It seems most agree...a different/better process should be in place being 2024.
Overall I'm more concerned with wolves and the big cat vote...I just want to be hunt elk with my kids and grandkids 20-30 yrs from now.
I bought 4 pair of Cabelas Merino wool hunting/hiking socks (100% guaranteed for life) in 2010...I've worn them every season since (granted only 1 week hunt) and train with them a couple months in the summer...I've yet to replace one of the pairs.
Super impressed!
I tell all first timers...don't even waste a second considering backpack hunting your first trip (unless you regularly have spent time backpacking all over the mountains). It's just too much to add on top of an already physically and logistically challenging first hunt.
Set a nice camp...and...
Open a podcast app and search Elknut...every time Paul is on a podcast he delivers...both him and Chris Roe (his older stuff) are top of my list for education.
Like most things...even knowing a little can go a long way in the woods. Just like turkey hunting, you don't have to sound like a...
For me - I would find a good MZ tag in the 10-12 pt range. With the new tag allocation %'s a tag that was 13 or 14 PP last year likely won't be drawn with 14PP this year.
Good Luck!
Elknut for calling...but for a beginner with zero experience I'd start with either Brian Barney (Eastman's Elevated) or Remi (Live Wild).
I didn't podcast when I started looking back in '09...so I got most of what I needed from Rokslide. Dig deep...it's all here. Good Luck!
I second that...fill coolers with frozen milk jugs. When I get elk, put meat in contractor bags, place in cooler...then cut open each jug and dump the melted water and ice chunk on top of meat. Works great!
It's also emergency backup water should you run short in camp.
I have the same cooler...it's hauled several elk cross country. Put meat inside contractor bags, put in cooler, fill with ice and water. Top ice off if even needed at gas stops on way home. Haven't lost any meat yet...up to 4 days in cooler (usually only about 48 hours)
Removing OTC even if just swapping same # of tags to be draw could really help on the PP point creep. Maybe not much at first if you can draw these units as 2nd choice but as soon as guys start missing out 2nd choice you'll then be forced to use your PP. It will also help eliminate all the "I...