2016 1st ever Elk Hunt...Need Advice

[benkharr]

Lot of of great advice. I have the Full Curl and it\'s the best pack I\'ve ever owned.

Calling is a tool that can help increase your odds of punching a tag. I\'d rather have it in my bag of tricks and not need it than not have it and need it. My party punched 2 out of 5 tags and it was a really slow year. Both bulls were called in. From one coach to another, calling is like baseball. You need to practice a lot and you must understand the game! Anything less will just hurt you in the long run.

Maybe I missed it, but are you going to spike camp or bivy hunt?

We are still deciding on that.

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[benkharr]

What gear is a must for walk in hunts?

Full Curl pack is all I know so far.

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[benkharr]

Let me be the guy who suggests to carefully consider something other than \"going deep\" and minimalist.

To find elk in the mountains on your first trip, you\'ll need to be mobile. If you\'re like me, you\'ll be super-excited, and over-work yourself, too, and that means you\'ll need rest and food. Both of those will be better at a road camp.

Although slow to come to this conclusion myself, I think keeping mobile on the road system is essentially equal to \"going deep\" into a place you KNOW has elk. If you are just \"going deep\" into a place you SUSPECT has elk, the road hunter has a strong advantage.

Plus, in a road camp you can bring things that you already own (coolers, a heavy tent) or can borrow (a camp stove, etc.). Going deep means \"going deep\" into your wallet, too. Not that that\'s a bad thing, but it\'s tough to do without a heavy commitment to scouting in preseason to know where you are going actually has elk while you will be there.

Noted and I am discussing with my guy about this. My first trip may be a little on the novice side with lower expectations.

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[benkharr]

Ben,

Im going to make some assumptions about how your want to hunt, based on the \'Hunting hard and Hiking in Deep\' minimalist approach.
I am basing the below on \'me\' going in deep and spending 3-4 nights

Pack(s) - Kelty Cache Hauler with my Badlands Superday strapped on filled with gear

Bow/Arrows - [5lbs]

Shelter - 2 blue tarps, 4 bungee cords and para cord. [1lb]

Sleeping Bag - I like Big Agnes stuff, I would use a 0 degree bag with a bivy sack [4lbs]

Sleeping pad - Big Agnes Insulated Air Core [1lb]

Water - Bring a small filter of your choice [1lb]

Bowsling - A must. You need to hang your bow when in camp and when sleeping.
Little small rodents will chew on your string if left on / near the ground.

Food - 4 Mtn Houses [single serving], 3 APack MREs [ 4lbs]

Jetboil - [<1 lb]

GPS - with extra batteries [<1lb]

4 game bags [<1lb]

Rain Gear - [1 lb]

Misc - Fire starter, lighter, knife, nalgene bottle, utensils, extra socks, base layers, contractor trash bags [3lbs]

There is probably a few other items some would take, but this will get you started and suffice.

Also,
A few of us on here know a guy from town who went in and did a hunt like you want this past fall.
He ended up taking an elk miles back in, with a minimalist approach.
He is 75.

He did a good write up on it over on Bowsite.
I would encourage reading thru it.

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The hardest part is finding a place to go that has elk, or you will just be going on a camping trip.

Excellent points. Thank you for being so thorough.

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[Don K]

There is a lot of knowledge here from all the others but I will just toss a couple things out that I learned early on.

Hunt elk where they are, not where they have been. This sounds simple but finding Elk sign, and finding FRESH sign is very, very different. Once you come across fresh sign you will know what to look for. Elk cover LOTS of ground and may move 1 or many canyons in one day.

Cover ground until you find the Elk. Don\'t walk around like your stalking a whitetail looking for Elk. This took me a bit to get used to but made a big difference on covering ground and finding elk.

If there is a chance I\'m packing in I set up someone to pack out my Elk if I get into a situation where I know I cant get it out. I have this information all set up, and talk to the person just in case I need them.

I started carrying a Delorme InReach and for me its one of my most important pieces of gear. Being able to get a hold of who I want no matter where I am and have something with me to contact help if needed gives myself and my family a piece of mind.

Had some great trips with one of my boys on 14U Travel ball. Hes a college senior playing right now and I\'m going to miss it after this season.

