Archery Elk hunt first timer

[mslagle1]

I drew a tag for CO unit 33, and I need to know everything. We are going the first week in September, so I think it will probably be warm. I am thinking if the Elk are not responding to calls then my best bet will be hunting to and from wallows and coolies. Is this logical?

What do I need to bring?

In Michigan I hunt deer hanging from a tree. Is this a good elk tactic or should I stay on the ground so I can keep mobile?

What gear is essential?

What is non essential but nice to have if you have the money?

Thanks for the input,

Mark

 

[SDHNTR]

Get good boots (Lowa, Meindl, Kennetrek, or similar) and GET IN SHAPE! Oh yeah, welcome to JHO too!

 

[mslagle1]

What kind of shape do I need to be in?

I play sports and am athletic, but have been worrying about being in good enough shape. Most places in Michigan are flat so it is hard to compare being in shape her to the mountains. I have been hiking with my 1 year old strappd to my back and running. I lft at the gym 3-4 times a week.

Is there a baseline? Such as if you csan run a 5k in the hills and your body can deal with elevation you should be looking good???

 

[SDHNTR]

I don't think there is a benchmark since everybody is so different. Just get yourself in the best shape possible. You can't be in too good of shape. 33 has some low country and some steep, high country, which is where I'd imagine you'll be. I don't think being able to run a 5K is much of a benchmark. If you are chasing bugles (your trip will probably be a little early for that), you could end up running the equivalent of several 5K's each day. Could you handle that day after day? A lot of it comes down to how fast you want to move. If you take it slow and easy, you'll probably be fine with less conditioning. If you want to be able to run and gun and chase bugles, you'll want to show up in really good shape. Stay properly hydrated too. Altitude issues and fatigue are compounded when you are low on fluids. These items may help you:

http://www.wildernessathlete.com/hydromax.html

http://www.wildernessathlete.com/altitude_advantage.html

 

[wmidbrook]

A lot of guys hunt over water holes & active wallows from blinds and tree stands the first week of Sept. since the bugling and rut activities are not really fired up yet....if you wanted a lot of bugling action, I'd wait for the last week of the season.

 

[mslagle1]

"if you wanted a lot of bugling action, I'd wait for the last week of the season."

Thats what i was hoping for but between putting in for the tag and finding out I was successful I was promoted at work. So the first week was the comprimise we made so i could still make the trip.

I constantly am reminded just how much work gets in the way of hunting...

 

[Speckmisser]

I don't know the area you're hunting, but I strongly recommend arriving a day or so early to acclimate to the elevation. That's probably the toughest thing I've seen when folks, especially from the flatlands, show up in elk camp (or any high/rugged country hunt). Dont overdo it, but get active when you arrive so your body will start adjusting. And as someone else already mentioned, stay hydrated. Your body really needs that extra fluid, especially those first couple of days.

"In shape" is a relative term, but the better condition you're in, the better you're gonna feel during the hunt. Stamina is more important than strength... so focus there. In one day of hunting last fall, we put in something in the neighborhood of 24 miles on foot. Most of it was reasonably easy, but there were some climbs from hell, and they always happened when we were going after game.

As far as tactics, I'll defer to the more experienced elk hunters. I would think water/wallows would be a key factor just as in any early-season hunt in hot country. I do know a treestand or ground blind can be a real good option in those situations, if you're in a place where you can set one.

Are you going guided, or doing it yourself?

 

[mslagle1]

Doing it ourselves...

 

[jlostrander]

I wanted to add to Speckmisser's comment about being in shap being relative.

I was on a rifle deer hunt as the grunt/mule for my buddy who had a tag. We parked on the road in the dark and hiked in about 2-3 miles. It was up hill and accross some up's and one down on the way to the vantage point we wanted. From this vantage we could see a good size bowl with some cover about half way up the bowl and then basicly it was rock all the way up to the peak. We glassed from there for several hours as the sun came up. It was not great because of the wind.

After sun up, I see a person on the horizon. He had climbed the other side (very steep compared to our sides more gradual slope). I figured it was a hunter and a hunter in some type of super human shape. He was covering ground going almost straight up with very little rest. In less than an hour he was on top of the peak (almost 11,000 ft.). I was in awe as he stayed on the top for a matter of minutes and then basicly jumped off the other side and using his climbing poles skied off the top.

I thought I was in ok shape. Relatively, I was in horrible shape to this climber.

I would try to get in shape so you can move quickly for 10-15 minutes at a time. you want to be able to change possitions quickly and shoot when you are breathing. Being able to make a shot that is not ideal and when you are breathing hard is important. So, I would try to practice in that way.

 

[ironworker]

If you put as much time into your cardio as you do lifting (three to four times a week) you shouldn't worry. Like Spek said, show up a day or two early to acclimate to the elevation. Use the time to talk with shop owners, store clerks and residents, ask questions and you should get good info. I would bring a good set of rain gear. I use SITKA, it's extremely light weight and will keep you dry. It rains all the time in CO. Daily afternoon showers are very common. Sept. is usually warm but don't bet the farm on it. Bring a set of cold weather gear just in case.


Good luck,


Rich

 

[foulshot]

My .02 on getting acclimated...
Drink lots of water starting 2-3 weeks before the hunt. I mean LOTS of water. In fact I'd drink nothing but water if you can. Also bring some aspirin to use as a blood thinner. Take one a day and it will help with altitude.

 

[rwlittle]

I have been talking with some of the hunters that I will be hunting with in Colorado this season and one of the issues is altitude sickness. Most of them say to drink Sprite, Pedialite, and take Rolaids (bring lots of Rolaids, they say).

 

[jackrabbit]

Be reasonable with the water. Drinking unreasonable amounts of water can actually kill you (remember the death from the radio program water drinking stunt in NorCal?). It can deplete the sodium in your body and you can go into convulsions and die. Drinks with electrolytes in them are better, but still be reasonable. There are plenty of guidlines easily available on the internet.