Backcountry Elk Hunting

[wheels]

My son is finally old enough to big game hunt! We've been backpacking all summer, and are counting down the days (9 now) until we head out on our first ever backcountry elk hunt. I've hunted elk plenty, just never out of a backpack. My son is like a mountain goat in the hills, but I've had to run, bike and swim all summer to prepare physically for this. I'M READY THOUGH!!

Anybody else out there hunt elk or even deer out of a backpack? Any tips?

[Crusher23]

That sounds like fun. I have done overnight trips with a base camp but never the whole trip out of a back pack. Where are you guys heading? It must be archery so that will add to the bulk of what you are carrying. I'm guessing you will either filter, treat, or boil your water when you get to camp. I'm jealous, I decided to rifle hunt this year and us greenies don't have the luxury of doing bow AND rifle in the same year.
I dont really have any tips other then make sure your water supply is adequate. Dehydration in these early seasons can happen pretty quick. Don't be a studly man -take a pad to sleep on-even a thin one. It helps alot. Tarps will keeps the worst weather off of you but a small tent keeps bugs out. Depending on how far you are going to walk in, the tent would be nice.

Thats all I have

Good Luck - let us know if you connect.

The Crusher

[wheels]

Our first trip we'll be going 4 nights over by Encampment, WY in the Sierra Madres over Labor Day, but will be heading out each weekend in September until successful, or month end. At some point I have to call it quits and start gearing up for bird hunting ya know.

Between my son and I we split gear allowing for us both carry a sleeping pad, and with him helping with other stuff, I can easily take a tent. I can comfortably carry 55 pounds and he can carry about 25 to 30. I'm actually not too sure how much he could carry, but I stop it there. To get an animal out these numbers may have to increase, but your theory of "don't be a studly man" applies there too. We'll take as many trips as necessary to avoid breaking our backs. I have arrangements with work to extend any weekend necessary in case I need to pack out game.

There is plenty of water where we're going. We each take in a full bladder for the hike in, but filter all our water from there.

Yes, archery. The transition from hiking to hunting alone is adding a surprising amount of weight to the packs. That stinks you guys can't do both off one tag.

With any luck at all my son will stick an antelope this weekend, so he's got that feeling of confidence going into the big weekend! We're not having the best of luck with that yet though. We're about 0 for 7 on trips for goats which is really unusual.

[Stu]

I've hunted out of a tent quite a bit here is KS, but never deep in the back country and never for elk. My best tip is to not to wear your hunting clothes while packing in. I keep a clean set of clothes in my pack and only put them on when I am ready to climb into my tree stand. How old is your son? It sounds like you're gonna have the trip of your lives. Good luck - Stu

[wheels]

My son is 12. Yes, I have been waiting for this coming month all summer. I have a pretty nice walleye boat, and a huge walleye addiction that has been put on hold for a few years now while my son and I embark on these adventures. He's taken to the hills more than the lake, so who am I to say no!

Here are a few pics from this summer's backpacking outtings. He actually slept in the lean to. He was pretty darn proud of it.

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=19&pictureid=6911

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=19&pictureid=6912

Elk or no elk, I will surely post the outcome of the trip.

[Crusher23]

Did your son get a goat this weekend?

The Crusher

[wheels]

Did your son get a goat this weekend?

Nope, the ranch we were hunting on had a fire and burnt about 250 acres so the rancher put a stop on hunters for the rest of the season. Ended our season, at least for that area a bit early. We have some tags for another area, but we are going to hunt it late season with rifle.

Couple more days and we're off to the woods. We're in full production at the house. We have two back packs worth of hunting and camping stuff spread out through our spare bedroom, which is now being referred to as the hunting room. We're adding things to the truck to have upon arrival back there, and doing some last minute shooting with packs and gear on. The list on the spreadsheet is getting shorter and shorter so it's almost time!!!

[Crusher23]

I get fired up to hunt just thinking about what you are doing. I do the same thing with the back room in our house before trips. Its a great staging area. It drives my wife nuts.

My youngest son and I spent a week on Fort Peck this summer with just stuff we loaded in the boat. It was a great trip and nice to avoid all of the people around the campgrounds in addition to camping where we wanted to fish. No 15+ mile runs in the boat to get to fresh water. I'll do that again in a heartbeat. From July 3rd to July 6th we only saw 5 other boats and only one of those was close enough to really see the people in it.

Have a great trip and good luck. I can't wait to hear the results.


The Crusher

[Crusher23]

How was the hunt?

[shortmag]

If you've never done it you will not imagine the size of an elk nor the shear weight of meat on an elk. Depending on how far in you go and the temperature will mandate how you ethically handle the transport of the meat. As a previous Wisconsin deer hunter, I can't overstate the steepness of the terrain (I now live in Idaho) and the challenge of getting the critter out of the mountains. My hunting partner is a previous SWAT team guy and says to this day that hauling out a big bull was the most taxing thing he ever did in his life. We packed it only a mile and 3/4. Good Luck and kill a nice one!

[wheels]

We've been in the backcountry 7 of the last 11 days. No elk yet, but we're having a great time in the mountains. The elk haven't really started talking yet. Heard a few bugles this last weekend, so hopefully this coming week they'll get going.

We did get within 22 yards of a muley doe. My son drew, but we got busted before a good shot presented itself. VERY EXCITING! I was proud of him for waiting and not taking a risky shot.

Heading back up Friday AM.

[Crusher23]

How goes the chase? Getting close to any? Are they talking much yet?

[wheels]

It's been a full blast month. Last weekend was the first weekend we got close. First morning just as day break we had a bull that talked back to our bugle. With just a short time and a few more toots on the bugle, we had him VERY close. We were in some think tangled crap so never did see him, but his last bugle I thought was going to make my son pee himself. We could actually feel the sounds pound through our bodies! Very exciting! It started raining shortly after that and rained on and off the rest of the day. Never heard another bugle. My son said the not seeing, but being that close to the elk was way better than being within shooting range of the deer. Awesome stuff.

Heading back up for the final "weekend". Leaving tomorrow night for 4 final days.

[Golden]

Good luck Wheels.
Just saw this thread and just a few minutes ago I got home from 5 days at deer camp. Finally got a small rag horn 4x2 buck yesterday (nice archery buck though).

The elk are going nuts in Unit 20 here in Colorado. I called one into camp one night and they are bugling all over the place.

No elk tag.......of course.....but they aren't "hot" yet really.

Mainly just locating each other I think.

I wasn't elk hunting but I played with them a lot, just didn't seem "hot" yet.

Good luck man.....stick one!

[Crusher23]

Sounds like to much fun. Your son is right. Having elk let go of a full up screaming bugle at a distance that you could hit them with a rock will certainly get your heart pumping. It is an awesome experience to share with your kids. Hopefully you will both get to let an arrow fly.

What are you usinig for scent control? Clothing or spray? My brother in law told me years ago how to match the local scent to perfection. Take a bottle of cheap vodka and when you get on location, find the local stuff - sage -pine - cedar- whatever it might be and crush a bunch of it up and throw it in the vodka. Let it sit overnight and filter out the big chunks with a paper towel or coffee filter and put it in a spray bottle. It worked great when I hunted unit 201 several years back. I didn't use any special clothing at all and was within 10 yards of elk daily.

Good Luck - Looks like the weather will be alomost perfect for you guys.

Steve - Crusher23

[Noah Cantell]

Need to prepare beyond what you first feel is OK. At least 10 miles a day over uneven terrain is the foundation - but then think as though and go through with that same distance with a 40 pound pack. This whole discipline should start 90 days in front of your hunt.

[Crusher23]

How was the last weekend? I'm getting ready for an antelope hunt in unit 2 in Colorado. Hope to see some big goats. I took a 16 7/8 out of there 10 years ago. I hope to improve on that, or find a freak.


The Crusher

[wheels]

Well, archery elk is over, and we didn't bag an elk. We did had a great September though. We hiked many miles. I haven't tallied the numbers yet, but probably in the triple digits. It was a great month with my son and I hope I get many more like this in my lifetime. There were obviously highs and lows, but nonetheless time spent that I will never forget.

Physically I think we were more than prepared. The one common issue for each trip were tired, sore feet. I think next year in preparations, when I'm walking around the neighborhood with my backpack on, I'll do it with my boots rather than tennis shoes. That way my feet get used to it more. They are the same boots I bird hunt in, but evidently the extra weight changes things. Another item learned is my sleeping pad is inadequate. Each day of "living" in the hills proved over and over again that superior gear is a must to make things comfortable. Also, if it got much colder and heavier sleeping bags would have been necessary. Although I did have to dig my contacts out of hard slush to put them in the last weekend. We also packed too much food each weekend. While packing we thought we needed it. When we got packed in, we just didn't eat that much. Just packing around extra food which is weight. We drank more water than we ate. Ending up taking powered flavoring just to change things up with the water.

As I said, physically all was good. There was also a mental aspect to all this which surprised me. I've grown up and been around the mountains my entire life. However, getting out there in the middle of nowhere, miles and miles from anybody or anything, warn down physically almost to the point of breaking and hearing that odd noise in the middle of the night still has that "what the crap was that!" factor to it. It's all what makes the trip what it is though.

So, a lot learned which is good. We are already making notes and looking forward to next year. Even without killing an elk, the accomplishment of knowing we elk hunted and lived off our backs for 13 of the 30 days in September is quite rewarding.

Now next year we just need to get a darn elk!

Here's a few pics of our trips - there are more in my album.

Taking a break
http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=19&pictureid=7045

Elk "Camp"
http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=19&pictureid=7046

Applying Makeup before heading out
http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=19&pictureid=7042

Old Cabin
http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=19&pictureid=7043

[Stu]

I don't know who is luckier, you or your son. My son is 9 and we have both been following your adventure. Thanks for sharing your story.

[T Mac]

Wheels... I do some extended back pack trips and the sore feet thing I, too, used to experience.
After I went to inserts and changed over to using Smartwool type socks 4 years ago.. ..no problems since.
But yeah... wear the same footwear when training as when you do the actual backpack trip,.

Nice photos... ;)