Got to camp...now what?

[cohunter14]

It\'s 12:00 the day before the opener. Camp is setup, all camp chores are done, and you are ready to get after it in the morning. How are you planning on spending the rest of the afternoon?

 

[iccyman001]

I\'m shooting my bow right away to make sure it is still good go, then I am hitting the woods to do some hiking around.

I\'d be there earlier than this anyways to get my body acclimated,
But for the purposes of this scenario, that is what I am doing now.


I already have an idea where I am going in the morning, so I staying away from there.

Maybe check out an area that I wanted to scout preseason, but didn\'t have a chance.

Also noted, if I have game cameras out I am getting those and checking the pics.

After I get back I am eating, checking my gear one last time, laying it out for tomorrow and \"going to bed\" aka sitting in bed tossing and turning because I am so excited.

 

[otcWill]

I\'ll shoot a bit and then go glass the from a few spots that can be seen from the road. Always blows my mind that nobody ever finds these. Then I\'ll just relax. My gameplan has been thought out for at least a month now.

 

[Swede]

I like to hang around and fidget. I will shoot for awhile, then go check a couple of stands. After that I may drive around and see some areas I have not seen recently. I have dinner and check another spot, look at my watch and wonder where OLY is, then fidget some more.

 

[Wake26]

I will shoot the bow a little to make sure things are good. Get my gear ready. Maybe take a drive just to see who else is I the area. Then it is back to camp for a couple beers, dinner, and relax and enjoy the evening.

 

[cohunter14]

I already have an idea where I am going in the morning, so I staying away from there.

Maybe check out an area that I wanted to scout preseason, but didn\'t have a chance.

Also noted, if I have game cameras out I am getting those and checking the pics.

Dan, what if you have game cameras in the area you plan to hunt?

To the rest of you, another question that kind of goes hand-in-hand with this one: how soon do you get to camp? Dan mentioned he would be set and ready earlier. How about the rest of you?

 

[mtnmutt]

Setup trail cams 45-80 yards behind camp where elk and deer pass through.

Double check daypack, fill water and prepare next day\'s field food.

Shoot bow.

Walk road looking for recent elk crossings.

Optionally, drive to the end of the Forest Service road to check out number of camps and road condition. Perhaps stop at an overlook to glass a secluded spot around 5-6 pm when the elk filter out to feed in the meadow. I prefer not to glass there when other hunters are passing through. However, most won\'t bother to hike into that spot.

Chat with the regulars that pass by camp.

Drink lots of water before 6 pm.

Retighten tent guylines before bedtime or after an afternoon storm.

Stretch in tent which is a huge help for getting my body to move the next morning.

Check latest NOAA weather report. Lay out morning clothes. Set alarm clock.

Down half a dose of benadryl (sleep aid/allergy treatment) and sleepy time tea (chamomile), ie drug myself to sleep. Do visualization of the hunt while falling asleep which is a trick I use for \"studying\".

 

[mtnmutt]

To the rest of you, another question that kind of goes hand-in-hand with this one: how soon do you get to camp? Dan mentioned he would be set and ready earlier. How about the rest of you?

Arrive at camping spot 9:30-10 am the day before opening day. This ensures camping spot. This year, I may go on Thursday night if it works outs for work. Camping spots are very limited along this forest service road.

 

[Lark Bunting]

Shoot the bow, review my maps, check the batteries in the GPS, cut a hell of a lot of firewood. Cut more firewood. We\'d hike around the area close to camp looking for animals or sign. Go through the pack to make sure everything is in it\'s place. Fill the camelbacks and place in cooler. I would be cooking up dinner then enjoying some time around the campfire before going to bed.

 

[cnelk]

Usually arrive the day before opener, or the day before I\'m going to spend a week or so.

Cut/Chop wood
Go for an ATV ride to check for tracks, or other camps
Drink beer
Get gear ready for next day
Shoot bow
Check broadheads
Prep supper
Start a fire
Relax

 

[elkmtngear]

Last Season, I arrived just before noon, and in two hours had camp looking like this:

Shot my bow a few times, chugged down some water, and hiked in about a mile, to an old wooden treestand I know about. I wanted to do some looking/ listening to get a feel for where the elk activity might be. Only heard a couple of faint bugles that evening...not very encouraging.

