Split-up 2 weeks or not??

[SoCo Mark]

Hello all. I've a question to which I'd like to heard some opinions.
I will be hunting Colorado archery this season and will have at least 2 weeks of vacation time to spend. I've originally planned on hunting the first week and the last week, however I am starting to debate whether or not I should go the first 2 weeks. Here is some information to help you with your answers and opinions:
Limited draw area, although it takes 0 points. In fact, most years there are left over archery tags.
Basically, it is a Wilderness Area unit.
I've hunted first rifle in this area since '08, and archery last year.
Hunting pressure where I hunt is minimal in first rifle, and was sparse in archery season last year as well. At least in the places I hunt.
I will be hunting solo.
I will pack in a camp and hunt 3-5 areas within easy walking distance to my campsite. I state this to let you know there will be no long hikes in and out each day.
I'll be 49, in reasonable shape, but definitely plan on hunting more with my head than going out and running one down- hence the physical nature of this hunt will be much different than those who put 10-15 miles a day, day after day. I admire you all, but that is not me... anymore...
I know this area fairly well. During rifle seasons I watch travel routes. During archery last year I glassed in the mornings and then moved in during mid day...and almost killed a 5 by 5 in the process. I also chased bugles and had some great action there as well, though I did not score.
I know where they bed.
I know pretty much where they feed.
I know some above tree line travel areas, and in general some travel areas in the timber..
I know at least one rutting area, if there is such a thing.
I will also be in this area during first rifle with a cow tag tucked into my back pocket.. I really like eating elk meat...
So there you have it. I appreciate any opinions or advice. My goal is to shoot an elk with my bow. This site has been a wealth of information to further me down the path of achieving this goal. Thanks to all.

[brun]

Sounds like you know the area well. I don't think there is a right answer here, although I personally like the idea of two different hunts. It gives you the chance to rest up and get recharged. You can get pretty tired in two weeks of hunting. If you didn't know the area well you might worry about the patterns of movement changing while you were gone, but it sounds like you have been in this area quite a bit at different times so it probably won't matter. I would stick with your plan, but it should be fun either way. Good luck.

[JPD350]

I agree that there is no right answer, you will have a blast no matter what you do!
If I had two weeks I would take it all at once, even if a person knows their area like the back of their hand one week may not be enough time for a bow hunter to kill, I personally hate to leave if I am just about to dial in after 5 or 6 days, having to regroup and get to that point again seems like a waste of precious time to me.

Whether or not I would do the beginning of the season or the end would depend on the area and what type of hunt I wanted to have. 1st choice for me would be 2 weeks in the peak rut, 2nd would be 2 weeks in the very beginning of the season. 3rd choice would be the one week at season opener and a week in the peak of the rut

[Elkduds]

I like your 1st plan. Then you aren't in w muzzleloaders, you can fix gear and make any adjustments to location between weeks, you can sleep in a bed, bathe, watch Broncos, rest and recuperate. Also, if the monsoon is like last year's, you have a better chance of @ least 1 week of drier weather w your weeks split up. 2 weeks of steady rain (again) would suck. Sounds like an awesome hunt, no matter when you choose to go. Good luck!

[Swede]

As you can read, there are several options and no right or wrong answer. If I was faced with your situation I would plan to adapt. If the hunting is good, I would stay as long as I could. If the conditions are not good or if leaving seems to be an advantage, then go out and return for the last week. I hate leaving good hunting. BTW: I hate leaving any hunting. Have you considered hunting from a tree stand? Do you have a good place to locate a stand? You will not get too tired waiting in a good comfortable tree stand.

[Lefty]

,.... I personally like the idea of two different hunts. It gives you the chance to rest up and get recharged. You can get pretty tired in two weeks of hunting.,....... Good luck.

