What would be the best piece of advice you could give them? One thing that would help them have the best poasible hunt on the their first outing.
For The Rookie Mountain Hunter...
- Thread starter ScottR
- Start date
brianboh
Active Member
Bonecollector
Veteran member
genesis27:3
Member
Be prepared physically. I can't stress that enough! Not only will it help with climbing those mts, but will help mentally as well.
This is coming from a easterner who assumed that it would be alot like eastern whitetail hunting! It's not!!
This is coming from a easterner who assumed that it would be alot like eastern whitetail hunting! It's not!!
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Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Don't get caught up in thinking the only successful hunt is killing a wall hanger. Relax and enjoy one of God's greatest creations....the Rocky Mountains and what they contain: fresh air, beautiful scenery, great water and wonderful smells.
what CC said. bring a good camera to capture the majesty of the Rockies. another big one for the novice rocky mountain hunter is be prepared for hot temps changing to snow in the matter of minutes. and keep an eye on those big black clouds, when you are above tree line, don't get caught up there.
Matthoek21
Veteran member
Mental toughness and take care of your feet. Oh and just enjoy every minute of it. I tell people I just love to waller(wallow) in it.
Great thread Scott
I agree with CC and Gen.
Being physically fit will make things so much more enjoyable and for me along with that come mental toughness. Enjoy the country your in. Stop every so often, sit down and really take a look around and take in the scenery. It's good to just stop and decompress from the long hikes and can really do your head some good.
I agree with CC and Gen.
Being physically fit will make things so much more enjoyable and for me along with that come mental toughness. Enjoy the country your in. Stop every so often, sit down and really take a look around and take in the scenery. It's good to just stop and decompress from the long hikes and can really do your head some good.
RICMIC
Veteran member
These guys have it right. Carpe Diem. Enjoy the journey, and the destination is just the bonus. Give yourself enough time so that it isn't a mad dash to "get-R-done", and smell the flowers along the way.
badgerbob
Active Member
IDELKFVR
Active Member
The harvest is a bonus. But enjoy the hunt and the time outdoors and enjoy the company you keep. It goes by way to fast.
dan maule
Veteran member
One of my biggest problems trying to glass a new area is I can't stop admiring the landscape. When I was in the Frank Church I almost forgot why I was there but that is why I go to these places harvesting something is just a bonus. That being said the better shape you are physically the more you will enjoy yourself.
Prerylyon
Veteran member
Fitness. 
You don't need to be a total phreak, but get started on a program. The hardest part is getting started. I've lost 85# over 3 yrs and kept it off (poor dietary habits and lack of activity was my issue). Its been a journey. I weighed over 300lbs most of my adult life and decided one day I wanted to be healthier. I can walk farther, hunt harder, climb higher, and stay out longer. You won't regret it.
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You don't need to be a total phreak, but get started on a program. The hardest part is getting started. I've lost 85# over 3 yrs and kept it off (poor dietary habits and lack of activity was my issue). Its been a journey. I weighed over 300lbs most of my adult life and decided one day I wanted to be healthier. I can walk farther, hunt harder, climb higher, and stay out longer. You won't regret it.
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Some great insight and advice shared already. The only thing that comes to mind for me is if you don't live and train at altitude, if you hunt much above 7.5k, it is noticeable, go slow, hydrate and give it a few days. If way up there, 9k+, and or a bit older, it can take longer to acclimate, 5-7 days, so keep the faith, you will adjust to your level of fitness in time.
To twist a Yogi Berra quote, Hunting is 90% mental. The other half is physical.
To twist a Yogi Berra quote, Hunting is 90% mental. The other half is physical.
clacklin009
Active Member
The first thing I would advise is to try and go up with someone that knows what they are doing.
That person should be able to help with all of the other things I can't include because we are offering one thing
.
Since fitness has been mentioned, if a person is going up alone I would tell them to prepare by knowing what they will do for the multitude of situations they might find themselves in. Visualize what you will do when you see an animal, how you will get a shot, what you will do when it goes down and what you will do if you get something at different times of day, like right before sundown vs. morning. How to deal with other hunters, emergency situations and so forth. By doing this I think you are more prepares when you are out and can focus on hunting and less on other things.
That person should be able to help with all of the other things I can't include because we are offering one thing
. Since fitness has been mentioned, if a person is going up alone I would tell them to prepare by knowing what they will do for the multitude of situations they might find themselves in. Visualize what you will do when you see an animal, how you will get a shot, what you will do when it goes down and what you will do if you get something at different times of day, like right before sundown vs. morning. How to deal with other hunters, emergency situations and so forth. By doing this I think you are more prepares when you are out and can focus on hunting and less on other things.
Zim
Very Active Member
One hard part is done. That is the decision to go do it. I kept putting off my first attempt because I didn't want to go alone, but my friends kept backing out. Finally I just went despite that. Just go and don't make an excuse. The next is physical fitness as has been mentioned. The third is foot care. Get good quality boots for side hill trekking. Break them in before you go. Get used to wearing sock liners and buttering up with Vaseline immediately if you sense a hot spot. Pack mole skin, etc. Take very good care of your feet. You may be hiking ten miles daily. In the mountains it only takes one physical weak link to end your hunt. I've seen it. The last is don't worry about success just enjoy the learning experience. It's really awesome just being out there.
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missjordan
Veteran member
Mental toughness I think is the biggest challenge. Sometimes you gotta just keep pushing through!
wy-tex
Veteran member
Come out a few days early and acclimate to altitude if possible. Drink lots of water.Take a rest day and stay in camp if your body needs it.Allow some extra travel days if you're coming out in October or later. Roads close for a reason, don't try to push it when conditions are dangerous. Even today there are some spots your cell phone will not work. Don't camp under dead trees. We have a chainsaw every time we go into the forest in case we have to clear roads or a camp site.
chainsaw is very nice to have with you if you plan to be hunting from a base camp, and clearing rds after a big thunder storm is sometimes a must.