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  1. George Hamrick

    CO Elk hunt

    Definitely wouldn’t recommend 7 miles. Not to say that it isn’t doable, I don’t know you or what kind of shape you’re in. I’ve been on one otc bowhunt. I thought I could go deep no problem. I was hunting 3 miles deep, which isn’t that big of a deal when deer hunting WV and OH. Only problem is, I...
  2. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    Just sent you a private message to discuss things.
  3. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    That is definitely something I learned from my first trip is that nothing is a given. Might only get one chance in 10 days, so I want to be able to up my odds by sticking closer to the elk longer. Definitely seemed like nothing I planned really went as I imagined either lol. Trying to be as...
  4. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    Thanks for the info. After doing more research I’m leaning towards a light 2 person tent, or possibly a hammock and tarp at minimum. Seems to be too many horror stories of guys getting wet with the total bivy style. It also seems like more of a learning curve for the hammock style, so probably...
  5. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    That sounds about like what I would do. I don’t plan on going extremely far back as I’m not sure if I’ll have anyone else to pack with or not. Just want to be prepared to stay out 1 or 2 nights if I am in elk instead of spending a lot of energy getting back to the truck if I don’t have to.
  6. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    If I do decide to hike with a camp on my back while hunting, it will definitely be a minimalist light 2 person tent/tarp setup. I plan on it being more of a hike and hunt while planning on ending back at the truck. I just want to be prepared to spend a night or two in a spot if I do run into elk...
  7. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    That is something I have been planning with my escouting. I’ve been looking at areas I like and mapping big loops to have a good way to hunt the area and get back to the vehicle if I need to relocate after a day or two of hunting.
  8. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    That is one of the main reasons I would prefer to have my gear with me. I don’t feel like making a possible 6-8 mile round trip just go grab some food when I could take it with me or stash it somewhere on my way in.
  9. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    That is basically the idea, but I just wanted to see what people felt were necessary, or mistakes that were made when people stayed out for 2 or 3 days. Bouncing around more until I find elk is definitely something I am going to attempt to do more this time around.
  10. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    I like your idea of the setup of a floorless tent or a tarp. I had your thinking at the end of my last trip. Felt like I would’ve gotten one if so had been staying in the elk instead of hiking in and out 3 miles every morning and night just to get to the elk.
  11. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    I appreciate the advice. The long hikes in and out of the dark and lack of sleep are what convinced me to try this style of hunting. It definitely seems like the tarp and bivy sack seem like what I would be leaning towards. Just slept out in the woods on my last trip one night, but want to be...
  12. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    I should’ve put bivy in my title as well. I had always heard spike camp as basically a bivy camp back here in the east. Not too many people I’ve talked to have been elk hunting back here. My mistake.
  13. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    I wish I could go to a spot where I knew there were elk, but coming from OH or WV makes it tough to do any boots on the ground scouting. I very well may be looking into a hammock and tarp to cut down on weight. I didn’t do anything like that my last trip, and the only spot I ran into elk I ended...
  14. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    Totally understand where you’re coming from. That’s what we did for most of our last trip, but the only consistent spot I found elk in, I would get back to the truck after midnight. Decided I wouldn’t be doing that again next time. If it hadn’t been for that, I would most likely be hunting from...
  15. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    Do you have anything specific you’re looking for when you look for a spot? I plan on trying to camp lower in elevation to midway up so I’m not spooking elk when walking into my spots in the morning. Is there anything additional to look for besides water and a flat spot?
  16. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    I appreciate the information. Pack and boots were definitely up there in my items not to skimp on. When you say to practice with 50 lbs in your pack, how are you going about doing that? Do you just throw dumbbells or sandbags in the pack, or do you just hike with the gear you plan on using?
  17. George Hamrick

    Bivy/ Backpack Hunting Mistakes/Advice

    I’ve been on an OTC archery elk hunt, but plan on doing things a little differently for my next trip. I plan on having a minimalist type spike camp on my back. I’m looking to head into areas to hunt for 2 or 3 days to chase elk. I’ll head back to the truck to either resupply or relocate...
  18. George Hamrick

    First time elk hunter

    Hi Mike, just read your article. The tips you gave definitely sound like what I had in mind for my next trip out west. Nice to hear of somebody coming from the east and having continued success out there.
  19. George Hamrick

    Best state to kill a BIG whitetail - GO!

    If you’re looking for a mountain type hunt, look at the bow only counties in southern WV. Some steep steep terrain, but those counties lead the state in big buck kills every year due to being bow only. Nonresident license cost is fairly low as well compared to some of the other mentioned states...
  20. George Hamrick

    Best state to kill a BIG whitetail - GO!

    SW OH doesn’t seem to get as much attention as the central and eastern part of the state, but the big ones are there that’s for sure. Applies to about all of the state as long as the area isn’t overrun with pressure and Amish.

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