"""""A break in the middle can go a long ways to being more effective in the woods

[WapitiTalk1]

My vote is for taking your hunt vacation all at one time. Forgive my military/Army comparison here, but it rings true with hunting also IMO. It takes a guy several or more days to hit an acceptable battle rhythm that breeds success. Even if you're in olympic shape.........you haven't been in the heat of elk battle for an entire year. Yes, every year, a handfull of guys head out on opening morning, huff and puff into their area, crackle the wrapper on an early morning snickers bar, blow their horn and have a bull run into their arrow. That is not the norm. It takes a bit of time to tune into your surroundings and what you're there for, acclimate to the elk woods/perhaps significant elevation changes during your hunts, accustom yourself to sleeping in camp, rising early, getting your stomach used to camp or backcountry chow, etc., etc. Why head back to cell phone/double cheeseburger/comfort sleep system world and have to start acclimation again a few weeks later when you return? IMO, that cuts out a handfull of days each trip to shall we say, "get in the groove". Just my .02.

[Indian Summer]

I'm with Phantom. Get in the zone.... and stay there. It really does take several days just to get into a rhythm. Not necessarily yours but the elk's. So many hunters will say at the end of their 1 week hunt "If I had another day or two I now I could get it done". By then your legs are carrying you along like the wind and your mind is completely focused.

More importantly.... during the course of any hunt you will eventually know where several groups of elk are spending their time. If you left there's a good chance they will have moved on for one reason or another and you'll have to start from square one again when you get back. Instead you can continue to dog them after the first week. It's common to be just one step behind them for the 2nd half of a 1 week hunt. Stick around and I think your chances are better to get that one step ahead of them and seal the deal. There's no doubt you'll need a day in there to regroup. That's fine. Sleep in that day and hunt close to camp that evening. Think about a tree stand maybe. But remain at elk elevation and get right back at it after that. In my opinion that will serve you better than going through the start up ritual twice. For me the long hunts have definitely paid off better than a couple shorter ones.

[twinkieman]

My vote is for taking your hunt vacation all at one time. Forgive my military/Army comparison here, but it rings true with hunting also IMO. It takes a guy several or more days to hit an acceptable battle rhythm that breeds success. Even if you're in olympic shape.........you haven't been in the heat of elk battle for an entire year. Yes, every year, a handfull of guys head out on opening morning, huff and puff into their area, crackle the wrapper on an early morning snickers bar, blow their horn and have a bull run into their arrow. That is not the norm. It takes a bit of time to tune into your surroundings and what you're there for, acclimate to the elk woods/perhaps significant elevation changes during your hunts, accustom yourself to sleeping in camp, rising early, getting your stomach used to camp or backcountry chow, etc., etc. Why head back to cell phone/double cheeseburger/comfort sleep system world and have to start acclimation again a few weeks later when you return? IMO, that cuts out a handfull of days each trip to shall we say, "get in the groove". Just my .02.

I'll second this, a key to success is having the time to be successful.

[Duck-Slayer]

I take all my time at one time.... I hunt the last 11 days of the season here in Idaho, works out great, I find that being in the "rhythm" as people have mentioned is true, also that you know the elk habits, why take a break and chance not finding where they have moved too? if you do need a break, sleep in, go into town, rent a hotel, take a shower, get some real food and go back out and get it done.... so no don't split it up.... last two week's of Sept.....
Matt

[nrocchio]

I am in a similar situation as you, except I only have one full week of vacation to use since I am in my first year at a new job. I don't know if you live in CO or are taking the vacation time to travel from out of state to hunt. I am assuming you are local if splitting the time off is an option. I am using my time off to take three day weekends early on, and using the full week to hunt from 20th - 28th . That way I can still sort of hunt the entire month, and if I don't get lucky early on I can have one last go of it with a long trip at the end of the season. I am mostly taking the full week at the end of the season, so if I do get one down during one of the weekend hunts Ill still have the days off to burn packing it out.

[Trophyhill]

I would opt for 2 weeks straight. Once I find them I want to stay on them.

[otcWill]

I would definitely go for 2 weeks consecutively. To me, 10 days is absolute minimum for an archery elk hunt.

[SoCo Mark]

Thanks to all who have responded. There seem to be good arguments on both sides- staying with them versus taking a break to re-energize. Not to single one group of posters from another, but I was impressed to hear the military folks chime in. Advice from someone who has been in the military is well worth noting, in my opinion.
Swede, yes I am packing a tree stand. I did last year as well but did not use it. However over the winter I picked up this neat little handbook dedicated to treestand hunting for elk- so this year I plan on hanging it and using it. I really can see me enjoying elk hunting from a tree stand..
Again, thanks to all.