But, at least I had a plan for the next day.

 

[Olympushunt]

I already have an idea where I am going in the morning, so I staying away from there.

Maybe check out an area that I wanted to scout preseason, but didn\'t have a chance.

Also noted, if I have game cameras out I am getting those and checking the pics.

Dan, what if you have game cameras in the area you plan to hunt?

Pulling game cams from your honey holes the day before can be dicey. Make sure the wind is not blowing to their beds and you are being extremely careful with your scent. It is no different though than hunting as you take the same careful approaches...watching wind, noise, cover. What you should do is practice as if you WERE hunting. It is a great way to get in a warm up to the real deal. You should even pack your bow, dress in camo, face paint, scent lok suit, day pack, etc. Get your mind into the game. If you happen to stumble upon elk, go through the motions for practice. Hide behind bushes and keep the wind in your favor. This is the best practice you can ever get! Try to sneak up on them, get into a good position/shooting lane. Even go as far as loading your hunting arrow and drawing on the animal. Practice your squeeeeezing off with your release. Make sure you have good form! OH WAIT.....YOU\'VE GONE TO FAR! :tease:
In all seriousness...I try to leave my spots alone the day before unless I am sure I can get in and out without bumping critters. A lot of the areas I put cams are places where the elk move during the morning or evening so if I go....I go mid day when the wind is predictable and I won\'t bump anything. Countless times I have pulled cams mid day and returned the same evening to have action.

 

[iccyman001]

I already have an idea where I am going in the morning, so I staying away from there.

Maybe check out an area that I wanted to scout preseason, but didn\'t have a chance.

Also noted, if I have game cameras out I am getting those and checking the pics.

Dan, what if you have game cameras in the area you plan to hunt?

To the rest of you, another question that kind of goes hand-in-hand with this one: how soon do you get to camp? Dan mentioned he would be set and ready earlier. How about the rest of you?

I am not touching the one at the spot I am hunting.
I am going in early enough on the day I hunt, pulling it and reviewing it in my stand to kill time until legal shooting hours.

Like Will said, I already know where I am going and what I am doing (winds dictates the stand)
So I don\'t care much what is on it. However if I get there and see nothing but people walking by and no elk, then it\'s plan B. :dance2:

For the acclimation part, I am going up at least 2-3 days early.
For example, my season this year will start on a Tuesday. I will be up there late Saturday or early Sunday.

Big part is for the accumulation and the other part is to get a good camping spot.

 

[Jaquomo]

Drive around and see where the other camps are.

Have a beer and a Scotch

Make a nice dinner and prep my pack for the morning.

Make a list of the stuff I already figured out that I forgot.

Send wife a SPOT message that life is good, with a map link to where I\'m camped.

 

[StartMyHunt]

Did I hear somebody say something about a map? I happen to make maps. Specifically elk hunting maps for CO.

 

[cnelk]

And just a reminder to enter the StartMyHunt free map give away contest!

And you can do that here
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[iccyman001]

Im going to visit Lou\'s camp and bringing my old bottle of scotch :upthumb:

 

[Olympushunt]

Did I hear somebody say something about a map? I happen to make maps. Specifically elk hunting maps for CO.

When are you going to get off your bee-hind and make me some for Oregon? lol. I\'d buy them in a heart beat.

 

[Olympushunt]

Last Season, I arrived just before noon, and in two hours had camp looking like this:

Shot my bow a few times, chugged down some water, and hiked in about a mile, to an old wooden treestand I know about. I wanted to do some looking/ listening to get a feel for where the elk activity might be. Only heard a couple of faint bugles that evening...not very encouraging.

But, at least I had a plan for the next day.

And Jeff....where can I get one of those coat hangers you have? That looks handy!

 

[cnelk]

I just got my \'coat hanger\' the other day.
Looking forward to using the decoy part too!
Thanks Jeff!