A couple newb questions

[iccyman001]

I will start with just a few because I have been trying to find as much info as I can on my own.

#1- Mostly everyone says on average to go in about 1/4 to 1/2 miles and that will get you away from a lot of the pressure. Aside from a long haul out, is it counter productive to get in to the deep deep stuff? Having hunted whitetail for many years on public land, I have always been the one to get into the deep areas where most people wont go and it\'s always paid off well. So would do me well to get in there?

#2- When it comes to scouting do any of you actually use game cameras? I plan on doing some scouting of my unit this summer to get familiar with the layout and find some potential areas. Then I plan on going out two weeks before my hunt, scouting again, and hanging a few cameras. That way when I show up a few days before my hunt to get acclimated to the altitude, I can pull my cameras and see what is moving through. If there is high traffic with elk, then I have a good place to start, if not, then I saved myself some time. Is my thought process on this good?

#3-This will be my first elk hunt and it will be a solo hunt. If you were to go on a solo hunt tomorrow, what are some of the staple items you would NOT LEAVE WITHOUT in your pack.

#4- Last and certainly not least, I am going to admit, I am a little nervous about only one part of this trip and that\'s the quartering elk......
I\'ve always just gutted a deer and then processed it. That is obviously not the case with an elk hunt. I\'ve read many articles and watched many youtube videos on it. When you first did your first elk, how bad was it? Did you have help? Any tips you would like to pass on?


I said it in my first post, I am here as a sponge and to learn as much as I can from the people who have been doing it a long time.

Any help is much appreciated! :clap:

 

[elkmtngear]

I will start with just a few because I have been trying to find as much info as I can on my own.

#1- Mostly everyone says on average to go in about 1/4 to 1/2 miles and that will get you away from a lot of the pressure. Aside from a long haul out, is it counter productive to get in to the deep deep stuff? Having hunted whitetail for many years on public land, I have always been the one to get into the deep areas where most people wont go and it\'s always paid off well. So would do me well to get in there?

#2- When it comes to scouting do any of you actually use game cameras? I plan on doing some scouting of my unit this summer to get familiar with the layout and find some potential areas. Then I plan on going out two weeks before my hunt, scouting again, and hanging a few cameras. That way when I show up a few days before my hunt to get acclimated to the altitude, I can pull my cameras and see what is moving through. If there is high traffic with elk, then I have a good place to start, if not, then I saved myself some time. Is my thought process on this good?

#3-This will be my first elk hunt and it will be a solo hunt. If you were to go on a solo hunt tomorrow, what are some of the staple items you would NOT LEAVE WITHOUT in your pack.

#4- Last and certainly not least, I am going to admit, I am a little nervous about only one part of this trip and that\'s the quartering elk......
I\'ve always just gutted a deer and then processed it. That is obviously not the case with an elk hunt. I\'ve read many articles and watched many youtube videos on it. When you first did your first elk, how bad was it? Did you have help? Any tips you would like to pass on?


I said it in my first post, I am here as a sponge and to learn as much as I can from the people who have been doing it a long time.

Any help is much appreciated! :clap:

Dan,
These are just my opinions:

#1. I would increase those ranges by a factor of at least 4. Where I hunt, I need to get in at the very least one to two miles to get away from hunting traffic.

#2. I\'ve used game cams on wallows and waterholes where I expect elk to be concentrated, but be aware that elk traffic patterns can change when the Season nears.

#3. Besides the obvious items...an empty wide mouth gatorade bottle

#4. I was lucky to have a Seasoned veteran elk hunter with me when I did my first bull. You are on the right track by watching the videos...it will go easier than you think. Just take your time, and stretch out the hide to keep the quarters clean when you are working.

 

[americanbwana]

#1, it could be beneficial to go in deep. It depends on the area. Heck you might get into elk pretty close to the road to. I\'m going in about 3.5 miles to get away from the crowds. I\'ve been in areas that have been beaten to death by day hunters two miles from the trailhead.

#2, You and I must have read the same book on this one. I\'m planning on doing the same thing.

#3, Are you talking about packing in, or running and gunning from your base camp?

#4, Elk are big critters. Many people say the real work starts after they one down. Prepare your body for several (more than 2) trips out with a HEAVY load.

AB

 

[Bob Frapples]

I\'m in the same boat as you but about 2 years worth reading up, my biggest concerns have been the safety aspect of solo hunting and getting an elk broken down and cooled off as quick as possible. Keep this in mind when you get 2 miles back sep 1 and your solo. Do your best to not let the animal die just to get spoiled before getting it out.

 

[Tdiesel]

I wrote a good replay but apparently deleted it some how.\"Do your best to not let the animal die just to get spoiled before getting it out\" this is alot of it.

Maybe your familiar with the size of elk but most new guys are simply taken back by the size of an elk. My buddy from Maryland joked the elks gut pile was as heavy as some of the whole deer he has killed. :lol: i doubt that but just truly be prepared for getting it all out if you are sucessful.

