1st Time Elk Hunter

[NYSureShot]

So I agreed to go on an elk hunt up in Arapaho National Forest (Colorado) with a long time hunting buddy. I'm a flat lander from back east that survives in an oxygen rich environment. What I'm looking for (at least for now) is to see if I'm outfitted well enough with my current rig or do I need to improve.

I have a T/C Encore with a 24" barrel in .300 Win Mag. and plan on using a round of 180 grains for ammo. It's topped with a Simmons Apex 3.5-12 X 44 scope with adjustable parallax (yeah I know its old). I have a set of 10X42 Leopold binos and a 4X20 Bushnell range finder good out to 850 yds (or so advertised)

We are setting up camp 3-4 days before the season opens at around 10,000 feet and I hope to scout a bit beforehand.

So................Is my rifle/scope/binos/rangefinder sufficient?
Is a 180 grain Hornady round with a SST bullet enough?
Mounted bi-pod or my drag around tri-pod?
I only have a 200 yd. range to use. Enough?
How and where in general do I start to scout? North facing timber etc?
Calling in mid October. Is it worth it and what calls?
Besides living at the gym, what can I do to prepare for the altitude?
Does anybody deliver a good pizza out that way? Thick crust.

Enough for now..
Thanks,

Tim

[cohunter14]

Tim, I think your equipment is definitely sufficient. To answer some of your other questions, I would recommend not lugging around a bipod or tripod. Try to practice using your pack as a rest. If you are only shooting out to a few hundred yards, that should work fine. If you don't get a chance to practice past 200 yards, I wouldn't plan on taking shots much farther than that. Calling can work, but definitely not as well as during the rut. Still, learning how to use a cow call wouldn't hurt. Exercise to prepare for altitude? Try climbing stairs and, if possible, put on some sort of a mask to reduce the amount of oxygen you can get.

[WapitiTalk1]

Was hoping you'd chime in on this one Derek, thanks. You didn't answer his pizza question though

Tim, you asked about scouting. Have you or your buddy hunted this area before? If not, why have you initially settled on this area?

[Elkduds]

For all hunters considering CO:
Start here for online scouting: http://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/inde ... ntingAtlas
Look here to learn how many hunters spent how much time in each GMU, and how successful they were: http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages ... s-Elk.aspx Also find accurate statistics RE odds for drawing limited licenses there.

Your fitness/acclimatization will decide how much you enjoy the hunt, and how much you are able to hunt. Ask your doctor if Viagra is right for you. Or ask him/her if you would benefit from suppliments or Rx meds to help lowlanders cope w altitude.
Get in the best cardio shape possible. Let the trainer @ your gym know what you have planned and get specific recommendations RE training for hiking while carrying some weight @ high altitude. Arrive @ altitude a few days early so you can sleep around 6-7K and hike uphill from there for a few days, before sleeping @ 10K. Hydrate or die. Altitude not only dehydrates and saps your strength, it regularly causes headache and upset stomach. Alcohol and spicy foods are not good choices for lowlanders. Be prepared to move to much lower elevation if symptoms of altitude sickness persist or worsen. This hospitalizes hunters every year, some die.


For NY:

I agree w CO14's feedback. Ttsx bullets are better for big beasts such as elk, provided your Encore shoots them accurately.

Arapaho NF has terrain that tops out around 10K, while in the east along the continental divide it goes above 13K, steeply. Consider some areas that don't go far above timberline. Have hunting areas/plans A through C, @ least. It can get wintry @ 10K IN October. If elk have left an area, so should you.

Boots are more important than most of the other equipment you listed. Well fitting, waterproof, comfortable boots, broken in.

A good way to break in boots is to take them hiking up to the highest elevations you can access, spend a few weekends per month carrying a pack up and sleeping on the heights of local mountains, all summer and through Sept.

Feel free to PM if I can be more specific RE maps, scouting, gear, GMUs, etc. Not optimistic RE delivery pizza, @ least not like what you are used to in NY.

