You\'re 3 weeks out....

[iccyman001]

What are you doing now?

Excitement is high, days are flying by and you\'ll be hunting in 3 weeks.


What types of things are you doing right now?
Checking gear?
Shooting a bunch?
Buying food yet?


Take me through a time line as your weeks and days countdown.

 

[Lark Bunting]

I bought new game bags, Alaskan 48\". I need to get those pressed out and into my kill kit. I\'ve been freezing meals (boiler bags). I\'ve been calling a bit, and shooting a little. I am fighting my son\'s bow a lot, his draw length grew 1.5\" since last year. He\'s shooting frisbee groups at 30 yards...not good enough. He\'s long and lanky and his body and mind are in a hormonal rage against each other. My son has suffered numerous migraines each week this summer and has a neurologist appt on the 28th. The CT scan or the MRI found cysts in the lining of his brain. I am busier than I\'ve ever been at work and have six of the 14 projects I\'m managing due in early October. Stress is killing me slowly each day.

I am ready to hit the elk woods. I have that feeling like a kid on Christmas eve, but I get to enjoy/agonize the feeling for the next 17 1/2 days.

I need to remember to bring the tent...and not a beach canopy like I did for our scouting trip.

 

[Lark Bunting]

Oh yeah, my parents bought me a Cutco hunting knife and had it engraved with my last name. It was presented in a way that since I didn\'t grow up in a hunting family and that I am starting this tradition with my son that one day I\'ll pass it on to him and him onto his kids...well I can\'t find it. I remember bringing it home to show my kids, and working into the wee hours of the morning but I have no clue what happened to it. That\'s kind of how my year has gone.

It was this white one, non-serrated:
<!-- m --><a class=\"postlink\" href=\"https://www.cutco.com/products/product.jsp?item=hunting-knife\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href);return false;\">https://www.cutco.com/products/product. ... ting-knife</a><!-- m -->

 

[colorado russ]

After building an antelope blind and checking lots of trail camera pictures yesterday, sleep isn\'t on the list for this week!

My current focus is on archery antelope which starts in roughly 3 1/2 days! Shooting as much as possible but not long sessions. I\'ll fling 8-10 arrows at 20 and at 30 yards then done. This is far as I\'m going to be shooting so getting very proficient at those ranges. Yeah, I\'m shooting some at 40 yards but that\'s on the edge.

Pack list is complete and clothes/equipment laying around in my basement \"staging area\". Adding to it nightly and going over check list multiple times. Food list is complete and perishables will be purchased and prepared Thursday after work. This is just for the opening 3 days that I will be hunting. If unsuccessful, I\'ll work up a new food list, adjust any clothes/equipment during the week and start again the following Thursday.

Fortunate that I\'ll be close to a town should I forget anything or want to run into town for a bite to eat.

As for elk, I have my pack list complete and will be coordinating with my hunting buddy in 2 weeks. Checking trail cameras again either the 16th or 23rd. We\'re hunting private land so plan on going out the 22nd/23rd and put up another ladder stand, a tree stand and maybe a ground blind. Biggest issue will be where to put up a tent for base camp but will talk to land owner on that.

Antelope and elk archery seasons overlap by about 2 weeks so depending on how the next 2 weeks goes will determine my plans for the 2-4 weeks after then.

 

[iccyman001]

I bought new game bags, Alaskan 48\". I need to get those pressed out and into my kill kit. I\'ve been freezing meals (boiler bags). I\'ve been calling a bit, and shooting a little. I am fighting my son\'s bow a lot, his draw length grew 1.5\" since last year. He\'s shooting frisbee groups at 30 yards...not good enough. He\'s long and lanky and his body and mind are in a hormonal rage against each other. My son has suffered numerous migraines each week this summer and has a neurologist appt on the 28th. The CT scan or the MRI found cysts in the lining of his brain. I am busier than I\'ve ever been at work and have six of the 14 projects I\'m managing due in early October. Stress is killing me slowly each day.

I am ready to hit the elk woods. I have that feeling like a kid on Christmas eve, but I get to enjoy/agonize the feeling for the next 17 1/2 days.

I need to remember to bring the tent...and not a beach canopy like I did for our scouting trip.

What kind of meals have you been freezing, Lark?
Do they have a way forward for your son? Is surgery in the future or is he able to get by with them still there?
I will pray for him and for you to just get through these next 17 1/2 days so you can get out for some fun.


How is your calling coming along?

 

[iccyman001]

Oh yeah, my parents bought me a Cutco hunting knife and had it engraved with my last name. It was presented in a way that since I didn\'t grow up in a hunting family and that I am starting this tradition with my son that one day I\'ll pass it on to him and him onto his kids...well I can\'t find it. I remember bringing it home to show my kids, and working into the wee hours of the morning but I have no clue what happened to it. That\'s kind of how my year has gone.

