Solo DYI backpack (or ATV) hunt suggestions(?)

[Daubs]

Looking for suggestions on a solo / DIY backpack hunt. Or an ATV hunt.

Background: Grew up hunting waterfowl, turkey and upland in Nebraska. Started hunting Deer when living in Missouri after college. Day trips, nothing overnight. Now back in Nebraska and still hunting Muley, turkey and waterfowl. I’ll often hike 3-5 miles in and out of public land to “get away from the masses.”

In 2005 took trip of lifetime to hunt caribou north of Dillingham, Alaska. I had never backpacked or camped outside before this trip(!). DIY / unguided hunt for me and three buddies. None of us had done this particular hunt before, but two in party had backpack hunted in Alaska in past.

Outfitter flew us in and dropped off on a lake. We put together pontoon rafts and spent next seven days hunting and rafting down 60 miles of river to another lake. Our group tagged two "bou" that trip. I got along pretty well in the wilderness, had good equipment (Gore-tex, no cotton, good boots, North Face tent, etc.), and had a great time! I have longed to backpack hunt since that trip.

But I’m always worried about getting hurt, stranded in storm, etc. Never knew about SPOT or InReach products until now. Wow, this opens up possibilities -- can let wife and kids know i'm okay, added safety, etc.

So I’m researching solo / DIY hunts for 2017 or 2018. I want to get off the beaten path, experience nature, and enjoy my time alone in the wilderness. I'll be 49 end of this month, and in pretty good shape (can always be better).

I would like to stay driving distance from Omaha, Nebraska – thinking Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Utah. Rifle hunting or muzzle-loader, not bow hunting (for now). I do have 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup and recently purchased Polaris 550 Browning Edition ATV.

Thoughts and suggestions for solo / DIY backpack (or ATV) hunts out west?

(I'll post the gear I already have next...)

 

[Daubs]

Here is my gear list:

What I have:

• Browning A-bolt 30-06, or
• Winchester Model 70, 7mm MAG, or
• Thompson Encore Pro Hunter XT, .50 cal
• Garmin Rino 655T GPS
• Cabela’s Alaskan Outfitter frame and backpack
• Cabela’s rifle hunting day–pack
• North Face 2 man tent (rainfly goes all way to ground)
• Upgrading to 10x42 nocs
• Leica LRF 800 range finder
• Sleeping bag
• Safety (space blanket, fire starter, poncho, rope, first aid kit, etc)
• Water purifier and bladders
• Headlamps
• Stuff sacks and dry bags
• Gore-Tex, and more Gore-Tex (I'm kind of a Gore-Tex WHORE!)

What I need:

• InReach SE (getting for B-day)
• "Big eyes" (not a spotter)
• Jetboil and other cooking gear
• tripod

 

[CoHiCntry]

Backpacking is hard work. Do the ATV hunt so when the hunting is slow you can ride around and drink beer.

 

[hoshour]

That's so general, it's hard to know how to respond. What kind of game do you want to hunt? How many different species do you want to hunt each year? How much time do you have to hunt?

Montana is probably the easiest to get drawn in but tags are expensive. Utah is very tough to draw. Wyoming is best for antelope, Colorado is best for mule deer. Those are the easiest generalizations.

You'll need to do a lot of work with the Eastmans' MRS to get a strategy for applying that includes putting in for some dream hunts like Utah deer or elk or trophy species like sheep, goats and moose and some easier to draw hunts. The MRS, which among other things, tells you how many points you are likely to need for each hunt is your Bible.

 

[Daubs]

Thanks Hoshour:

Yes, my question is intended to be pretty general. I'm not really a "I must hunt ____ (state) for ____ (game) in ____ (unit), and I'm only hunting for trophies..."

Aside from the Alaska Caribou hunt, I've pretty much stayed in home states (Missouri and Nebraska), and chased whitetail or Mule deer, on public land. I would prefer to start with Mule deer, but am open to other species.

Just looking for suggestions, people's experiences, places they would recommend.

Time and cost will likely be the limiting factors. I can get up to two weeks off from work to hunt.

Example: If someone said, "I'm looking to hunt waterfowl...suggestions?" I'd say, "Nebraska can be good to great! Interested in private / guides, then look to the North Platte River west of Oshkosh Many quality outfitters in that area, and loads of fowl. Looking for DIY hunts over water, stick to the Rainwater Basin in south central Nebraska. Lots of public walk in land...get there early and be prepared to have lots of competition. If you really want to kill ducks, get your scout on, and find the "x," a field where they have been feeding. Set up your layout blind, get a few dozen shells and silhouettes, and make sure you have at least two robo's in your spread. Bring. Lots. Of. Shells. PM me for more details and suggestions."

