice. If you could line up a packer to come in and pack out an elk, I'd say your plan is WAY more doable than if your party packs it out yourself.
You said you don't have a lot of backpacking experience, correct? If you're going to be hunting for close to 2 weeks, I think you would be way better off to at least do a "trial run" a mile in or two somewhere. Pack in 2 miles, setup camp and all your stuff and then hunt for a day or two. There is plenty of good hunting 2 miles off the road and that way you can see if you truly "need" all the stuff you're packing or not and I'm sure you'll learn a few things that you'd do differently.
I'd definitely say you're being smart about it though by asking these questions now and looking for advice. If you could line up a packer to come in and pack out an elk, I'd say your plan is WAY more doable than if your party packs it out yourself.
You have a good point about only going a couple miles first and we will probably do this. It is kind of what I meant by taking it slow on the way in. If I find elk at the truck, I'm good with that. Hah. They may not be there after opening day but that's when we can move. I have already been informed that I don't need to get that far in the area I am hunting to get into elk, I just feel like that 5 mile area I have looked at might be necessary pending other hunting pressure. Bottom line is, I want to be able to find them and if a 5 mile camp is what it takes, I want to make sure myself and my party are prepared for what we are doing as best we can.
We do have little backpacking experience but I personally have treated the last to years in WY like backpack hunts. Simply to test the gear I had selected, right down to the stove, food, tent, bag and thin ass sleeping pad I have when I could have been on a air mattress. Some of the guys cut corners on certain gear for those hunts and now are having to up grade.
NDHunter
Veteran member
Well, the only other thing I'd recommend is to be flexible. Don't drive out there with the thought of "we're going 5 miles deep no matter what." The country is going to look different than it did on Google Earth and I'd have at least 3 different areas that look decent on paper to hunt.
Yes, they should call every outfitter who works the area, find find out if they're a possibility to pack out an elk, and hopefully have 2 or 3 phone numbers you can call if you get an elk down.....yes requires a little research, F&G usually knows who the outfitters are.
Dakota Drifter
Member
Its a good thing I didn't read this post before I started backpack hunting because I would have been scared out of it.
I've been Elk hunting since 1996 and got my first one in 2004 and have had 50 percent success since.
5-6 young people 5-8 miles back in will be easy if you have a game plan,be prepared and are motivated.
I get several big coolers and fill one or two with block ice or better yet gallon milk jugs filled with water and frozen (don't want meat to sit in water). If using cube ice put in zip lock bags.
Always have your frame pack and game bags with at all times, that way you can always haul at least one load back to spike camp right away. I like to leave the quarters whole if at all possible as it will cool down better than deboning it all out and sitting in a big ball at the bottom of the game bag. Hang quarters so they will be in the shade all day. If its going to rain cover them up with white or clear plastic. Leave some clothing there to keep coyotes away.
Have everyone in the group help get the quarters back to the spike camp at least and then one person can make 2-3 trips a day the 5 miles back to truck. I always have a camp set up at the truck with tent, bag and pad (heavy items because I have up graded to lighter stuff). That way I can make the most of my day by being able to sleep at the truck or the spike camp.
At 5 miles in I am able to do 2-3 round trips a day in daylight hours and I'm older, out of shape and live at 2800' elevation.
Make sure you don't keep hunting until the day you are leaving unless you have the ability to extend trip.
You could always rent one horse with a saddle and get the orange pack bag that fits over the saddle from Cabela's. I have gotten a whole elk out 5 miles in with two trips this way. The horse eats weed free hay at the truck but eats natural grass at spike camp plus pack in some oats. If you do get a horse or two you can pack in a little more comfortable spike camp. If your unfamiliar with horses you don't need to ride it just lead it. They do need some attention but not bad after you've done it once.
Hunting warmer states or lower elevations will effect how quickly you need to get meat to a locker.
I've been Elk hunting since 1996 and got my first one in 2004 and have had 50 percent success since.
5-6 young people 5-8 miles back in will be easy if you have a game plan,be prepared and are motivated.
I get several big coolers and fill one or two with block ice or better yet gallon milk jugs filled with water and frozen (don't want meat to sit in water). If using cube ice put in zip lock bags.
Always have your frame pack and game bags with at all times, that way you can always haul at least one load back to spike camp right away. I like to leave the quarters whole if at all possible as it will cool down better than deboning it all out and sitting in a big ball at the bottom of the game bag. Hang quarters so they will be in the shade all day. If its going to rain cover them up with white or clear plastic. Leave some clothing there to keep coyotes away.
Have everyone in the group help get the quarters back to the spike camp at least and then one person can make 2-3 trips a day the 5 miles back to truck. I always have a camp set up at the truck with tent, bag and pad (heavy items because I have up graded to lighter stuff). That way I can make the most of my day by being able to sleep at the truck or the spike camp.
At 5 miles in I am able to do 2-3 round trips a day in daylight hours and I'm older, out of shape and live at 2800' elevation.
Make sure you don't keep hunting until the day you are leaving unless you have the ability to extend trip.
You could always rent one horse with a saddle and get the orange pack bag that fits over the saddle from Cabela's. I have gotten a whole elk out 5 miles in with two trips this way. The horse eats weed free hay at the truck but eats natural grass at spike camp plus pack in some oats. If you do get a horse or two you can pack in a little more comfortable spike camp. If your unfamiliar with horses you don't need to ride it just lead it. They do need some attention but not bad after you've done it once.
Hunting warmer states or lower elevations will effect how quickly you need to get meat to a locker.
Dakota Drifter
Member
If you do rent horses tell them you have limited experience but would like them to spend some time with you on some do's and dont's with their horses. Have as many as possible out of your group attend so all the info can get soaked up. Most people that rent horses are more than willing to show you how to treat and care for their stock. Get some books or videos on packing stock as "train wrecks" are going to happen in the learning process.
This is so true. I have used Google Earth to look at places that I have already set foot on while hunting and even though I know just how steep and big the mountain is it just doesn't look it on the Google maps.http://www.eastmans.com/forum/images/styles/eastmans/attach/jpg.gif
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I have been the last 2 years so I am already aware of how deceiving GE can be. I hiked 2.5 miles last year to a canyon 2 days before this season opened. It looked awesome from GE. Got there and too steep to get in or out of it.