Tips for rookie Elk Hunter.

[RtWill78]

I'm going with a buddy on a self guided hunt in CO next month (Sept 14-23) and I am looking for any and all advice. My buddy has been to the area we're hunting before, and has seen some good Elk, and I'm the rookie on the trip. I've been practicing a lot, exercising, calling, but what am I forgetting. Thanks in advance,
RT

 

[Speckmisser]

Don't forget to have a good time!

If you're prepared for the work and the shooting, that's a big part of the trip. But don't forget that this is fun. You're going to be in some of the most beautiful country in the U.S. Take a moment now and again to appreciate it.

Other than that, stay hydrated and work the wind. Everything else will take care of itself if you're in a good location.

Looking forward to pictures of your success!

 

[Zbearclaw]

I have never hunted elk so I can't helo, but take a ton of pics of the scenery and everything you do, it took six years of me being in the military and being is some cool as hell areas and doing some pretty gnarly stuff and not snapping one pic, to realize that they are very important, now I take more pics than I should just to try and compensate for what I didn't do.

other than that have a blast. If this is your first time, and if this is a either sex tag, I would plan on busting a cow just to know I had a legitimate shot at filling my tag and eating some darn good meat, but if opportunity comes across your lap with horns even better, then you will be a successful elk hunter and next time you look for horns, I know three guys that did that their first time in Co, and all three swear it was the best thing they could do, I know a few others that went out there expecting to shoot a 5X or better and all put too much emphasis on that, and ended up regretting not just soaking in the sights and sounds, but either way, kill a lot of time, and have fun.

 

[SDHNTR]

The list of good tactics to use would be a mile long. I'm sure you'll get plenty. Actually there is a great book called Elk Tactics by Don Laubach. It is awesome and a good read.

But most importantly, and above all else, GET IN SHAPE. All the great stuff stored in your head will be of no use if your body can't get you where you need to be. Early season elk hunting in CO is done in some incredibly steep and unforgiving country and at high altitude. I don't know where you'll be but odds are you'll be at 10,000 feet plus. It aint no cake walk.

 

[girlbowhunter]

Definatly some of the most breathtaking scenary in the Country.
we were at 11,000 feet, and had taken precautioary mountain sickness medication (presciption) and thankful we did. also, the locals told us to drink sprite. be sure to give yourself time to acclimate if you are like us and come from low land. here is a pic of a canyon i took before we baled off to the bottom...thought i was in terrific shape physically until we got about 1/4 of the way back up.
good luck.......you will meet some of the nicest people.

 

[COHunter]

If your hunting Elk in Colorado my best advise is to get access to some private land. We allow over 250,000 elk tags (way too much IMO) to be sold and when the shooting starts they go straight for the private or some god aweful country that would take you forever to pack out of.

The only time I find them during the rifle seasons is when they're down in some super steep hell hole or standing on the wrong side of a fence from me.

I'm only out $45 but if I was buying a $500 nonresident tag, I'd look at spending the extra $1000 -$1500 to get on some private

 

[Orygun]

If your in an area with a lot of elk, keep your head up and don't worry about lookling for sign. It's amazing how an animal that is so huge can stay so hidden. Unless it dies 20 feet from the truck, plan on skinning, quartering, and boning out the meat. Don't overload yourself when your packing out. My buddy is an eye doctor who gets a lot of hunters in for glasses before fall. He gets a couple a year that have slipped discs and blown out a knee tryig top hump out too much at one time.


I have a friend who hunts with a group in a heavily roaded area. They have 1/2 mile of rope, a winch, and chainsaws. It is hard to get more than a 1/2 from a road so they usually bring it out whole.

 

[Rennikselum]

First thing-Good Luck. Second get in the best shape you can, in the time you have left till you leave(Cardiovascular). Will you be out for muzzleloader or archery? Either way shoot, shoot, and shoot. Know your yardage like the back of your hand. Take it easy the first day or two you are there to acclimate to the altitude. It is amazing how your body adjusts to the altitude after a couple of days. You should be in for some awesome bugleing from the elk(peak of rut) and coming off of a full moon on the 7th, it should be darker all night when you are there(if you believe in the effect of the moon on the elk).

