First Time Hunter Help

[Trophyhill]

so I've been trying to get my brothers to start hunting back in Ohio for a number of years now with no luck. With the trophy whitetail in Ohio, I could kick myself for not hunting my early years growing up in Ohio. well I still can't get these guys to hunt which means my many nieces and nephews probably won't be learning anytime soon.

Here's the kicker.......My little sister who lives here in NM, who once upon a time said she'd never eat bambi (until she unknowingly ate some one day ) is bound and determined to start bowhunting elk of all things. I put her in on my app for the Gila this year. She really has no clue accept for the many stories I've told her about my embellished adventures If we don't draw the Gila she says she wants to go to CO with me. I've taken a couple first time elk hunters in the past on their hunts after I finished mine, but they had previous experience hunting other big game. so I am asking for any advice you all can give me to give us any chance at success or simply to help make it an enjoyable hunt for her. She is in her mid 40's and been working out since January and in decent shape for a girl. She is buying a bow this week and been shooting my nephews for several months now. (he can't seem to leave the video games or high school girls alone)

if I go to CO there is a possibility that I could be hunting with others as well. 1 guy with gimp legs and if the other 2 show up fancy themselves as pretty hardcore and wanting to climb Mt Everest. I'm somewhere in between I guess I have a pack for her but will have to get her set up with the essentials. I know i'll have to have patience. there is also a possibility that she'll sit a couple days out at camp nursing sore muscles lol. Any advice is appreciated.

oh and in the past her idea of camping was room service at the Hilton lol

[Indian Summer]

"decent shape for a girl"

Well the first thing I would say is don't underestimate women. While it may be true that that aren't built physically the same as we are I firmly believe that they make up for that by their level of determination once they put their mind to something. Women don't give up on things very often and I can tell you from experience they are great shots!

The other thing is that they are as even keeled as it gets when it comes to their state of mind during a hunt. Not as many ups and downs as many many guys that I've hunted along side. I actually believe I know the reason for that too. I think that, whether they admit it or not... or even realize it, lots of men hunt to impress others... or even feed their own inner ego. So when things aren't going well their mental state can crash and burn. Women hunt for all the right reasons. Fun. To learn. To be outdoors. None of those aspects are lost if they don't kill an elk or deer or whatever. And since the mind drives the body... I have seen some level headed women out hike a guy who is down in the dumps because he has yet to see elkzilla.

My advice to you is to keep it fun. Bust out the maps and with her by your side come up with a hunt plan that has options. You already know that some days we feel like a million bucks and others we feel like crap. So it's important for all of us to have a plan that suits both kinds of days. One thing I would highly suggest if possible is to think about some time in a tree stand. If you have a spot where you feel confident make sure you get her in one over the summer. Have her shoot from it too. Make sure she's comfortable up there before the real hunting starts.

Have a nice camp. Keep her warm and well fed. Other than all that I'd say relax and let nature run it's course. I have faith she will be fine especially since it is her idea. Good luck and please keep us posted.

[ishy]

Great insight Indian summer. We would all do well to remember why we hunt on those hard days.
I think that just being completely honest about everything and having a backup plan for the day after those brutal days and she'll do great. Fist time hunters can be the most rewarding to be with, even if you are little more nervous before you go about just how everything will play out.

[Trophyhill]

Good stuff guys! I definitely want to keep it enjoyable. Currently as the only hunter in my family, nothing would thrill me more than having family to enjoy time with while hunting. I am jealous of all who get to hunt with their families. Some even take that for granted.

[Elkduds]

Find out where the nearest hot spring is, see if sis wants to soak as part of the trip.