Looking like rain for my elk hunt

[mtnsammy]

OK so I am going horseback up Gunnison Colorado. At first it looked like snow near the end now it is just looking wet and drizzly. Any one have some good strategies for wet? If it were Meeker I know some great bedding sites but how do I find the same in a new location? Taking my rifle back out to get out closer to 500 yards as I may have to take a Hail Mary shot to clear a tag this year.

In the meantime I will pray for a great guide that knows beddings and we can rush the beddings for solo hunters to take the shot. Works on deer in Big Bear so maybe with a big enough herd it may work on elk?

Snow is OK with me but rain totally blows my game.

 

[slanttop357]

Good luck bud. Did you get a backyard tag this year ?

 

[smithstation]

I would use google earth and look for good bedding areas with cover and maybe protected from the wind. Mark those areas on a topo map and see the steepness as well. Good luck!!

 

[mtnsammy]

I have spent a lot of time with Google Earth scouting the area. Nice part of this hunt is it is very remote with only a few hunters and no logging going on. Trees are everywhere and trails are heavy. With the horses movement will be much easier enabling me to cover large amounts of territory. Bad part is the area is really really big with a lot of great cover to check. Time is still on my side and the storm may blow past my hunt.

Deer tags in my backyard sold out. Second year in a row all D14 tags sold out before the start of the hunt.

 

[slanttop357]

What the hell sold out.

 

[mtnsammy]

Too many burn areas in So Cal and someone keeps telling folks there are more than 2 deer up here. Still Elk is what I want this year and I will not let anything spoil my hunt.

 

[mtnsammy]

Well I found a weather station near my hunt so I can track rain/snow better. My partner hunter has assured me it is normall for the first few days to snow some. Still they see lines of elk on the ridgetops even with the snow. Temps are rising so daytime will be warmer but just in case I may buy some rain/snow gear.

What to buy and where I will get it is another expedition. I am very tall and have enough trouble finding a regular jacket or pants that fit let alone pull over fleece/ waterproof gear.

http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/ are pretty nice.

 

[Sea 2'er]

I had the second thoughts on rain gear this year also. Made a one day trip to Bpro for it, just in case. Wound up raining 3 of the 5 days i was archery hunting. Glad i had it.

 

[warren nelson]

Pick up that raingear, Nice thing about rain is it quiets the ground and shows new tracks that you can spot across a canyon with good glass, makes it easier to track them, Just like any other hunt check out the small opening between groups of trees, They will move out from under trees that are dripping wet to feed morning and evening. those clearing will be a great spots to split up and cover more of them between the two of ya. I have rode into bedded elk on rainy days, so be ready at all times, My horse will see them before I do so watch the horses ears also. Good luck
Wish I was hunting this year 0-6 states sucks. At least I got pheasant season still.

 

[mtnsammy]

Never thought of the horses ears. I have not ridden a horse in 40 years, lots to learn in 1 week. I was hoping it was the same with elk peeking out in morning from the wet trees. The excitement is building even for my doctor. I get my MRI for my hip the week before I go and pre surgery talks the week after. He is still amazed I even want to hunt. Like why not? Pain is just an indicator I am still alive.

Rain gear suggestions? I have wool pants but I was thinking of cotton/denim with fleece pullovers but I cannot fins any local. I will have a Sportsman Whse and Cabelas in town the night before I get there. Just do not want to count on in stock tall guy pants. As late as it is now I may have to wing it. The Vietnam jungle camo rain gear is way to loud but I do have 300 tossaway ponchos too.

 

[warren nelson]

Goretex rain gear is costly, BUT worth it weight in gold if you hunting in the rain. Call those stores and see if they stock tall pants and jackets in a Goretex rain gear, if not go on line get it ordered and have it shipped express shipping(next day or 2 day).
Hunting wet and cold will take all the pleasure out this hunt for sure. Good luck hope to see some awesome pictures when you get back.

 

[mtnsammy]

Still praying but it is looking like the rain is going to pass until possibly the last day out then it may be snow. Getting stoked for this hunt. MRI day is passed and I find out results when I get home. It is better this way as I might have to cancel a hunt if I knew. My hip has made it 30 years longer than it should have. The doctor only commented on all the scar tissue in the joint. More pain pills for the hunt and hoping all comes out well with a full freezer.

I did find a nice poncho type cover at Wally World for $33 that was reasonably quiet and light weight too. If it only came with pants I would have jumped on it. Forgot the brand by the time I got home but rain gear is on the way still.

 

[mtnsammy]

Well this was one of the greatest hunts I ever made. I found at Cabelas some light weight pull overs that worked well. This hunt challenged me more physically, mentally and spiritually than any hunt ever. It was the last time I could take a hunt this big and I am glad I went. I will post a blog later on the trip. My buddy dropped a huge 6x6 within 2 hours of the opening day. After that we saw 4 herds. The rest will have to wait until I type out the hunt.

If anyone is thinking about a guided hunt in the wilderness that is a challenge do it before you feel older than you are. I was hiking horseback riding between 12000 and 13500 feet. Trails that goats would cry at. Afterwards the rewards of completing and coming out with respect from the guides and owner was worth every bit of the pain.

Now I also have great raingear for the coastal hunts in California.