Butt Kicked!

[currie]

First ever diy otc elk hunt is in the books. Drove up a mountain and set up camp at about 10500 feet. Hiked in solo with a backpack to 12000 feet spent about 4 hours looking and calling. Walked back to camp and got elevation sickness I couldn't get off the mountain fast enough. Driving the 1.5 hrs down the mountain with my door open and barfing all the way down with a headache as bad as I've ever had. Went back next day not as high, didn't hear or see anything besides about 2000 sheep and large white Anatolian shepherd. Moved location walked in about 5 hours off the trailhead and again no sign no sounds saw some mule deer and that was it did that for 2 days. Moved location again and again walked in quite a ways in and same no sign no sound. So 6 days of hunting I mean hiking with a bow and didn't get a glimpse of an elk, so why can't I wait to do it again. I will be doing a few things different next year I won't hunt during the full/harvest moon and won't hunt during the muzzy season. Set up camp around 8000 feet. Maybe bring a four legged friend next time. Hope everyone has a healthy and safe elk season.

[Elkhunttoo]

Ouch... Sounds like a blast. And already thinking of next year

[VT Sasquatch]

Cool. I had a similar experience but saw a few elk. I can't wait to try again either but I want to bring a muzzleloader instead of a bow. I could have taken one with a muzzleloader but had nothing within bow range. I camped at a little over 10,000 feet and had altitude sickness (not as bad as yours) and was surprised by how cold it got at night. Anyway, good job getting out there and sticking it out. We are paying our dues.

[Swede]

Well, I am finally back. After scouting and setting up for 5 days, I hunted 29 straight days. During that entire time I saw only 1 elk that was a yearling cow. She was in no position to shoot at even if I wanted too. The hunting was great, but I am very tired right now. I have a lot of work ahead to get things cleaned and put up. I am already planning on next year's hunt. It will be much different for a lot of reasons. On every hunt I learn some new things. I am looking forward to sharing a couple of them and getting some of your thoughts/insights.

[ak32]

wow that's tough. Glad you are ok, altitude sickness will kick your ass. I live in 8,000ft and I notice my body doing weird things adjusting when I get up to 11-12k feet still.

Instead of hiking hours to get somewhere, was there decent available road access to where you could glass from a road or a short hike from a road? Personally I like to not expend energy hiking somewhere unless I actually see something glassing from a distance first. Obviously this doesn't work if you're hunting a wilderness area.

[currie]

the only spot to sit and glass was the spot at 12000 and you needed a motorbike or horse to get there i choose to hike. took me awhile it was ugly road. it was my first time so i didnt know what kind of a place i was getting into google maps made it look a lil better. next year we will better.

[Dr. Rx]

Glad you are ok Currie..that can be scary..

Kri