Do you know what unit you will be hunting? There is good hunting on public land in open units, but you will face more hunting pressure because of muzzleloader and archery at that time.
Like previously said enjoy and take it all in!! And Yes, you will meet alot of very nice local hunters/hikers/mushroom seekers there.
I'm no expert, I have only been out there the last few years(will soon be there again in two weeks) but this has been my experience.

Good Luck,
Jeff

 

[rodngun]

In my years of elk hunting the one thing I have learned most is to have patience...Sometimes you have to force things to happen, but if you are in the right set of circumstances with elk, be patient.....be patient for them to move...be patient for them present themselves for a shot....be patient after the shot....a little restraint will go a long way with elk....

The other advice is elk make a lot of sign when they are using an area....tracks, droppings, rubs, etc....don't waste your time in an area where you don't see fresh sign......move until you find the sign and then you'll find the elk....

Have fun....you will become hooked for life...........

 

[RtWill78]

Thanks for all the replies, I am going to be bow hunting and we will be in west central CO, above 10,000 ft. What medicine would you recommend getting for altitude sickness? I'll arrive on a Friday and we plan to hunt Sat to Friday. Thanks again!
RT

 

[COHunter]

Some folks use Diomox for Altitude sickness.

Where about are you going to be hunting?

 

[Speckmisser]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

What medicine would you recommend getting for altitude sickness?[/b]

The very best medicine is water. Get hydrated early and stay that way. Most folks find that's all it really takes. If you're having issues, make sure you stay clear of diuretics (coffee, caffeinated soda, etc) and alcohol. Get plenty of sleep (I know how hard that can be before a big hunt). Finally, go slow at first. Don't try to compete with the locals.

Check with your doc about meds if you really think you'll have an issue, or if you have a history of problems at altitude. Usually, a day in camp will let you adjust without taking anything at all.

 

[COHunter]

Here's what I also take with me even though I live at 6,000 feet

I take Pedialite. I just makes me feel good. Gatorade is good too, but the Pedialite seems to work better for me. It is so dry at altitude that you can become dehydrated really fast.

 

[RtWill78]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (COHunter @ Aug 22 2006, 09:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Some folks use Diomox for Altitude sickness.

Where about are you going to be hunting?[/b]

We're gonna be up near the grand mesa between 10,000 and 11,000 feet. What can I expect for temps up there in mid september, wait let me guess.... it can be 80 or snowing and 20 right?
Thanks,
RT

 

[Freedivr2]

Great advice from COhunter......I've been hunting in Colorado about every year since 1990. No matter WHAT I've done, it usually takes me 3 full days to acclimate so I don't breath hard when I'm bent over tying on my boots!

Last year I tried (I think it's called) Diomox. It requires a prescription from your doc. My doc told me that it makes your blood platlets more sensitive to oxygen (he said they're pretty lazy guys at sea level and takes them a couple days to "get the message" at higher altitude). Anyway, I tried it, started on it a day before I left for Colorado and NEVER, EVER felt I had a breathing problem. We camped at 7,800 ft. and hunted from 8,200 to 9,500 feet. No problemo.

Oh yeah.......on critters; Move quietly and smoothly, animals have great ears and detect motion easily. Stay in the shadows or inside treelines when you'r hiking, and of course, NEVER have the wind to your back, always to your face or crosswind. And most of all, have a great experience and learn new stuff about yourself and the critters........

P.S. Get a Primos mouth diaphram and get the elk to come to YOU........

 

[Coues]

http://www.diyhunting.com/

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Lot's of good tips, especially for Colorado.

 

[RtWill78]

Thanks all! I got that book, got some reading to do. Thanks guys. Wish me luck 13 days from now! I feel like a little kid on Christmas eve.
RT