New user with drop camp elk hunt Questions

[Stillwater hunter]

Hello everyone,

My 4 friends and myself are currently booking our first Elk hunt for the 1st rifle season in October 2016. I know its a long ways out but you can never start planning to soon!!! We are booking a drop camp hunt with Action Adventure Outfitters. We are trying to get tags to hunt unit 66 that is a limited draw and if not all of us get the tags we will be hunting in unit 65. The outfitter is planning on packing us in 9 miles on horse and our base camp will be around 10500 to 11000 ft and the location will be determined depending on what unit we can hunt. I was wondering if anyone has ever used Action Adventures outfitters or has hunted in either of the units I mentioned above? I'm also looking for a list of items/clothing/ caliber rifle I should bring out with me for this hunt. I currently hunt in the Adirondack park in NY state mainly after whitetails and black bears and have been hunting for the past 10 years. Any help would be very appreciated.

[DMiller6868]

Check bowsite. They have an outfitter report section. I've seen all the reviews and they are positive.

here's one of the more extensive ones.

We hunted 1st rifle season. Weather was pretty good & typical for that time of year (mid-October). I was a little disappointed that we did not hear any bugling or really get to see any rutting activity. The elk were in pretty big herds for the most part. I guess the weather had been mild enough that all of the elk were still way above timberline where it was impossible to get closer than 500 yards to them. I went into this expecting shots no more than 300 yards. It seems like a good area and was pretty rugged. The horses did well on the rough terrain but the horse I was on wanted to run all the damn time so my rating for horses was excellent with the exception to the one I was on. The bulls we seen were all framed up pretty nice, likely typical of Colorado quality. Couldn't say for sure as we viewed them at such distances. Camp was comfortable and food was excellent. The only real complaint was that when the elk were NOT where the guide & outfitter expected them to be, it was as if we weren't allowed to go look for them elsewhere. I was led to believe they were just down in the timber and we had to wait them out. After a day of this we went to another spot and got on a small herd with at least 1 shooter but we bumped them. Then on day three we had to go back to where we found nothing on day 1 instead of where we found elk on day 2. I still don't understand this. There was lots of old sign there and we actually had 4 other hunters come in on foot to where we had ridden horses for an hour & a half to get to. Later that day after some prodding to the guide, we went off to search some other areas and found a herd of about 120 elk but the other guides & hunters in camp were already hunting them. Early on day four I fell and dislocated my shoulder which hampered my hunting the rest of that day. But we did still get in on 2 spikes but no legal bulls. That night a big storm blew in and with the general lack of opportunity, my pain and the weather we opted to pack out a day early.

[Triplebhunters]

Hello Stillwater, welcome. Yep I've hunted unit 66, can't wait to go back. How many points do you have? Can't help you with that outfitter but can help with another.
Dave

[Stillwater hunter]

We currently have no points but that's why we are waiting until 2016. The outfitter told us if the points worked as they have the last few years all of us will have enough points to get into 66 by 2016. How was your hunting experience in 66 ?

[easeup]

I have never hunted with them either. However I have been in there where there outfit is and it is very high and steep rugged country. The elk are far above the timberline in there when archery season opens. If they come down is somewhat dependent on the weather. Either way, lots of work so get in shape. That is awesome country up there.

[Triplebhunters]

I was hunting by myself, first year elk hunting. They are there but I couldn't find one with antlers while I was in hunting. Seen a few bulls while driving to spot I was going to hunt. Like easeup mentioned its rugged country, I lost twenty pounds and I was in really good shape that year. The outfitter I spoke with had 100% that year they actually broke camp early. And gorgeous country, sitting a meadow one evening looking at mountains for miles. Show up early so you can acclimate, run down to lake city a couple days before your hunt and eat at the cannibal cafe.
Dave

[Stillwater hunter]

As of now we plan on being their a day early to get settled in and try to acclimate a little to the altitude. Currently where we live and hunt were around 800 - 1400'. I defiantly plan on getting into better shape and hiking more of the mountains in the adirondack park were we live to help get use to the step terrain we will be dealing with. The big thing that worries me is the altitude because I have never dealt with it. The outfitter told us that good wool clothing will be a good outfit t bring hunting with us I plan on buying the cabelas wooltimate jacket and pants. What are you guys using to hunt out their. I also plan on bring my tikka t3 in 300wsm shooting either federal bonded or winchester xp3 180 grain shells. Any thoughts on the clothing, rifle choice or anything else I should be looking at buying.

[Triplebhunters]

Sounds like you're on your way. Rifle is great, everybody likes the wool, I'm allergic to it. No cotton!!!!! Just start working out and shooting now, even if a little. Squats, lunges, jogs and shoot a 22 a lot.

[Swede]

Welcome to the elknut camp Stillwater and best wishes on your up coming hunt. I know nothing about the area you plan to hunt or the people you plan to use to do your drop camp. I am sure you can get some good information to get you started, right here at our campfire.

[Test Man]

Stillwater Hunter,
I hunted with Jay and Action Adventures 2 times. My email is aewanick@gmail.com. If you send me your phone number I'll be glad to answer any questions you have.

[jswbga]

in 2012, my group hunted just south of Action Adventures hunt area. Good elk #'s, but a long, long way from the road and crazy high.

I was hunting with Todd at Lake City Outfitters.

your camera wont be good enough to capture the beauty you'll see up there. Awesome country, but pretty steep.

Good luck with it.

shane