[husky390]

Boots are more important than most of the other equipment you listed. Well fitting, waterproof, comfortable boots, broken in.

That is the most important advice you can get. A pair of ill fitting boots will ruin your hunt the first day. And I agree with what everyone else has said.
I would recommend that you find a good pair of hiking boots that are waterproof and find a steep hill to hike up and down on and start hiking. It's been my experience with boots that they require two types of break-ins. Flat land and hiking up/down slopes. I've had boots that fit great on flatland hiking but were murder on my heels going uphill and on my toes going downhill. It all depends on your feet and the weight you'll be carrying. Also, a lot of insoles are junk, even in expensive boots so don't be afraid of getting a better insole.

Fitness: Everyone is different so here is what I personally do for gym exercises: Bench, Squats, Deadlifts, Push Press and picking up big duffel bags filled with sand bags or a 60+ medicine ball and bringing it up to each shoulder, putting it back on the ground and repeat until I lose my grip or am exhausted. I'm not a runner so I focus more on Anaerobic exercises. It works for me very well when hiking in the mountains. Lastly, hike, hike, and hike some more. I'm the weirdo in the neighborhood walking around with a 50# camo pack on that looks homeless. On weekends, I'll go to a local mountain and put down 3-8 miles with 50-60lbs in my pack. There is nothing in the gym that will come close to getting you into shape like hiking. Stairmills, they're great for cardio and building leg strength, but what about downhill which is harder on your legs? Find a steep hill nearby and start walking up and down it until you're ready for a pack. Go slow with adding the weight. I didn't, and jacked up my IT bands.

I also prefer 180gr TTSX bullets, as long as they shoot accurately.

When was the last time you replaced the hammer spring in your T/C? A weak hammer spring will cause misfires, it happened to me with my Contender and I was lucky that the third try worked on my doe last year. I'd replace it a couple months before you leave to make sure it's working for you. I'd also recommend bringing extras with you.

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=86

Ditch the bipod, use your pack, tree, rock, trekking poles (I use them) or lightweight shooting sticks.

Cow calls have worked for me in mid October. Be careful, you may bring in a hunter. No Hoochie Mama's.

Scouting: watch saddles, canyons and dark timber. Look for escape routes and plan to hunt dark timber as they will flee to those areas once they're being pushed around.

You'll pee a lot, but start hydrating your body before you come out. Elkduds is spot on about staying hydrated. I drink about a gallon of water a day and it's amazing how quickly I'll start too feel bad when I fall behind.

No cotton gear whatsoever. Weather is tough to guess so plan on temps anywhere from snowing and mid teens to sunny and mid 70's. Opening weekend of second rifle season this year was mid 70's and sunny. The following weekend there was a foot of snow on the ground and fog so thick you couldn't see beyond 50 yards. The unit I hunted in was in Arapaho Forest.

I'd also recommend the following for your daypack:
Camera or smartphone with a good camera. You will see some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
GPS, even something as basic as the Bushnell Backtrack will work. I carry that and the Garmin 62ST.
Compass
Headlamp
Bic lighter wrapped in duct tape
whistle
Good knife
A plan to have fun.

[husky390]

I forgot to mention, we don't have good pizza here. I'd recommend bringing some or a couple Hot Pockets.

[NYSureShot]

Thanks all......great suggestions.

I hope to get to Denver a day or two early to acclimate. Here in The Finger Lakes Region of NY there are some good hills to work on my stamina and wind. I have some problems on descents seeing I don't have the best knees. So I've learned to pace myself.

The pack I plan on using has a pocket for a water bladder and plan on getting the biggest that fits in it. Is water best or products like Gator Aide as a supplement better? It also has a rifle carrying system in the event I need to keep both hands free.

As far as the selection of where we are going...My buddy has done this trip a few times but the other four hunters do it year after year with about 25% success rating. I'm told I can get an over the counter bull tag but cows are by lottery. So I'm guessing my odds are low. That's OK seeing it will be one heck of an adventure. Camera and extra batteries are already packed.

I purchased ( for my Christmas present) a Garmin etrex 20x and have loaded the onXmaps for Southern Rockies already so I can't get too lost. I'll have to get another for Wyoming seeing we are doing a pack in trip in the Bridger/ Teton area in 2017

So keep those ideas coming folks. Knowledge is power.

Happy New Year,

Tim

[WapitiTalk1]

Tim, what kind of pack setup do you have? If you don't already have one, an "all in one" pack is the ticket IMO. Something that compresses into a daypack size (but can still carry a good sized water bladder), and, can expand to bring out a good chunk of Mr. Elk on your first trip out. I see there is a Horn Hunter Full Curl pack for sale in the classified here, and, if you dig around in other forum classified sections, you can usually find a great deal on a slightly used upscale all in one pack. No, I don't personally use any type of water flavor mix in my bladder... good old H2O will work just fine.

[CurlyTail]

If you get within an hours drive of Beau Jo's Pizza - stop and order the Firecracker Mountain Pie. Would make a good post kill celebration. In Idaho Springs, Boulder, and maybe a couple of other places I don't know about. They do not deliver to Elk Camp.

[cohunter14]

Sounds like you got looped in to a good group! 25% success is nothing to scoff at. I would let them steer you in the right directions as they will know the area pretty well. And be sure not to share this location with others...that's a quick way to lose those guys as your friend!

As far as Gatorade goes, I definitely use it. I try to have one or two a day on top of all the water. Nice to mix in the different taste and a good way to top off the electrolytes.

[husky390]

You may want to look into getting a set of trekking poles. It will help your knees.

[NYSureShot]

ElkDuds,

You mentioned that boots will make or break the hunt. I've been looking around and am impressed by the variety. I'm not set on a hi top or mid high but the Big Horn Hunter by Lowa seems to have the best reviews for comfort, weight, and cross slope stability.

Any thought and reviews on this or other boots would be welcome. I want to get them soon and put them to work to break in and assure they are hunt ready. Also, seeing they would be mail order what are the thoughts on custom fitting?

Besides this October in Colorado I'm doing a horse back rifle hunt for elk in 2017 in Wyoming.

Tim

[WapitiTalk1]

Tim, I have heard very good hunter reviews on the Lowa boots. And yes, if you can find a store that stocks them where you can try them on, that's certainly recommended. REI carries the Lowa brand and they have possibly the best return policy out there (you can actually use a product for up to a year and return it if you have issues or don't like the product). I have Zamberlan 980 OUTFITTER GTX RR's and they are the best boot I've ever owned, period. That said, I have never tried/worn the Lowas or the Kenetreks that folks really give high marks to. Yep, good boots cost twice as much as the next step down in many cases but they'll last you as long as you need them. Happy shopping! Just my .02. RJ

[Elkduds]

As a generous gift from my parents 20 years ago, I got a pair of Redwing 8" leather goretex uninsulated boots. This fall they climbed CO mountains and crossed many KS fields. They still have the original soles. I have never heard of, nor can I imagine, more comfortable, durable boots. Not terribly expensive by comparison w top brands today.

I have a pair of New Balance mesh goretex hikers that are much lighter, much less expensive, and will last a couple of seasons.

One brand I have admired for years is Meindl, who makes high-end boots for Cabelas. But I have B width feet, so I will never find some in the bargain cave. Lowe and Kennetrek are well-regarded premium brands.

A boot that fits well and is comfortable is a good one, even if the mesh wears out long before the soles.

If you can't try them before ordering, its a crapshoot RE fit. Find a good return policy like REI has.

[husky390]

There are a lot of good boots out there. The Cabela's Meindl's are pretty good, Salomon GTX, Zamberlain, Scarpa, are also good boots that come to mind along with the brand you found. I'm wearing Hanwag Lhasa's and they've been easy to break in and worked well this season. Waterproof too, I just wrapped up a Kansas hunt where I was walking through muddy fields and snow, no leaks.