Elk Camp is setup!

[Golden]

OK.....camp is setup. Still gotta "stock" it but tent, floor and stove are up.
That is the big stuff.....it's easy from here.

Archery season starts in 2 weeks.....and it's about time!!!

[Stu]

Nice camp, I like the flag. Where do you hunt?

[Golden]

I'm in Colorado....we hunt Unit 19.

[Stu]

Aren't you afraid of someone messing w/ your camp?

[Golden]

Not really, it's only about 1.5 hours from my house.

I drive up there quite a bit during the week.....and I carry a gun ;-)

It's a hunting camp.....anyone poking around in there knows they are asking for trouble.....ya know.

And, I have "no flash" game cameras setup to keep a watch while I'm not there.

[Magic]

Pretty small cooler for elk camp. Good luck, I'll be down for the back strap dinner!

[Golden]

LOL......yea....that was a pretty small cooler for the beer it took to setup camp!

I'll fix both of those problems before season starts ;-)

[Larry L]

Scott

Things are looking up. Fall is in the air. The mountains around Cody and Greybull, Wyoming had fresh snow this morning. I suspect the snow line was about 9,000 feet or maybe a bit lower. Good luck.

[Golden]

We set camp at 10,600 according to the GPS and it was spitting slush as we were coming down the hill.

[Stu]

Good luck. I'll be near Meeker for the 2nd rifle season on my 1st DIY hunt.

[Golden]

Meeker area has a lot of elk.......you should do good.

[fireboat]

Nice camp, I like the flag. Where do you hunt?

I'll be north of you in unit #8, 8400', rancher has been seeing 75+ head several times a week. Good luck, take lots of pictures.

[Morton]

Fireboat, Glad to hear your tag came through .....
I will be waiting to hear the stories and see the pics.

I'll stay on the fish here so you won't have to work so hard when you come back.

Best of luck to you also Golden ... awesome camp.

Morton

[Golden]

What season are you hunting fireboat?

[fireboat]

What season are you hunting fireboat?

3rd rifle. We didn't get in the draw so we had to get leftover tags, at that point our only option was 2nd or 3rd season. Two of our group coach their kids football team so 3rd season worked better for them. There is something about Elk hunting in the mountains that pulls me back year after year. We had a really great private ranch near Leadville Co. but the ranch changed hands this yr. This yr. we'll be hunting private land near Diamond peak.

[Stu]

Couple of questions. Will the bulls still answer to calls during the 3rd season? Also, what is the best strategy for locating elk this late. I am planning on hunting the high areas in the morning and setting up an ambush in the evening when they come out of the timber. What do you think?

[Golden]

3rd season is usually a little late for calling elk....but it depends on the year and the location. Usually though.....that's too late.

As for location.....wow.....tough question.

Depends on what area you are hunting and whether you are hunting a "resident" herd or a migrating herd....and snow depth.

I do it the hard way I think.

But, since it's archery season I do have a better chance for hearing bugling elk and that really helps in location.

I go into the woods and wander around looking for sign, listening for bugles or cow chirps......basically putting miles on my feet trying to locate them.

No sign......I move until I see sign or hear elk (was that bugle a person or an elk?). Usually I want to see fresh sign before I concentrate in an area.

Of course.....the freshest tracks are when an elk is standing in them ;-)

I like to hunt the dark timber all the time. Especially in later seasons.....but my experience is that elk are always in the timber.

I've never killed an elk in a meadow.........always in the woods.

But, I hunt public land where the elk are under pressure and pushed into the woods.

On private land..........no pressure.........totally different hunt.

[fireboat]

By the 3rd season the rut is well over. You will probably hear some bulls before shooting time but not much during the day. I have called in cows, with a cow call only, and they sometimes will drag a bull in with them. The last 4 yrs, all successful, we hunted from ground blinds watching major travel routes. The ground blind keeps our scent contained and we stay warm and dry. Go to Google Earth and study the area you will be hunting. If you walk too much and kick them from their daytime bed they will leave the area and the hunters on the next ranch will thank you for that.

[Golden]

Like I said, I hunt public land on pressured elk.
Totally different hunt.

Sitting in a ground blind all day isn't an option that I like.

I have a tree stand and I will sit in it early and late sometimes but I've had better luck on my feet.

I've shot a dozen elk in the past 20 years....only one from a tree stand.

Only 3 with a rifle.

All on public land.

Here's my two best so far:

[fireboat]

Like I said, I hunt public land on pressured elk.
Totally different hunt.

Sitting in a ground blind all day isn't an option that I like.

I have a tree stand and I will sit in it early and late sometimes but I've had better luck on my feet.

I've shot a dozen elk in the past 20 years....only one from a tree stand.

Only 3 with a rifle.

All on public land.

