Looking for advice

[Nytro69]

Mostly specific brands or makes of clothing for that time of year, I am thinking of the dry-plus line from cabela's I understand they offer similar performance to goretex with the reduced price. Also Thermals, socks and the like just a good broad spectrum sort of a checklist of essential and optional elk hunting gear.

 

[Oregon Archer]

www.crhpublishing.com

if you go here to Cams website he has a great list of equipment he uses on his DIY backcountry hunts. nothing brand specific but it will give you an idea of what you will need. should be a good starting point for you.

 

[mikeee]

I have only hunted elk in the high country three times, but I think the most important piece of equipment is a GPS and a good compass. It is very easy to get turned around, especially in dark timber. I also always carry a small emergency kit with space blanket, meds, matches, spare flashlight ( the small LED key chain lights are awesome), two ace bandages and my cell phone (just in case, sometimes it does work where we hunted). One trip I did not have my GPS and almost needed that space blanket to spend a night on the mountain. Expect anything with the weather. Good water proof boots with a good grip are essential. Good luck.

 

[Nytro69]

Thanks guys this is great I love the feed back.

How about anyone been to that area of colorado or hunted it or maybe even heard of what the hunting is like????

 

[nextrodeo]

Be in Navy Seal shape, spend 2 days fishing to adjust to altitude, dont hunt until you find elk. That last part sounds stupid but if you sneak out of camp like your hunting back east whitetails you might be sneaking for a long time before you ever see anything. BIG country.

 

[Nytro69]

2 days fishing? I like to fish and all but I don't really think that is feasible. That leaves me 6 maybe 7 days to hunt.

 

[nextrodeo]

What I meant was spend some time to get acclimated or you will suffer from alt. sickness the whole time. Been there done that. Nothing like feeling hungover and sleepy when bulls are bugling 2 miles straight up. It seems the more excited you are getting ready and getting there the worse it is. Put it this way, when I didnt get acclimated , by the third day I had to stay in camp and recuperate by cutthroat trout fishing, so you can fish first or fish later.

 

[nextrodeo]

By the way, I have only taken blacktails , mule deer and elk, and the only whitetails I have seen is when my son was riding in the OK. bull riding finals but man, that is one huge buck you have a picture of.

 

[Nytro69]

Thanks bro, I've been chasing this one for 3 years now started out as a beauty of a 10 point with a drop tine on his right side. As you can see he is quite the monster now.

 

[Losthwy]

Yes, get in shape most elk hunting is in rugged, high altitude areas. If you can get there early, it will to give you time to adjust to the elevation.Read as many books as you can on the subject. Prepare for drastic changes in weather. It can go from 85 degrees to 45 degrees in a half hour. Always carry survival gear. If you need specific info on Colorado visit the Colorado forum.

 

[nextrodeo]

Colorado forum ? I cant find state forums here. ??? Maybe bowsite.

 

[Nytro69]

Good idea Losthwy, I will check it out now.

 

[340mag]

having hunted Elk almost every year in colorado for the last 33 years and having hunted durring archery several years when I did not draw durring a rifle season, here some little things to keep in mind

bring a good compass and map of the area and have the outfitter mark where the camp is on that map, and carry it in your day pack

bring an extra bow string,release, and arrow rest plus allen wrenchs and other bow maintainace tools

get in good shape as others have said,if your gasping for air at your current elevation after running up 20 flights of stairs what do you think youll do at 10,000feet?

BRING LOTS of extra thick socks

never leave camp without a day pack with minimal survival gear ( personal medicines ,toilet paper,canteen,compass,lighters,knife,poncho.ETC.)

outfitters are guides not maids or personal butlers, offer to help with minor chores often, youll be surprised at how the average guide will work harder to get you a good bull , than if you just flop down after returning to camp!

 

[Nytro69]

Thanks 340mag,

One note though I think that the Outifitter is simply gonna drop us and leave us only to check daily if warm and everyother day if cold to see if we got an elk. But great thinking on the extra bow parts (I am sure glad I hung onto all my old bow strings)