Well $#*% - But maybe not

[Mikeha33]

My partner called and bailed on me yesterday morning. We're now 52 days out. It blew me away. We've been planning for 8 months, and he's spent tons of $$$$ on new gear, high end stuff, and kind of turned into a gear junkie. He said he couldn't get his vacation approved. I've got hunt plans laid out according to different scenarios, based off of last years hunt and all the new stuff I've absorbed in the last 10 months. I was super pumped to be back in the same spot as last year, with someone else that has been studying the area as well. But I won't hunt alone. I'm not ready for that, and after my experience last year, I don't really want to.

However, like someone was watching out for me, my uncle called last night, and said that they had someone bail out on them last week, and just wanted to let me know that I was invited to go with them if something on my trip fell through. I told him that my buddy had backed out less than 8 hours before, and that I thought I'd take him up on his offer. It's a complete different area. I was going to be down South in Unit 81, but now it looks like I'll be headed up North,towards the Steamboat Springs area. Not even exactly sure where yet, but a totally different part of the state. Luckily, his trip is scheduled the same time as mine was, so it shouldn't be an issue. It's going to be a different type of hunting, a base camp, which I've not done, with 4 other guys I don't know, and my uncle around. They're familiar with the area, and hunted it last year, so I don't doubt their capabilities and knowledge. What I do wonder, is how to prepare with them??? With my spot I planned on going, I have studied maps for countless hours, burned my scroll button on my mouse searching Google Earth, talked to people, and most of all, been there. I don't know if these guys are similar, or just jump out of the truck, set camp, and see what they come across by luck?? I don't want to seem like a thorn in their side, but I feel like I NEED to know as much as possible about the area. You guys think that I would seem out of line, as a relatively new elk hunter, to get maps, dig for info, and have some constructive input, OR, should I just keep my mouth shut, show up, and do as told? That will be hard for me, but as a first time guest, I want to make sure I am appreciated and appreciative. I'm ready for camp chores, cooking, and anything else I can do to help, but I am still going to punch a tag.

I'm all ears, surely some of you guys have been on both ends of this spectrum. Also, anybody familiar with elk hunting in the SS area?

[Swede]

I don't know your uncle or anything about his hunting style, skill or even his hunting area. I would suggest asking him if you should get some maps and if he would explain the area so you could familiarize yourself with it on Google Earth a little before the hunt. I would never try to tell him how he should do his hunt or in anyway interfere. If you want to hunt alone, then ask if that is alright with him. Get everything cleared up before you commit to the hunt, so there is no misunderstanding or hurt feelings later. For now you are his guest. Just my thoughts.

[WapitiTalk1]

Mike, have you thought about inviting somebody else to hunt with you in the area you've scouted and been to? I know there are horror stories floating around about an invited guest one year bringing 38 folks and their pet ferret to your spot the following year, but, if the guy you invite agrees to not hunt that spot again unless you invite him, you may be able to continue on with your plans. I've done this before and it's worked out just fine. Just a thought so you can continue down the path you started on so many months ago.

[under H2O hunter]

I am very familiar with hunting the Steamboat springs area (Unit 14) The unit is very large with lots of places to hunt. Depending on which part of the unit I would suggest picking up a trails illustrated map of the portion of the unit you are hunting. It's been a very good unit to myself and others that I know but I wouldn't say that the elk are easy or better then average. I have seen some nice bulls 350 class on occasion but I wouldn't get to picky. As far as your own plans falling through that sucks however I would invite another hunting friend or even take the opportunity you've been given here to mentor someone new perhaps that you enjoy being around that is interested in learning how to elk hunt. The reason I say this is because your mind was set on doing your own thing and you already have an idea of how and where you want to hunt. Going into a completely new area with a bunch of guys you don't know puts you in a position where you will have to be submissive to those guys that have been hunting the area and know more about it then you. This can be a substantial hurdle to over come and can ruin your hunt. Now, if you are accepting of this and can be passive. You will learn another whole new area and have an opportunity to hone your elk hunting abilities and put your skills to the test. I think the great test to any elk hunting is to jump into a whole new area with no prior experience in that area and see if you can close the deal. Good luck and let me know if I can answer any questions you may have about the SS area.

[Fridaythe13th]

Half the fun is in planing. Go buy a new mouse and start hitting GE again. Talk with the uncle. Find out if the group is tree stand hunters or run and gun. See if he cares if you bring a tent and camp were the elk are. Ask a ton of question and have fun. Tag soup sucks, but tag soup and coming home crabby at your uncle and his friend. Not worth it.

[twinkieman]

Mike, have you thought about inviting somebody else to hunt with you in the area you've scouted and been to? I know there are horror stories floating around about an invited guest one year bringing 38 folks and their pet ferret to your spot the following year, but, if the guy you invite agrees to not hunt that spot again unless you invite him, you may be able to continue on with your plans. I've done this before and it's worked out just fine. Just a thought so you can continue down the path you started on so many months ago.