It was this white one, non-serrated:
<!-- m --><a class=\"postlink\" href=\"https://www.cutco.com/products/product.jsp?item=hunting-knife\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href);return false;\">https://www.cutco.com/products/product. ... ting-knife</a><!-- m -->

I hope you find it Lark, I am sure it\'s where you least expect it.

 

[iccyman001]

After building an antelope blind and checking lots of trail camera pictures yesterday, sleep isn\'t on the list for this week!

My current focus is on archery antelope which starts in roughly 3 1/2 days! Shooting as much as possible but not long sessions. I\'ll fling 8-10 arrows at 20 and at 30 yards then done. This is far as I\'m going to be shooting so getting very proficient at those ranges. Yeah, I\'m shooting some at 40 yards but that\'s on the edge.

Pack list is complete and clothes/equipment laying around in my basement \"staging area\". Adding to it nightly and going over check list multiple times. Food list is complete and perishables will be purchased and prepared Thursday after work. This is just for the opening 3 days that I will be hunting. If unsuccessful, I\'ll work up a new food list, adjust any clothes/equipment during the week and start again the following Thursday.

Fortunate that I\'ll be close to a town should I forget anything or want to run into town for a bite to eat.

As for elk, I have my pack list complete and will be coordinating with my hunting buddy in 2 weeks. Checking trail cameras again either the 16th or 23rd. We\'re hunting private land so plan on going out the 22nd/23rd and put up another ladder stand, a tree stand and maybe a ground blind. Biggest issue will be where to put up a tent for base camp but will talk to land owner on that.

Antelope and elk archery seasons overlap by about 2 weeks so depending on how the next 2 weeks goes will determine my plans for the 2-4 weeks after then.

Good luck on your archery hunt, Russ. We need someone to start the year off big. :upthumb:
I will be looking forward to a text from you here soon with good news.

Do you need a spare ladder stand? I have one sitting here if you need it for elk hunting.
I\'m excited to hear how your private land adventure goes. :wave:

 

[mtnmutt]

Lark, Sorry to hear about your son\'s cysts in the lining of his brain. I hope it goes well. The knife will turn up.

My plans til I fill my tags.

Shooting daily and icing my shoulders daily. More 3D. I keep shooting the 3D bull elk and it never falls over and dies roblem: Only doing 10 arrows on non-3D days.

Switched from doing the Manitou Incline to doing pack training. I may do the Incline one more time. Core training 2-3 days a week.

Stretching daily. Now, I feel I can crawl out of any tent. Balance exercises aren\'t seeing great results, but better than before.

Daily review of field dressing videos.

I love smart phones. They make me smarter :lolno:

Today - Chiropractor. My neck locked up. It prevents me from turning my head all the way. This is critical to scanning for elk.

Aug 12th - Pack SUV for scouting trip

Aug 13-15 - Final Scouting trip - I don\'t care if it is raining all weekend. I am going. I hope 24 doesn\'t close due to flash flood warnings.
Shoot BHs.
Collect trail cameras and possibility move 1-2 cameras to other locations.
Scout 3 areas including opening day\'s locations.
On drives, practice calling to and from camp.

Aug 16-23 Shoot 3D daily if possible even if it is raining.

Aug 16th
Clean camping gear.
Assemble camping totes for opening week.
Setup Spike camp tent, cut ground cloth and verify spike camp gear is packed.

Aug 21st - Buy CO anterless elk tag.

Aug 22nd
Last hard workout. The rest of the week is light stuff.
Final cut of toenails if needed.
Touch up BHs.
Assemble most of my hunting day pack.
House chores.
Have some fun. Perhaps out with friends to distract myself. By this time, I am EXTREMELY anxious to go hunting.

Aug 23rd
Pack non-hunting clothes duffel bag. Hunting clothes bag is already packed and ready.
Trial run of packing my SUVs. After I verify that I have everything, unload and stage it in the foyer and my office. I have never had to do a trial run of packing before. This year after moving, I am way too disorganized to chance it.
Last alcoholic drink. I stop having alcohol until I return to lower elevation. My liver appreciates my thoughtfulness.

Aug 24-26 - Massage, Chiropractor again, Acupuncture - These have proven to be a great help for an aging body.

Aug 25 - Buy Refrigerated foods

Aug 26
Make sandwiches and stage cold stuff in fridge.
Put 3 BH arrows, a FP arrow and small game arrow in quiver. Extra BH arrows go in case.
Pack SUV.

Aug 27
3pm - dump ice and refrigerated stuff into coolers & head to camp.
Practice calling on the drive to camp.
Setup camp.
Setup trail cameras behind camp.

Aug 28th
Walk road and another spot looking for elk tracks.
Check bow. Shoot Practice BH arrow.
Retrieve trail cameras if needed. Hopefully, not.
Shoot the BS with people I know.
Assemble day pack if needed.
Go to sleep early.

Aug 29-Sept 7 - Hunt the pre-rut
Sept 19-27 - Hunt the rut

Aug 29th - Need a positive attitude to get it done...
Shoot an elk! :tease:
Packout an elk.
Celebrate!