 

[iccyman001]

Thank you all so much for the quick feedback. I will try to respond to it all so I don\'t have to multi-quote

elkmtngear:
I do like the idea of being in deeper and away from human traffic. I was thinking about what you mentioned 2 miles in seems like a good start for me. I am sure a few other people might have the same idea as me, but from the sounds of it, there are a lot of roadside hunters. So 2 miles should clear up a decent amount. I will also keep their movement patterns in mind. I really want to hang the cameras just to see what the traffic is like. If I pull my cards and don\'t see elk moving then I am saving myself a wasted day and will get on moving. If I see it has pretty fair traffic, then it gives me options. I\'m glad we are on the same page with the Gatorade bottles, most people look at me like I am silly when I tell them I use those :crazy:
Last, I will be sure to use the cape to my advantage. It\'s funny you mention that because most of the videos I watched at first, they were in the snow, so no one was doing that. Then I watched another with no snow and the guy said exactly what you did. Use the cape to keep the quarters clean and I am glad I saw that. Very smart idea!!!

Thank you again for your help.



AB:
I have been training my butt off and plan on continuing it. If I had to do 2-4 miles before I can even start my hunt, then so be it. One thing about the unit I am hunting is they allow ATVs. I am split on how I feel about it. In one aspect it will help me get way out there verse the people who don\'t have them, then I can start my 2-4 miles in. On the same note, I have heard a lot of people complain about how reckless and noisy some people can get with them. As for the cameras, I am kind of excited to do it. Not only for the advantage it might give to us, but I love game camera pictures. I have seen some amazing things caught on them. I have to get back to you on what I plan on doing after my first scouting trip, but I have a feeling that I will have my base camp (trailer) then hop on my wheeler, get WAY out there, then hike however many miles into the woods. So I am guessing there are some things I will definitely want to have. For example: my calls, an extra release, first aid kit, etc....
I have been doing daily walks with my pack loaded up, plus running after. I guess a good question would be, how much do you think is a good amount to practice with? 100lbs?

Thank you!!!!


Bob: you make a very good point and I will be sure to monitor the weather. If I think it\'s too hot out, then I will be sure to take certain precautions. I have no issue gutting it out if I can lower its temp and prevent spoiling. Thank you for your feedback!


Tdiesel: you and bob have very valid and important points and I am glad you brought them up. I do not want to put in all this effort just to spoil it. I will make sure I set myself up in a way to not let anything go to waste. I know a few people who put coolers on their ATV and filled it with frozen water bottles and a tarp. If it was warm, they would gut it and take the first load of meat out, and then bring the tarp and water bottles back in. Then they would wrap the rest of it while they made the rest of their trips.


Might be something I need to look into.



Thank you again everyone!!!

 

[cnelk]

1
The distance you travel in can vary from area to area. I have some spots that we only hunt less than a mile from the truck. Others spots I go up to 5 miles.
I was fortunate to kill my bull last fall very near my camp, which was near a road, which I drove my truck.
The elk will only be where you find them.

2
I use game cameras mostly prior to season. Once season starts I don\'t rely on them very much. I will typically remove them during season at some point.

3
Game bags should always be in your pack along with para cord. A knife and some water and snacks.

4
If you are unsure of the bone structure and muscle groups, maybe visit a local grocery store and talk to the butcher. They could give you some great tips and possibly even give you a short demo one morning when a beef comes in.
Do not let an elks size overwhelm you. Sure they are big but in about an hour with a sharp knife they become manageable pieces. Your butcher skills do not have to perfect. Take your time and learn as you will only do it once maybe twice a year

 

[colorado russ]

Best use of those lightweight, cheapo silver insulating \"blanket\" things is for laying next to the animal as you cut off meat. They\'re also good for making a human popsicle when really, really cold out but that\'s for another topic!

The CDOW website has a link to a gutless method of field dressing that you might watch. That\'s how I did my first elk when hunting solo and hung the quarters in game bags from a high branch using parachute cord. HINT: Tie a rock to one end of the cord and it\'s easy to toss over a branch that\'s higher up. HINT2: Keep a hold of the other end of said cord BEFORE tossing rock!

 

[Swede]

Dan, I agree with cnelk on the distance. Find the elk and hunt there. I have tree stands under 1/2 mile from where I park my truck. Go with the evidence on the ground and what your trail cameras show. If you need to get several miles back in a hole to find elk, well that is what is takes, but don\'t pass over good hunting to just get five miles deep into the forest when there is good hunting nearby. Remember you have to pack out what you kill. I set up cameras on trails and at water holes that show sign of frequent elk use.
I prefer to pack my elk out in quarters unless it is over a mile to the truck, then I will go gutless and debone the elk. It takes me about two hours to gut, skin, quarter and sack an elk when I am by myself. Others say they are much faster, but that is how long I take. What you will need to take depends on how and where you hunt. If you are hiking in five miles and calling, then you will need different things than you will if you are 1/2 mile in, and sitting in a tree stand.

