1st time Elk Hunter, looking for advice?

[Jack909]

Getting ready to take my Archery class for next year but rather than waiting, I am going to go rifle hunting for elk in McCall Idaho area this year. Plan is to hike back in 3 to 5 miles, set up a spike camp with my 17 year old brother and to hunt for 10 days. We picked up the new Eberlestock "just one" pack along with a new tent and about every piece of survival gear other elk hunters recommended to us. Right now we are trying to get our packs as light as possible (haven't packed food, water, 9 lb tent or clothes) and we are sitting at 23 lbs. Any advice on what weight we should stay under for packing back in as far as we plan to? Any recommendations on where to camp? High, low, in the timber? Should we look for a Mt. lake? Are elk usually in the high country in October or will they go low after a foot of snow or so?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, hunted mule deer growing up and was successful every year here in Idaho but have never hunted Elk and am already addicted before the damn hunt has even started. Want to be prepared as possible.

[powderhogg01]

I cant really give advice on hunting, as I am new to elk hunting myself. I can tell you about packing... I have through hiked the CTD as well as the PCT and the best pack weight is easy. Pack what you feel comfortable carry. I can comfortably carry 65 lbs on my back for miles and miles... I actively work out and hike and climb all year. In the winter I am in the elk woods back country skiing. I am always carry weight, be it water or sandbags. If you condition yourself with heavy loads, the pack out is more enjoyable and the hunt is more enjoyable as you can carry in more gear, in comfort, to keep you comfortable. Are you seeing any trends here, when it comes to backpacking you really need to just carry what your comfortable. I am not against roughing it, But when it comes to cutting oz because someone else said to, I don't agree. If you can carry more, bring it all... sure you may not NEED all the latest gear and whatever, but its sure nice sometimes.
One thing I learned on the trail was the weight you begin carrying is never equal to the weight at the end. I was always adding things along the way, mostly treasures or souvenirs but in hunting that can translate to the spotting scope AND whatever else you have that you need.. like food, water, extra binos, xtra clothes, calls, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, extra snacks, clothes, game bags, rope, cook ware, stove, rain gear, decoys, bullets.
In end what is right for me would likely not be fun for others, and its all about having fun.. so if less weight seems better then go light, if more weight doesn't feel bad then add more. I would advise hiking similar terrain with the different weight and seeing what you can handle.

[sasquatch]

I'm new myself but what I woukd recommend is that you camp out by the truck and day hike in and out until you at least find the elk. If you hike way back in and end up in a dead zone you waisted alot of time and energy. Who knows you may even find some within 2 Miles and just be able to go in and out everyday and never have to load yourself down with weight. I've already learned that if u hike in 3-5 miles yours still not likely to wake up everyday and have elk within 1/2 mile and will most likely still be covering 5-10 miles a day anyway. Therfore if you camp by the truck, cover the same amount of ground and don't find anything it's real easy to drive 5-10 Mikes and try a different part of the forest the nest day therefore covering more area.