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...pictureid=6911

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums...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]

Originally Posted by Crusher23

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!