 

[OldMan]

Dan, I agree with cnelk on the distance. Find the elk and hunt there. I have tree stands under 1/2 mile from where I park my truck. Go with the evidence on the ground and what your trail cameras show. If you need to get several miles back in a hole to find elk, well that is what is takes, but don\'t pass over good hunting to just get five miles deep into the forest when there is good hunting nearby. Remember you have to pack out what you kill. I set up cameras on trails and at water holes that show sign of frequent elk use.
I prefer to pack my elk out in quarters unless it is over a mile to the truck, then I will go gutless and debone the elk. It takes me about two hours to gut, skin, quarter and sack an elk when I am by myself. Others say they are much faster, but that is how long I take. What you will need to take depends on how and where you hunt. If you are hiking in five miles and calling, then you will need different things than you will if you are 1/2 mile in, and sitting in a tree stand.

I\'m curious why you wouldn\'t go gutless whether you bone it out, or not?

 

[Swede]

Still Hunter, I could state several reason, but most likely it is because that is how I have done it for many years. There are good reasons to leave a lot of bone in the forest, but I think quartering is cleaner. I am not prepared to debate that, it has just been my experience. I am as quick quartering as going gutless.

 

[iccyman001]

CNELK: one perc of working for uncle sam isI can get endless amounts of stuff like 550 para cord. :upthumb:
I guess I honestly wont know how far I will be walking until I get out to my unit and scout. I want to scout hard though and have a backup area or two. I would hate to just focus on one honey hole, then get out there opening day and see 4 other people wanted the same honey pot :?
The butcher idea is a great one as well. I have bee reading up and looking at a lot of diagrams on their bone and muscle structure, but I work better doing stuff hands on.... so a meat shop would definitely benefit me. Thanks!

Colorado Russ: I always have one of those blankets on me for those worse case scenarios. I really like the rock and para cord idea though. I could and absolutely will use that setup to my advantage, thanks for the tips! I will be sure to hold the other side of the string too :lol:

Swede: I will be sure I have a plan no matter how short or deep in my spot may be. I want to make sure no meat is left behind or spoiled. I do have one random question for you. You mention tree stands. Are these set out pre season near your camp? Or do you just bring out a climber and set it up a few days before season. I have a really nice climber, but I honestly was going to just leave it at home because my original impression was hunting elk was more of a ground game. If it would benefit me to bring my climber, then maybe I will have to add it to my pack list!

 

[OldMan]

Swede...........I think you missed what I was asking. You can go gutless and just quarter the elk. You made it sound like you only go gutless when you bone it.

I\'m thinking you go gutless whether you bone it, or just quarter it like I do.

 

[cnelk]

Dan
If you\'re interested in learning about tree stand elk hunting, I have Swede\'s book offered for sale on this site under the Classified section
It\'s a great read, even if you decide not to use tree stands

 

[Colorado_Lew]

Gutless method is preferred.
Here\'s a video from Fred Eichler on how he does it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4kJIrW1IDM

 

[Swede]

Still Hunter: You are correct. I am a creature of habit. It would be easy enough to go gutless and quarter. To be honest, I just never thought about it. I would assume it is a very clean operation. I will likely try it the next time I shoot an elk.

 

[OldMan]

It sure isn\'t as messy.

 

[cohunter14]

I have to get back to you on what I plan on doing after my first scouting trip, but I have a feeling that I will have my base camp (trailer) then hop on my wheeler, get WAY out there, then hike however many miles into the woods.

Dan, you are receiving a lot of good advice, but one thing I did want to add when I read this is getting WAY out there when you are on a road isn\'t really getting out there at all. Wherever there is a road that is open, you will find ATV\'s, trucks, and potentially camps. As has been said, you don\'t have to get way out into the woods, but pick any point where there is a road of some sort and get in a little ways. Riding an ATV a long ways won\'t necessarily get you away from any crowds.

 

[iccyman001]

cohunter14,

I should have wrote that better because I agree with you fully.

When I say I want to hope on my four wheeler and get way out there, now (in my head) I feel like I have already lost some of the pressure. Like the people just hiking from a camp or who are in a large truck.

Then when I am out there, now I will start my deeper trudge into the woods to lose everyone else!

but you guys all make a very good point and I have to keep in mind that just because I am going in deep doesn\'t mean I am going to find the elk. They could be anywhere. I just need to find them :dance2:


I plan on using my maps and marking some starting points when I go scout. When I find the spots I want to branch out in all directions to see how close the nearest camps, roads, and trails are. That way I know what I could potentially be dealing with.



I do want to thank you all again. With all of your help, advice, and mentoring plus all of the research that I a doing, I wake up feeling more and more confident everyday about this hunt, which is great!

 

[Billy Goat]

medium daypack
bow + quiver
arrows with proven broadheads
release
GPS
Topo maps
compass
light pen
head mount flashlight
6 Extra AA batteries
2 way radio
cow calls
bugle
1-16oz water bottles
water filter (full)
rain poncho
lighter
hunting knife
snack bars (2/day)
Ventolin inhaler
license
atomizer bottle (cow-in-heat)
wind checker
parachute cord
monocular
watch
camera
pillowcase game bags
toilet paper
alcohol wipes
cow elk pee
lunch
portable seat
rangefinder

is whats in my pack on a normal year, and it weighs appx 23# collectively.