Last year was my first mountain, backcountry hunt. I had never hunted a mountain state and had little backpacking/mountain experience. I did it solo. Here are a few things that I learned (and wished I would have known). I'm from central/western Nebraska so timber hunting was a whole new world to me.
1. If you're a rookie and going solo have an emergency contact device...sat phone, SPOT, something like that. I didn't have any problems, but I went down twice, a couple miles from the trailhead and in the timber. Had I injured myself, I would have been in trouble. I actually packed up camp a couple days early because I felt it was irresponsible of me, with my lack of experience, a wife at home, etc. to risk it.
2. If you think you're in good enough shape, you're not. Being able to run 7 miles helps, but its the climbing with 40-50 lbs on your back that will kill ya. I didn't do enough strength/climbing training and it made the hike in really hard. I only packed in 2 miles and 1400 ft, but 2 miles in the mountains is VERY different than 2 miles out here in the flatlands.
3. Take somebody with you. I enjoy alone time, it's a nice break from the day-to-day rush of work, but it's an amazing experience that would be a lot more fun if you share it with somebody. Also, you have a lot of down time while glassing, etc. Having someone there would make it more fun. And, back to #1, it's safer, just in case something happens.
4. Get a GPS Unit with Onxmaps. I used mine ALL the time. Not because I was lost, but because I needed to know that I was on the right route to where I was heading and that I was on public ground. The area I was hunting was a mix of public/private. There is no way I would have known where the boundaries were without my Garmin. Also, it was really nice to know I was following the same route out that I took in. It will save a lot of time and wasted steps. Also take a good topo map and compass. My GPS didn't work for a while and I used the compass.
5. Do it for the experience your first time out. You will learn A LOT! As long as you're out there hunting you'll have a chance to get your trophy, but also be sure you're taking note of everything so that you can use the info the next time out.
6. Take your time. Everything takes longer out there. Don't get in a rush...unless you see a monster and need to make a move quick.
7. Watch the weather. Like everywhere, it will have a huge impact on your hunt, but in the mountains it will also have a huge impact on your ability to get in OR OUT of many places. Rain will make many places unaccessible, same with snow. It will also get you stuck on the mountain if it's bad enough and you don't get out ahead of it.
8. Expect some things to go wrong and prepare for that. Some of you equipment will fail. Anything that is absolutely necessary, have a backup.
9. Do a lot research ahead of time. This forum is a great place for information on everything, gear, tips, backpacking, soloing, hunting strategy...read it all. Until you've been out there, it will be hard to wrap your head around some of it, but you'll get it once you're out there.
10. DO IT.....IT'S AWESOME!!!!! if you've wanted to get out there and do it but just haven't for whatever reason...DO IT! I ate my tag, never even saw a mulie I would consider shooting, and it was one of the most memorable, amazing hunts of my life.
1. If you're a rookie and going solo have an emergency contact device...sat phone, SPOT, something like that. I didn't have any problems, but I went down twice, a couple miles from the trailhead and in the timber. Had I injured myself, I would have been in trouble. I actually packed up camp a couple days early because I felt it was irresponsible of me, with my lack of experience, a wife at home, etc. to risk it.
2. If you think you're in good enough shape, you're not. Being able to run 7 miles helps, but its the climbing with 40-50 lbs on your back that will kill ya. I didn't do enough strength/climbing training and it made the hike in really hard. I only packed in 2 miles and 1400 ft, but 2 miles in the mountains is VERY different than 2 miles out here in the flatlands.
3. Take somebody with you. I enjoy alone time, it's a nice break from the day-to-day rush of work, but it's an amazing experience that would be a lot more fun if you share it with somebody. Also, you have a lot of down time while glassing, etc. Having someone there would make it more fun. And, back to #1, it's safer, just in case something happens.
4. Get a GPS Unit with Onxmaps. I used mine ALL the time. Not because I was lost, but because I needed to know that I was on the right route to where I was heading and that I was on public ground. The area I was hunting was a mix of public/private. There is no way I would have known where the boundaries were without my Garmin. Also, it was really nice to know I was following the same route out that I took in. It will save a lot of time and wasted steps. Also take a good topo map and compass. My GPS didn't work for a while and I used the compass.
5. Do it for the experience your first time out. You will learn A LOT! As long as you're out there hunting you'll have a chance to get your trophy, but also be sure you're taking note of everything so that you can use the info the next time out.
6. Take your time. Everything takes longer out there. Don't get in a rush...unless you see a monster and need to make a move quick.
7. Watch the weather. Like everywhere, it will have a huge impact on your hunt, but in the mountains it will also have a huge impact on your ability to get in OR OUT of many places. Rain will make many places unaccessible, same with snow. It will also get you stuck on the mountain if it's bad enough and you don't get out ahead of it.
8. Expect some things to go wrong and prepare for that. Some of you equipment will fail. Anything that is absolutely necessary, have a backup.
9. Do a lot research ahead of time. This forum is a great place for information on everything, gear, tips, backpacking, soloing, hunting strategy...read it all. Until you've been out there, it will be hard to wrap your head around some of it, but you'll get it once you're out there.
10. DO IT.....IT'S AWESOME!!!!! if you've wanted to get out there and do it but just haven't for whatever reason...DO IT! I ate my tag, never even saw a mulie I would consider shooting, and it was one of the most memorable, amazing hunts of my life.
