Expect to hunt hard everday. expect to be cold. Expect to ride a couple hours everday in the dark one way. Then glass and walk. The daily hunts will vary depending on where you hunt that particular day. The accomdations at lodge are top notch. Sometimes elk are everywhere and sometimes...
It is alot of riding. Early breakfast. Usually a couple hours in the saddle one way. Usually cold tough weather. lots of glassing, walking and riding. Be in best possible shape!
Firstly, guys go on guided hunts for all kinds of reasons.
Outfitters/guides should have general idea of what game is up too.
The really good ones will know all year around what's going on in the country they hunt.
You can scroll over all the maps and whatever you want. However, it's always...
Honestly since you new to west hunting I would recommend a smaller bag and just do a couple nights at a time. You can cover stupid amounts of ground in 3 days and 2 nights. Expedition type bags and the corresponding gear for time of year and that type of hunt are a large investment.
I would...
Sorry been in hills. 9 days is long time for back pack hunt? Are you close enough to leave some food in truck and resupply as needed?
If you gotta pack 9 days of food and late fall hunting gear. Definitely not less then 7200
That's not enough time. Unless you just shooting any buck. Hunting new area i figure 3 days just to get an idea of what's going on! Hope you got high powered spotter!