Aug 30th
Shoot a deer.
Packout a deer.
Celebrate!

Aug 31st
Shoot another elk.
Packout an elk.
Celebrate!
Cry because I don\'t have any more tags.

Okay, the last 2 were for fun because I don\'t have the cooler space for 3 animals

 

[iccyman001]

This week cannot go quick enough.

I\'m shooting, reviewing list, finalizing my shopping list, and watching the weather like a hawk.

This weekend I am heading up to the mountains to hang cameras, review cameras, build ground blinds and more.
I am also showing our third guy from our trip around to familiarize him with the area.


Next week I will start the official pack and food shop. Easy stuff first, frozen stuff a few days out.
I\'ll also continue shooting and staying loose.

Next weekend I am taking a buddy on his first ever antelope hunt.
He has never been before, but I know the area, so I will take him.

Then the final week before will be final shop. tire rotation, oil change and then it\'s go time. :upthumb:



I should mention that I am working out daily and just mentally preparing. :train:

 

[iccyman001]

mtnmutt,


Love the timeline.
You have put in so much work for this year, I cant wait to see all your hard work pay off. :upthumb:

 

[cnelk]

Every morning I am power walking 3 miles with a 30lb pack. I leave the house at 5am.
Get back and have a protein shake for breakfast.
Eating a light healthy lunch each day.
Each night I am shooting about a dozen arrows at various distances.

Everyday this time of year I feel it\'s important to train yourself to get up early, eat light and healthy and shoot.
They are all equal in importance.

 

[iccyman001]

Every morning I am power walking 3 miles with a 30lb pack. I leave the house at 5am.
Get back and have a protein shake for breakfast.
Eating a light healthy lunch each day.
Each night I am shooting about a dozen arrows at various distances.

Everyday this time of year I feel it\'s important to train yourself to get up early, eat light and healthy and shoot.
They are all equal in importance.

Great point. I usually am up at 4-4:30 on my regular days.
So I usually do 3:45 a few weeks out. It definitely trains my body and I LOVE COFFEEEEEEEEE

 

[Lark Bunting]

What kind of meals have you been freezing, Lark?
Do they have a way forward for your son? Is surgery in the future or is he able to get by with them still there?
I will pray for him and for you to just get through these next 17 1/2 days so you can get out for some fun.


How is your calling coming along?[/quote]
I am freezing leftovers, spaghetti, chicken parm, roasts with veggies but our favorite is cowboy mac and cheese. We also do sandwiches, ham and cheese, PB&J, etc.

No, his Pediatrician has him on five different prescriptions but they are aren\'t helping prevent them, just treat them. One he takes daily but it makes him so sleepy that he\'s been sleeping 12 hours each night. He hates it. The Neurologist appt is supposed to be the next step. He goes to PT each week to work on his neck, I believe youth football concussions is a huge contributor...this after paying $215 for the \"best\" helmet on the market at the time.

Thank you for keeping him in your thoughts.

My calling has come a LONG ways! I am more confident than ever in my short time doing it. I practice often and believe if I keep it up I\'ll have an elk here in suburbia hell feeding in my front yard!

Overall, I\'m ready to get up in the mountains and enjoy some good hunting time with my son, Jackson and Anthony (Atfrith)! It\'s going to be an excellent season!

 

[iccyman001]

Overall, I\'m ready to get up in the mountains and enjoy some good hunting time with my son, Jackson and Anthony (Atfrith)! It\'s going to be an excellent season!

Take lots of pictures!!!!!!!

 

[Guest]

I\'m walking around in circles all day long, going around and around and around and nothing is happening................please help !!LMAO :dk: :dk:

 

[iccyman001]

I know the feeling, Trav!!!!!


Only 19 more rooster crows and I can find some direction again.
Until then I will keep running around in circles with you. :lol:

 

[Deertick]

Bow is ready. Need to still put food together, and spend a little more time with the pack saddles and deciding how to pack all of our stuff ...

But ... for the most part, I\'m very close to ready.

Now, to \"prime\" the bow with a pronghorn hunt on Saturday.

 

[otcWill]

Honestly, not much changes for me leading to elk season. I hunt/train all year long. I live for this and things come pretty natural to me at this point. I just need to pack the truck and enjoy the season. I used to get a ton of anxiety this time of year and have trouble sleeping before the season but now I just relax and soak it all in. Hope you all have a great time in the elk woods this year. It doesn\'t get any better!

 

[iccyman001]

Honestly, not much changes for me leading to elk season. I hunt/train all year long. I live for this and things come pretty natural to me at this point. I just need to pack the truck and enjoy the season. I used to get a ton of anxiety this time of year and have trouble sleeping before the season but now I just relax and soak it all in. Hope you all have a great time in the elk woods this year. It doesn\'t get any better!

Good luck to you as well, Will.
Not only to you, but the guys you are taking out. I am sure you will have a ball. :upthumb: