September Weather

[VT Sasquatch]

I have been doing quite a bit of research on elk hunting in Colorado for next year. I have been getting the necessary gear, etc. I just looked at the historic weather averages and it is really throwing me for a loop. I was thinking of hunting the last week of archery (or muzzleloader on the slim chance I get a tag) in the Grand Mesa National Forest. When I looked up average temperatures, I see that the highs are in the high 70s to 80s and the lows are in the 40s to 50ish. Is this accurate even at high elevations?

I can't imagine packing an elk out in 80 degree temps without it spoiling. In fact, I have never hunted in weather that warm. I was expecting nights to be below freezing and days in the 60s. If this is accurate, I guess I need to plan to hunt the 2nd rifle season. I was hoping to go early for work reasons and because my daughter's birthday is in mid-October. I do have two canvas tents (different sizes) with wood stoves. I have experience camping in cold weather and it does not bother me as long as I don't get snowed in/out.

Can you guys fill me in. Am I missing something? How do you handle meat in 80-degree temps on a solo hunt?

Thanks. Sorry for all of the questions but I just want to avoid disaster.

[saddlesore]

It's a crap shoot.I have hunted in ML season in a tee shirt and in 6"+ of snow. Mostly though, you can bet it will rain on you at least once.
Predicting weather in CO is troublesome.I don't think the weather guys could predict what is happening if they stuck their head out the door.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, but do bring a good set of rain gear if you hunt archery or ML

Rifle seasons, the 1st is usually pretty nice.The 2nd can be warm days or blizzards

[Indian Summer]

For the most part early September is warm. Late September anything can happen snow and temperature wise. But if it does snow it's not there to stay and eventually things will warm up and get back to normal again.

It can be warm into late October at times and I can remember more than one gun opener in t-shorts. But I also remember in about 2002 or so the first week of gun on the 3rd week of October was by far the coldest of the 5 week season. The 3rd week of September in 2014 it snowed 8 inches of slush in the Bitterroot and down in the Tetons. Yuk! The mountains can throw curves for sure but September is definitely not winter yet even up high and you need to move elk quick and have a plan once back at the truck. If temps are below freezing it's not by much and not for long.

[under H2O hunter]

A couple things. 1. How are are you planning on possibly packing your animal? If you're only packing a few miles and you can get it out in a single day simply hanging the meat in the shade will be enough. If you are gonna be packing it out over a few days well then question 2. is how far is it to the nearest stream? Sinking your meat in in a couple contractors bags in a steam is natures refrigerator and it will keep your meat cold long enough to get it out. Talk with Aron Snyder from Kifaru about it...

[six]

I could manage a high of 80 where we hunt. We are 3 to 4 miles into a wilderness area. We are lucky enough to have natures refrigerator 2.5 miles from the trailhead. There is a 75 feet rock wall that runs east and west for about 100 feet. At the bottom of the wall is trout creek. Its ranges from 5 to 10 feet wide and is loaded with trout. 90 percent of the daylight hours the stream is shaded and its like stepping into a refrigerator. We haven't shot an elk in this area yet but when we do the plan is to hump it to the refrigerator and use poles to hang it over trout creek if the weather is warm. If not we just hang it in the shade on a north slope. You'll find there is a big temperature difference between the shade on the north facing slope and a sunny clear spot on a southern slope.

[VT Sasquatch]

My plan was to hunt within about a mile or 2 of an ATV trail. That way I could get the meat to the trail and use the ATV to take it from there. I have game bags and an Eberlestock F1 / F2 combo as my hunting pack. I also have a Cabela's pack frame that I was going to keep at my spike camp to carry bigger loads. I'll bring some contractor bags too in case water is available.

My thought was to bring a big marine cooler and leave it back in my truck. If I was to get lucky, I would ride the meat out on the atv and put it in the cooler and go find some ice. Maybe I should plan to fill it with ice blocks ahead of time in case there is nothing around.

I feel like my chance with a bow is close to zero (I'm okay with that - seeing an elk would be good enough). I just can't imagine getting within 40 yards with no elk hunting experience. I do want to have a plan for meat handling, though, in case of a miracle.

I am going to put some serious thought in today about whether to go in archery or first rifle. I would prefer rifle except for my daughter's birthday and work obligations. I usually take a week off to hunt on my Vermont property in November and won 'to be able to swing back to back months like that with work. Maybe I'll just skip the VT season. I wish I was born rich instead of good looking.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[VT Sasquatch]

I should have mentioned this but I have an area planned out. If there is anyone interested in coming along you are welcome. As of now I will be solo or with a good friend from home. I have a wall tent so all you need is an ATV, your hunting gear and maybe a cot. If there is a knowledgeable older guy who doesn't feel like setting up a tent or hunting alone, you are welcome along.

[six]

The marine cooler is great. I believe mine is a 200 qt. More than enough to hold an elk. Just a suggestion. Buy a dozen gallon sized water jugs. You'll see some of the jugs are heavier duty than others. I believe the one we used were Ice Mountain Spring water. A week or so before you leave put them in the freezer and freeze em. Then just don't forget to put them in the cooler before you go. You can take one out and thaw it as needed and you'll have plenty of ice in the cooler for the week. Just try not to open it a lot. You can also duct tape the seams as the tape with keep the cold sealed in better.

[VT Sasquatch]

Great idea, Six. I'm going to do that. My freezer probably won't hold a dozen but I could probably get six in there. I could have a friend freeze a few too.

[Lost Dog]

pm sent

[VT Sasquatch]

I didn't get the pm.

[baddaddy]

October this year on the mesa was warm as well. Use the gutless methoud to process your elk and make sure you have some good quality game bags and not the cheap thin ones. A pack frame makes the pack out job easier. Get some good trecking poles as well to use. If you hunt 421 then Colbran will be the closest town to get resupplied with what ever you need. Bring a good chainsaw as weel for the firewood or lodgepole you may need to cut. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Indian Summer]

Don't get your ice ahead of time. Just do a little homework in advance. Call grocery stores, beer distributors or a taxidermist and find out where to get dry ice. Once you pack the first load out go get a bunch of it. Can't have too much. No water when it melts and way colder.

[longspeak74]

There's both a gas station and small liquor store in Collbran that sells dry ice. Have used them both during second rifle season, so I would bet they would be supplied for September as well.

[six]

Don't get your ice ahead of time. Just do a little homework in advance. Call grocery stores, beer distributors or a taxidermist and find out where to get dry ice. Once you pack the first load out go get a bunch of it. Can't have too much. No water when it melts and way colder.

Sir I am curious why you don't have a cold cooler waiting at the truck when you bring out the first load of meat? You have shot nicer bulls than I have ever even seen while hunting so I ask this question out of respect not trying to pick a fight.

[saddlesore]

Don't get your ice ahead of time. Just do a little homework in advance. Call grocery stores, beer distributors or a taxidermist and find out where to get dry ice. Once you pack the first load out go get a bunch of it. Can't have too much. No water when it melts and way colder.

Sir I am curious why you don't have a cold cooler waiting at the truck when you bring out the first load of meat? You have shot nicer bulls than I have ever even seen while hunting so I ask this question out of respect not trying to pick a fight.

Yep.Before the season.I freeze 10 each 1 gallon jugs of water. Either from jugs I have or bought drinking water. I fill two big coolers.That gives me initial ice to cool any meat down while get to some place to buy more ice as the first batch will melt quickly. If not used, I have ten gallons of extra drinking water.
In warmer weather, even hanging in the shade is not going to get that deeper muscle meat cooler down enough.