There are some great people on here that you might be able to pair up with as well. Fire forced us to move last year, new unit, I received a lot of help, and invitations. You could end up with another lifelong partner as well. I f you do go with your uncle's group follow Swede's advice, get it all in the open, up front. Who knows you might like the hunting in your uncle's area better.

[Trophyhill]

Don't worry about it Mike. That is a unit best hunted solo! This is how you find out what kind of hunter you really are. Rely on yourself! You may never want a partner again! Remember where I was parked? Park right there before sunup, ease into the timber heading up and back to the west sidehilling on one of the elk trails and keep your eyes ears and nose at the ready. If you hunt that area smart you can hunt it for a week straight and be into elk daily. If you blow them out find another area. Be smart with your calling and don't over call. When you get a response you have to judge whether that bull will come to you? Or whether you have to go dig him out. Call and move regardless. Good luck!

[Indian Summer]

Whew... speechless. What took him so damn long to find that out? After looking at your area in detail Mike I would have a hard time switching. I like it. Room to breath! I wouldn't jump on the first person that comes along but I think I'd keep the uncle in my back pocket for now and try to find a solid partner to hunt with you. You have a lot to offer.

I think from here on out I'm getting partners to sign a contract that will read: If you bail our on me I get to use the gutless method!!!!

[MidMoElkNut]

Although I am very new to elk hunting and don't know much I can tell you this..... This will be my third year bow hunting otc diy. ... The first year I went I went with a buddy I have been hunting with for years and always did stuff together. I came up with the idea to go on this hunt in 2012 and he said he would go I did a lot and all the research and bought calls and everything because neither of us had or knew anything. .. I thought this would be a great idea.... well we got to the spot I randomly picked and the first day went great we even had a bull come in screaming to about 35 yards but we couldn't get a shot.... overall that day we seen 2 nice bulls a spike 2 cows and a calf but never could or took a shot..... anyways we hunted the next day and it was completely opposite from the day before, basically it sucked...lol.... so my buddy didn't like that and was not liking that he didn't have phone service and wanted to find a different area to hunt that had phone service... I didn't want to bit I did to keep him happy.... so we found a different spot and had no luck finding any sign at all of elk, plus my bow got caught on a limb and pulled the string of the cams so now my main bow was out of commission. ...... long story short we got into it because we was not on the same page he wanted to be where phone service was and no elk and I wanted to hunt and didn't care where as long as I felt like the elk were there and was having fun.... so since we couldn't agree on anything we can home (1000 miles one way) after the third day which was supposed to be a week or more..... last year I hunted by myself and felt fine but camped with my brother and his girlfriend.... this year I will be going by myself and meeting up with other guys I met last year..... if I was you I would make sure whoever you go with you are all on the same page and have everything worked out before you leave..... I had a great time being in elk country when I was there that even the bad experiences won't stop me.....

[Indian Summer]

Midmo... Mike has a nice spot that he has been to before. Maybe consider hunting with him??? Doesn't sound like you have a super solid gameplan.

[dtrkyman]

Tried to pm you but said you do not exist

I may be hunting 81 so pm me if your hunt falls through with your uncles crew!

[jrnorton4]

Wow, that must be a pretty popular unit; we were there scouting a couple weeks ago. If we didn't already have 4 hunting in our group we'd try to hook up. I learned one thing for sure, I am not in elk hunting shape for there yet. I made it to the top of the mountain, but I was way behind our other guys. Have been to the gym more than I ever have since I got home.

[Mikeha33]

Well, I've been contemplating ideas the last few days, and still haven't made up my mind on what I'll be doing. I spoke with my uncle about their hunting styles, the group, and their experiences, and it was positive. The guy that he hooked up with has been hunting that particular area for nearly 30 years. I guess he's killed several 300+" bulls out of there, and they are in animals every year. They say that they are aggressive hunters, moving with the animals, and using calling. What level of calling, I don't know, but that's how I plan on hunting. There is another guy in camp a year younger than me(31) that is great shape, that they say likes to run and gun a little bit, and that I'd probably hunt with him. They'll be in the very South of unit 16. I don't know anything about that area, except its a lot less steep terrain from what I can see. Camp will be about 9200', over 2200 feet lower than what I'd planned. Not sure how that affects anything with the elk, but it seems like it'll be a little easier than where I'd planned.

On the flip side, where I'd planned on being, I am familiar with the area, and know of success that have also been had there. One of our very own, David (Trophyhill) and I spoke the other night about the area we were both in last year, and Joe (Indian Summer), reviewed my maps very tediously for me, and I feel like I have some new great advice towards "my" area. I'm still not sure about a solo trip yet. Only 1 mountain hunt under my belt, and being a legit flat-lander with minimal mountain experience still makes me nervous, as well as my wife. It would be nice to have a hunting partner, but I am (not trying to offend anyone on here) not going on a mountain for a week with someone that I don't either know personally, or someone that doesn't come highly recommended from someone I either know or trust. Splitting fuel with a partner would also be a big plus, driving 1500+ miles round trip and paying for the fuel on my own wasn't in my budget, and really, still isn't.

I'm going to keep my options open for the next few days, and try and make a decision on what to do by next weekend. Thanks for all the advice.

