Backcountry Elk Hunting

[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

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...pictureid=7045

Elk "Camp"
http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums...pictureid=7046

Applying Makeup before heading out
http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums...pictureid=7042

Old Cabin
http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums...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...