Elk Camp 2016... Are you Excited?

[WapitiTalk1]

We're much closer to the next elk camp than the one behind us. To me, there is nothing quite like it each year and my anticipation starts the day after the previous season ends. I relish in the off season research, grabbing those pieces of gear that I feel may play into a successful hunt, the scouting (both remote and BOG), getting in elk woods shape, shooting my old Alpine Bow on my property, pouring through the trail cam pics the first few days of hunting when I arrive, and I even enjoy setting up the camp....piece by piece on the first day I roll in. There is no time, and no place, I sleep better at night than at elk camp. Unlike any other hunting, my annual elk hunt and the ultimate departure to "the camp" has always been the highlight of my year for many, many years. This year, I'm taking a new cat to my normal haunts to show him a bit about hunting these big galoots. I'm certainly hoping to foster a spark that will hook him for life. I don't know what it is about wapiti hunting, but it has always been my true hunting love since way, way back when. I just love talking to, and hunting, the stinky (well, I actually like the smell of them) galoots more so than any other critter I've hunted. Are you getting excited for the upcoming elk season? I know I am. RJ.

[Lefty]

Absolutely excited . Im not in a hurry for season. So many things to do on my punch list
My wife wants to be in camp,.. always nice having hot anything when you come back to camp , soup , chocolate, sandwich.
My 23 year old daughter plans to hunt the days she isnt working. So we need to work on the Elknuts Playbook.
Sounds like I may have a longer elk season if my wife draws an early rifle bull. I may miss the opening day of goose hunting

Interesting you mention smell. Skunk essence, coyote and fox urine still arouse excitement to me. Just maybe not as much as an old bulls stink in his bedroom

[six]

YES!!! SIR!!! This will be the first year in 4 years I've archery hunted. Still lots to do. Couple more weeks and my boys and I will do a "Colorado Elk Camp" in the back 40. They love it and It gives me a couple days to test my gear.

[Old school]

Am excited to take the boys on a DIY archery elk hunt this year. Am busy buying gear and pouring over maps. So many spots picked out and the anticipation of being there is running very high.

--Mitch

[Tigger]

I think about it all the time. One of the questions I ask myself is what did I do to get ready for elk hunting today? Most days, I can say something. New spot this year, so I am both excited and nervous that I won't prepare enough. And actually, I haven't had a chance to do much lately with the new spot as my doggone job has gotten in the way. So, yes, pretty excited.

[Rod]

Yes I am, my last elk hunt was 2012 so I am very excited to get into the mountains again. I will be chasing them somewhere in Colorado with my longbow!! Working out a lot & getting ready to call in a turkey soon.

[ElkNut1]

The prep & the personal inside hype feeling is great! It's what keeps me going & makes me feel alive! From practicing calling, shooting, working out with more intensity as the days, weeks & months draw closer! With hunting both WY & ID this year & helping others I really have a seriously full platter, I love it & wouldn't have it any other way, it makes the time breeze right on by! The worst day is when we pull elk camp down, it's a sad one indeed for me each year!

ElkNut1

[CurlyTail]

I am excited!

This will be my first year doing Archery Equipment so increasing my skill and familiarity with the new bow is doing to dominate my energies.

I did get a new Tarp for camp, and a new sleeping bag for Early season (last year I was too hot). Going to have my new son-in-law in elk camp this year, and his youth and enthusiasm will be very welcome. I am enjoying tutoring him on elk calling and elk hunting strategy. I got him his own Elknut playbook for x-mas, and have lent him all the Elknut DVD's. His calling is very good for his experience level. Can't wait.

I am taking two scouting trips to Wyoming this summer in anticipation of trying a new area in 2017. Lots to look forward to!

[T.B.]

Yep. I stay excited and always thinking about the big event ..... Those 2 weeks certainly go fast though

[saddlesore]

People use to ask me what I did for a living. I always told them I hunt elk. My day job just pays a little better.Since I retired the elk hunting budget gets a little short at times now, but I still make two ten day hunts a year.

[Ben Nicholson]

Yeah I'm excited, that's why I'm on here several times a day! I'm taking two rookies with me this year and their excitement is contagious! This will likely be their one and only elk hunt so there is a litte pressure to find elk, but they are both realistic on the odds. I can't wait till late September!

-Ben

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

Beyond excited this will be my first of elk camp. With all the studying of maps and hunting statistics to buying and playing with all the gear 9 out of 10 dreams are of elk hunting. When the truck is headed west to elk camp my arm will be sore from all the pinching. I read something about elk everyday. I can't wait to smell my first elk bed. I have imaged the backwoods for way to long!

[ishy]

Beyond excited especially after taking last year off. Can't think about it before bed or won't fall asleep.

[six]

and a new sleeping bag for Early season (last year I was too hot).

That's a good problem to have. Much better than too cold.

[Indian Summer]

Me excited? I mean it's just two long drives with some grocery shopping in the middle right?

That's what I tell myself when I'm trying to go to sleep at night. Right now I'm 50/50 on the possibility of going out in August to put some boots on the ground and I'm even excited about that.

But if I achieve my goal it will be bittersweet. My partner can't take all of his elk meat back to Canada so I might get half of that one. If I kill a bull early I'll g buy an over the counter leftover cow tag which means I could kill 2 elk. If I can even put 1 1/2 elk in the freezer I will not be hunting elk in 2017. Instead I will be sending a friend out a week ahead of me to glass for mule deer until I show up and hunt the entire 2 week deer season camped way up high with a few horses in camp. I'll scout a few days before the opener and then hunt the entire 2 week season. If you're going to do something do it right especially when you are burning 5 years worth of points.

There aren't many animals that can steal my attention over elk but every one in awhile the thought of bucks like these definitely catches my interest. Like elk the country you hunt is incredible. It's actually extremely good elk country and the deer season is September 15 to 30 so the bulls will be rutting. And I'll be eating elk for dinner.

Giant racks, big non-typicals, and HUGE bodies. Who can look at bucks like these without drooling!

[bald9eagle]

I came to the realization today (the last day of turkey season for me) that I won't put camo on again until the first day of my archery elk hunt. I think I might have peed myself a little at that point.

[Dr. Rx]

This year I will have a nice base camp..can't wait to hear my first bulges, especially at night..
Great thread!

Kris

[Elkduds]

Waiting to see where in CO the CPW is sending me before I get too fired up. Already got camp and basic hunt plans in 9 possible units, via CO big game atlas and the 3D on google maps/earth. Still snowing right now, so scouting will be delayed.

[Waygoner]

Waiting to see where in CO the CPW is sending me before I get too fired up. Already got camp and basic hunt plans in 9 possible units, via CO big game atlas and the 3D on google maps/earth. Still snowing right now, so scouting will be delayed.

Same here. I won't get too excited until the draw results are out. The odds are good but not a slam dunk.

[Heartwood]

YES. Excited for a new adventure in September. Until then, I need to stay fit and healthy and fling some quality arrows at the targets. We will have some old friends and some new faces in camp as well as our usual crew. Summer always passes so fast and its time to go chase and hopefully harvest a critter and spend time with some of my favorite people. Very much looking forward to it!

[stringunner]

Purchased my Oregon license and point savers this week. It's getting closer! Trying to put together my first scouting trip in three weeks. My two boys (6 and 4) are itching to go as well. My youngest, told me instead of riding his bike his week with mom, that he chose to walk so he could "train" for elk camp. My oldest told me this week that he wants to spend his birthday in June at "elk camp" this year setting up game cameras. I'll admit, that brought much joy.