 

[JohnFitzgerald]

One thing to note, elk are where you find them. Could be 200 yards off a main road or 4 miles into wilderness. Since your debating, be prepared for spike and base camp hunts. One common mistake made in my neiborhood is that hunter think the farther they go in the better the hunting. I\'ve waisted entire seasons by this thinking and have come to realize that deeper does not always equal better. The only benefit to going deep is possibly less pressure on the elk.

This is why I recommend at least learning how to give a contact bugle. Finding elk is half the battle and using locating sounds will tell you whether or not your wasting your time in an area.


So back to your question, here\'s my must for a walk in day hunt.

Gloves
Range finder
Full Curl
Bladder bag
GPS
Smoke in a bottle
Calls
Lightweight rain gear
MSR water filter
Water proof map of the area
First aid + Epi pen + quick clot
Havalon Knife
Flagging Tap
Torch Lighter + fire starting gel
Two large garbage bag
Parachute cord(100\')
Phone or camera
Radio
Bino\'s

 

[WW]

I don\'t think anyone has mentioned a cook set of your choice with a couple of days worth of grub for just in case. Also a good saw. Something like a Bahco Laplander. Although it might not be necessary for breaking down an elk for the seasoned hunter, it can be worth its weight in gold for shelter building and firewood gathering.

 

[iccyman001]

I don\'t think anyone has mentioned a cook set of your choice with a couple of days worth of grub for just in case. Also a good saw. Something like a Bahco Laplander. Although it might not be necessary for breaking down an elk for the seasoned hunter, it can be worth its weight in gold for shelter building and firewood gathering.

Great mention on the saw, Bill!
That is a staple item in all of my packs.

 

[benkharr]

One thing to note, elk are where you find them. Could be 200 yards off a main road or 4 miles into wilderness. Since your debating, be prepared for spike and base camp hunts. One common mistake made in my neiborhood is that hunter think the farther they go in the better the hunting. I\'ve waisted entire seasons by this thinking and have come to realize that deeper does not always equal better. The only benefit to going deep is possibly less pressure on the elk.

This is why I recommend at least learning how to give a contact bugle. Finding elk is half the battle and using locating sounds will tell you whether or not your wasting your time in an area.


So back to your question, here\'s my must for a walk in day hunt.

Gloves
Range finder
Full Curl
Bladder bag
GPS
Smoke in a bottle
Calls
Lightweight rain gear
MSR water filter
Water proof map of the area
First aid + Epi pen + quick clot
Havalon Knife
Flagging Tap
Torch Lighter + fire starting gel
Two large garbage bag
Parachute cord(100\')
Phone or camera
Radio
Bino\'s

Thanks!

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[Zpd307]

I am one of those, who feels the full curl back is too big to be used as a day pack. I hunted 2 years with it in Colorado.... its heft is noticeable right away and then there is the frame that sits up higher than your shoulders, and does have a tendency to catch on brush and over hanging branches. my biggest problem with it though, it was able to carry enough stuff, that I found myself carrying all of the \"possible necessities\", which really adds weight to your hips and back. I found that I was darn tired at the end of the day.....
it is a great pack! for getting lots of weight up or down the mtn. it is my pack for gear and meat, just not for hunting....
I have since turned to being a minimalist hunter and got a much smaller AND lighter cabelas day type pack. I can still carry all of my actual necessities and my bow with it. I noticed right away last year, that I was fatigued less which allowed me to hunt higher and farther with much more comfort!
I secretly smiled, actually I don\'t think I hid it at all, when my hunting partners started pulling out a lot of extra stuff from their packs during the hunt and started mentioning UL! I am not mentioning names, as you know who you are :lol:
but..... I have yet to harvest an elk diy on public land in 4 years :downthumb: so I know that sways my opinion.....
one more thing, its unfortunate, due to body shapes, sizes, and builds, that no one pack is great for everyone. along with boots... so be prepared to spend a lot of time trying packs with weight in them, or buying new packs after the first one, or more, fails to fit you well. we can give recommendations on companys that make quality products...

 

[iccyman001]

I use my full curl for both elk and whitetails now


I plan on carrying Gary\'s elk with it this year too.

 

[Zpd307]

I use my full curl for both elk and whitetails now


I plan on carrying Gary\'s elk with it this year too.

if I can get one, yes, I will use mine as well!!!!!

