justinspicher
WKR
I did 10+ mile days with gear for multiple days as a wildland firefighter, I was in my late thirties. Its not as hard as you think it is. If you spend most of your time in the mountains, its just another day.
I apparently only saved the evening hunt track on Onx. Morning would been similar elevations. Started at 8300 to the north then worked my way south and peaking at 9100ish. I should have worked way north back the way I came. However, I was tired/hungry af and took the shorter route off the mountain. Super reckless on my part. But when its dark and the temperature drops out, the brain may tell you its the best thing to do to get back to a warm meal and bed.What was your elevation profile on that 16 mile day?
this is pretty much how I usually end up hunting, I average 6-10 a day that number can go way up if I'm in a new area and cruising all day to get a feel for the area and trying to locate elk, it can go way down if I know exactly where I'm going and what my game plan is, I also hate blowing elk out by camping too close so I figure extra walking in the dark both ways every day.There are days in some places where I'll hike 2-3 miles in before or close to first light.........do some prospecting and be back at the truck by 0930. That's 4-6 miles right there. Then perhaps another jaunt after lunch, and another one that evening, and I'm at 10-12+ miles easily. That's a very typical day for me in some of the places I hunt.
I'm not one for stopping much, I like to keep moving if I'm out there (I even pace around while in camp). So even if I was to "only" go 1mph (really slow for me) and stayed out all day, that's like 16 miles from 0500-2100. I don't slow down until I actually find a bull that wants to play. But I prefer to break the day up into segments like my first example. Those are easy. I'm also not carrying a 50lb pack anywhere unless I'm taking camp in, or hauling it back out. My normal daypack is right around 15-16lbs.
Not looking for "just" animals........looking for the right bull that is ready and wants to play the game. But ya, there are a lot of animals out there that I pass by intentionally......and some I'm sure I pass unintentionally. Lots of elk that sneak in silently and then bust when I blow past them at 15 yards. I don't worry about those bulls.If you're doing 10 miles a day while hunting, you're missing a lot of animals.
Do more looking, less walking.