Here's my two best so far:
Nice Elk! The private land we hunted for the past 4 yrs was only 2 sq. miles. If we walked the ranch we would get dizzy going in circles. We had no choice but to let them come to us and they did every day . The ranch was their food and water source. We let the neighbors do the walking for us, I should send them a thank you card some day. In 4 yrs I had to sit all day only a few times. LONG day too. We tried to pattern them but their not like deer at all. Seems like they were on a 3 day revolving clock. They would feed in a certain meadow every other day. I'll keep going back until I'm too old. You have an advantage, your 1 1/2 hrs away, I'm 12 hrs away. Good luck!

[Golden]

Only a week and 1/2 left to go ;-)

I do have an advantage as far as how close I hunt, but I hunt there because it is close.

It's not one of the best units around and there aren't a lot of elk where I hunt, but because it is so close I can hunt more and that's I the part I like the most.

There are some bulls there and it's a 4 point or better area so when you see one it's usually a good one....but they are few and far between.

You know how it works....once you get a license you are limited to that or those units so even if I know where more elk are (and I do) I cannot hunt there so it's a trade off.

But it's elk hunting....and I love it!

I'll post my progress....and hopefully ..... quickly.

Good luck to you too and let me know when you are headed up there.....I might be able to meet ya somewhere.

[Crusher23]

My buddy and I finally drew muzzleloading bull tags for unit 201. We have put lots of footprints and quite a bit of 4-wheeler time in up there this summer. We have found a huge herd every time we have been there but we are anxious to see what happens to it once the rut gets going. We are heading up on the 9th and season opens on the 12th.
I can't hardly wait any longer.

Good Luck to all. Bring back stories and pictures to share

Steve

[RDJ]

Only a week and 1/2 left to go ;-)

I do have an advantage as far as how close I hunt, but I hunt there because it is close.

It's not one of the best units around and there aren't a lot of elk where I hunt, but because it is so close I can hunt more and that's I the part I like the most.

There are some bulls there and it's a 4 point or better area so when you see one it's usually a good one....but they are few and far between.

You know how it works....once you get a license you are limited to that or those units so even if I know where more elk are (and I do) I cannot hunt there so it's a trade off.

But it's elk hunting....and I love it!

I'll post my progress....and hopefully ..... quickly.

Good luck to you too and let me know when you are headed up there.....I might be able to meet ya somewhere.

How long is your archery season Scott? How long does your Forest Service allow camps to be set up for? It's great to have a permanent camp for the entire season. Nothing like showing up and not having anything to do but hunt til its time to go home..good luck...RJ in Montana
Pic's or it didn't happen!!

[Golden]

Archery season lasts the whole month of September but we have to let the orange guys in there for two weekends (muzzleloader season) in the middle and that always bothers me.

I'm full camo and these guys are running around with guns.....how does that make sense?

Anyway....as for how long you can setup a camp.....not really sure since it's not a campsite, it's in the woods.....in a wilderness area....foot or horse traffic only.

I've always left my camp setup for the duration......never crossed my mind to do otherwise.....it's WAY to much work to setup a camp like that every weekend.

[deadframer]

Golden, I'll keep your spot a secret. Got to admit that I recognize the clearcut that the Jeep is parked next to. But technically, I think you're permitted 28 days in a 60 day period. http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/passes/rules.shtml good luck!!

[fireboat]

Huntin report?

[Golden]

Still hunting ;-)
Snowed up there today.....I'm at work....go figure.
I really wish I could take tomorrow off but alas, I must work for a living and will have to wait for the weekend.

This coming weekend is the last weekend of archery elk/deer so it's "Minnesota Rules" now. (If it's brown....it's down)

[fireboat]

The muzzleloader guys shot a cow and a 7x7 last weekend, their done. I don't think I've ever seen a 7x7 while hunting. 5 more weeks for me. Good luck this weekend!

[Golden]

7x7 is huge, it's called a "Majestic" I believe.

I'm going to TRY to get out early tomorrow and head up for an afternoon hunt while the snow is still on the ground.

Not sure if I can pull it off....but I'm certainly going to try.

In fact....I feel a little sniffle coming....about noon tomorrow ;-)

[fireboat]

7x7 is huge, it's called a "Majestic" I believe.

I'm going to TRY to get out early tomorrow and head up for an afternoon hunt while the snow is still on the ground.

Not sure if I can pull it off....but I'm certainly going to try.

In fact....I feel a little sniffle coming....about noon tomorrow ;-)

Talked to the rancher today. The 7x7 was a 6x6 with double brow tines, still 7 on each side. He said it snowed 10" but melted the next day. Good luck this weekend.

[Golden]

We are camped at 10,500 so we probably still have snow.
I'm out about 1pm tomorrow, should be in the woods around 4pm or so.
Last hurrah!

[fireboat]

No pictures, no news, must mean bad news. See anything, any shots?