Bottom line, I'm not looking for someone to show me their honey-hole, or "secret spot." I'm just looking for some general advice on a DIY hunt out west, backpack or ATV.

Does this narrow it down sufficiently?

 

[Doe Nob]

Thanks Hoshour:
Bottom line, I'm not looking for someone to show me their honey-hole, or "secret spot." I'm just looking for some general advice on a DIY hunt out west, backpack or ATV.
Does this narrow it down sufficiently?

No. You need to figure out what you want to hunt and what class of animal. Then everyone here can help you on where to go. IMO good OTC rifle hunts are hard to find much any more for the NR. If you live close and can scout and pattern animals its great, but just showing up on a general OTC unit with a week to hunt, you should have low expectations. That said, rifle elk in CO is full of opportunities IF you can find a way to get away from the orange army.

I'm sick of running into a bunch of ass hats every where I go, so i'm pretty much looking at limited entry or barrier to entry (wilderness backpack) type hunts any more. Archery and muzzle loader hunting opens up a lot of opportunities.

 

[Daubs]

No. You need to figure out what you want to hunt and what class of animal. Then everyone here can help you on where to go. IMO good OTC rifle hunts are hard to find much any more for the NR. If you live close and can scout and pattern animals its great, but just showing up on a general OTC unit with a week to hunt, you should have low expectations. That said, rifle elk in CO is full of opportunities IF you can find a way to get away from the orange army.

So let start with Mule Deer hunt, in the 140-160 class.

I'm sick of running into a bunch of ass hats every where I go, so i'm pretty much looking at limited entry or barrier to entry (wilderness backpack) type hunts any more. Archery and muzzle loader hunting opens up a lot of opportunities.

Agreed! I too would prefer to be away from ass-hats.

Limited entry or barrier to entry = YES
Wilderness backpack = YES
Muzzle loader = YES
Archery = no

 

[wgthomas3]

Ne.

Looking for suggestions on a solo / DIY backpack hunt. Or an ATV hunt.

Background: Grew up hunting waterfowl, turkey and upland in Nebraska. Started hunting Deer when living in Missouri after college. Day trips, nothing overnight. Now back in Nebraska and still hunting Muley, turkey and waterfowl. I’ll often hike 3-5 miles in and out of public land to “get away from the masses.”

In 2005 took trip of lifetime to hunt caribou north of Dillingham, Alaska. I had never backpacked or camped outside before this trip(!). DIY / unguided hunt for me and three buddies. None of us had done this particular hunt before, but two in party had backpack hunted in Alaska in past.

Outfitter flew us in and dropped off on a lake. We put together pontoon rafts and spent next seven days hunting and rafting down 60 miles of river to another lake. Our group tagged two "bou" that trip. I got along pretty well in the wilderness, had good equipment (Gore-tex, no cotton, good boots, North Face tent, etc.), and had a great time! I have longed to backpack hunt since that trip.

But I’m always worried about getting hurt, stranded in storm, etc. Never knew about SPOT or InReach products until now. Wow, this opens up possibilities -- can let wife and kids know i'm okay, added safety, etc.

So I’m researching solo / DIY hunts for 2017 or 2018. I want to get off the beaten path, experience nature, and enjoy my time alone in the wilderness. I'll be 49 end of this month, and in pretty good shape (can always be better).

I would like to stay driving distance from Omaha, Nebraska – thinking Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Utah. Rifle hunting or muzzle-loader, not bow hunting (for now). I do have 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup and recently purchased Polaris 550 Browning Edition ATV.

Thoughts and suggestions for solo / DIY backpack (or ATV) hunts out west?

(I'll post the gear I already have next...)

Hi Doubs,

I'm in NE and interested in the same. Muzzle loader is best of course. Happy to talk pm about options.

 

[Rory]

I'm 59yoa, I hunt solo, and I just got back from a Colorado DIY elk archery OTC either sex. I started applying for muzzle loader this year so I have 1 pref point. Had only a couple of good days to archery hunt and decided - after encountering hikers and mountain bikers on trails NOT illustrated or listed on USFS maps !! @#)!($*&&! - to hike 2 miles into wilderness. Managed to call in a small 5x4 on my first set up (on a bench - on north facing slope) but he caught my draw and poof, he was gone.
So, it can be done, as far as finding elk - depending on the class of animal you desire. Just remember...4 quarters = 4 trips = about 16-18 miles by time you get your animal out. I would go back tomorrow if I could but I'll have to wait until next year.