[cascjung]

Mike,
What was the bad experience last year that makes you hesitate to go alone? I'm planning a solo for the first time in September.

[dotman]

Going solo is very rewarding once you conquer your fear. Where at in SE KS are you?

[LckyTylr]

I'd ask your uncle to give you all of their email addresses so you can send out a group email.

Reach out to them, introduce yourself and state your intentions . . . that you'd really like to help out in any way possible, especially with coming at "their location" with a new set of eyes, a new perspective. Point out how easy it is to walk by the same bowl year after year . . . walking past it thinking "there's nothing in there, we have been hunting here since the 80's and nobody has killed anything in there" . . . maybe there are some killer wallows or bedding areas in there . . . but the terrain prohibits a hunter from hearing bugles and the steep walls prevent all but the most ambitious from exploring them. They might really appreciate someone willing to search out those far away places that they have never had the heart to walk to. A new guy in camp could be very beneficial.

[Mikeha33]

Dotman, I am in Pittsburg, but work in Joplin, MO M-F.

Simon, last year was my first year doing anything in the mountains really. On the 2nd day of our hunt, in an attempt to find animals, My partner and I split up. He went North a ways, and I went South. Wasn't real sure where I was headed, just South of camp. I hiked through black timber up high, not far below treeline, and into the top of a big park. It was a great glassing location. I sat there for about an hour before dusk, sitting down with my back up against a deadfall, with my pack sitting on the downed tree. About every 15 minutes, I'd give a bugle, just fishing for a response (I didn't know what the hell I was doing) but nothing ever came. About dusk I knew I needed to start making my way back to camp, but had eaten a pack of crackers while sitting, and was thirsty, so I reached back to grab my bladder straw on my pack, and when I turned my head, there was a cougar crouched and crawling at me, no further than 30'. Waaaaayyyy to close. I rolled over, drew my pistol, stayed low,and got ready. He took 4 more steps, putting him somewhere between 20-25' from me before I jumped up and started screaming, finger on the trigger and safety off. I cant tell you what I yelled, but I guarantee St. Peter didn't appreciate it. When I started yelling, he just sat back on his haunches and stared right through me. It probably only lasted 10 seconds, but that was the longest 10 seconds of my life. Then, he just turned around and walked slowly back into the timber. Basically right where I needed to go. I had about a 2 mile hike back to camp, and I did it in under 30 minutes. Bow on my back, pistol in hand at the ready, with my streamlite in hand, and headlamp blazing. I know he was watching me for a while. I consider myself very, very lucky to come out unharmed. Had I not grabbed for my straw, I don't know what would have happened, and I think that is the scary part.
I know the chances of that ever happening again are slim to none, but it did happen, and I will always think about that. My partner had been in that area 3 different times, and seen a cat on each occasion, so I thought I was prepared to see one in the wild. I was wrong.

[cascjung]

I was afraid it might have been a stalk.

I've not done this solo thing. Had a guide in central Montana last year. Did not see cats. Had a bear sniff around behind me while in a blind at a wallow--so I was told by the guide 159 yards away.

[Mikeha33]

I've reached my decision after spending a few hours with my uncle this weekend. As of today, I'm going with them. Somewhat reluctant, to be honest, but not for any reason to do with them, just not going back to "my" spot, that I'd studied maps and put together hunt plans since last September after having boots on the ground out there kind of makes me want to go back. But with the info that he has given me, the luck that they have had, and the area they'll be in seems to hold a good number of elk, and some good bulls, from what I'm hearing. The guy who started hunting in this area about 30 years ago has arrowed 3 bulls over 320", and 4 more right at 300", and a handful of smaller bulls and cows. It sounds like he is one of the 5%. Another guy that went with them the last 3 years has killed 2 years, and 2 that are 275"+. My uncle missed a "good" 5x6 last year, so it sounds like they are constantly in the elk. It'll be different, since there will be a base camp that we'll spike out of as need be to stay with the elk, and the guy who has been going is heading out 2 weeks early to camp and scout, so hopefully we'll have some insider info upon arrival. I'm pretty excited about the area (Unit 16) and hunting with family and new friends, but it's a little bittersweet also. I'm going to meet 2 of the guys he hunts with this weekend, and unless they're real tools, I'll be going with them. If anybody has any info about unit 16 or the surrounding areas that you're willing to chat a little bit about, shoot me a PM.

[Bowhunter]

Sounds like you will have a good hunt with your uncle. You can allways try your spot again next year if you don't like the new one. I was told of a place last year and did some research on it. Well I didn't hunt it because I drew a tag in a different unit and decided to try that. I am going to the spot i was told of 2 years ago to try it this year. I have done a lot more resaerch and feel good about the hunt. I will be hunting very near where your uncle hunts.

[razorback]

Have fun with it! My partner bailed on me last week. I have no mountain experience but I'm going to "my" spot anyway. Gonna do 15 days and learn by trial and error, just wished I could actually have boots on ground prior to arriving. This will be my first elk hunt, I've been to Colorado several times for work and actually had a 3 day hunt that really amounted to a bunch of ATV riding more than anything.