Friends from back east

[chris_cain]

Some of my friends from back east are wanting to come elk hunting in Colo with me this year and while I'd love to introduce them to it and get them into elk, I'm not really sure how to go about it. I usually hunt solo or occasionally with a buddy, but we usually stay above 11,000'. I was thinking about taking one to units 371, 36, 44 and 45 for archery and starting at lower elevations and working higher. And then taking the other to unit 18/28 for 2nd rifle (I can get a leftover cow tag). I was scouting last weekend and only saw 2 small Bulls right at sunrise at 11,800', I'm used to seeing a lot more elk and am looking for anyone's input. Thanks


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[badgerbob]

You are in a tough position. Unless friends or family are known experienced hunters, I refuse to take them. Too many times they get here and what they really want is for me to find something for them to shoot, not hunt and shoot it themselves. A distant cousin came up one year, got lost and spent the night in the woods. In a situation like this you always feel responsible. The guy actually crossed two roads and wound up at the bottom of a huge draw. Lucky for him there was a road there. Early next morning someone found him. Other side of the mountain and he would have been in trouble. Why would anyone keep going down when they are camped on a ridge top? It's just a can of worms I refuse to open. I like to hunt the way I want to. Someone else along and I start compromising. Just a little grouchy in my old years.

 

[Slugz]

Tough one there Chris, not to use BB words. Recommend you mosey over to the new member section and intro yourself. In my experience taking newbies usually compromises your experience/fun level....that being said I believe its best to brief them of what the plan is prior to you taking them in. Talk about everything before they come so to dispel all expectations. I second BB comments about getting lost. If I had a nickel for every flatlander that said " I don't need a GPS"......all that being said my family and I try to take a young man hunting on a cow hunt that has no hunting experience when we can. Usually a kid from my sons school.
I'm taking in some friends from Louisiana this year for a cow muzzleloader hunt for their first trip to Colorado. I believe we owe it to teach others. Teaching though doesn't mean I'm gonna show you my spot. You're still gonna have to work for it

 

[genesis27:3]

Speaking of taking folks from the eastern flat land to high altitude. Here's my experience as an easterner, and what my mindset was. Most hunters from the east coast hunt leases (few hundred acres) and sit in trees. I've done it for 30 something years. So, I'm a hunter, and chasing elk is hunting...right? Not so fast!
When I decided to go with 25contender last year, I knew it would be tough, but I had no idea how tough until I stepped out of the truck at 8000-ish feet, and started going up! We (easterners can easily underestimate what altitude and unending land can do to a guy who normally hunts out of a tree and under 1000'.
All you can do is warn them repeatedly and then let us learn the hard way. Don't let them keep you from 10,000' because they can't make it from the steep climbs. I tell my fellow flatlanders, you'll rarely find a successful high altitude hunter that is overweight and doesn't train. There's a reason for that!

 

[Hilltop]

Good responses above. My only advice would be to limit yourself to bringing one at a time so your not spread so thin. You are basically going to be guiding that person, regardless of how good of shape or how good a hunter that individual is. I love to take rookies hunting and agree with Slugz above- we owe it to teach and spread the knowledge if we expect it to continue on to future generations.

 

[chris_cain]

I appreciate everyone's input. I guess the reason I agreed to this is largely because I never had anyone to teach me and over the last dozen years or so I've had to figure it out. They have noticed while they talk about it as a "once in a lifetime hunt" they see me organize my calendar around ensuring two weeks off in September every year, I would love to share it, but with everything being so wet and green this year and very little found scouting, I'm worried that this will not turn out well. I am not a good elk hunter, my success is mostly due to going up and into the highest, most rugged terrain and staying there, and I'm not sure if they can.


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[dan maule]

I would not be to worried about them actually killing anything. Being a "Flatlander" myself, I am sure that the experience of pursuing
elk in the mountains of Colorado will be a rewarding experience that they will remember for a lifetime. If they are at all serious about hunting the change in hunting style compared to hunting the east will be an absolute blast for them. Just my two cents worth.

 

[480/277]

I have introduced 2 nephews and 2 men to our sport. And I got more out of it than they did.
And they all had a blast....
If in doubt of their abilities, start with speed goats or deer.

 

[badgerbob]

I have introduced 2 nephews and 2 men to our sport. And I got more out of it than they did.
And they all had a blast....
If in doubt of their abilities, start with speed goats or deer.

This brings up an issue which has been on my mind as of late. We, as hunters, are out numbered. We should be introducing as many new hunters, as possible, to the sport. I guess it is a necessary evil, that we must embrace in order to protect our sport. Without numbers we will loose our hunting opportunities. I still prefer hunting alone. Maybe I need to re-think my position. Kind of like taking one for the team.

 

[Slugz]

Well put BB. All should read the presidents monthly page in the RMEFs Bugle magazine. I believe it will change alot of people and how we think about each other,hunting and America as a whole.