 

[WW]

I use my full curl for both elk and whitetails now


I plan on carrying Gary\'s elk with it this year too.

Dan: Seeing as how you are going to pack out Gary\'s elk, you might as well slip on up to the Craig/Steamboat area and pack mine out when you get a chance.

I\'m actually thinking about a regular backpackers bag. Those things are designed for what the name implies. Just take a look at some of those hippy/hikers that are doing things like thru hiking the AT or PCT. They wouldn\'t be caught dead with a heavy hunting pack. I always made fun of them. But you have to admit that they have backpacking down to a science.

 

[Zpd307]

bill :upthumb:
I couldn\'t get away with a fanny type pack set up though....

 

[iccyman001]

I use my full curl for both elk and whitetails now


I plan on carrying Gary\'s elk with it this year too.

Dan: Seeing as how you are going to pack out Gary\'s elk, you might as well slip on up to the Craig/Steamboat area and pack mine out when you get a chance.

I\'m actually thinking about a regular backpackers bag. Those things are designed for what the name implies. Just take a look at some of those hippy/hikers that are doing things like thru hiking the AT or PCT. They wouldn\'t be caught dead with a heavy hunting pack. I always made fun of them. But you have to admit that they have backpacking down to a science.

You just give me a call, Bill and I\'ll pack it out.
Russ and I can get it out for you

 

[bowhunter]

I\'m actually thinking about a regular backpackers bag. Those things are designed for what the name implies. Just take a look at some of those hippy/hikers that are doing things like thru hiking the AT or PCT. They wouldn\'t be caught dead with a heavy hunting pack. I always made fun of them. But you have to admit that they have backpacking down to a science.

I have a Gregory Palisade that is a prime example of a pack made for Backpacking. I have used it to spike hunt. It fits great and holds a load well.

 

[benkharr]

I\'m actually thinking about a regular backpackers bag. Those things are designed for what the name implies. Just take a look at some of those hippy/hikers that are doing things like thru hiking the AT or PCT. They wouldn\'t be caught dead with a heavy hunting pack. I always made fun of them. But you have to admit that they have backpacking down to a science.

I have a Gregory Palisade that is a prime example of a pack made for Backpacking. I have used it to spike hunt. It fits great and holds a load well.

So no frame needed for packing out elk?

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[WW]

Yes, a frame is needed. However, some packs have internal frames. Then there are external frames also. Personally, I prefer the external and usually leave it at the truck . I find that I hunt better with a small pack and when I get something down it is still easy to pack the first load out. Then pickup up my frame and go back for the heavier loads.

My external frame is a Molle II Gen 4 that I rigged a meat shelf on to it. You can find them brand new with all the rigging on Ebay for $30-$35. They are rated for 200# loads. And they are fairly comfortable.

 

[dapper]

I\'m not one to give advice on elk hunting, since I\'m a flat lander from Wisconsin whose only shot one elk. But I can give you some insight on my experiences. My son and I did the five mile into a wilderness and hunt from a base camp for two weeks without ever returning back to the truck. Awesome experience and I wouldn\'t trade the experience for anything. It was like a survival experience while carrying extra gear.(bow, arrows, etc.). Then in \'14 I drew a good New Mexico tag and shot my bull a mile from the truck. Packing out the 256# of meat, cape and antlers in three trips definitetly changes how we do out next hunt. We are going to be more mobile and not more than a couple miles deep. Packing one out five miles would have been a nightmare, though we\'d have gotten it done.
As far as working out, I\'m an old fart, in my 60\'s, so I work out every day to stay in shape. Of all the workouts I do, rowing, biking, hiking with weight, I personally think the most beneficial workouts for me come from climbing a staircase. Fortunately where I work theres a steep 70 step staircase at my disposal. Climbing it over and over, adding weight and not using the handrails has done wonders for my legs. So if theres bleachers where you practice with the kids, they could provide an excellent workout.

Good Luck in the preparation, that\'s part of the excitement in the hunt.
Dan

 

[JohnFitzgerald]

You will be sorry if you pack out elk without a frame. That\'s why I like the Full Curl. Only need to by one pack and with easy modification it converts from a day pack to a meat packer.

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