[Golden]

Sigh....nothing to report and season is over.

I hunt an area that doesn't have a lot of elk but it's an area that is close enough that I can hunt every weekend and I have killed quite a few elk up there in years past.

Here is the real life dilemma.....I go to the lake every weekend in August because I love going to the lake ;-)

September rolls around and I just go to the same place I have always gone and hope for the best but now it seems I need to find another place.

I honestly think the moose have pushed them out of there.

My buddy has 5 cameras in that area.....nothing but moose on the cameras.

There was fresh sign for the first couple of weeks up on the top but the last two weekends....nothing.....nothing but moose.

Oh well....it was a very good spot for a lot of years.

Now......back to the dilemma......to fish in August or to scout?

I love going to the lake in the summer........ya know?

I suppose there are tougher situations to be in though ;-)

Now.....to get a leftover rifle license in an area that I'm familiar with and see if I can get one long range and hike to it.

[Morton]

Good luck on your quest ...
I hope you find the license and have more to add to this string.

Morton

[GOS]

Hi,
I'm looking at heading to the above area for an archery elk trip in 2012. Either guided or DIY, as I don't have any local connection(s). The outfitter I contacted is no longer in biz. Anyone have any tips they might care to share for the area? I've been on several elk trips, I just cannot seem to close the deal on one.
Thanks,
Gregory

[Golden]

Drop me an email (scott@walleyecentral.com)

I might be able to help you find an outfitter or help you in those areas.

You need to draw for a license, so what season are you thinking of?

First rifle is pretty good but hard to draw......

Let me know what you are thinking, and when....I'll see what I can do.

Scott

[Buck Snort]

Is that a Davis Tent? What size and brand if it's not?

[Golden]

It is a Davis tent from Denver, CO.

Size is 14 x 16 and it is a very comfortable size.

I wouldn't want anything smaller.

[Buck Snort]

When I get a tent it will be a Davis. I called the customer service and asked a bunch of questions and BS'd with the guy for about a 1/2 hour. I asked his name at the end of the phone conversation, so I could talk to the same cat when I called back. It was Roy Davis.

I think 12x14 is what I was looking at.

What frame system do you use? traditional or did you build your own. I'm going to buy the angles and cut my own poles for the inside.

What stove do you heat with?

[Golden]

I was looking at a 12 x 14 too and the guy told me something that made a LOT of sense.

He said: "Nobody ever came back wishing they bought a smaller tent".

So I got a 14 x 16 and it works just fine.

I bought the bigger stove and it's really more than I need.

The one that comes with the "kit" has to be just fine.

I bought the angles and cut my own conduit (work construction for a day job so it was the cheaper way for me). So I have the internal frame.

The drawback is it's real heavy and that keeps ya close to the road. 4 x 4 road or whatever, you ain't gonna pack that conduit very far on your own.

Camping in the tent is a whole different atmosphere.....it really gives it that hunting camp flavor and experience.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

In fact....I leave my camper at home every season.

[Crusher23]

I have the same tent 14 X 16 Davis wall tent. Also did the angles and conduit for the internal frame. I've been using it for 17 years counting this fall. I have owned almost every type of camper available and come hunting season they all stay home and the wall tent goes hunting. There is so much room and one of the best parts (IMHO) is the smell of the tent. Sounds a little crazy I know but I would imagine everyone that owns one will say the same thing.
I had a buddy weld another set of angles and I set that up in front of the wall tent and cover it with a poly tarp. It is really nice to have a "garage" where all of the coolers and gear that doesn't need to be in the tent can be covered and also a protected area outside the tent to take your boots off and stuff. We even park the ATV's in there if we happen to take them with us. I pull the poly tarp over top of the front of the wall tent back to the stove jack and just stake out every other grommet right to the ground. I close the "door" with bungee cords so it doesn't flap if it gets windy.

I head out for an antelope hunt in unit 2 next weekend and then the elk season starts Oct 22nd.

Good luck to everyone and be safe.

The Crusher

[Golden]

Good luck.

After you get your tent setup can you take a few photos so I can see how your "garage" is setup?

I just use an extra pole straight out of the front of the tent and another upright to hold it and spread a tarp over it and tie to trees or rocks....just to have a "porch" for cooking and coolers and stuff.

[Buck Snort]

The 12x14 is the bigger one. :) Originally, we were looking at 10x12 or 12x12. The area for the tent is limited in space, I'm going to look for more. It's a few hundered yards off the road, so it won't be too unmanagable for the packing. I do have a wheeler and a 4x8 trailer that I could throw the gear on too if we needed it.

Thanks for the help.

[Golden]

I hear ya, it's tough to find a footprint for such a large camp.....

After you get all setup....send pics!

[Crusher23]

Here are a couple pic's from 2009


The Crusher